Over 12 new international destinations launched in 2025, 7 already announced for 2026New on-board additions such as fast, free Wi-Fi* in North America, complimentary beer and wine for all customers and premium snacks MONTREAL, Dec. 11, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- As 2025 draws to a close, Air Canada reflects on a year marked by significant achievements and milestones. With gratitude for the loyalty of its customers, the dedicated professionalism of its employees and the support of its partners, Air Canada cele ...

Core Insights - Air Canada reflects on a successful 2025, highlighting customer loyalty, employee dedication, and partnerships as key to its achievements [1][3] - The airline is optimistic about future growth and plans to build on its successes in 2026 [1][3] Expansion and Network Growth - Air Canada announced a significant expansion of its schedule to Latin America, introducing four new destinations, 13 new routes, and increasing capacity by 16% [4] - In 2025, the airline launched 12 new international destinations and announced seven more for 2026, enhancing its position as a major transatlantic carrier [10] Customer Experience Enhancements - The airline improved its Economy travel experience by offering complimentary beer, wine, and exclusive Canadian-made snacks on all flights, including routes to Mexico and the Caribbean [11] - New onboard features include fast, free Wi-Fi in North America and complimentary beverages for all customers [8] Awards and Recognition - Air Canada received the Five Star Global Airline Award for the sixth consecutive year at the APEX 2026 Awards, with its onboard Wi-Fi ranked as the Best Inflight Connectivity [5] - The airline was named the Best Airline in North America at the 2025 Skytrax World Airline Awards, along with multiple other accolades for its services and employee satisfaction [16] Loyalty Program Growth - Air Canada's Aeroplan loyalty program reached a milestone of 10 million members in 2025, expanding its partnerships to enhance rewards for members [6] Sustainability Initiatives - The airline achieved 100% electrification of its ground support equipment fleet at the Québec City station, transitioning from fossil fuel-powered equipment to electric alternatives [7] Operational Performance - Air Canada ranked in the Top 3 for on-time performance among North American carriers for three months in 2025, improving its on-time performance by three percentage points compared to 2024 [14] Community Engagement - The airline's "Dreams Take Flight" program successfully provided over a thousand children across Canada with magical experiences at theme parks in Florida and California [9] Infrastructure Developments - Air Canada opened two new Café locations at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport and Vancouver International Airport, designed to enhance customer experience [15]

Core Points - Air Canada and Emirates have extended their strategic partnership through a memorandum of understanding until at least December 31, 2032 [1][2] Group 1: Partnership Details - The extension solidifies the relationship that began in 2022, enhancing international strategy and providing seamless connections for customers between Toronto and Dubai, as well as to destinations across the Indian subcontinent, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia [2][3] - The codeshare agreement currently covers 56 routes connecting 37 destinations in the U.S. and Canada with 19 routes in India, the Middle East, and Southeast Asia [3] Group 2: Passenger Benefits - Passengers will continue to enjoy reciprocal miles earning and spending across both Aeroplan and Skywards loyalty programs, with plans to introduce the ability to redeem miles for premium economy cabins on each other's flights [4][6] - Enhancements to the passenger experience are promised, likely including improved priority benefits for frequent flyers of both airlines [6][7] Group 3: Future Outlook - The successful trial period of the interline and codeshare agreements has led to their continuation for at least another 7 years, with potential for additional routes and destinations to be added to the codeshare options [9]

Core Points - The Air Canada Foundation is inviting applications for its annual grant program aimed at improving the health and well-being of children and youth across Canada [1][4] - The Foundation disbursed $1.6 million in 2025 to support 38 distinct projects led by Canadian registered charities [5][7] Eligibility and Application Process - Applicants must be Canadian registered charities focused on enhancing access to care and services for underserved populations [3][8] - Grant applications are accepted from November 1 to December 31 each year, with funding awarded in the first half of the following calendar year [8] Foundation's Mission and Impact - The Foundation's mission includes three pillars: Health, Protection, and Dreams, addressing various challenges faced by children and youth [5][6] - The Foundation has been operational since 2012, providing both financial and in-kind support to charities [9]

Core Insights - Aeroplan has partnered with DINR, a Canadian startup, to enhance its travel loyalty program by offering exclusive dining experiences and reservations at top restaurants in Canada [1][3][4] Group 1: Partnership Overview - The partnership aims to provide Aeroplan Members with access to exclusive dining experiences, enhancing their lifestyle journey both at home and while traveling [3][6] - DINR's app will allow Aeroplan Members to make same-day reservations at coveted restaurants, participate in private culinary events, and enjoy curated culinary stories [5][7] Group 2: Strategic Expansion - This collaboration signifies Aeroplan's strategic move into premium lifestyle experiences, integrating dining into its loyalty offerings [4][6] - Aeroplan Members will receive special perks and members-only offers on DINR Premium memberships to celebrate the launch [6] Group 3: Culinary Community Engagement - The partnership deepens Aeroplan's engagement with Canada's culinary community, connecting travelers to the diverse food culture of the nation [7] - By collaborating with restaurant owners and highlighting emerging culinary talent, Aeroplan encourages customers to explore new dining destinations [7][8] Group 4: Aeroplan Program Highlights - Aeroplan Members can earn or redeem points on over 45 airlines to more than 1,300 destinations globally, with no blackout dates [9] - The program has over 10 million active members, allowing them to turn daily purchases into points for various rewards [10]

Core Insights - Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada, operating a hub-and-spoke network with a focus on loyalty and partnerships, particularly through its Aeroplan program [2][4][5] - The airline serves nearly 200 destinations across six continents, with a fleet of 322 aircraft and over 1,600 daily flights [3][9] - Air Canada has been recognized as a 4-star airline by Skytrax, reflecting its solid service offerings and customer satisfaction [8][64] Company Overview - Founded in 1937, Air Canada was initially known as Trans-Canada Air Lines and rebranded in the 1960s [2] - The airline operates subsidiary brands like Air Canada Rouge and regional services under Air Canada Express [2] - Main hubs include Montréal, Toronto, and Vancouver, with a significant international presence [9] Loyalty Program - Aeroplan is Air Canada's loyalty program, allowing members to earn points on flights with Air Canada and over 45 partner airlines [7][10] - The program is set to transition to a revenue-based earning system in 2026, linking points earned to the amount spent [10] - Aeroplan offers flexibility with no blackout dates for redeeming points on Air Canada flights, although dynamic pricing can complicate the redemption process [11] Service Offerings - Air Canada provides various cabin classes, including economy, premium economy, and business class, with multiple fare types that include different levels of service [8][54] - The airline has upgraded its long-haul cabins and offers complimentary beer and wine on many North American routes [4][24] - In-flight amenities include personal entertainment systems, complimentary snacks, and options for purchasing meals and drinks [55][30] Fees and Add-Ons - Baggage fees vary by fare class and route, with economy passengers typically allowed one carry-on and one personal item for free, while checked baggage incurs additional charges [17] - Change and cancellation fees depend on fare class, with basic economy tickets often having stricter policies [19] - Additional services such as extra legroom seats, Wi-Fi, and pet transportation come with their own fees [22][23][32] Customer Experience - Air Canada has received mixed reviews regarding customer service, with common complaints about delays, cancellations, and add-on fees [61] - The airline maintains a strong safety record and has invested in modern aircraft to improve operational reliability [62] - Recent awards include recognition for best airline cleanliness and best airline staff in Canada [66]

Core Insights - Point.me's 2025 report ranks the best airline miles programs globally, focusing on maximizing value for travelers [1][4] - The report evaluates 59 airline loyalty programs across eight categories, including redemption rates and customer service [2] Ranking Overview - Air France-KLM's Flying Blue is ranked as the best airline rewards program for the second consecutive year, noted for its competitive redemption rates and extensive transfer partners [6] - American Airlines AAdvantage made a significant leap from sixth to second place due to new partnerships with Citi ThankYou Rewards, enhancing point transfer options [7][8] - Alaska Airlines ranks third, recognized for its strong award availability and international partnerships [9] Regional Highlights - In North America, American AAdvantage leads, followed by Alaska Airlines and United MileagePlus, with JetBlue TrueBlue noted for innovative partnerships [11] - Flying Blue tops the rankings in Europe, while Avianca LifeMiles remains strong in Latin America despite slight pricing changes [12] Key Trends - Earning miles is increasingly driven by credit card spending and partnerships rather than just flying, emphasizing the importance of accessibility [13][14] - Flexibility in cancellation policies and award holding options is becoming a critical differentiator among loyalty programs [15] - Partnerships with credit card issuers and other airlines are essential for enhancing loyalty program value and member engagement [17]