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 Insights - Air Canada has launched a new seasonal non-stop flight service from Toronto to Rio de Janeiro, operating three times a week until the end of March 2026 [1][7] - The new route aims to enhance international connectivity and tourism opportunities between Canada and Brazil, reflecting Air Canada's commitment to expanding its global network [3][8] Company Developments - The introduction of the Toronto-Rio de Janeiro route is part of Air Canada's strategy to strengthen its presence in the North American market and increase tourism flow to Brazil [5][6] - Air Canada's flights to Rio de Janeiro will be operated using a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner, offering various cabin classes including Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy [9] Industry Context - Brazil is experiencing significant growth in international tourism, being recognized as the fastest-growing country in this sector for the year [4] - The new flight service is expected to boost the number of Canadian visitors to Rio de Janeiro, enhancing cultural and business exchanges between the two countries [6][8]

Core Points - Air Canada has launched a special livery to honor Canadian Olympians and Paralympians for the Milano Cortina 2026 Games, featuring images of Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors on an Airbus A330 [1][5] - As the Official Airline of Team Canada, Air Canada will transport over 750 athletes and delegation members to and from the Games, ensuring a seamless travel experience through its employee-driven Going for Gold program [3][5] - The new livery symbolizes the strength and dedication of Canadian athletes, reflecting Air Canada's long-standing support for Team Canada since 1988 for the Olympic Team and 2007 for the Paralympic Team [4][6] Company Overview - Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada and a founding member of Star Alliance, providing scheduled service to over 180 airports globally [7] - The airline's Aeroplan program is Canada's premier travel loyalty program, allowing members to earn or redeem points across a vast network of airline partners and other services [7] - Air Canada aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of its climate-related ambitions [7]

Core Insights - The article highlights the successful collaboration between Dreams Take Flight, Air Canada, and The Air Canada Foundation in providing magical experiences for over a thousand children in Canada through trips to theme parks in Florida and California in 2025 [1] Group 1: Dreams Take Flight Overview - Dreams Take Flight was established in 1989 by Air Canada employees to offer children facing mental, physical, or social challenges a memorable trip to a theme park [3] - The initiative has expanded to eight chapters across Canada by 1997, including cities like Halifax, Montréal, and Vancouver, and operates entirely on a volunteer basis [3] - Since its inception, more than 35,000 children have participated in Dreams Take Flight trips [7] Group 2: Volunteer Involvement - Children selected from various organizations are accompanied by volunteers, including current and retired Air Canada employees, who help create a magical experience [4] - Volunteers contribute their time generously, including flight attendants and maintenance engineers, to provide children with a break from their daily lives [4] Group 3: Impact and Support - The partnership with the Air Canada Foundation is crucial for delivering these experiences, as it enables volunteers to create memorable days for children in need [5] - The initiative is described as more than just a trip; it serves to inspire hope and courage among the children, creating lasting memories [6] Group 4: Air Canada Foundation - The Air Canada Foundation, established in 2012, focuses on the health and well-being of children and youth, providing financial and in-kind support to Canadian charities [9] - Core programs include the Hospital Transportation Program, which redistributes Aeroplan points to pediatric hospitals, and fundraising activities like the Every Bit Counts program [9] Group 5: Air Canada Overview - Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada and a founding member of Star Alliance, offering scheduled services to over 180 airports globally [10] - The airline has a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax and operates a premier travel loyalty program, Aeroplan, allowing members to earn or redeem points across a vast network [10] - Air Canada aims for net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050 as part of its climate-related ambitions [10]

Core Points - Air Canada is expanding its Summer 2026 global schedule to Europe with new non-stop routes from Toronto, Montréal, and Halifax [1][3] - The new destinations include Berlin, Nantes, Ponta Delgada, and Brussels, enhancing Air Canada's transatlantic network [3][4] - The airline will connect Canada to over 126 global destinations, offering up to 155,000 seats weekly across various regions [5] Route Details - From Montréal to Berlin: Non-stop service three times weekly starting July 2, 2026 [7][6] - From Montréal to Nantes: Non-stop service three times weekly starting June 10, 2026 [10][9] - From Halifax to Brussels: Non-stop service three times weekly starting June 18, 2026 [14][13] - From Toronto to Ponta Delgada: Non-stop service three times weekly starting June 11, 2026 [12][11] - Seasonal service from Montréal to Tel Aviv will resume, operated by a Boeing 787 Dreamliner [16][15] Strategic Importance - The expansion aims to strengthen economic ties and support tourism between Canada and Europe [3] - Air Canada will have North America's second-largest transatlantic network by destinations next summer [4] - The new routes reflect the airline's commitment to international growth and enhancing travel options for customers [5][4]

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 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] Grant Program Details - Applicants must be Canadian registered charities focused on enhancing access to care and services for underserved populations [3][8] - The application period runs from November 1 to December 31 each year, with grants awarded in the first half of the following 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 [10]

Core Insights - Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation successfully hosted Autism Aviation Days, providing children on the autism spectrum and their families with a supportive environment to learn about air travel [1][4][6] - The initiative expanded significantly in 2025, with seven events held across Canada, up from four in 2024, reflecting increased demand [5][6] Event Details - In 2025, events took place in cities including Vancouver, Kamloops, Calgary, St. John's, Quebec City, Winnipeg, and Edmonton, with the last event occurring in Vancouver [3][5] - Over 450 children and their families participated in the events, gaining first-hand experience with airport procedures [6] Organizational Support - The events were supported by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines, alongside local autism organizations and airports [3][5] - The Air Canada Foundation focuses on health and well-being of children and youth, providing financial and in-kind support to Canadian charities [8] Accessibility and Inclusion - The initiative aims to break down barriers for families with children on the spectrum, promoting equity and inclusion in air travel [4][6] - Feedback from participants highlighted the emotional impact of the events, with families expressing joy at overcoming travel barriers [4][6]

Core Insights - Air Canada was awarded the North American Winner for Employee Experience Strategy at the sixth annual ARCET Global Customer Centricity World Series Awards, recognizing its "Care & Class" initiative [1][3] Group 1: Awards and Recognition - The ARCET Global Customer Centricity World Series Awards celebrate companies for superior customer and employee experiences, with Air Canada being recognized for its innovative approach [1][6] - The awards program includes regional winners from various global regions, highlighting the best customer experience stories [6] Group 2: Company Initiatives - Air Canada's "Care & Class" initiative aims to enhance personal care in customer travel experiences, leading to significant improvements in employee engagement and customer satisfaction [4] - The initiative empowers employees to provide better service, especially in challenging situations, and creates memorable moments for customers even during smooth operations [4] Group 3: Company Overview - Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada and a founding member of Star Alliance, serving over 180 airports globally [7] - The airline's Aeroplan program is a leading travel loyalty program, allowing members to earn or redeem points with a vast network of airline partners [8] - Air Canada has set a long-term goal of achieving net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, reflecting its commitment to sustainability [8]