Air Canada on August 28, 2026 announced a new mobility aid travel policy designed to make travel simpler, more consistent and less stressful for customers who travel with mobility aids, including customers participating in adapted sports.

The new policy gives customers requiring the use of mobility aids, or travelling with adaptive sports equipment greater flexibility in bringing the items they need when they fly with Air Canada. It reflects the airline’s ongoing work to identify, remove and prevent barriers for customers with disabilities, and to provide a more dignified and predictable travel experience at every stage of the journey.

Highlights of the new policy include:

• Customers can now travel complimentary with up to three mobility aids.
• Eligible items can include any combination of personal mobility aids, adaptive sports equipment, or personal or patient lift, or similar transfer devices.
• The policy supports both adaptive athletes and recreational travellers with disabilities, helping remove barriers to participation in sport and leisure travel.
• If a mobility aid is too large to travel on the same aircraft as the customer, Air Canada Cargo will complimentarily transport it within Canada.
• The enhanced policy reflects Air Canada’s ongoing commitment to improving accessibility and creating an inclusive travel experience for customers with disabilities.

The policy supports customers with varied travel needs, including those travelling for business, leisure, medical reasons or adapted sport. It is intended to reduce uncertainty across different parts of the travel journey by providing a more consistent approach to how mobility aids are accommodated, handled and supported.

Air Canada announced:

As wildfires continue to affect communities across Northern Ontario, Air Canada, the Air Canada Foundation, and Air Canada Cargo are working alongside long-time humanitarian partner GlobalMedic to help deliver critical support to frontline firefighters, evacuees, and communities impacted by the ongoing emergency.

Through the transportation of essential equipment and support for emergency response efforts on the ground, Air Canada is helping ensure that aid reaches people and communities who need it most.

Most recently, Air Canada Cargo transported 140 fire-resistant coveralls to Thunder Bay to help equip firefighters responding to active wildfires across the region.

In addition to transporting protective equipment, Air Canada is supporting GlobalMedic’s broader wildfire response efforts by helping transport its teams to communities across Northern Ontario. This support enables GlobalMedic personnel to deliver critical assistance on the ground, including the distribution of specialized Fire Skid Units to rural and volunteer fire departments. These innovative units convert pickup trucks into rapid-response firefighting vehicles, expanding the capacity of local departments to respond quickly and effectively to wildfire threats.

Since the program began in August 2023, GlobalMedic has distributed more than 700 Fire Skid Units across Canada and continues to provide additional support to departments actively battling fires in affected regions. Beyond firefighting efforts, the organization is also providing support to evacuees through wellness checks, mobile clinic services, emergency snacks, and hygiene supplies. As communities begin the recovery process, GlobalMedic will continue supporting local food banks and other recovery initiatives in the months ahead.

A Collective Effort to Support Impacted Communities

Recognizing the urgent needs facing Northern Ontario communities, Destination Northern Ontario (DNO), the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO), and the Northern Ontario Tourist Outfitters Association (NOTO) have joined Air Canada and the Air Canada Foundation in helping raise awareness and support for wildfire relief and recovery efforts.

Supporting Relief Through Employee Giving

Driven by the generosity and longstanding commitment of Air Canada employees to support communities in times of need, the Air Canada Foundation has launched an employee fundraising campaign in support of GlobalMedic’s wildfire response efforts. Funds raised will help provide Fire Skid Units, protective equipment for frontline firefighters, support for evacuees, and recovery initiatives for communities affected by the wildfires.

As communities across Northern Ontario face the challenges of wildfire response and recovery, Air Canada, the Air Canada Foundation, Air Canada Cargo, employees, and industry partners remain committed to standing alongside Canadians in times of need, helping to deliver support, strengthen resilience and assist communities as they recover and rebuild.

With wildfire activity continuing in several regions across the country, Air Canada, the Air Canada Foundation and Air Canada Cargo remain ready to support our humanitarian partners as they respond to evolving community needs.

Air Canada and Airbus have announced a joint initiative to establish a Canadian Sustainability Co-Investment Platform, committing up to $13,700,000 Canadian Dollars ($10,000,000 US Dollar equivalent) to accelerate the production of commercial-scale Sustainable Aviation Fuel within Canada. The primary objective of the platform is to advance a selected domestic SAF project toward a Final Investment Decision. Both companies emphasize that establishing a supportive public policy framework alongside federal and provincial governments is critical to scaling local refining capacity, maintaining price competitiveness, and preserving air travel affordability.

As part of the partnership, Airbus has entered into a five-year agreement under Air Canada’s Leave Less Travel Program to address Scope 3 emissions from employee corporate travel. For its initial allocation, Airbus will purchase environmental attributes corresponding to more than 60,000 liters of SAF, which Air Canada will track and retire on the manufacturer’s behalf. This corporate demand mechanism complements Air Canada’s broader fleet renewal efforts, which include the introduction of fuel-efficient Airbus A220 and A321XLR aircraft.

A macroeconomic study conducted by Airbus and ICF highlights the substantial economic potential of building a domestic SAF market, projecting that replacing 40% of Canada’s aviation fuel demand with SAF by 2040 could generate $32,000,000,000 Canadian Dollars ($23,360,000,000 US Dollar equivalent) in gross domestic product and support 140,000 jobs across the agricultural, forestry, and urban sectors.

Air Canada is introducing a new collection of premium bedding and thoughtfully designed amenities to elevate rest and comfort for customers on international flights.

Launching across all cabins beginning this month, the collection includes upgraded Signature Class duvets and pillows, generously sized blankets in Premium Economy and Economy Class, and new amenity kits developed in partnership with leading Canadian brands.

The collection represents the latest investment in Air Canada’s end-to-end Glowing Hearted experience, helping customers relax during their flight and arrive ready to make the most of their journey, whether they are travelling for business, reconnecting with family or beginning a long-awaited vacation.

“From the generously sized Premium Economy and Economy Class blanket that keeps you comfortable from shoulders to feet, to our new plush Signature Class duvets, every element introduced as part of this launch was thoughtfully chosen to help customers settle in, relax and rest throughout their journey,” said Jacqueline Harkness, Managing Director, Products & Services at Air Canada. “We’ve spent meaningful time with our customers, getting their perspective on what would make a flight more relaxing and restful. Then we went to work investing in high-quality products that deliver the very best that leading Canadian partners have to offer.”

Designed in Canada for Comfort Beyond the Flight

Air Canada partnered with leading Canadian hospitality partner Hunter Amenities to develop, manufacture and source the new amenity kits, combining comfort and functionality with thoughtful, reusable design.

“Working closely with Air Canada, we designed every component – from the drawstring bag to the eye mask and socks – to be used well beyond the flight, bringing added purpose to high-quality travel essentials for customers,” said John Hunter, Founder at Hunter Amenities.

Furthering its commitment to championing Canadian brands, Air Canada also partnered with Sahajan, an award-winning, female-founded skincare company.

New Signature Class amenity kits will feature Sahajan’s “Lip Karma,” a nourishing lip balm with castor and argan oils for lasting moisture, and “The Hand Remedy,” a rich, fast-absorbing cream that provides immediate relief and a non-greasy barrier for dry hands.

Both products are manufactured by Hunter Amenities at its facility in Burlington, Ontario.

“With cabin humidity often 10 to 20 per cent, air travel can quickly dehydrate the skin, especially the delicate skin on our hands and lips,” said Lisa Mattam, Founder and CEO of Sahajan. “We’re proud to partner with Air Canada to bring Sahajan’s blend of clinical science and time-tested Ayurvedic wisdom to their amenities program, sharing our natural wellness products with Air Canada’s customers on international routes”

New In-flight Comfort Essentials

Beginning in July, customers travelling on international flights can expect the following:

Economy and Premium Economy Bedding:

• A new cozy blanket made from high-quality polar fleece.
• Measuring six feet, the new generously sized blanket is designed to provide comfortable, full-body coverage for customers of all heights.

Premium Economy Amenity Kit:

• A soft neoprene eye mask with a contoured nose bridge to improve comfort and block light.
• High-quality 3M earplugs made from soft, hypoallergenic polyurethane foam with a noise reduction rating of 32 decibels.
• Knitted cabin socks.
• An antimicrobial bamboo toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste.

Air Canada Signature Class Bedding and Amenity Kit:

• An upgraded, 145 gsm duvet designed to offering increased softness, warmth, and superior comfort.
• A new pillow featuring a 16.5 oz AirFlow fill for optimized breathability and support.

Air Canada Signature Class Amenity Kit:

• A best-in-class eye mask that is soft, weightless and adjustable, precision-shaped to completely block out light and maximize comfort.
• Sahajan’s science-backed Lip Karma balm and The Hand Remedy cream for in-flight hydration.
• High-quality 3M earplugs made from soft, hypoallergenic polyurethane foam with a noise reduction rating 32 decibels.
• Quintessentially Canadian striped knitted cabin socks, made with 70 per cent cotton for warmth and comfort at high altitudes.
• An antimicrobial bamboo toothbrush with Colgate toothpaste and dental floss.
• The amenity kit is made in Canada and presented in a recycled cotton drawstring bag designed to be reused on future journeys.

Developed in close collaboration with Canadian partners, the bedding and amenity kit collection brings greater comfort, thoughtful functionality, and a distinctly Canadian touch to the international travel experience. For more information on Air Canada’s new in-flight amenities and details by cabin, visit aircanada.com/ArriveRefreshed.

Air Canada on July 13, 2026 announced the launch of the Air Canada City Shuttle, an expansion of its multi-modal partnership with The Landline Company. Beginning today, this new service will provide a fast, frequent and direct motorcoach connection for Air Canada customers between the Palais des congrès de Montréal and Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) for $9 one way, plus applicable taxes.

The Air Canada City Shuttle is designed to provide more predictable travel times between downtown Montréal and YUL. Using the highway’s dedicated high-occupancy vehicle lane and a private airport entrance helps ensure a faster ride, which could save customers up to 25 minutes at peak times compared to airport access roads.

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Air Canada announced on July 8, 2026 that Anko Van der Werff will become its next President and Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, by the end of January 2027. Mr. Van der Werff, currently President and Chief Executive Officer at Scandinavian Airlines, succeeds Michael Rousseau, who previously announced his retirement after 19 years with Air Canada.

“Our Board of Directors was impressed by the quality of experienced executives from around the world who expressed interest in the role,” said Vagn Sørensen, Chair of the Board. “We are delighted to have attracted and recruited an executive of Mr. Van der Werff’s stature to lead Air Canada. He has an exceptional breadth of international aviation experience and a proven 25-year track record, including his most recent forward-looking executive leadership at Scandinavian Airlines, Avianca Group, and Aeroméxico and earlier at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines (now Air France-KLM) and Qatar Airways. We are confident he will drive further value-creating growth and transformation while maintaining our commitment to disciplined capital allocation.”

“Air Canada is a globally recognized airline leader. It is an honour to be chosen to lead this iconic Canadian company as it advances its ambitions and strategy, builds on its award-winning employee culture and customer value proposition, and prepares for an even brighter future,” said Anko Van der Werff. “I look forward to working closely with Air Canada’s talented executive team and with all employees to fulfil our commitments to shareholders and customers. I am excited about relocating to Montréal and eager to get started.”

Mr. Sørensen concluded: “The Board is grateful to Michael Rousseau for his outstanding leadership and extraordinary contributions, which are in large part responsible for the enviable position Air Canada enjoys among global carriers. We thank him for that legacy and for his support with the transition.”

The selection of Mr. Van der Werff follows a comprehensive global search for the best person to lead Air Canada into the future. The search considered a number of performance criteria, including the ability to communicate in French.  

Mr. Rousseau’s retirement is effective August 31, 2026. He will continue to be available as needed throughout the transition. Following his departure and for the duration of the transition period, the Executive Committee will report to the Board of Directors.

Biographical notes

Anko Van der Werff will become President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada by the end of January 2027. A global aviation executive with more than 25 years of international airline leadership experience, he has held senior roles across Europe, Latin America and the Middle East. Prior to joining Air Canada, he served as President and CEO of SAS Scandinavian Airlines, leading the carrier through a significant period of transformation and strategic renewal.

Before joining SAS in 2021, Mr. Van der Werff was Chief Executive Officer of Avianca, one of Latin America’s leading airlines. Earlier in his career, he served as Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Aeromexico, held senior commercial leadership positions at Qatar Airways, and occupied a number of management roles at KLM Royal Dutch Airlines.

Mr. Van der Werff served on the Board of Governors of the International Air Transport Association (IATA) until June 2026 and has also served on the boards of several international organizations in the aviation, technology and business sectors.

He holds a master’s degree in law from Leiden University and completed executive studies at Harvard Business School.

A native of the Netherlands, Mr. Van der Werff speaks Dutch. He is able to communicate in French. Aside from those two languages and English, he also learned Spanish, Italian and Swedish at different levels over the course of his international career.