’Tis the season for making memories, and for more than 2.3 million Air Canada customers, that starts the moment they arrive at the airport. Between December 18 and January 4, the airline expects to welcome close to 130,000 customers a day – surpassing 140,000 during peak periods – in one of its busiest travel weeks of the year.
Holiday Hospitality at Every Step of the Journey
“At Air Canada, the customer experience is at the core of everything we do, and we know that at this busy time of year and with unpredictable weather, holiday travel is exciting but can also be stressful,” says Tom Stevens, Vice President of Customer Experience and Service Operations. “Our teams are here to provide attentive care and help customers feels confident and comfortable throughout their journey. Especially our customers who may need an extra helping hand – whether that’s families with young children, or our customers with accessibility needs.”
The warm welcome for customers starts with our airline agents, there to help navigate the busy terminals – whether it’s directions to restrooms, charging stations, our lounges or simply offering an extra set of hands. And if it’s extra fuel you need, stop and say hi and grab a complimentary festive snack across many of our Canadian airports between December 18 and 24. The team will be handing out a selection of our onboard treats like LeClerc Célébration Cookies and TWIGZ buttery herb and garlic pretzels.
Earlier this month, Air Canada’s team members kicked off their efforts and surprised customers at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport with thoughtful gifts for the holiday season. See the smiles these surprises brought in this holiday video.
Innovations Making Every Journey Smoother
From major investments in aircraft cabins, new technology, and frontline training, the airline continues to transform the Air Canada travel experience. In 2025, Air Canada rolled out upgrades designed to boost comfort and confidence, including fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members sponsored by Bell on North American and Sun routes, complimentary beer, wine and premium snacks – including non-alcoholic Heineken 0.0 – and new Air Canada Cafés at Montréal-Trudeau and Vancouver domestic terminals for a relaxed way to grab a pre-flight coffee or snack.
The Air Canada mobile app offers customers day-of-travel updates, with flight status, gate changes, and real-time baggage tracking helping them feel more in control of their trip. This includes a new tool that puts a human face to the hardworking employees loading and unloading customer baggage.
As always, Air Canada offers priority assistance for families, and customers with accessibility requirements. From contact centre agents and gate staff to cabin crews and baggage handlers, airline teams are committed to supporting every customer’s needs – whether that’s helping children travelling alone, assisting with tight connections, or ensuring smooth travel for those with accessibility requirements. The airline’s three-year Accessibility Plan, launched in 2023, guides ongoing investments and training to make travel more inclusive and seamless for all customers.
Seasonal Flavours on the Ground and in the Air
Air Canada is delivering a feast of festive flavours at airline lounges and in-flight. In select Maple Leaf Lounges, customers can enjoy curated regional Canadian favourites, from oven-roasted turkey to Beef Provençale, tourtière du Québec, pomegranate-roasted root vegetables and ragoût de boulettes d’antan. Guests can also indulge in classic holiday desserts such as gingerbread cookies, yule logs, panettone, and more.
The airline is also adding festive touches to menus in all cabins throughout December. On select Air Canada international outbound flights, customers can look forward to:
- Economy: Red velvet cookies, and broccoli and cranberry salad
- Premium Economy: Hot chocolate, TWIGZ Cinnamon Churro pretzels, and broccoli and cranberry salad
- Air Canada Signature Class: Festive turkey roulade meal, cranberry Aperol spritz, and San Sebastian cheesecake with cranberry and orange compote
Beyond festive food and drink offerings, Air Canada is bringing extra holiday cheer to make the journey feel special for all customers. On December 25, children 12 and under on select routes may receive a Lindt teddy bear – a small keepsake to start their journey with a smile. For cozy, fun-filled moments in the air, customers can choose from more than 50 holiday-themed titles on Air Canada’s award-winning in-flight entertainment system, including The Holdovers, 23 décembre, Home Alone, La Guerre des Tuques and The Polar Express.
Raising the Bar on Air Canada Travel in 2026
Beyond the holiday season, Air Canada is looking forward to an exciting 2026, with new routes connecting customers to even more destinations, new aircraft featuring redesigned cabins for elevated comfort, and a range of new customer-focused products and services designed to make every journey smoother and more enjoyable.
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