Air Canada Shares More Details of Free Wi-Fi Rollout, Adds Streaming Services

Updated: June 7, 2023, 1:51am CDT

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Air Canada’s Continued Improvement of the Inflight Experience
Final Thoughts

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Air Canada has been making waves in recent months with one announcement after another detailing improvements to its inflight passenger experience.

And, it’s about to take it another step (or 2) further. The airline outlined steps it’s going to take to provide free “full” Wi-Fi on flights (just some to start) in addition to providing access to a number of streaming services for passengers.

Here’s a look at what we know so far.

Air Canada’s Continued Improvement of the Inflight Experience

In February of this year, Canada’s flag carrier made 6 channels of live TV available to passengers traveling on select Air Canada flights.

And just last month, the airline rolled out free messaging Wi-Fi to all its planes equipped with onboard Wi-Fi to its Aeroplan members as well as members of key partner programs.

But, it has plans to do even more.

Access to New Streaming Channels

First shared with Executive Traveller, the airline laid out its plan to provide several streaming channels, available in the seatback entertainment systems, to flyers. These include Apple TV+, DAZN, Disney+, Hayu, Netflix, and SportsNet. Passengers can sign in from the onboard IFE system and have access to some of their favorite TV shows and movies.

Air Canada Economy Cabin IFE — Image Credit: CNW Group via Air Canada

Free Wi-Fi Network-wide

Further down the road, the carrier plans to offer “full, fast, and free” Wi-Fi to customers on regional flights, with the end goal being to provide this level of connectivity across its entire network.

These plans are contingent on the availability of bandwidth, which is also why, according to the airline, it currently charges for inflight connectivity. Its rationale is that charging passengers for Wi-Fi keeps precious bandwidth for those who really need — or want — to use the service.

As the airline improves its onboard Wi-Fi systems, it should free up enough bandwidth capability to provide the new services it plans to provide.

Final Thoughts

There’s no firm timeline yet regarding the rollout of either of these offerings, but we imagine they are going to come fairly soon considering the timeline of the airline’s other improvements so far this year.

Air Canada is investing heavily in the onboard experience for its passengers. While it’s still very much a work in progress, the indication that the airline plans to provide free “full” Wi-Fi, as well as access to ever-popular streaming services, signals that it knows what its customers are demanding — both right now and for the future.