is
Canada 's largest
Airline and
Flag Carrier . The airline, founded in 1937, has its corporate headquarters in
Montreal ,
Quebec after it moved from
Winnipeg ,
Manitoba . Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to over 240 destinations and vacation packages to over 90 destinations via Air Canada Vacations. Air Canada is the world's 11th largest passenger airline
By Fleet Size and its largest hub is
Toronto Pearson International Airport . The airline's parent company is
ACE Aviation Holdings . Air Canada is a founding member of
Star Alliance , an alliance of 18 member airlines formed in 1997. On
January 19 ,
2007 , the airline was voted Best Airline in North America.
In 2006, 34 million people flew with the airline. In 2007, Air Canada celebrates its 70th anniversary.
__TOC__
livery at the
Western Canada Aviation Museum .]]
Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA) was created as a subsidiary of
Canadian National Railway (CNR) on
April 10 ,
1937 . Passenger operations began on
September 1 , with a Lockheed 10A carrying two passengers and mail from
Vancouver to
Seattle . The company was headquartered in
Winnipeg which was also the site of the national maintenance base. In 1949, the federal government moved the headquarters to Montreal. Later the maintenance base also moved east. In 1953 with the development of the
ReserVec , Air Canada became the first airline in the world to use a
Computer Reservation System with remote terminals.
By 1964, TCA had grown to become Canada's national airline and in 1964
Jean Chrétien submitted a
Private Member's Bill to change the name of the airline from Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada. This bill failed but it was resubmitted and passed, with the name change taking effect on
January 1 ,
1965 . In a late
1970s reorganisation at CNR, Air Canada became an independent
Crown Corporation .
In 1987, Air Canada became the first airline in the world to have a fleet-wide non-smoking policy
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Privatised . Air Canada sold the
EnRoute card business to
Diners Club in 1992. Air Canada is a founding member of the
Star Alliance , which was launched in May 1997. The airline
Code-shares with several of the alliance's members.
On
September 2 ,
1998 pilots for Air Canada launched the company's first pilots' strike. At the end of 1999 the Canadian government relaxed some of the aviation regulations, aimed at creating a consolidation of the Canadian airline industry.
In January 2001 Air Canada acquired Canada's second largest air carrier,
Canadian Airlines , subsequently merging the latter's operations into its own. As a result Air Canada became the world's twelfth-largest commercial airline.
On
April 1 ,
2003 , Air Canada filed for
Bankruptcy protection, emerging from this protection on
September 30 ,
2004 , 18 months later. During bankruptcy protection, the company was subject to two competing bids from
Cerberus Capital Management and
Victor Li . The Cerberus bid would have seen former Prime Minister
Brian Mulroney installed as chairman, being recruited by Cerberus international advisory board chair
Dan Quayle . Cerberus was rejected because it had a reputation of changing existing employee pension agreements, a move strongly opposed by the
CAW . Air Canada initially selected
Victor Li 's ''Trinity Time Investments'', who initially asked for a board veto and the chairmanship in return for investing $650 million in the airline. Li, who holds dual citizenship from Canada and Hong Kong, later demanded changes to the pension plan (which was not in his original takeover bid), but since the unions refused to budge, the bid was withdrawn. Finally,
Deutsche Bank unveiled an $850 million dollar financing package for Air Canada, if it would cut $200 million in annual cost cutting in addition to the $1.1 billion that the unions agreed on in 2003. It was accepted after last minute talks between CEO
Robert Milton and CAW chief
Buzz Hargrove got the union concessions needed to let the bid go through.
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ACE Aviation Holdings is the new parent company under which the reorganised Air Canada is held.
On
October 31 ,
2004 , the last Air Canada
Boeing 747 flights landed in
Toronto and in
Montreal , ending more than 30 years of 747 service with the airline. The
Boeing 747-400 fleet was replaced by the
A340 fleet.
As of January 2005, Air Canada employed 29,198 staff.
]]
]]
On
October 19 ,
2004 , Air Canada unveiled a new aircraft colour scheme and uniforms. A
Boeing 767-300 was painted in the new silver-blue colour, and the green tail was replaced with a new version of the
Maple leaf.
On fleet, and as the 787s are delivered, it will gradually retire all
Boeing 767 s and
A330-300 s.
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In November 2005, Air Canada, in an experiment to reduce aircraft weight and increase fuel efficiency, removed the paint and primer from a Boeing 767-233ER. However, the cost of the aluminum skin polishing and treatments turned out to be greater than the cost of the fuel saved, and the result was regarded as aesthetically displeasing.
On
April 24 ,
2007 , Air Canada announced that it has exercised half of its options for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The firm order for the Dreamliners is now at 37 plus 23 options, for a total of 60.
This makes Air Canada the largest operator of the Dreamliner in North America and the second largest in the world (behind
Qantas ). It also announced that it has cancelled orders for 2 Boeing 777Fs. The number of 777s now on order totals 16 (8 -300ERs, 8 -200LRs) with options for 18 more, totalling 35.
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Air Canada has also taken delivery of 15
Embraer 175 s and is in process of taking delivery of 45
Embraer 190 s. It also holds options on an additional 60 Embraer 190s. These aircraft are being used to expand its intra-Canada and Canada/USA routes. Additionally, some of the Embraer 190s will replace older
A319 /
A320 s.
Started in July 2006, and scheduled to be completed by early 2008, ''Project XM: Extreme Makeover'', is a $300-million CAD ($259-million USD) aircraft interior replacement project to install new cabins on all aircraft, except the soon to be replaced A340s. New aircraft being delivered already have the new features.
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New cabin features include:
- In Executive First, new horizontal lie-flat executive suites in a 'herringbone pattern'
- New cabins in all classes on all aircraft (except the A340s)
- Personal AVOD (8.9" touch-screen LCD) in Economy class (domestic and international) providing over 80 hours of video and 50 hours of audio entertainment. Larger screens available in Executive First.
- Interactive games
- 3-prong 120 VAC plugs for laptops
- USB ports to recharge iPods and BlackBerry devices
- XM Radio Canada available in every seat
The aircraft refurbished with new interiors, denoted with a red star, can be found at:
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Air Canada operates flights to 240 destinations in Canada, the USA, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Asia.
The Air Canada fleet consists of 202 aircraft, as of
August ,
2007 .
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- Executive Class is offered on domestic flights, Executive First on international flights.
- Air Canada has an average fleet age of 9.1 years, as of September 2007. {Link without Title}
- Air Canada has options for 18 more Boeing 777s, 23 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Embraer E190s.
- Air Canada was the first North American airline to operate the Airbus A319, A340-300, A340-500, Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
- Air Canada is the largest North American customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
Air Canada's Subsidiary,
Air Canada Jazz has a separate fleet consisting of 133 aircraft as of April 2007
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See Also: Air Canada Jazz
- Executive Class is only available on Bombardier CRJ 705 aircraft
(AVOD) audio-video on demand
Air Canada was the first airline to operate a jet freighter with the introduction of the DC-8 and was the first major airline with an all turbine fleet, which allowed an increase in productivity and reduction in maintenance costs. Air Canada was also one of the first airlines to have its entire fleet of unpressurised aircraft equipped with fixed oxygen systems for use by flight crew and passengers, using the rebreathing bag principle.
The following is a list of aircraft that Air Canada has operated since 1937, and are now no longer in the fleet (click on link for a photo):
s were retired by 2004.]]
s were retired in 1992.]]
Air Canada has two classes on all aircraft. On longhaul international routes, Executive First (business class) and Economy Class (formerly Hospitality Class) are offered. On low-density longhaul international routes, Premium Economy and Economy Class are offered. Shorthaul and domestic routes feature Executive (domestic first class) and Economy Class.
Air Canada Jazz features two classes of service, Executive and Economy Class, on its CRJ-705 aircraft. All other Jazz aircraft are one class service (Economy Class).
Executive First is Air Canada’s international
Business Class product. All A340-500s, A340-300s, A330-300s, B777-300ERs, B777-200LRs and B767-300ERs are fitted with Executive First.
Will be available on all aircraft by 2008.
Executive First has electronic flat beds, in a 1-1-1 (Boeing 767-300ER) or 1-2-1 (Boeing 777) "herringbone" configuration with a 21" seat width (up to 23" at shoulders) and 75" pitch. The configuration is similar in layout to
Virgin Atlantic 's Upper Class Suite and
Air New Zealand 's Business Premier Class product. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio.
On the A330-300, A340-300 and the majority of B767-300 aircraft (at present), seats are electronic lie flat reclining to 151 degrees, with a width of 21” and a pitch of 57-60”. Seat configuration is 2-2-2 on Airbus aircraft, with 1-2-2 or 2-2-1 seating on the Boeing aircraft, depending on tail fin. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) on the A330-300 and some A340-300s and B767-300s (in the form of DVD players on these B767s). On other A340-300s and some B767-300s, personal continuous TVs are offered. Music is provided by XM satellite radio. On the A340-500, seats are electronic flat beds reclining to 180 degrees, with a width of 21" and a pitch of 63". Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio.
lands at
London Heathrow Airport .]]
Executive Class is Air Canada’s North American domestic first class product.
Will be available on all aircraft by 2008.
Seat configuration varies between 1-2, 2-2 and 2-2-2 depending on the aircraft. Recline is around 120-130 degrees, with a width of 18-21” and a pitch of 37-39”. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio.
Seat configuration varies between 2-2 and 2-2-2 depending on the aircraft. Recline is around 120-130 degrees, with a width of 18-21” and a pitch of 37-39”. Entertainment is provided in the form of main screen entertainment.
Premium Economy is offered on international
B767 -200 aircraft on low density routes to Europe and to the Caribbean. The cabin is the North American Executive Class cabin sold as Premium Economy.
No B767-200s will be refitted with the Project XM interior. Seats are pitched at 38-44” with a recline of 18” in a 2-2-2 configuration. Main screen entertainment is currently offered. The main cabin entertainment is presented on overhead ceiling monitors and on the bulkheads at the front of the cabins. Music is provided by XM satellite radio.
Will be available on all aircraft by 2008.
Seats are pitched 31-34” with a width of 17-18.5"” and a recline to around 6". Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio.
Seats are pitched 31-34” with a width of 17-17.5"” and a recline to around 6". Main screen entertainment is offered on all aircraft except on the A340-500, where entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand). The main cabin entertainment is presented on overhead ceiling monitors and on the bulkheads at the front of the cabins. Recorded
CBC news and
Hollywood movies are shown. Music on all aircraft is provided by XM satellite radio.
takes off.]]
The letter on a boarding pass corresponds to the named classes shown on the website, a rough breakdown as listed on the 2007 Aeroplan upgrade certificates follows: Tango (R, I, N, G, P, E, T), Tango Plus (B, H, V, Q, L, A), Latitude (M, U), Latitude Plus (Y) and Executive (J, C).
Air Canada offers a variety of meals on intercontinental routes, depending on seat class, destination and flight length. They do not offer food on most Canadian and US flights, but do offer hot meals and snacks on flights longer than five hours. A selection of cold food has been made for purchase on-board, paid in either
US or
Canadian Dollars .
Beverages like coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks are still free on domestic/US flights, but passengers are required to pay for alcohol.
Movies and music are available on all flights, with newer aircraft/new cabins offering audio/video on demand
In-flight Entertainment . This on-demand format is planned for all Air Canada aircraft and offers 80 hours of video and 50 hours of audio entertainment. Disposable head sets are provided free to all passengers and can be kept for future flights, with noise reduction headsets available in Executive First.
Newspapers and magazines are available to all Executive & Executive First passengers on Air Canada flights. Air Canada's in-flight magazine,
EnRoute , is provided to all passengers on all flights.
Air Canada has made a change in uniform by changing the dark green for a midnight blue colour. The uniforms were designed by Canadian fashion designer Debbie Shuchat, At a presentation in the
Toronto Pearson International Airport hangar,
Celine Dion helped the newly-solvent airline debut its new image.
The female cabin crew wears a midnight blue suit jacket with a narrow skirt both lined with silver sky lining. The jacket sports a silver Air Canada maple leaf motif on the left blazer lapel. The uniform is composed by a silver sky blouse, silver sky sweater, a frosted leaf graphic design with a scarf.
These lounges are open to passengers holding Executive First, or Executive class tickets. Super Elite, Elite, and for a charge, Prestige passengers can also use the lounges. Star alliance Gold passengers can also enter the lounges.
Air Canada Cargo Limited Partnership offers cargo services on domestic and transborder flights, utilising the cargo capacity on aircraft operated by Air Canada and Jazz on domestic and transborder routes. Air Canada offers cargo services on its international passenger flights and also uses chartered, all-freighter aircraft for Canada - Europe and Canada - Asia services. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)
In the past, Air Canada Cargo operated its own dedicated fleet of DC-8 freighters, and had placed an order for 2 Boeing 777-200Fs, but that order has been cancelled.
- ACGHS provides passenger handling services to Air Canada, Jazz and a number of other carriers with a primary focus on Canadian stations. Services covered include "above and below the wing" passenger and baggage handling services and ancillary services such as de-icing, ground support and equipment maintenance. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)
In 2001, Air Canada consolidated
Air BC ,
Air Nova ,
Air Ontario and
Canadian Regional Airlines into
Air Canada Jazz . ACE Aviation Holdings is a major shareholder. In early February 2006, a portion of Jazz Air LP was spun off by ACE Aviation Holdings as an
Income Trust on the
Toronto Stock Exchange . (Subsidiary of ACE Aviation)
- Launched in 2002, Air Canada Jetz is a charter service targeting sports teams, professional entertainers, and corporations. Air Canada Jetz fleet consists of 5 A320 aircraft in an all business class configuration.
- ACTS is a full-service Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation that provides airframe, engine and component maintenance and various ancillary services to more than 100 customers. Major bases are in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. (Subsidiary of ACE Aviation)
- Air Canada Vacations offers sun, cruise and leisure vacation packages to the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Central and South America, and Asia. (Subsidiary of ACE Aviation)
Air Canada codeshares with airlines such as
United ,
Lufthansa ,
Swiss International Air Lines ,
Air New Zealand ,
Austrian Airlines as well as other members of the
Star Alliance .
- In 2001, Air Canada launched Air Canada Tango , which offered No-frills service and lower fares between major cities such as Toronto , Vancouver , Montreal and also to some holiday destinations such as Fort Lauderdale . Tango aircraft were painted with the Air Canada design but in Purple . It is thought that Tango was intended to be Air Canada's vehicle for competing against the low cost carriers Canada 3000 and WestJet . The Tango service was dissolved in 2004. Air Canada now calls their lowest fare class "Tango" (Tango and Tango Plus), paying homage to the low-cost experiment.
- In 2002, Air Canada launched Zip , a Discount Airline to compete directly with WestJet on routes in Western Canada. Zip operated as a separate airline with its own staff and brightly painted Aircraft . It also was disbanded in 2004.
- Company was known as Trans-Canada Air Lines in 1963.''
To see a complete dramatization of these accidents tune into National Geographic Channel and watch Seconds from disaster or Air Crash Investigation.
