Flying on Canada’s largest airline is about to become that much nicer.
Air Canada says economy passengers on all its flights can now enjoy free premium snacks. It’s also expanding its free wine and beer program (and $5 spirits) to flights within Canada and to the U.S.
“We’re thrilled to continue elevating the Economy travel experience in North America, and we’re proud to spotlight Canadian brands with this thoughtfully curated lineup of complimentary snacks and beverages in time for your summer travels,” said Scott O’Leary, VP of Loyalty & Product at Air Canada. “This builds on our recent industry-leading food and beverage upgrade to make travel better for all customers, including 100+ new rotating seasonal recipes.”
Porter Airlines, which has begun expanding across Canada and the United States, has offered free wine and beer since it started flying in 2006.
Air Canada’s expanded offerings will provide free snacks for passengers heading to the Caribbean and Mexico. But they’ll still have to pay for alcoholic drinks.
New snacks for Air Canada flights. Air Canada photo
“Whether travelling in Canada or across the globe, all passengers on all flights can enjoy complimentary snacks, including two Canadian favourites: buttery herb and garlic pretzels from Alberta’s family-owned and female-led TWIGZ and Quebec-based Leclerc’s Célébration Cookie, a crafted sweet treat made with real milk chocolate and butter,” officials said.
“This adds to the existing complimentary offering in all International Economy and Premium cabins. Beer, wine and spirits remain available for purchase from the Air Canada Bistro menu on Economy flights to and from the Caribbean and Mexico.”
Passengers can choose from beers, French wines, and spirits. Featured craft beers include Hop Valley and Creemore Springs Premium Lager, as well as crisp and refreshing Molson Canadian and Coors Light. Two French wines from Paul Mas include a red or dry white.
For cocktails, $5 spirits are available: Baileys Original Irish Cream, Canadian Club, Bacardi rum, Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Tromba Tequila Blanco, or Campari.
Additional information on Air Canada’s new drinks and premium snacks, and more, is available at aircanada.com/bonappetit.
WIN THE STANLEY CUP AND GET A FREE RIDE: ROCKY MOUNTAINEER TRAIN ENTICING OFFER TO EDMONTON OILERS
With US-based teams having won the Stanley Cup for the past 31 years, Canada’s premier luxury train journey operator, Rocky Mountaineer, is offering the Edmonton Oilers players a special Western Canada rail tour incentive if they can win their best of seven matchup against the Florida Panthers and bring the Cup back to Canada.
When the teams hit the ice on Saturday, it will have been 31 years since the Montreal Canadians defeated the Los Angeles Kings to win their 24th Stanley Cup. Since then, Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa, Calgary, and Edmonton have each made it to the finals only to fall to their American opponents. As the last Canadian team standing, the Oilers have captivated the nation, with hockey fans from coast to coast to coast hopping on the Edmonton bandwagon as the team seeks to restore Canadian hockey pride by winning the oldest professional sports trophy in North America.
“Hockey is Canada’s game, the Cup came from Canada and it’s high time we won it back,” said Tristan Armstrong, CEO, Rocky Mountaineer. “As a proud Canadian company known for showcasing our part of Canada to tourists from around the world, we are cheering on the Oilers in the Stanley Cup finals. We look forward to celebrating the Cup victory for Canada by offering each Oilers player, and their significant other, a luxury journey onboard Rocky Mountaineer.”
Aboard the Rocky Mountaineer in British Columbia. JIM BYERS PHOTO
The victory tour would start with a celebratory send off in Edmonton, followed by community celebrations when the players arrive in Jasper, Kamloops, and Vancouver. In addition to showcasing the natural beauty of Western Canada, the Rocky Mountaineer tour would be a stylish salute to the days when NHL teams travelled between cities aboard sleek Pullman train cars, and the Stanley Cup rarely left home. The players would travel aboard glass-dome coaches with spectacular views of the snow-capped Rockies, the Interior region of beautiful B.C., and the lush forests of the Fraser Valley.
“Canada winning the Stanley Cup after more than three decades would be a historic achievement. We look forward to celebrating a Stanley Cup win and recognizing the incredible feats of Connor McDavid, Leon Draisaitl, and the rest of the team with an unforgettable and quintessentially Canadian experience onboard Rocky Mountaineer,” said Armstrong.
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