Staying in touch at 36,000 feet just got a little easier.
Air Canada today (May 1, 2025) introduced “fast, free Wi-Fi” for Aeroplan members for Air Canada and Air Canada rouge flights across North America, and also on sun destination flights for the Caribbean and Mexico.
“We now offer Wi-Fi on 88% of our fleet, with the remaining installations to be completed by early 2026,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. “This will include an industry first with the upcoming launch of Wi-Fi on Air Canada Express Q400s serving Toronto’s Billy Bishop Airport.”
Air Canada Wi-Fi is free only for Aeroplan members. But there’s no cost to join airline’s the rewards program.
“Thanks to Bell’s sponsorship, customers onboard can enjoy streaming video services and gaming on their personal devices,” Air Canada said. “Aeroplan members can now enjoy the convenience of complimentary, streaming-quality Wi-Fi from gate-to-gate on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and on Air Canada Express flights operated with CRJ900 aircraft.
Subject to completion of certification, the airline said Wi-Fi installations are expected to start on the Embraer E175 fleet and the De Havilland Q400s serving Billy Bishop Airport later this year. Air Canada said it remains on track to expand free Wi-Fi to it’s long-haul international routes in 2026.”
“Quality connectivity has become indispensable for all travellers,” said Nasr. “This initiative underscores Air Canada’s focus on elevating the customer experience, with leadership in providing streaming quality connectivity, at a pace unmatched by other airlines — at home and around the world.”
“We’ve proudly sponsored in-flight Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members since 2023, starting with free texting,” said Blaik Kirby, Group President, Consumer and Small Business at Bell. “Now, we’re thrilled to help take that experience to the next level – enabling streaming, gaming and more from gate to gate.”
A WestJet spokesperson told me it currently offers free, inflight Wi-Fi on 30% of its narrowbody fleet.
“Out plans are to complete all installations and upgrades on our narrowbody fleet by the end of 2025, and on our widebody aircraft by the end of 2026.”
Porter offers free Wi-Fi on all its Embraer E195-E2 aircraft, but not on other planes.
Air Canada now has fast, free Wi-Fi on 88% of its flights. It’s a great way to work on board and stream great TV shows and movies, including Apple + shows like “Long Way Up” and “Bad Monkey.”
Your correspondent, a long-time Aeroplan member, was able to test the free Wi-Fi on 30APR, as the service was already available on a flight from YYZ to YUL. It was easy to sign on and send email, as well as stream great TV shows, including Eugene Levy’s “The Reluctant Traveler” and the dark comedy “Bad Monkey.”
Air Canada said certification is in the process of being obtained and the first phase of installation of Wi-Fi connectivity on the Air Canada Express Q400 fleet operating at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport (YTZ) is expected to take place later in 2025. These installations will represent the first Wi-Fi offering on any Q400 aircraft worldwide and Air Canada will also be the first carrier to offer Wi-Fi on flights to and from YTZ. Certification followed by installation of Wi-Fi on the Air Canada Express Embraer E-175 fleet is also underway.
In 2026, fast, free streaming-quality Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members will expand to international routes. In the interim, free texting remains available for Aeroplan Members on international flights.
Connecting to the free Wi-Fi on board is simple. Customers can either ensure their Aeroplan number is captured at the time of booking or it can be added before completing check-in. Once onboard, connect to the in-flight Wi-Fi network and follow the instructions to access the Wi-Fi. To switch devices, simply repeat the steps above on the new device and the session will transfer and disconnect from the other device.
Customers who aren’t already Aeroplan Members can join free of charge at aircanada.com/aeroplan. Customers without an Aeroplan membership will be able to purchase Wi-Fi for their flight at a flat fee.
