Photo: Air Canada

Air Canada plans to make its onboard Wi-Fi free for its loyalty members with a sponsorship from Canadian telco Bell, the airline announced Thursday. Air Canada’s onboard Wi-Fi is powered by Intelsat. 

Beginning in May, Air Canada will offer complimentary Wi-Fi for its Aeroplan Members on equipped aircraft for flights within North America and its “sun” destinations like the Caribbean. The airline also plans to expand free Wi-Fi service to long-haul international routes in 2026. Customers without an Aeroplan membership can purchase Wi-Fi at a reduced flat fee.

The airline has already offered free Wi-Fi texting service for its loyalty members, also sponsored by Bell, since May 2023. 

Most of Air Canada’s in-flight connectivity (IFC) is through Intelsat’s GEO 2Ku solution. Intelsat confirmed to Via Satellite the operator is ramping up installations of its multi-orbit ESA service starting in January on smaller regional jets, under the deal announced last year.  

Mark Nasr, executive vice president of Marketing and Digital at Air Canada said more than 85% of Air Canada aircraft will be connected from day one when the service goes live in early spring. 

“Reliable access to streaming-quality Wi-Fi is becoming essential for both business and leisure travellers. That’s why we’re upgrading our fleet with the latest technologies,” Nasr said. “Although other Canadian airlines have announced free Wi-Fi services, not all have accelerated installation across their fleets or committed to offering the service comprehensively.”

Free Wi-Fi is gaining steam — Delta made a splash in 2023 announcing the rollout of free IFC for all customers. Starlink customers Air France and United Airlines are also set to offer the service for free. 

Novaspace analyst Vishal Patil recently wrote for Via Satellite about how Starlink’s free IFC offering is pushing more airlines to make IFC free. 

“The free streaming service for all passengers will soon be a norm and other service providers will be compelled to follow to remain competitive,” Patil wrote. “Free streaming services will typically see a take-up rate above 50 percent leading to massive increases in the capacity demand per plane.”