Air Canada to offer free Wi-Fi on flights to some passengers [Video]

Air Canada plans to offer free Wi-Fi to Aeroplan members aboard its flights starting next year, building on a partnership with telecom giant Bell that already gives passengers free text messaging capabilities.

The airline said Thursday that the Bell-sponsored internet service will be available on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft for North American and Central American flights beginning in May 2025, followed by long-haul international routes in 2026.

It said passengers can expect “streaming-quality” service on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and most Air Canada Express aircraft.

Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s executive vice-president of marketing and digital, and president of Aeroplan, said free Wi-Fi is something that customers have been increasingly asking for.

“We think it’s becoming a core expectation of customers whether they’re travelling for business or for leisure,” Nasr said in an interview.

“We said, ‘Let’s get the installations done first. Let’s make sure that when we announce this, …