How Air Canada gives passengers a taste of life back home on their flights

Local food, movies and Canada’s famously friendly welcome all help its national carrier offer a taste of life back home at 10,000m. And don’t forget the maple syrup…

Team Wanderlust

28 December 2025

Air Canada’s fleet spans some 400 aircraft, though it began in 1937 with three (one of which was a biplane) (Air Canada)

In 1937, a small Lockheed Electra aeroplane took a 50-minute flight from Vancouver to Seattle, carrying mail and two passengers. This might seem rather unremarkable, but it was the inaugural flight of Trans-Canada Air Lines. You might know it better today as Air Canada.

Of course, it’s the same for most businesses; they all have to start somewhere.

But it still feels amazing that an airline now boasting a fleet of more than 400 aircraft and a network of over 190 destinations across 58 countries was originally only financed through a contract with Royal Mail Canada.

Today, things might be a lot plusher, but this flag carrier still offers a blast of local culture at 10,000m, not least from its catering and the familiar sight of that red maple leaf adorning the black empennage. Even the hats of the captains, designed by Toronto-based fashion designer Christopher Bates (as are all the uniforms), are emblazoned with golden maple leaf embroidery.

A warm welcome

The airline now flies to more than 190 destinations (Air Canada)
In-flight menus are seasonal (Air Canada)

Living up to Canada’s reputation as one of the world’s friendliest countries, its national airline bagged the title of Best Cabin Crew in Canada and North America at the Skytrax World Airline Awards in 2025. This award-winning service is never more welcome than when meal times arrive.

The catering onboard offers passengers a taste of Canada before they’ve even touched down. Last year, the airline revamped its menus and introduced more than 100 new rotating seasonal recipes, reducing its impact by making the most of homegrown Canadian ingredients.

Dishes have been crafted by Canadian chefs such as David Hawksworth and Vikram Vij, owners of the Hawksworth Restaurant and Vij’s, respectively, in Vancouver. Although perhaps the biggest coup is the input of Jérôme Ferrer, the culinary brains behind Jérôme Ferrer Europea in Montréal, which bagged a Michelin star in the inaugural Québec Michelin Guide, released earlier this year. Wines are curated by award-winning Québec sommelier Veronique Rivest.

Canadian-style dishes include Montréal-inspired smoked meat on rye sandwiches, pancakes drizzled in maple syrup, and black truffle Monterey Jack cheese made in Manitoba by the artisan fromager Bothwell Cheese, a local company that dates back to the 1930s.

Comfort on board

That iconic maple leaf logo (Air Canada)

The in-flight entertainment offers an eye on local culture as well as plenty of depth – the airline even claims to have the largest selection in North America. In particular, it’s a great place to bone up on Quebecois cinema, such as the Oscar-nominated Monsieur Lazhar, about an Algerian refugee teacher dealing with his past. There are also nine live Canadian TV channels. And to reflect the country’s two official languages, the system is available in French and English.

The airline recently announced a new ‘glowing hearted’ cabin design (a nod to the national anthem: ‘With glowing hearts we see thee rise’), to be launched across much of its fleet. The soft mood lighting and refreshed interiors offer something of a subtle glow-up for the fleet.

Business class, known as Air Canada Signature Class, takes the experience up a notch. Individual pods offer privacy, and the seats can convert to a fully flat bed, offering lumbar support and a massage function – inflating or softening to offer greater degrees of comfort. This is made extra snuggly with a mattress pad, duvet and pillow.

Lounging on the way

You’ll find live cooking stations at Air Canada’s lounges (Air Canada)
The lounges offer plenty of perks (Air Canada)

Maple Leaf Lounges across Canada, the United States and Europe offer a welcome rest stop. Complimentary beverages, including Canadian wines, join live cooking stations and a menu designed by David Hawksworth.
In the Heathrow Terminal 2 lounge, you’ll also find a croffle maker, which serves up hybrid croissant-waffles in a maple-leaf shape, accompanied – of course – by Canadian maple syrup.

The culinary experience is taken to more luxurious levels in Toronto and Vancouver with the Air Canada Signature Suites, available to those travelling in Signature Class. In Toronto, you might sample Québec foie gras terrine, while in Vancouver, you can feast on poached British Columbia halibut.

Wash it all down with an Air Canada signature cocktail, a blend of Bulleit rye, Amaro Averna, maple syrup and vanilla bitters. Now that’s a friendly welcome!