Beer, wine and snacks are now part of your trip if you’re flying Air Canada. The airline has rolled out complimentary drinks and Canadian-made snacks for all passengers, in all classes, across its entire network. That means whether you’re flying to Montreal or Mexico City, you can now sip a cold beer or a nice glass of wine with no extra charge.
The move, which quietly took effect last month, covers Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz. It’s a rare bit of good news for economy passengers, who’ve spent the past decade watching airlines pile on new fees for everything from checked bags to legroom.
“Food and beverage just tend to have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction, more than any other attribute of our products and services,” said Scott O’Leary, Air Canada’s vice president of loyalty and product, in an interview with Reuters. What he means is snacks and drinks make people happy—and happy people buy tickets.
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With this change, Air Canada becomes the only major legacy carrier in North America offering free alcohol in economy. It’s a clear play to stand out from competitors like United, Delta and American, all of which charge for even the smallest pour of wine.
Not everyone is impressed, however. Porter Airlines, Air Canada’s fast-growing rival, couldn’t resist a playful jab on Instagram: “Hello Air Canada, our beloved competitor. We’ve noticed you recently started offering free beer, wine & snacks everywhere we fly—just like Porter always has. Cheers to joining us.”
The snacks themselves are proudly Canadian, like Hardbite kettle chips from British Columbia and other homegrown treats, in a subtle nod to national pride as Air Canada doubles down on its identity.
It’s a simple move, but a smart one. A little generosity can go a long way in an era of shrinking seats and growing frustration. Sometimes, the path to passenger loyalty really is paved with pretzels and Pinot.