In 2024, Air Canada very nicely improved its economy experience in most markets, by introducing free beer and wine on most flights. There’s now a positive update, as this has been expanded even further, and is now available on all flights.
In this post:
Air Canada’s improved economy experience
Air Canada is now offering free beer, wine, and snacks, in economy, on all flights globally. This has of course been the standard in long haul markets for many years. Then in June 2024, the airline expanded this to domestic and transborder flights. Now the airline has expanded this to flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, meaning this is available on all flights.
This includes flights with a beverage service that are operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express (operated by Jazz).
What kind of complimentary drinks and snacks should Air Canada economy passengers on flights?
- Complimentary beer includes Hop Valley, Creemore Springs Premium Lager, Molson Canadian, and Coors Light, and complimentary wine includes two French wines from Paul Mas
- Complimentary snacks include sweet and savory options, like buttery herb and garlic pretzels from TWIGZ, and Leclerc’s Célébration Cookie
For those who want spirits, those are available for purchase for $9.95 (CAD), which is rather reasonable. Options include Baileys Original Irish Cream, Canadian Club rye, Bacardi Superior rum, Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Tromba Tequila Blanco, or Campari.
In addition to the complimentary offerings, I think it’s worth specifically calling out how great Air Canada Bistro is, which is the carrier’s buy on board menu. The airline sells legitimately decent food, including some of the main courses you’ll find in business class. I wish more US airlines had such an impressive buy on board menu.
This is only one of the major passenger experience improvements we’re seeing at Air Canada. The airline has also started offering fast, free Wi-Fi , and this will eventually be available throughout the fleet. Between free Wi-Fi, drinks, and snacks, flying with Air Canada is becoming increasingly pleasant.
The interesting competitive dynamics at play
Most airlines make significant investments in the passenger experience in premium cabins, since that’s where they’ll see the most return on those investments. In the Americas, it’s rare to see airlines investing in economy in this way, especially when it comes to soft product. So what’s Air Canada’s incentive to offer this, especially since the Star Alliance carrier is Canada’s only real global airline?
Keep in mind that Porter Airlines has been growing rapidly in Canada, and the airline is increasingly competing head-to-head against Air Canada. While the airline historically flew Bombardier Q400s, the airline has been adding Embraer E195-E2s to its fleet, which operate domestic, transborder, and sun destination flights.
One of the things that historically made Porter unique is that the airline has offered free beer, wine, and snacks, to all passengers (in proper glassware, to boot). So it’s pretty clear that this is a competitive response on Air Canada’s part. For that matter, Porter also offers free Wi-Fi on its jets, so Air Canada is doing the same.
I’m not suggesting that’s Air Canada’s sole motivation for adding this, but competition sure is a beautiful thing. I’d have to imagine that without Porter, Air Canada wouldn’t be elevating its experience quite this much.
To me, I can’t help but wonder if we could eventually see this in the United States as well. On the surface, we’d all be shocked if American, Delta, or United, offered free beer and wine on all flights. However, if Air Canada can be talked into it, could we see it here as well?
Obviously it would just take one of the “big three” carriers to do this, and then other airlines would follow as well. While it seems unlikely, personally I wouldn’t be shocked to see it, eventually. After all, most of us would never have expected these airlines to end change fees on most types of fares, actually introduce great champagne in long haul business class, etc.
Bottom line
Air Canada now offers free beer, wine, and snacks, on all flights systemwide, including domestic flights, transborder flights, and services to Mexico and the Caribbean. This is awesome for passengers, especially when combined with Air Canada rolling out free Wi-Fi throughout its fleet.
What do you make of Air Canada offering free alcohol and snacks in economy on all flights?
I fly from US to Toronto regularly, and rather than free booze, I wish AC (and Porter / Westjet) would offer free seat selection and free changes / cancel for credit in standard economy fares instead, just like most US airlines. That would be a more customer friendly move that would put it at parity to US airlines. Having people get drunk from free booze isn’t my idea of a pleasant cabin experience.
First of all, I think this is a great move, and I generally think the Air Canada is a very decent airline.
That being said, the overall value proposition on the US3 carriers in standard Economy is better than ACA, as tickets on the US3 include complimentary advance seat assignment (rear section) and no change fees (fare difference may of course apply).
Horizon used to offer free wine & beer, and often a premium NW snack (e.g., Tim's Cascade Potato Chips) until the bean counters took over. I always looked forward to the drinks on my frequent trips between PDX & BOI.
If they really wanted to differentiate, they wouldn't charge me for my carry-on bag.
Agree, the "free drinks" are meh. AC is not competitive for me as a U.S. based flyer to YYZ if they charge for carryon-bag in basic economy.
I am not able to use the free WiFi benefit as I’m a UA frequent flyer, same issue on SQ. It’s not as useful as they make it sound like. There really should be something offered to Star Alliance frequent flyers.
There is nothing stopping you from using the SQ ones, all you need is just a Free KF account. You don’t even need to tag it to your ticket, just sign in when prompted in flight.
Air Canada being dragged kicking and screaming into being competitive with Porter is so sweet.
@Todd
Ain't that the truth, buddy! AC did this because it had to. Not because it wanted to. Long may Porter be a thorn in AC's side.
Agreed, thank you Porter. Except Porter serves beer in real glassware (at least when I last flew them)
UA still doesn't give free alcoholic drinks in Economy Plus, unlike DL and AA. Long way to go, until they match AC.
Yeah I was going to say this but almost to the opposite point that it's already a 'thing' for US airlines in a very narrow way.
United's 'implementation' of this is essentially their 1K perk of a free drink and a free snack. I do wonder if they have held off on adding the perk to Economy Plus because they see it as diminishing a perk for 1K's when otherwise there is less and less...
Yeah I was going to say this but almost to the opposite point that it's already a 'thing' for US airlines in a very narrow way.
United's 'implementation' of this is essentially their 1K perk of a free drink and a free snack. I do wonder if they have held off on adding the perk to Economy Plus because they see it as diminishing a perk for 1K's when otherwise there is less and less differentiating 1K from Platinum / Gold.
And for the average economy passenger they likely have decided investing in seatback entertainment, etc. is where they add value (vs. American at least, this is really just catching up with Delta).
United has much larger E+ cabins than either AA or Delta. For example, they have 57 E+ seats on their A321s, compared to 35 on American and 42 on Delta. So if would be a bigger cost to offer free booze.
Or on A320s, UA has 42 E+ seats compared to 18 on both Delta and AA. Overall, I suspect UA elites are happier at better odds of an extra leg room seat, even if non-1Ks have to pay for a drink.
Yes you are correct when you say they are forced to make these changes because of competition.
What would be great, if they could change their seating, comfort, standard of food and good customer service in their premium and business class cabins. ( I feel most of their staff are grumpy)
Then flying them internationally will be worth it. And many more people will use the airline.
I actually believe UA doesn’t even serve free booze (except beer and wine) in economy on long-haul. Can someone fact check me on that? AA and DL certainly do.