Air Canada Refreshes Inflight Meals, And They Look Great!

I’d argue that on balance, Air Canada has the best and most extensive inflight catering of any major North American airline, at least in premium cabins. However, Air Canada hasn’t necessarily been known for variety, especially within North America.

So there’s an exciting update, as Air Canada has announced that it’s upgrading inflight menus, with the introduction of 100+ new seasonal recipes, and more. While we’ll have to save our final judgment until we try these new dishes, these changes sound great. Let’s go over the details, as there’s something for everyone here.

Air Canada business class dining revamp

Air Canada is updating its catering in business class, no matter the length of your flight. Here are a few of the highlights:

• Air Canada Signature Class (long haul business class) will offer new menus with flavors from around the world, including chicken thigh accompanied by mandi rice and Emirati bzar sauce, roasted salmon in teriyaki sauce with Shandong noodles, and a Middle Eastern mezze plate appetizer
• The Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto, which is the best dining lounge in North America, will feature wild-caught Fogo Island cod (this puts such a big smile on my face, because I got married on Fogo Island, and Fogo Island Inn is one of my favorite hotels in the world)
• Air Canada is introducing new champagne, with Haton Cuvée Classique and Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve on long haul international flights, and Jaillance Brut Traditionnel on flights within North America and the Caribbean
• Air Canada is the only airline in North America serving hot meals on flights of under two hours, and the airline is refreshing those menu options as well, with dishes like flatbread with arugula, chicken tenders with coleslaw, cobb salad, and charcuterie and cheese plates
• Air Canada is rolling out Dilmah tea in business class, with specialty teas available on select routes, including jasmine to China, chai to India, brown rice green tea to Korea, and Japanese green tea to Japan
• Air Canada will introduce other new drinks, including Campari, Canadian-owned Tequila Tromba, and Quebec-made Montellier sparkling water

Air Canada economy class dining upgrades

Air Canada is also making updates to its economy dining, ranging from a refresh of the complimentary meal service on long haul flights, to new buy on board selections on short haul flights. Here are a few of the highlights:

• Air Canada will be introducing new international economy dishes, including red Thai chicken and rice, and chicken cacciatore with roast potatoes and bell peppers
• Air Canada will revamp its Bistro menu for food for purchase options on shorter flights, with options like a peppercorn roast beef sandwich, cheeseburger sliders, and Mediterranean hummus wraps
• On shorter flights, herb and garlic pretzels from TWIGZ will be the new standard snack served with drinks

Air Canada expanding meal pre-orders

Nowadays quite a few airlines offer the option to pre-order your meals, to make sure you get your first choice. Air Canada currently offers this in long haul business class when departing Canada, but will be expanding that to more flights in 2024:

• Meal pre-orders will be expanded to include flights within North America, starting with flights offering Signature Class and premium economy
• Then later this year, meal pre-orders will be expanded so that customers can select their second meal choice on long haul flights, rather than just their first meal choice

Bottom line

Air Canada has announced a refresh to its inflight dining. Admittedly it’s easy to stage professional photos that make airplane food look appealing, but I’m actually quite excited about these changes.

Air Canada has been investing nicely in its inflight product, and has rolled all kinds of thoughtful changes, ranging from oat milk to aperol spritzes. Many of these new food options look great, and I can’t wait to try them.

What do you make of Air Canada’s dining refresh?