Air Canada is improving the experience for passengers traveling in Economy. Though it was announced this month, as of September 1, 2025, the Canadian flag carrier has been offering complimentary beer, wine, and Canadian-made snacks onboard for all customers. This includes flights to Mexico and the Caribbean
Air Canada Improves the Economy Experience With Complimentary Offerings
The new upgrades to the onboard product comes amid a a sharpened focus on leisure travelers. Scott O’Leary, Vice President of Loyalty & Product at Air Canada, said this about the new, complimentary, offerings:
“As part of our commitment to elevating the onboard experience, we’re delighted to introduce even more exciting new options to our menus. These upgrades offer something for everyone and proudly showcase Canadian brands so that our customers can sit back, relax and kick-start their travels no matter where they’re going.”
In addition to complimentary beer and wine, which are now available on every Air Canada flight both domestic and international, the following special offerings will be available:
- Morning flights (before 10 a.m.): A favourite in homes across Canada, MadeGood Mornings Cinnamon Bun Soft Baked Oat Bars join the line-up of complimentary snacks onboard, alongside Canadian favourites TWIGZ Craft Pretzels and Leclerc’s Celebration Cookies.
- Toronto-Downtown Billy Bishop flights (after 10:30 a.m.): From Canadian brand Greenhouse, known for its organic and plant-based products, complimentary Greenhouse Ginger Defence Wellness Shots will provide an energizing kick to our offerings. These shots are also featured in Air Canada’s premium snack baskets and Bistro menu.
- Expanded Air Canada Bistro – Now featuring more Canadian-made choices, from Summer Fresh Hummus & Crackers and Quaker Maple & Brown Sugar Oatmeal Cups to bold new TWIGZ Sour Cream & Onion Pretzels and fan-favourite Smarties.
- Crisp New Pour – With Heineken 0.0, Air Canada becomes the only North American airline to serve a non-alcoholic beer inflight, complementing its system-wide free beer and wine offering.
My Thoughts
These changes don’t come as much of a surprise to me given the current Canadian aviation landscape. While WestJet offers a typical complimentary non-alcoholic beverage and snack to Economy passengers, Porter Airlines, which has recently acquired Embraer E195 E2 jet aircraft and partnered with American, serves complimentary snacks along with free beer, wine and soft drinks.
With Porter rapidly expanding its operation from Air Canada’s primary hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), and given its robust operation at the more convenient Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), Air Canada needed to at least match the service offerings from its competitor.
Summary
Air Canada is now offering complimentary beer, wine, and and Canadian-made snacks onboard Economy passengers on all flights. This is likely a defensive move as Porter Airlines, a rapidly growing airline headquartered at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, already offers those items to passengers.
(Images courtesy Air Canada)
