Air Canada

Air Canada. It is the flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada by fleet size and passengers carried. The airline, founded in 1937, provides scheduled and charter air transport for passengers and cargo to over 200 destinations worldwide. It is a founding member of the Star Alliance and its major hubs are Toronto Pearson International Airport, Montréal–Trudeau International Airport, and Vancouver International Airport.

History

The airline was originally created by the Government of Canada as Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA), launching its first flight in 1937 between Vancouver and Seattle. Following the passage of the Air Canada Act in 1977, it was renamed to its current title and became a Crown corporation. A pivotal moment came in 1989 when it was privatized, with its shares traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange and later the New York Stock Exchange. The early 21st century saw significant restructuring, including its parent company's reorganization under ACE Aviation Holdings and its emergence from creditor protection in 2004. Key acquisitions have included its main historical rival, Canadian Airlines, in 2001, and the leisure carrier Air Transat in 2019, though the latter transaction was ultimately abandoned.

Fleet

The airline operates one of the most modern fleets among North American network carriers, consisting primarily of aircraft from Airbus and Boeing. Its mainline narrow-body operations are centered on the Airbus A220 and Airbus A320 family, while its long-haul international network utilizes the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline's regional operations, conducted by subsidiaries like Jazz Aviation, fly a combination of De Havilland Canada Dash 8 turboprops and Embraer E-Jet family aircraft. A dedicated fleet of Boeing 767 and Boeing 777 freighters operates under the Air Canada Cargo brand, serving key global trade lanes.

Destinations

Its extensive route network spans six continents from its primary hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Within North America, it serves all major Canadian cities and a comprehensive list of destinations in the United States. Key international markets include major European capitals like London, Paris, and Frankfurt, as well as key Asian hubs such as Tokyo, Hong Kong, and Delhi. The airline also flies to destinations in Oceania, Africa, and South America, including Sydney, Cape Town, and São Paulo.

Services and subsidiaries

The airline offers a range of service classes, including International Business Class with lie-flat seats, Premium Economy, and Economy. Its frequent-flyer program, Aeroplan, is one of the largest in Canada and allows members to earn and redeem miles across the Star Alliance network. Key operational subsidiaries include Jazz Aviation, which operates regional flights, and Air Canada Rouge, its leisure carrier. Other important divisions are Air Canada Cargo and Air Canada Vacations, which packages holidays. The airline also holds a significant stake in the loyalty analytics firm Aimia.

Corporate affairs

The company's corporate headquarters are located in Montreal, at the Air Canada Centre in Saint-Laurent. Its operations are divided into mainline, regional, and cargo divisions. Michael Rousseau serves as the President and Chief Executive Officer, and the airline is publicly traded on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol AC. Major maintenance and repair work is conducted at its large facilities at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport and at Toronto Pearson International Airport. The airline has faced significant labor negotiations with unions representing its pilots, flight attendants, and mechanics, such as the Air Canada Pilots Association and the Canadian Union of Public Employees.

Category:Airlines of Canada Category:Companies based in Montreal Category:Star Alliance