Air Canada rolls out festive food, free snacks and Wi-Fi for peak holiday travel

Air Canada is rolling out festive food, complimentary snacks and free Wi-Fi as it braces for one of the busiest holiday travel periods in its history.

Between December 18 and January 4, the airline expects to welcome more than 2.3 million customers, with close to 130,000 passengers travelling each day and peak days surpassing 140,000 across its network.

The seasonal push spans Canadian airports and international routes, combining holiday-themed hospitality with recent investments in cabins, technology and service. The initiative comes as winter weather and school holidays converge, traditionally making this the most demanding travel period of the year for airlines and passengers alike.

Holiday hospitality at busy airports

Air Canada says its frontline teams are central to keeping journeys calm during the festive rush, especially for families, unaccompanied children and travellers with accessibility needs. Airline agents are positioned throughout terminals to help customers navigate crowded spaces, find lounges and amenities, and manage tight connections.

“At Air Canada, the customer experience is at the core of everything we do, and we know that at this busy time of year and with unpredictable weather, holiday travel is exciting but can also be stressful,” said Tom Stevens, Vice President of Customer Experience and Service Operations. “Our teams are here to provide attentive care and help customers feels confident and comfortable throughout their journey. Especially our customers who may need an extra helping hand – whether that’s families with young children, or our customers with accessibility needs.”

From December 18 to 24, many Canadian airports will feature complimentary festive snacks handed out by Air Canada teams. Travellers can expect familiar onboard treats such as LeClerc Célébration Cookies and TWIGZ buttery herb and garlic pretzels, offered as a small but timely boost during busy pre-Christmas departures.

The holiday welcome began earlier in the month at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport, where customers were surprised with seasonal gifts as part of a staff-led initiative designed to add warmth to the airport experience. While queues and crowds remain unavoidable at peak times, the airline is leaning into visible, human interaction as a way to soften the edges of holiday travel.

Festive food, Wi-Fi and in-flight cheer

Beyond the terminal, Air Canada is leaning heavily into food, drink and onboard entertainment to make long journeys feel celebratory rather than routine. Select Maple Leaf Lounges are serving regional Canadian dishes including oven-roasted turkey, Beef Provençale, tourtière du Québec, pomegranate-roasted root vegetables and ragoût de boulettes d’antan, alongside classic desserts such as gingerbread cookies, yule logs and panettone.

Festive menus extend into the air throughout December, with tailored offerings by cabin. Economy passengers on select international outbound flights may see red velvet cookies and broccoli and cranberry salad, while Premium Economy adds hot chocolate and TWIGZ Cinnamon Churro pretzels. In Air Canada Signature Class, the holiday touch includes a turkey roulade meal, a cranberry Aperol spritz and San Sebastian cheesecake with cranberry and orange compote.

Technology upgrades are also part of the airline’s peak-season strategy. In 2025, Air Canada introduced fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members on North American and Sun routes, sponsored by Bell, alongside complimentary beer, wine and premium snacks, including non-alcoholic Heineken 0.0. New Air Canada Cafés at Montréal-Trudeau and Vancouver domestic terminals offer a quieter space for pre-flight coffee or a quick bite.

The Air Canada mobile app continues to play a growing role during the holiday rush, delivering real-time updates on flight status, gate changes and baggage tracking. A newer feature introduces customers to the employees loading and unloading baggage, an effort to make behind-the-scenes operations more transparent during high-pressure travel days.

Families and travellers with accessibility requirements remain a stated priority, with assistance available from contact centre agents through to cabin crews and baggage handlers. These services align with the airline’s three-year Accessibility Plan, launched in 2023, which guides training and investment aimed at making travel more inclusive.

Seasonal cheer also extends to younger travellers. On December 25, children aged 12 and under on select routes may receive a Lindt teddy bear, while all passengers can choose from more than 50 holiday-themed titles on the in-flight entertainment system, including Home Alone, The Polar Express and French-language favourites.

While the festive push is firmly focused on December, Air Canada is already looking beyond the holidays. The airline has signalled new routes, redesigned cabins and additional customer-focused products arriving in 2026, positioning this winter’s travel season as both a stress test and a showcase for how it plans to move millions of passengers in the years ahead.