Air Canada, in partnership with telecom giant Bell, has announced it will offer free gate-to-gate Wi-Fi with reliable, streaming-quality connectivity starting in May 2025.
This exclusive perk is available to members of Aeroplan, Air Canada’s frequent flyer program, who can access it simply by logging into their accounts. The good news is that everyone can sign up for this program for free.
For passengers who prefer not to enroll, Wi-Fi services will still be available at competitive rates—$6.50 for a one-hour pass or $21 for full-flight access. Air Canada also provides monthly subscription packages for $65.95.
But first, some distinctions. Gate-to-gate Wi-Fi connectivity is different from traditional inflight internet because it allows you to connect to the Wi-Fi network as soon as you step onboard the aircraft. This means you can stay connected for the entire flight, from your outbound city to your destination.
In contrast, most airlines offering similar services require the aircraft to reach an altitude of 10,000 feet before enabling the Wi-Fi network. That’s not the case with Air Canada.
Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s vice president of marketing and president of Aeroplan, emphasized that customers have been asking for free Wi-Fi in recent years, and the airline is now ready to deliver.
“We think it’s becoming a core expectation of customers whether they’re traveling for business or for leisure… We said, let’s get the installations done first. Let’s make sure that when we announce this, it’s available at a critical mass.”
In the first stage, the service will be available to passengers traveling from North America to the Caribbean. Long-haul international flights will need to wait until 2026 for the rollout.
For the time being, loyalty program members traveling around the world can send and receive messages on apps like WhatsApp, iMessage, Messenger, Google and Viber, regardless of their mobile company. But not more than that.
In the same line, Air Canada announced that its renowned Dash 8 turboprop aircraft, operating within the Express regional network, will also be equipped with free Wi-Fi. This upgrade will extend to flights across Canada and the U.S.
As of today, more than 67% of Air Canada’s Boeing 737 MAX fleet is retrofitted with Wi-Fi technology. The company has committed to upgrading the rest of the aircraft by the end of 2025.
“Reliable access to streaming-quality Wi-Fi is becoming essential for both business and leisure travelers. That’s why we’re upgrading our fleet with the latest technologies,” said Nasr. “What’s more, over 85% of aircraft will be connected from day one, with the remaining installations being a priority throughout 2025.”
Other Airlines Already Offering Inflight Internet Services
Air Canada is not the first carrier to offer this essential service for free.
Earlier this year, WestJet announced that it would provide free internet access to members of its loyalty program through Elon Musk’s Starlink. The company also announced it will equip all its narrow-body aircraft with this technology by the end of 2025, with the remaining fleet to follow by late 2026.
Meanwhile, Delta Air Lines began offering free Wi-Fi to all SkyMiles members on domestic flights last year, later expanding the service to include long-haul flights starting last summer.
However, the first American airline to take the lead in offering free inflight Wi-Fi was JetBlue, which introduced the perk back in 2017. Since then, several airlines have followed suit.