Air Canada is about to make short-haul travel a whole lot more connected. Starting this October, passengers flying from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Montréal and Ottawa can enjoy free Wi-Fi in the skies, thanks to a partnership with Bell. This marks the first time Wi-Fi has ever been available on a De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft anywhere in the world, making it a major milestone for both Air Canada and aviation technology.
The free Wi-Fi is just one part of a full cabin transformation project for 25 Dash 8-400 aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation for Air Canada Express. The makeover includes brand-new interiors and sleek ergonomic seating from Expliseat, with each aircraft offering 78 seats while maintaining the same pitch for passenger comfort.
Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Operations Officer, called the project an “industry-first” and emphasized the goal of bringing the premium feel of larger jets to these Canadian-made regional planes. “Even our shortest flights can feel special,” he said.
Air Canada has already equipped 97% of its mainline and Rouge aircraft with next-generation connectivity, and the remaining upgrades, including Wi-Fi on the rest of the Dash 8-400 fleet, are expected to be completed by 2026. The new cabin design will also feature nature-inspired colours and textures, aligning with Air Canada’s brand identity as the country’s flag carrier.