MONTREAL — Air Canada is appealing to all foodies with the launch of over 100 new rotating seasonal recipes in the sky.

“We’re incredibly proud to introduce these delicious new dining options, featuring homegrown Canadian products and ingredients reflecting the diversity of Canada and our customers’ tastes and preferences,” said Scott O’Leary, Vice President, Loyalty & Product at Air Canada. “The thought and care we’ve brought to elevating our menus, and bringing fresh new flavours for all, is one of the many ways we’re investing in every aspect of our customers’ journey to make travel even better.”

In addition to the new menu additions, Air Canada boasts the largest in-flight bar offering from any North American carrier, and remains the only North American airline to offer hot, fresh kids’ meals for purchase through its North American Bistro program.

The airline’s new and upgraded culinary program highlights the influence of its longstanding culinary partners, Chef David Hawksworth, Chef Vikram Vij, and Chef Jérôme Ferrer, as well as wine selections from award-winning Air Canada sommelier Véronique Rivest. 

ECONOMY DINING

New global flavours in Economy include red Thai chicken and rice, and chicken cacciatore with roast potatoes and bell peppers, adding to Chef Ferrer’s classic pesto penne on flights from Canada. On longer flights that serve a hot breakfast, there’s a new pancake and 10)% pure Canadian maple syrup breakfast offering. On flights from Europe, travellers will enjoy new Monty’s Bakehouse pastries, including coconut chicken and potato sour cream and chive. These recipes also add to regional appetizers like soba noodles, chaat, hummus and vegetables and more, recently introduced on all international routes. 

Air Canada’s upgraded Bistro menu, rolling out through spring 2024, boasts the most extensive selection of fresh buy-on-board options from any North American airline, with a peppercorn roast beef sandwich, cheeseburger sliders and new vegan options like Mediterranean hummus wraps. This is alongside a selection of alcoholic beverages like new premium crafted and Canadian-owned Tequila Tromba (all cabins in all markets, including Bistro) and Campari (all premium cabins and Bistro).

PREMIUM CABINS

International travellers in Air Canada Signature Class can enjoy new dining options like chicken thigh with mandi rice and Emirati bzar sauce, roasted salmon in teriyaki sauce with Shandong noodles, and a Middle Eastern mezze plate appetizer, with more to come through spring 2024. An array of homegrown ingredients are also available with Air Canada’s latest lounge and in-flight offerings, including wild-caught Fogo Island cod, which returns to the Air Canada Signature Suite at Toronto Pearson International Airport.

For sparkling wine connoisseurs, new Champagnes selected by Rivest include Haton Cuvée Classique and Duval-Leroy Brut Réserve on international flights, and Jaillance Brut Traditionnel, a Crémant de Bordeaux AOP of French ‘fines bulles’ on flights within North America and the Caribbean. Quebec-made Montellier sparkling water also debuts in premium cabins, while Canadian wines and spirits remain a fixture onboard and across lounges.

Air Canada remains the only airline in North America that serves fresh and hot meals on North America Business Class flights under two hours. New upgraded light meals include warm flatbread with arugula, chicken tenders with coleslaw, cobb salad and elevated charcuterie and cheese plates. The full hot breakfast served on morning flights features the customer favourite parsley omelet with chicken sausage, adding new recipes like clafoutis and pancakes with 100% pure Canadian maple syrup.

NEW SNACKS AND SPECIALTY TEAS

New nibbles have arrived on all flights, including Buttery Herb and Garlic craft pretzels by family-owned and female-led TWIGZ from Alberta, now complimentary in all cabins on North America flights shorter than two hours and economy cabins on international flights. 

Also joining the snack basket are new choices like Sweet Sixteen original candy mix from Quebec, a protein top-up from Chomps grass-fed beef jerky, and Ghirardelli Dark Chocolate Squares with a sea salt caramel filling. This expanded selection of snacks represents a range of gluten-free, vegan, kosher, halal suitable, keto and paleo-friendly choices that are now available in Air Canada Signature Class, Premium Economy and flights to/from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport.

Luxury tea purveyor Dilmah brings new blends onboard including Ceylon Early Grey, Chamomile, Peppermint, Green, Lemon & Ginger and Orange Pekoe served in International and North America Business Class. Orange Pekoe is also now brewed in Economy and Premium Economy cabins. In addition, specialty teas are available on select routes, including Jasmine (China), Chai (India), Brown Rice Green Tea (Korea), and Japanese Green Tea (Japan).

PRE-ORDER EXPANSION

This year, Air Canada will be expanding its popular pre-order meal service to include premium cabin services within North America, starting with flights offering Signature Class and Premium Economy cabins. Later this year, the pre-order program will introduce options for customers in premium cabins to pre-select their second meal choice on international flights. 

For more information about Air Canada’s new elevated inflight menu, go to http://aircanada.com/bonappetit.