MONTREAL — Air Canada has partnered with Montreal-based chef Jérôme Ferrer to elevate its in-flight meals in Premium Economy and Economy.

The meals, which will be available on all flights departing Canada for Europe and Asia as well as Australia and South America once these flights resume, will begin later this month as Air Canada restores its award-winning onboard service program.

Ferrer joins other top Canadian chefs, including David Hawksworth, Antonio Park and Vikram Vij, as part of Air Canada’s celebrated culinary panel.

Calling it an “honour” to partner with Ferrer, Andrew Yiu, Vice President-Product at Air Canada said: “Chef Ferrer is known for his sustainable, imaginative, global yet Canadian approach to food … We look forward to presenting his unique, innovative creations to customers travelling in Premium Economy and Economy Class on our international flights departing Canada.”

Yiu also noted that Air Canada is the first North American airline to partner with a celebrated chef to curate complimentary meals in Economy Class. This, he said, “affirms our ongoing commitment to customer service excellence and continuous investment in all of our products and services.”

Ferrer, who immigrated to Canada in 2011 and holds the title of Maître Cuisinier de France, said: “As an international chef, it’s a great privilege to become a culinary ambassador and share my cuisine with Air Canada’s customers, but also to be part of their journey. I can’t wait to share my savoir-faire, my creativity and transport you on my culinary odyssey. Who knows, we may have the opportunity to meet onboard somewhere around the world on Air Canada’s wings.”

As one of its initial responses to COVID-19, Air Canada suspended most of its onboard service in March. Beginning in late July, the airline will resume an enhanced meal service planned by its panel of Canadian chefs in Signature Class.

Here’s a breakdown of chef-prepared meals:

• Chef Hawlsworth’s Canadian-themed dishes will be showcased in Signature Class on flights to Europe and Israel, as well as to Australia when those flights resume.
• For the first time, chef-designed meals by Chef Park will be introduced in Business Class-North America. His meals will also be featured in Signature Class on flights to Asia and South America once those flights resume, as well as Signature Class within North America.
• Chef Ferrer’s meals will be available in Premium Economy and Economy Class on international flights departing Canada.
• Chef Vij’s meals will be featured on flights to India when those flights are able to resume.

Limited in-flight food options in Economy onboard North American flights greater than two hours will be re-introduced on a pre-order basis.

All meals will be presented in a custom paper box in accordance with current service protocols. Air Canada is working with suppliers to ensure the most environmentally-friendly packaging is being used whenever possible.

Menu details for all cabins and flights will be made available at aircanada.com later in July and via the Air Canada app in early August.