Air Canada

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Air Canada
IATA AC	ICAO ACA	Callsign AIR CANADA
Founded		August 11, 1936 [1]
Hubs		Toronto Pearson International Airport Montréal-Trudeau International Airport Vancouver International Airport Calgary International Airport[2]
Frequent flyer program		Aeroplan
Member lounge		Maple Leaf Lounge
Alliance		Star Alliance
Fleet size		344 (+44 orders)
Destinations		240
Parent company		ACE Aviation Holdings Inc.
Company slogan		The freedom to fly your own way.
Headquarters		Montreal, Quebec
Key people		* David Richardson (Chairman) * Montie Brewer (President & CEO)
Website: www.aircanada.com

Air Canada (TSX: AC.A, TSX: AC.B) is Canada's largest airline and flag carrier. The airline, founded in 1937, has had its corporate headquarters in Montreal, Quebec, since it moved from Winnipeg, Manitoba, in 1949. Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air transportation for passengers and cargo to 240 destinations, with its largest hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport; it also provides vacation packages to over 90 destinations via Air Canada Vacations. The company is the world's 11th largest passenger airline by fleet size. The airline's parent company is ACE Aviation Holdings. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, an alliance of 20 member airlines formed in 1997. In 2006, 34 million people flew with the airline. The following year, Air Canada celebrated its 70th anniversary.

Contents 1 History 1.1 Trans-Canada Airlines 1.2 The 1980's and 1990's 1.3 21st century 1.3.1 Modernization 1.3.2 Project XM 2 Destinations 2.1 Route changes 3 Fleet 3.1 Jazz fleet 4 Historic fleet 5 Onboard 5.1 Executive First / Executive First Suites (International Business Class) 5.2 Executive Class (North American Domestic First Class) 5.3 Premium Economy Class (International) 5.4 Economy Class 5.5 Boarding Passes 5.6 Meal and beverage service 5.7 Entertainment 5.8 Newspapers and magazines 5.9 Cabin crew 6 Maple Leaf Lounge 7 Subsidiaries and partners 7.1 Aeroplan 7.2 Air Canada Cargo 7.3 Air Canada Ground Handling Services 7.4 Jazz Air LP 7.5 Air Canada Jetz 7.6 ACTS Aero Technical Support & Services Inc. 7.7 Air Canada Vacations 7.8 Partners 7.9 Code sharing 7.10 Former subsidiaries 8 Accidents 9 Incidents 10 References 11 External links

[edit] History

[edit] Trans-Canada Airlines

Air Canada's predecessor, Trans-Canada Airlines (TCA), was created by legislation of the federal government as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railway (CNR) on April 10, 1936. The newly created Department of Transport under Minister C. D. Howe desired an airline, under government control, which linked the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean. Using $5 million in government seed money, two Lockheed L-10 Electras and one Boeing Stearman biplane were purchased from Canadian Pacific Airlines.^[3] Experienced airline executives from United Airlines and American Airlines were brought in.^[4]

Passenger operations began on 1 September 1937, with an Electra carrying two passengers and mail from Vancouver to Seattle, a $14.20 round trip.^[4] Transcontinental routes from Montreal to Vancouver began on 1 April 1939, using 12 Lockheed L-14 Super Electras and six Lockheed L-18 Lodestars.^[3]

On 1 July 1938, TCA hired its first flight attendants, and by January, 1940 the airline had grown to about 500 employees.^[5]

In 1942 Canadian Pacific Airlines suggested merging with TCA. Prime Minister Mackenzie King rejected the proposal and introduced legislation regulating TCA as the only airline in Canada allowed to provide transcontinental flights. With the increase in air travel after World War II, CP Air was granted one coast-to-coast flight, and a few international routes.^[4]

Originally headquartered in Winnipeg, which was also the site of the national maintenance base, the federal government moved the headquarters to Montreal in 1949; the maintenance base later also moved east. With the development of the ReserVec in 1953, Air Canada became the first airline in the world to use a computer reservation system with remote terminals.

By 1964, TCA had grown to become Canada's national airline, and in 1964 Jean Chrétien submitted a private member's bill to change the name of the airline from Trans-Canada Airlines to Air Canada. This bill failed, but it was later resubmitted and passed, with the name change taking effect on January 1, 1965.^[3] In a late 1970s, with reorganization at CNR, Air Canada became an independent Crown corporation.

[edit] The 1980's and 1990's

In the 1980's Air Canada's debt grew as it upgraded its fleet and purchased regional airlines such as Air BC and Air Nova. A recession also added to yearly losses, $15 million in 1982.^[4]

Deregulation of the Canadian airline market, under the new National Transportation Act, 1987 officially opened the airline market in Canada to equal competition.^[6] In 1988 Air Canada was privatized, and 43% of its shares are sold on the public market.^[3]

On 7 December 1987, Air Canada became the first airline in the world to have a fleet-wide non-smoking policy,^[7] and in 1989 became completely privatised. It sold the enRoute card business to Diners Club in 1992. Air Canada is a founding member of the Star Alliance, which was launched in May 1997. The airline code-shares with several of the alliance's members.

On September 2, 1998 pilots for Air Canada launched the company's first pilots' strike. At the end of 1999 the Canadian government relaxed some of the aviation regulations, aimed at creating a consolidation of the Canadian airline industry.

[edit] 21st century

In January 2001 Air Canada acquired Canada's second largest air carrier, Canadian Airlines, subsequently merging the latter's operations into its own. As a result, Air Canada became the world's twelfth-largest commercial airline.

On April 1, 2003, Air Canada filed for bankruptcy protection; it emerged from this protection on September 30, 2004, 18 months later. During the period of bankruptcy protection, the company was subject to two competing bids from Cerberus Capital Management and Victor Li. The Cerberus bid would have seen former Prime Minister Brian Mulroney installed as chairman, being recruited by Cerberus' international advisory board chair Dan Quayle. Cerberus was rejected because it had a reputation of changing existing employee pension agreements, a move strongly opposed by the CAW. At first, Air Canada selected Victor Li's Trinity Time Investments, which initially asked for a board veto and the chairmanship in return for investing $650 million in the airline. Li, who holds dual citizenship from Canada and Hong Kong, later demanded changes to the pension plan (which was not in his original takeover bid), but since the unions refused to budge, the bid was withdrawn. Finally, Deutsche Bank unveiled an $850 million dollar financing package for Air Canada, if it would cut $200 million in annual cost cutting in addition to the $1.1 billion that the unions agreed on in 2003. It was accepted after last-minute talks between CEO Robert Milton and CAW chief Buzz Hargrove got the union concessions needed to let the bid go through.^[8][9][10]

ACE Aviation Holdings is the new parent company under which the reorganised Air Canada is held.

On October 31, 2004, the last Air Canada Boeing 747 flights landed in Toronto and in Montreal, ending more than 30 years of 747 service with the airline. The Boeing 747-400 fleet was replaced by the A340 fleet.

[edit] Modernization

On October 19, 2004, Air Canada unveiled a new aircraft colour scheme and uniforms. A Boeing 767-300 was painted in the new silver-blue colour, and the green tail was replaced with a new version of the maple leaf known as the 'Frosted Leaf.'

On November 9, 2005, Air Canada entered into an agreement to renew its widebody fleet with Boeing by purchasing 18 Boeing 777s (10 -300ERs, 6 -200LRs, 2 777 Freighters), and 14 Boeing 787-8s. It also placed options to purchase an additional 18 Boeing 777s and 46 Boeing 787-8s and -9s.^[11] All of the 777s will be powered by the GE90-115B engine, and the 787-8s, by the GEnx engine.^[12] Deliveries of the 777s began in March 2007 and deliveries of the 787s are to begin in 2010. As the 777s are delivered, Air Canada plans to gradually retire its A340 fleet, and as the 787s are delivered, it will gradually retire all Boeing 767s and A330-300s.^[13]

In November 2005, Air Canada, in an experiment to reduce aircraft weight and increase fuel efficiency, removed the paint and primer from a Boeing 767-233ER. However, the cost of the aluminum skin polishing and treatments turned out to be greater than the cost of the fuel saved, and the result was regarded as aesthetically displeasing.

On April 24, 2007, Air Canada announced that it has exercised half of its options for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The firm order for the Dreamliners is now at 37 plus 23 options, for a total of 60. This makes Air Canada the largest customer of the Dreamliner in North America and the third largest in the world (behind Qantas and All Nippon Airways). It also announced that it has cancelled orders for 2 Boeing 777Fs. In November 2007, Air Canada announced that it will lease an additional Boeing 777-300ER from ILFC. The number of 777s now on order totals 18 (12 -300ERs, 6 -200LRs) with options for 16 more, totalling 34.^[14]

Air Canada has also taken delivery of 15 Embraer 175s and 45 Embraer 190s. It holds options on an additional 60 Embraer 190s. These aircraft are being used to expand its intra-Canada and Canada/USA routes. Additionally, some of the Embraer 190s will replace older A319/A320s.

[edit] Project XM

Started in July 2006, and scheduled to be completed by early 2009, Project XM: Extreme Makeover, is a $300-million CAD ($300-million USD) aircraft interior replacement project to install new cabins on all aircraft, except the soon to be replaced A340s and older 767-200s. New aircraft such as the Boeing 777 are being delivered with the new cabins factory installed.^[15]

New cabin features include:^[16]

• In Executive First, new horizontal fully-flat Executive First Suites in a 'herringbone pattern' (on 767s and 777s only).
• New cabins in all classes on all aircraft (except the A340s and some 767-200s).
• Personal AVOD (8.9" touch-screen LCD) in Economy class (domestic and international) providing over 200 hours of video and audio entertainment. Larger AVOD screens available in Executive First Suites.
• Interactive games at all seats.
• 3-prong 120 VAC plugs for laptops in both classes.
• USB ports to recharge electronic devices.
• USB ports for game controllers.
• XM Radio Canada available at every seat.

[edit] Destinations

Further information: Air Canada destinations

Air Canada operates flights to 240 destinations in Canada, the USA, Latin America, Europe, Australia and Asia.

Further information: Air Canada Jazz destinations

Air Canada Jazz is a subsidiary of ACE Aviation and operates feeder and commuter services for Air Canada to 85 destinations in Canada and the USA.

[edit] Route changes

Air Canada Route Changes (as of May 1, 2008)

Route	Start Date	End Date	Equipment
Toronto – Madrid [7]	June 15, 2008		Boeing 767-300ER
Calgary – Newark [8]	June 16, 2008		Airbus A319
Toronto – Santiago – Buenos Aires [9]		November 29, 2008	Boeing 767-300ER
Toronto – Santiago [10]	December 1, 2008	April 1, 2009	Boeing 767-300ER
Toronto – Buenos Aires [11]	December 1, 2008	April 1, 2009	Boeing 767-300ER
Toronto – Santiago – Buenos Aires [12]	April 2, 2009		Boeing 767-300ER

[edit] Fleet

The Air Canada fleet consists of 208 aircraft, as of April 2008. [13] "Project XM Fitted" indicates aircraft with newly renovated aircraft interiors.

Air Canada Fleet

Aircraft	Total	Passengers (Executive*/Economy)	Routes	Notes
Airbus A319-100	35	120 (14/106)	North America Caribbean	Project XM completed
Airbus A320-200	41	140 (20/120)	North America Caribbean	Project XM completed
Airbus A321-200	10	174 (20/154)	North America Caribbean	Project XM completed
Airbus A330-300	8	274 (42/232)	Atlantic Pacific	Project XM to be complete by Early 2009[17]
Airbus A340-300	2	286 (30/256)	Vancouver to Hong Kong	New interiors will not be installed Exit from service: Oct 2008 Replacement aircraft: Boeing 777
Boeing 767-200/200ER	9	207 (24/183)	North America Atlantic Caribbean	New interiors will not be installed Exit from service: 2008 Replacement aircraft: Boeing 787
Boeing 767-300ER	Project XM Fitted 26 ————————— Original 4	Project XM Fitted 211 (24/187) ————————— Original 212 (25/187) 212 (30/182) 213 (25/188)	Atlantic Pacific South America Middle East	Project XM to be completed by mid 2008.
Boeing 777-200LR	6	270 (42/228)	Atlantic: London Pacific: Sydney, Hong Kong, Shanghai (non-peak), Beijing (non-peak) Domestic: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver	Project XM Factory-Fitted
Boeing 777-300ER	8 (4 orders)	349 (42/307)	Atlantic: Paris, Frankfurt, London Pacific: Tokyo, Hong Kong, Shanghai (peak), Beijing (peak) Domestic: Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver	Project XM factory fitted Replacing: Airbus A340-300 2 on lease from ILFC 2 on lease from Bank of China Aviation
Boeing 787-8	(37 orders)		Atlantic Pacific South America	Project XM Factory-Fitted Entry into service: 2012[18] Replacing: Boeing 767
Embraer 175	15	73 (9/64)	North America	Project XM Factory Fitted
Embraer 190	45	93 (9/84)	North America	Project XM Factory-Fitted

^{*Executive Class is offered on domestic flights, Executive First on international flights.}

• Air Canada has an average fleet age of 8.9 years, as of April 2008.[14]
• Air Canada has options for 18 more Boeing 777's, 23 Boeing 787 Dreamliners and 60 Embraer E190's.
• Air Canada, along with Air Canada Jazz owns roughly 61% of the Domestic market.
• Air Canada was the first North American airline to operate the Airbus A319, A340-300, A340-500, Boeing 777-200LR and Boeing 777-300ER aircraft.
• Air Canada is the largest North American customer for the Boeing 787 Dreamliner.
• The Boeing 767 involved in the Gimli incident (known as the "Gimli Glider") remained in service with Air Canada until it retired in 2008. The aircraft (C-GAUN) now sits at the Mojave Spaceport in California.

[edit] Jazz fleet

Air Canada Jazz has a separate fleet consisting of 133 all-Canadian aircraft as of June 2008:^[19]

Main article: Air Canada Jazz

Air Canada Jazz Fleet

Aircraft	Total	Passengers (Executive*/Economy)	Notes
Bombardier CRJ 100ER	24	50
Bombardier CRJ 200ER	33	50
Bombardier CRJ 705	16	75 (10/65)	Project XM completed
Bombardier Dash 8 100	34	37	Twin-Turboprop
Bombardier Dash 8 300	26	A:48 B:50	Twin-Turboprop

^{*Executive Class is only available on Bombardier CRJ 705 aircraft (AVOD) audio-video on demand}

[edit] Historic fleet

Air Canada was the first airline to operate a jet freighter with the introduction of the DC-8 and was the first major airline with an all turbine fleet, which allowed an increase in productivity and reduction in maintenance costs. Air Canada was also one of the first airlines to have its entire fleet of unpressurised aircraft equipped with fixed oxygen systems for use by flight crew and passengers, using the rebreathing bag principle.

The following is a list of aircraft that Air Canada has operated since 1937, and are now no longer in the fleet (click on link for a photo):

Type	Used	Picture
Airbus A340-500	2004-2007	[15], [16]
Avro Lancastrian	1943-1947	[17]
BAe 146-200	1990-2005	[18]
Boeing 727-200	1974-1992	[19]
Boeing 737-200	1976-2004	[20]
Boeing 747-100	1971-1998	[21]
Boeing 747-200M (Combi)	1975-1999	[22]
Boeing 747-400	1990-2003	[23]
Boeing 747-400M (Combi)	1990-2004	[24] [25]
Bristol 31	1953-1955	[26]
Canadair North Star	1946-1961	[27]
Douglas DC-3	1945-1963	[28]
Douglas DC-8-40 -50 -60 -70	1960-1983	[29]
McDonnell Douglas DC-9-30	1966-2002	[30]
McDonnell Douglas DC-10 From Canadian Airlines	1971-2001	[31]
Fokker F28	1986-2004	[32]
Lockheed Super Constellation	1954-1963	[33]
Lockheed L-1011 -1 -15 -100 -500	1973-1996	[34]
Lockheed Model 10 Electra	1937-1941	[35]
Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra	1941-1949	[36]
Lockheed Model 18 Lodestar	1941-1949	[37]
Stearman	1937-1939	[38]
Vickers Vanguard	1961-1972	[39]
Vickers Viscount	1955-1974	[40]

[edit] Onboard

Air Canada has two classes of service on all aircraft. On longhaul international routes, Executive First and Economy Class are offered. On low-density longhaul international routes, Premium Economy and Economy Class are offered. Shorthaul and domestic routes feature Executive Class and Economy Class.

Air Canada Jazz features two classes of service, Executive and Economy Class, on CRJ-705 aircraft only. All other Jazz aircraft are one class service (Economy Class).

[edit] Executive First / Executive First Suites (International Business Class)

Executive First / Executive First Suites is Air Canada’s international business class product. All A340-300's, A330-300's, and some 767-300ER's are fitted with Executive First and all 777-300ER's, 777-200LR's, and most 767-300ER's offer Executive First Suites.

The Executive First Suite is available on all 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft, and is being rolled out across the 767-300ER fleet. By the end of 2009, A330-300 aircraft will also have been fitted with the Executive First Suite. The Executive First Suites features electronic flat beds, in a 1-1-1 (Boeing 767-300ER) or 1-2-1 (Boeing 777) "herringbone" configuration with a 31" width at the shoulders and a 6'3" pitch. The configuration is similar in layout to Virgin Atlantic's Upper Class Suite and Air New Zealand's Business Premier Class product. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand), while music is provided by XM satellite radio. Self-service bar areas are available on all 777-300ER and 777-200LR aircraft, with mood lighting also available on the 777 aircraft. Mood lighting will be rolled out across the 767-300ER fleet at a later date.

On the A330-300 (at present), A340-300 and some of the 767-300ER aircraft (at present), seats are electronic recliner seats reclining to 151 degrees, with a width of 21” and a pitch of 57-60”. Seat configuration is 2-2-2 on Airbus aircraft, with 1-2-2 or 2-2-1 seating on the 767-300ER aircraft, depending on tail fin. Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) on the A330-300 and some A340-300's and 767-300's (in the form of DVD players on these 767's). On other A340-300's and some 767-300's, personal continuous TV's are offered. Music is provided by XM satellite radio.

[edit] Executive Class (North American Domestic First Class)

Executive Class is Air Canada’s North American domestic first class product.

Seat configuration varies between 1-2, 2-2 and 2-2-2 depending on the aircraft. Recline is around 120, 124 or 130 degrees, with a width of 18 or 21” and a pitch of 37-39”. AVOD personal screens are being introduced across the whole fleet. On aircraft not yet fitted with the Project XM interior, main screen entertainment is provided. Music is provided by XM satellite radio.

[edit] Premium Economy Class (International)

Premium Economy is offered on international 767-200 aircraft on low density routes to Europe and to the Caribbean. The cabin is the North American Executive Class cabin sold as Premium Economy.

Seat configuration is 2-2-2, with seats having a recline of 130 degrees, a width of 18" and a pitch of 38". Main screen entertainment is provided. Music is provided by XM satellite radio.

[edit] Economy Class

Seats are pitched 31-34” with a width of 17.2-18.5"” and a recline to around 6". Entertainment is personal AVOD (Audio Video On Demand) on Project XM aircraft or main screen on non-Project XM aircraft. Music is provided by XM satellite radio.

[edit] Boarding Passes

The letter on a boarding pass corresponds to the named classes shown on the website, a rough breakdown as listed on the 2007 Aeroplan upgrade certificates follows: Tango (R, K, N, G, P, E, T), Tango Plus (B, H, V, Q, L, A), Latitude (M, U), Latitude Plus (Y) and Executive (J, C, Z).

[edit] Meal and beverage service

Air Canada offers a variety of meals on intercontinental routes, depending on seat class, destination and flight length. They do not offer food on most Canadian and US flights, but do offer hot meals and snacks on flights longer than five hours. A selection of cold food has been made for purchase on-board, paid in either US or Canadian dollars. Beverages like coffee, tea, juices and soft drinks are still free on domestic/US flights, but passengers are required to pay for alcohol.

[edit] Entertainment

Movies and music are available on all flights, with newer aircraft/new cabins offering audio/video on demand in-flight entertainment. This on-demand format is planned for all Air Canada aircraft and offers more than 200 hours of video and audio entertainment. Disposable head sets are provided free of charge to all passengers and can be kept for future flights, with noise reduction headsets available in Executive First and Executive First Suites.

[edit] Newspapers and magazines

Newspapers and magazines are available to all Executive & Executive First passengers on Air Canada flights. Air Canada's in-flight magazine, enRoute, is provided to all passengers on all flights.

[edit] Cabin crew

Air Canada has made a change in uniform by changing the dark green for a midnight blue colour. The uniforms were designed by Canadian fashion designer Debbie Shuchat, at a presentation in the Toronto Pearson International Airport hangar, Celine Dion helped the newly-solvent airline debut its new image.

The female cabin crew wear a midnight blue suit jacket with a narrow skirt both lined with blue lining. The jacket sports a red Air Canada maple leaf motif on the left blazer pocket flap. The uniform is composed by a sky blue blouse, sky blue sweater, a frosted leaf graphic design on a red or blue scarf.

The male cabin crew wear a midnight blue suit jacket with suit trousers both lined with blue lining. The jacket sports a red Air Canada maple leaf motif on the left blazer pocket flap. The uniform is composed by a sky blue shirt, midnight blue waistcoat, a frosted leaf graphic design on a red or blue tie.

[edit] Maple Leaf Lounge

These lounges are open to passengers holding Executive First, or Executive class tickets. Super Elite, Elite, and for a charge, Prestige passengers can also use the lounges. Star alliance Gold passengers can also enter the lounges.

• Calgary International Airport – domestic and international concourse A
• Edmonton International Airport – domestic and international south terminal
• Halifax Stanfield International Airport – domestic and international
• London Heathrow Airport Terminal 3
• Los Angeles International Airport
• Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport – domestic, transborder and international
• Ottawa International Airport – domestic and international
• Charles de Gaulle International Airport – International
• Québec/Jean Lesage International Airport – domestic
• Regina International Airport
• St. John's International Airport
• Toronto Pearson International Airport
  • Terminal 1 Domestic – Node E Level 3 , Transborder – Node F level 3, International – HammerHead F Level 3, pier E
• Vancouver International Airport – domestic, transborder and international
• Winnipeg James Armstrong Richardson International Airport – domestic and international

[edit] Subsidiaries and partners

[edit] Aeroplan

• In June 2005, a portion of Aeroplan was spun off by ACE Aviation Holdings as an Income trust on the Toronto Stock Exchange. ACE Aviation Holdings is still the major shareholder. (Subsidiary of ACE Aviation)

Aeroplan is also Air Canada's frequent flier program. Miles are awarded to members, and can be used to purchase tickets on any Star Alliance airline, or other partners, such as some hotel chains. They do have a status system, as follows:

Prestige- Star Alliance Silver Status awarded. minimum 25 flights or 25,000 miles. Elite- Star Alliance Gold Status awarded. minimum 50 flights or 60,000 miles. Super Elite- Star Alliance Gold Status awarded. minimum 95 flights or 100,000 miles.

The number of miles is based on status miles (on ticket) in one calendar year.

[edit] Air Canada Cargo

Air Canada Cargo Limited Partnership offers cargo services on domestic and transborder flights, utilising the cargo capacity on aircraft operated by Air Canada and Jazz on domestic and transborder routes. Air Canada offers cargo services on its international passenger flights and also uses chartered, all-freighter aircraft for Canada – Europe and Canada – Asia services. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)

In the past, Air Canada Cargo operated its own dedicated fleet of DC-8 freighters and currently operates a World Airways MD-11 freighter from Toronto(YYZ), Canada to Frankfurt(FRA), Germany. Orders for 2 Boeing 777-200F's were in negotiations but that order has since been cancelled.^{[citation needed]}

[edit] Air Canada Ground Handling Services

• ACGHS provides ground handling services to Air Canada, Jazz and a number of other carriers at their Canadian and US stations, but with a primary focus on Canadian stations. Services covered include "above and below the wing" passenger and baggage handling services and ancillary services such as de-icing, ground support and equipment maintenance. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)

[edit] Jazz Air LP

In 2001, Air Canada consolidated Air BC, Air Nova, Air Ontario and Canadian Regional Airlines into Air Canada Jazz. Air Canada Jazz was spun-off starting in November 2006. ACE Aviation Holdings is now a minority shareholder.

[edit] Air Canada Jetz

Launched in 2002, Air Canada Jetz is a charter service targeting sports teams, professional entertainers, and corporations. Air Canada Jetz fleet consists of 5 A320 aircraft in an all business class configuration.

[edit] ACTS Aero Technical Support & Services Inc.

ACTS is a full-service Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) organisation that provides airframe, engine and component maintenance and various ancillary services to more than 100 customers. Major bases are in Montreal, Toronto, Winnipeg and Vancouver. (Majority owned by Kohlberg Kravis Roberst & Co.)

[edit] Air Canada Vacations

Air Canada Vacations offers sun, cruise and leisure vacation packages to the Caribbean, Florida, Hawaii, Mexico, Las Vegas, Central and South America, and Asia. (Subsidiary of Air Canada)

[edit] Partners

• Air Canada's regional partners include Air Canada Jazz, Exploits Valley Air Services (EVAS)[41], Air Georgian, and Central Mountain Air.

• Air Canada is a founding member of the Star Alliance

[edit] Code sharing

Air Canada codeshare agreements with:[42]

• Air Jamaica
• Air New Zealand †
• Air One
• ANA †
• Asiana Airlines †
• Austrian Airlines †
• Avianca
• Bmi †
• Eva Air
• Jet Airways
• LOT †
• Lufthansa †
• Royal Jordanian Airlines
• SAS Scandinavian Airlines †
• Singapore Airlines †
• Spanair †
• Swiss †
• Thai Airways †
• United Airlines †
• US Airways †

Note: † indicates Star Alliance partners

[edit] Former subsidiaries

• In 2001, Air Canada launched Air Canada Tango, which offered no-frills service and lower fares between major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal and also to some holiday destinations such as Fort Lauderdale. Tango aircraft were painted with the Air Canada design but in purple. It is thought that Tango was intended to be Air Canada's vehicle for competing against the low cost carriers Canada 3000 and WestJet. The Tango service was dissolved in 2004. Air Canada now calls its lowest fare class "Tango" (Tango and Tango Plus), paying homage to the low-cost experiment.

• In 2002, Air Canada launched Zip, a discount airline to compete directly with WestJet on routes in Western Canada. Zip operated as a separate airline with its own staff and brightly painted aircraft. It also was disbanded in 2004.

[edit] Accidents

Date	Flight number	Information
November 29, 1963	Flight 831*	McDonnell Douglas DC-8, stalled on takeoff out of Montreal-Dorval International Airport. All 118 lives were lost on board, making it one of the deadliest air disasters in Canadian history.
May 19, 1967	n/a	McDonnell Douglas DC-8, crashed and burned on a training flight while making a three-engine landing at Ottawa, Ontario. All 3 crew members were killed. There were no passengers on the flight.
July 5, 1970	Flight 621	McDonnell Douglas DC-8, exploded from a fuel line rupture caused by engine 4 striking the runway in Toronto, Ontario during the first landing attempt. All 109 passengers/crew were killed.[43]
June 26, 1978	Flight 189	McDonnell Douglas DC-9, overran the runway in Toronto after a blown tire aborted the takeoff. 2 of 107 people onboard were killed.[44]
June 2, 1983	Flight 797	McDonnell Douglas DC-9, had an electrical fire in the aft lavatory during flight, resulting in an emergency landing at Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky International Airport. During emergency exiting, the sudden influx of oxygen caused a flash fire throughout the cabin, resulting in the deaths of 23 of the 41 passengers, including Canadian folk singer Stan Rogers. All five crew members survived.[20]
July 23, 1983	Flight 143	Boeing 767, glided to an emergency landing in Gimli, Manitoba after running out of fuel 12,500 m (41,000 ft) above Red Lake, Ontario. No one was injured. This incident was the subject of the TV movie, Falling from the Sky: Flight 174, starring William Devane, and the book, Freefall, by William Hoffer.[21]
December 16, 1997	Flight 646	Bombardier Canadair CRJ-100, went off the end of the runway upon landing in Fredericton, New Brunswick. There were no fatalities.[45]

*Company was known as Trans-Canada Air Lines in 1963.

[edit] Incidents

• June 21, 1973: McDonnell Douglas DC-8 caught fire and was burnt out during refuelling at Terminal 2, Toronto, Ontario; no fatalities.[46]
• June 2, 1982: McDonnell Douglas DC-9 exploded during a maintenance period in Montreal, Quebec; no fatalities.
• November 19, 2006: Air Canada Flight 38 Boeing 767-300 was bound from Shanghai, China to Vancouver suffered severe turbulence and made an emergency landing at Tokyo's Narita International Airport. Four flight attendants were sent to hospital. Flights in and out of Shanghai (and in the area east of Japan) are notorious for turbulence problems.
• August 10, 2006: Air Canada flights to Toronto and Montreal were among the seven planes allegedly targeted in a massive bomb plot that was being planned in Britain. Air Canada Flight 849 that leaves Heathrow daily at 3 p.m for Toronto and the regular Air Canada Flight 865 that leaves at 3:15 p.m. for Montreal. All were to be detonated simultaneously as the planes crossed the Atlantic Ocean carrying between 240 and 285 people each. Both aircraft being Airbus A330-300s. [47]
• May 20, 2007: Air Canada Jazz Flight 8911, a Bombardier CRJ-100 bound from Moncton, landing gear collapsed while vacating the runway after touching down at Toronto-Pearson International Airport. There were no injuries reported as a result of the incident
• January 10, 2008: Air Canada Flight 190, an Airbus A319 bound for Toronto from Victoria, British Columbia, made an emergency landing at Calgary airport after experiencing an on-board computer failure, aided with rough turbulence over the Rocky Mountains. At least ten people were injured, with non-life-threatening injuries. The cause of the incident is not yet known as the TSB is still investigating.[48]
• January 28, 2008: An Air Canada Boeing 767-300 series jet was forced to divert to Shannon International Airport, County Clare in Ireland due to a "medical emergency". Flight AC848 was en route from Toronto-Pearson to London-Heathrow when the co-pilot fell-ill somewhere over the North Atlantic. It was reported that the co-pilot was acting strangely and after landing was forcibly removed from the aircraft by personnel including a member of the Canadian Military. It was subsequently reported by local media in Ireland that he was transferred to the Psychiatric Unit of Ennis General Hospital in Co. Clare to undergo assessment. A second flight crew was flown in from London to allow the 149 passengers and crew complete their journey where it landed 8 hours behind schedule.

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Air Canada official website
• Timeline
• CBC Digital Archives – Turbulent Skies: The Air Canada Story
• Air Canada Pilots Association
• enRoute inflight magazine

v • d • e Members of Star Alliance Air Canada • Air China • Air New Zealand • All Nippon Airways • Asiana Airlines • Austrian Airlines Group • BMI • LOT Polish Airlines • Lufthansa • Scandinavian Airlines • Shanghai Airlines • Singapore Airlines • South African Airways • Spanair • Swiss International Air Lines • TAP Portugal • Thai Airways International • Turkish Airlines • United Airlines • US Airways Regional members: Adria Airways • Blue1 • Croatia Airlines Future members: Air India • EgyptAir Former members: Ansett Australia • Mexicana de Aviación • Varig

v • d • e Current Airlines of Canada Adlair Aviation · Aeropro · Air Canada · Air Canada Jazz · Air Canada Jetz · Air Creebec · Air Georgian · Air Inuit · Air Labrador · Air Mikisew · Air North · Air Nunavut · Air Saguenay · Air Satellite · Air Southwest · Airspeed Aviation · Air Tindi · Air Transat · Aklak Air · Alberta Citylink · Alkan Air · Alta Flights · Arctic Sunwest Charters · Bar XH Air · BCWest Air · Bearskin Airlines · Brock Air Services · Buffalo Airways · Calm Air · Canadian Metro Airlines · Canadian North · CanJet · Cargojet Airways · Central Mountain Air · CHC Helicopter · Corporate Express · Cougar Helicopters · Craig Air · First Air · Flair Airlines · Harbour Air · Hawkair · HeliJet · Innu Mikun Airlines · Integra Air · KD Air · Keewatin Air · Kelowna Flightcraft Air Charter · Kenn Borek Air · Keystone Air Service · Kivalliq Air · Kootenay Direct Airlines · Morningstar Air Express · Nolinor Aviation · North Cariboo Air · Northern Thunderbird Air · Northwestern Air · North-Wright Airways · Orca Airways · Pacific Coastal Airlines · Pascan Aviation · Perimeter Aviation · Porter Airlines · Prince Edward Air · Pronto Airways · Provincial Airlines · Regional 1 · Salt Spring Air · SkyLink Aviation · SkyNorth Air · Skyservice · Skyxpress Airline · Summit Air · Sunwest Aviation · Sunwing Airlines · Superior Airways · Thunder Airlines · Tofino Air · Trans Capital Air · Transwest Air · Universal Helicopters · Vancouver Island Air · Voyageur Airways · Wasaya Airways · West Coast Air · WestJet · West Wind Aviation · White River Air · Zoom Airlines See also: List of airlines of Canada  · List of defunct airlines of Canada

v • d • e Members of the International Air Transport Association   Africa regional office Air Austral · Air Botswana · Air Madagascar · Air Malawi · Air Mauritius · Air Namibia · Air Seychelles · Air Tanzania · Air Zimbabwe · Airlink · Bellview Airlines · Cameroon Airlines · Comair · Ethiopian Airlines · Interair South Africa · Kenya Airways · LAM Mozambique Airlines · Precision Air · Rwandair Express · Safair · South African Airways · Sudan Airways · TAAG Angola Airlines · Virgin Nigeria Airways · Zambian Airways   Asia-Pacific regional office Air India · Air New Zealand · Air Niugini · Air Pacific · Air Tahiti · Air Tahiti Nui · Air Vanuatu · Aircalin · All Nippon Airways · Asiana Airlines · Bangkok Airways · Biman Bangladesh Airlines · Continental Micronesia · Garuda Indonesia · JALways · Japan Airlines · Jet Airways · Jet Lite · Korean Air · MIAT Mongolian Airlines · Malaysia Airlines · Nippon Cargo Airlines · Philippine Airlines · Qantas · Royal Brunei Airlines · SilkAir · Singapore Airlines · Singapore Airlines Cargo · SriLankan Airlines · Thai Airways International · Vietnam Airlines   China and North Asia regional office Air China · Air Koryo · Air Macau · Cathay Pacific · China Airlines · China Cargo Airlines · China Eastern Airlines · China Southern Airlines · Dragonair · EVA Air · Far Eastern Air Transport · Hainan Airlines · Shandong Airlines · Shanghai Airlines · Shenzhen Airlines · Sichuan Airlines · TransAsia Airways · Xiamen Airlines   Europe regional office Adria Airways · Aegean Airlines · Aer Lingus · Aigle Azur · Air Contractors · Air Europa · Air France · Air Malta · Air Nostrum · Air One · AirBaltic · Airberlin · Alitalia · Alpi Eagles · Atlasjet · Austrian Airlines · B&H Airlines · Binter Canarias · Blue Panorama Airlines · Blue Wings · Blue1 · BMI (airline) · British Airways · Brussels Airlines · Cargolux · Carpatair · CCM Airlines · Cimber Air · Cirrus Airlines · CityJet · Corsairfly · Croatia Airlines · Cyprus Airways · Czech Airlines · Denim Air · DHL Air · Estonian Air · European Air Transport · Eurowings · Finnair · FlyLal · Flybe · Hahn Air · Hellas Jet · Hemus Air · Iberia Airlines · Icelandair · Jat Airways · KLM · LOT Polish Airlines · LTU International · Lauda Air · Lufthansa · Lufthansa Cargo · Lufthansa CityLine · Luxair · MAT Macedonian Airlines · Malmö Aviation · Malév Hungarian Airlines · Meridiana · Montenegro Airlines · Olympic Airlines · Onur Air · Pegasus Airlines · Portugália · SAS · SAS Norge · SATA Air Açores · Skyways Express · Spanair · Swiss International Air Lines · TAP Portugal · TAROM · TNT Airways · TUIfly · Turkish Airlines · Virgin Atlantic Airways · Widerøe   Latin America and the Caribbean regional office Aerolíneas Argentinas · Aeroméxico · Aeropostal Alas de Venezuela · Air Jamaica · ALMA de Mexico · Austral Líneas Aéreas · Avianca · Copa Airlines · Cubana de Aviación · Grupo TACA · Lacsa · LAN Airlines · LAN Argentina · LAN Cargo · LAN Ecuador · LAN Perú · Mexicana de Aviación · PLUNA · Surinam Airways · TAM Airlines · TAM Mercosur · Varig Logística   Middle East and North Africa regional office Afriqiyah Airways · Air Algérie · Air Sénégal International · Arkia Israel Airlines · CAL Cargo Air Lines · Caspian Airlines · DHL International Aviation ME · EgyptAir · El Al · Emirates Airline · Etihad Airways · Gulf Air · Iran Air · Iran Aseman Airlines · Israir Airlines · Jordan Aviation · Kish Air · Kuwait Airways · Libyan Airlines · Mahan Air · Middle East Airlines · Oman Air · Pakistan International Airlines · Qatar Airways · Royal Air Maroc · Royal Jordanian · Saudi Arabian Airlines · Sudan Airways · Syrian Arab Airlines · Tassili Airlines · Tunisair · Yemenia   North America regional office Air Canada · Alaska Airlines · Aloha Airlines · American Airlines · Atlas Air · Cargojet Airways · Continental Airlines · Delta Air Lines · FedEx Express · Northwest Airlines · United Airlines · UPS Airlines · US Airways   Russia and the CIS regional office Aeroflot · Aerosvit Airlines · Air Astana · Air Moldova · Armavia · Azerbaijan Airlines · Belavia · Rossiya · S7 Airlines · Transaero · Ukraine International Airlines · Vladivostok Air · Volga-Dnepr