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Airline review · AC
Fly the flag
Air Canada is Canada's flag carrier and Star Alliance anchor, operating transpacific and transatlantic routes with Signature Class business pods and Aeroplan as one of the strongest loyalty programmes in North America.
Last updated 30 June 2026
Air Canada scores 7.9/10 (safety 9.2/10), ranking #22 globally — Wi-Fi is paid or route-dependent. Baggage: 1×23 kg standard; Basic no checked NA. Economy seat pitch: 31"; loyalty programme: Aeroplan. Full passenger policy tables, category scores, and the fares search follow below.
Scores mean naming who a carrier is NOT for. From our rated findings:
Baggage, Wi-Fi, legroom, and lounge access for Air Canada — expand for the full matrix.
| Cabin baggage | Included — standard carry-on allowance applies |
|---|---|
| Checked baggage | 1×23 kg standard; Basic no checked NA |
| In-flight Wi-Fi | Partial — free messaging or select routes/cabins only |
| Economy seat pitch | 31" |
| Lounge access | Maple Leaf lounges |
| Changes & refunds | Flex allows changes |
| Loyalty programme | Aeroplan |
Verified baggage allowances, punctuality, fleet, safety and loyalty facts for Air Canada.
| Cabin bag | 55 × 40 × 23 cm + personal item; no weight limit (Basic fares post-Jan 2025 exclude carry-on) · No published weight limit |
|---|---|
| Checked bag (economy) | Basic first bag ~$35 + tax; transatlantic standard economy 1 × 23 kg |
| Checked bag (business) | 2 × 32 kg |
| Seat selection | Basic assigned at check-in; free standard seats on other fares |
| Change fee | Varies by fare; Basic non-changeable |
73.26%
on time — Full year 2025 (arrivals within 15 min)
Cirium 2025 On-Time Performance Review (Jan 2026) — North America #9
Punctuality is 20% of the FlightLogic score — see our methodology.
IOSA-registered; Transport Canada oversight
FlightLogic editorial safety score: 9.2/10 — our own assessment, separate from IOSA registry status.
Elite tiers: 25K, 35K, 50K, 75K, Super Elite
Quarterly tracking began Q3 2026 — earlier scores were not archived.
Air Canada is Canada's flag carrier and Star Alliance anchor, operating transpacific and transatlantic routes with Signature Class business pods and Aeroplan as one of the strongest loyalty programmes in North America.
Key strengths: Signature Class reverse herringbone on 787/777. Aeroplan partner redemptions. Strong UK–Canada network. Areas for improvement: Basic fare restrictions on domestic. Toronto YYZ congestion at peak.
Combining ANA domestic hops with the JR Pass for a birthday trip through Tokyo, Kyoto, and Hokkaido.
Canada's flag carrier — Signature Class pods, Aeroplan redemptions, and strong UK–Canada transatlantic network from London and Manchester.
All Nippon Airways' flagship international lounge at Haneda — Japanese dining, spa treatments, and 15-minute city access for UK–Japan business travellers.
The Star Alliance shared lounge at LAX Tom Bradley — live cooking stations, outdoor terrace, and the primary premium ground product for Lufthansa, ANA, and Singapore Airlines departures.
Coming soon
We are building verified reader reviews for Air Canada. Readers will be able to submit a review with proof of travel — a boarding pass or booking confirmation — emailed to [email protected].
Reader scores are published separately from FlightLogic editorial ratings and never change the editorial score.
Air Canada scores 7.9/10 overall on FlightLogic (4-Star) — an editorial expert rating, not an aggregate of consumer reviews. Strengths include Signature Class reverse herringbone on 787/777; Aeroplan partner redemptions.
Air Canada scores 9.2/10 on FlightLogic's safety index — calculated separately from passenger experience using IOSA certification, accident history, fleet age, and regulatory compliance.
Air Canada is a member of star alliance.
Air Canada's primary hub is Toronto Pearson (YYZ) & Montreal (YUL). The airline was founded in 1937 and operates approximately 190 aircraft.