Under the initiative, 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft operated for Air Canada Express by Jazz Aviation will undergo a full cabin redesign to install new seating, new interiors and – on select aircraft initially flying from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport – fast, free Wi-Fi in an industry first for this aircraft type.
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Air Canada’s refurbishment of the Canadian made Jazz Dash 8-400 fleet will occur in phases through 2026. The major elements of the program include:
Inflight Wi-Fi
Beginning in October, Air Canada will be the first airline to offer fast, free Wi-Fi to Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport travellers. The industry-leading service providing high-quality Internet means customers will now have gate-to-gate connectivity so they can enjoy non-stop productivity while travelling between the city airport and Montréal or Ottawa, the country’s most heavily used corridors for business travel.
It is the first time Wi-Fi has been made available on a De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft type anywhere in the world. The installation of Wi-Fi on the balance of the Dash 8-400 fleet is being determined, and the airline has already fitted 97 per cent of its mainline Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge aircraft with next-generation connectivity systems for Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell. It is tracking to complete this fleet-wide transformation in 2026.
New seating
Twenty-five Air Canada Express Dash 8-400 operated by Jazz will be equipped with next generation, well-padded, ergonomic seats from Expliseat. The seats will feature new branding and design language expressed through the seat’s dress cover. All seats will include a seatback multi-use device holder for tablets and phones, as well as a table tray. The installation of the new seating has an expected completion date for the program in mid-2026. Each aircraft will have 78 seats, and pitch will be unchanged.
Cabin Interior Redesign
The cabins of these same 25 Dash 8-400s will be upgraded to a new standard reflective of Air Canada’s mainline aircraft interiors. The design incorporates colours, textures and tones of those found in nature in Canada, reinforcing Air Canada’s pride in being the nation’s flag carrier.
Air Canada Express
Air Canada enhances its domestic and transborder network through commercial agreements with regional carriers, including a capacity purchase agreement with Jazz Aviation, a wholly owned subsidiary of Chorus Aviation Inc., operating flights on behalf of Air Canada under the Air Canada Express brand. Regional flying forms an integral part of the airline’s strategy and commitment to Canadians, connecting local communities across Canada and supporting the growth of its international network by providing valuable feed to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge routes.