You can now get free alcohol and snacks on your next Air Canada flight to Canada or to the USA

Good news! Air Canada now offers economy-class passengers free beer, wine, and snacks on domestic and transborder (USA) flights. This has been prompted by the fact Porter, a smaller premium Canadian airline, has been growing fast precisely on domestic and transborder routes… and has always offered free beer, wine, and snacks in economy. 

The only caveat, though, is that Air Canada is promoting this as a limited-time offer.

Here’s everything you need to know about this Air Canada’s economy-class improvement.

Overview of Air Canada’s new economy class improvement

New freebies. Let’s be realistic. Like any service or product in any industry, it’s not really free: it’s just built into the price, and therefore, you don’t even have the option of not paying for it if you don’t want alcohol or snacks. 

But most travelers will be fine with this tradeoff, and this is an awesome upgrade for them, just in time for the busy summer travel season.

Here are the essentials: 

• New initiative by Canadian flag carrier Air Canada
  • To elevate the economy-class experience
  • Business class obviously already has everything free
• Offered until the end of 2024
  • Represents a period of over 6 months
• Free beer, wine, and premium snacks (and $5 spirits)
  • To improve the current free offering in economy
    • Non-alcoholic drinks
    • A simple snack
• On all domestic and transborder flights
  • Flights within Canada
  • Flights to the USA
• Already free on long-distance flights
  • So Mexico and the Caribbean are the only exclusions

Porter has long used free beer and wine (served in real glassware) as a differentiator. And since the pandemic, the airline has more than doubled its fleet and added numerous flights within Canada and to the USA. 

Of course, this Porter expansion is great news for travelers (even those who don’t fly with them): more competition means more pressure on all airlines to improve their offering or lower their prices… or even both.

What are Air Canada’s new free alcohol choices?

Previously, Air Canada only gave out free non-alcoholic beverages in economy on flights to Canada and the USA. All the alcohol options were only available for purchase — although they were free in business class on those flights of course.

If you’re flying within Canada or to the USA at any point this year, you now have a lot more options. You can now relax, sit back, and order alcoholic drinks!

Beer drinkers can choose between Hop Valley (Oregon), Creemore Springs Premium Lager (Ontario), Molson Canadian, and Coors Light.

Wine enthusiasts can choose between 2 options from Paul Mas, a producer based in the south of France: a robust red and a fresh, dry white.

Spirits aren’t included, as is often the case, but they are available for just $5. If you buy 2 in the same transaction, you’ll earn a whopping 25 Aeroplan points (≈ 38¢). A bit less than the 53,000 points you get with the American Express Aeroplan Card, isn’t it? 

Once again: welcome bonuses are the key! At least if you want to earn lots of free travel. It’s THE single most important thing to understand!

Best credit cards for Aeroplan points
NEW TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card
Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000
Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $791Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139)
Rewards: ≈ $791
Annual fee: $0 $139
Aeroplan points: 50k pts with bonus (62,000 pts total) 50k + 12k on min. spend
American Express® Aeroplan®* Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120)
Rewards: ≈ $540
Card fee: $120
Aeroplan points: 44,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada
Show more
American Express® Gold Rewards Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50)
Rewards: ≈ $1180
Card fee: $250
Aeroplan points: 72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit
NEW Platinum Card® from American Express
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 28th
≈ $1252Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 100,000 pts (≈ $1500) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit (year 1): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 1): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$799) Renewal bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Annual travel credit (year 2): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 2): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$799)
Rewards: ≈ $2051
Card fee: $799
Aeroplan points: 150,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit
American Express Cobalt® Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on min. spend: 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Card fee: deducted (-$156)
Rewards: ≈ $900
Card fee: $156
Aeroplan points: 60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada
American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend
Rewards: ≈ $1041
Card fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 69,375 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card
Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000
Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $452Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599)
Rewards: ≈ $1051
Annual fee: $599
Aeroplan points: 80k pts with bonus (110,000 pts total) 80k + 30k on min. spend
TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE ends January 6th
≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: rebated the 1st year (-$0)
Rewards: ≈ $315
Annual fee: $0 $89
Aeroplan points: 20k pts with bonus (21,000 pts total) 20k + 1k on min. spend
American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card
Card: no business required
Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus
Rewards: ≈ $713
Card fee: $199
Aeroplan points: 47,500 pts + simpler min. spend structure
American Express® Green Card
Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required.
Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.
WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	SEE MORE
≈ $165Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: no annual fee (-$0)
Rewards: ≈ $165
Card fee: $0
Aeroplan points: 11,000 pts + no fees but way less value
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Best credit cards for Aeroplan points		WELCOME BONUS ( VALUATION)	Aeroplan points
NEW	TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite* Card Min. income (card): $60k or $100kMinimum personal income of $60,000 or minimum household income of $100,000 Min. spend (bonus): $12k in 12 mos. (incl. $7.5k in 180 days)†	≈ $791Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after $7.5k min. spend): 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on $7.5k min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Anniversary bonus (after another $4.5k in spend): 25,000 pts (≈ $375) Earn on another $4.5k in spend: 4,500 pts (≈ $67) Card fee (year 1): rebated the 1st year (-$0) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$139) Rewards: ≈ $791 Annual fee: $0 $139	50k pts with bonus (62,000 pts total) 50k + 12k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $3k in 3 mos. + $1k	≈ $420Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on $3k min. spend: 3,000 pts (≈ $45) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$120) Renewal bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on $1k min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$120) Rewards: ≈ $540 Card fee: $120	44,000 pts + a free bag on Air Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Gold Rewards Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k/month for 12 months	≈ $930Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 12,000 pts (≈ $180) Annual credit: can be cashed out ($100) Card fee: deducted (-$250) Also offered but not included in Valuation: NEXUS credit ($50) Rewards: ≈ $1180 Card fee: $250	72,000 pts + 4 lounges and $100 travel credit	SEE MORE
NEW	Platinum Card® from American Express Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $10k in 3 mos.	≈ $1252Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 100,000 pts (≈ $1500) Earn on min. spend: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Annual travel credit (year 1): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 1): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$799) Renewal bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Annual travel credit (year 2): can be cashed out ($200) Dining credit (year 2): $200 credit at conservative valuation (≈ $100) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$799) Rewards: ≈ $2051 Card fee: $799	150,000 pts + unlimited PP lounges and $200 travel credit	SEE MORE ends January 28th
	American Express Cobalt® Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $750/month for 12 months	≈ $744Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Earn on min. spend: 45,000 pts (≈ $675) Card fee: deducted (-$156) Rewards: ≈ $900 Card fee: $156	60,000 pts + 5X the points best card in Canada	SEE MORE
	American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $442Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 60,000 pts (≈ $900) Earn on min. spend: 9,375 pts (≈ $141) Card fee: deducted (-$599) Also offered but not included in Valuation: renewal bonus of 25,000 pts (≈ $375) with extra $2500 spend Rewards: ≈ $1041 Card fee: $599	69,375 pts + unlimited AC lounges & other AC benefits	SEE MORE
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Infinite Privilege* Card Min. income (card): $150k or $200kMinimum personal income of $150,000 or minimum household income of $200,000 Min. spend (bonus): $24k in 12 mos. (or $12k for lower bonus)	≈ $452Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 20,000 pts (≈ $300) Welcome bonus (after $12k min. spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on 12k min. spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Anniversary bonus (after another $12k in spend): 30,000 pts (≈ $450) Earn on another 12k in spend: 15,000 pts (≈ $225) Card fee (year 1): deducted (-$599) Card fee (year 2): deducted (-$599) Rewards: ≈ $1051 Annual fee: $599	80k pts with bonus (110,000 pts total) 80k + 30k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	TD® Aeroplan® Visa* Platinum Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 months	≈ $315Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus (after 1st purchase): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Welcome bonus (after min. spend): 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: rebated the 1st year (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $315 Annual fee: $0 $89	20k pts with bonus (21,000 pts total) 20k + 1k on min. spend	SEE MORE ends January 6th
	American Express® Business Gold Rewards Card Card: no business required Min. spend (bonus): $7.5k in 3 mos.	≈ $514Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 40,000 pts (≈ $600) Earn on min. spend: 7,500 pts (≈ $113) Card fee: deducted (-$199) Also offered but not included in Valuation: quarterly spending bonus Rewards: ≈ $713 Card fee: $199	47,500 pts + simpler min. spend structure	SEE MORE
	American Express® Green Card Min. income (card): $0No minimum income required. Min. spend (bonus): $1k in 3 mos.	≈ $165Flytrippers Valuation Welcome bonus: 10,000 pts (≈ $150) Earn on min. spend: 1,000 pts (≈ $15) Card fee: no annual fee (-$0) Rewards: ≈ $165 Card fee: $0	11,000 pts + no fees but way less value	SEE MORE
Terms and conditions apply. Flytrippers editorial opinion only. Financial institutions are not responsible for maintaining the content on this site. Please click "See More" to see most up-to-date information.

Currently, there’s even a promo offering a statement credit of 25% back on all onboard food and beverage purchases if you pay with a TD Aeroplan card (TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Card, TD Aeroplan Visa Platinum Card, TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card). That means the $5 spirit costs a net of $3.75!

Moreover, did you know that Air Canada has the widest range of spirits of any airline in North America? Baileys Original Irish Cream, Canadian Club rye, Bacardi Superior rum, Bombay Sapphire gin, Smirnoff vodka, Tromba Tequila Blanco, or Campari — they are all $5.

What are Air Canada’s new free snack choices?

Forget about boring pretzels.

If you get the munchies, Air Canada now serves complimentary premium sweet and savory snacks, like buttery herb and garlic pretzels from TWIGZ or Leclerc’s Célébration Cookies. Both are Canadian companies, as Air Canada genuinely seems to make an effort to showcase local products.

Air Canada’s PR team sent me a sample of many of their new onboard snacks and drinks earlier this year.

So I can tell you the pretzels are really delicious.

And as a big fan of cookies, I also very much enjoy Leclerc Célébration products, although I’m not sure I prefer them to the free Biscoffs currently served onboard.

Pro tip: you’re allowed to ask for more than one snack, as you have always been able to. I do it almost every time and, by asking nicely with a smile, I don’t remember ever being told no.

Why Air Canada is improving the economy experience

Air Canada is the airline with the most robust premium offering in Canada. When it comes to food and beverage in particular, they really invest a lot more than others. But those who don’t fly with Air Canada for long-distance flights or in premium cabins may not realize it as much.

For a long time, Air Canada had no real nationwide competitor, and still today, it remains Canada’s only truly global airline.

WestJet has many flights within Canada, to the USA, and to Mexico and the Caribbean — and will have many more of those once they integrate Sunwing, although that has recently been delayed to 2025. However, WestJet is very focused on Western Canada.

But nowadays, Porter Airlines is expanding quickly across the country. Porter is now directly competing with Air Canada as it operates many domestic and transborder flights.

As I said earlier, on each of its flights, Porter offers free beer, wine, and snacks, to all passengers!  Porter’s tagline is even “Actually enjoy economy” and clearly Air Canada is fighting back to make its own economy experience better.

Porter even made fun of the Air Canada announcement on social media!

That being said, it’s worth mentioning that Porter has an extra perk in economy: there are no middle seats on any of its planes. Not everyone knows this, and it’s normal not to know all the intricacies of every airline. But all travelers should know the basics for the Canadian airlines at least, since we don’t have that many. I’ll share a complete guide very soon, to help you out.

Middle seats are pretty terrible for sure, but it’s great for travelers who like beer and wine that Air Canada will at least match that element of the Porter experience for 2024.

Snacks and drinks on other Air Canada routes

Adding free alcohol and snacks is certainly a great improvement to the economy experience for flights within Canada and to the USA.

Those routes obviously make up the majority of Air Canada’s flights.

Of all Canadian airlines, Air Canada also offers the most long-distance flights, and by far. 

Those flights to South America, Europe, Africa, Asia, and Oceania already feature free snacks and drinks in economy, along with free meals too.

As for flights to Mexico and the Caribbean, I’m somewhat surprised that Air Canada has excluded them from this new initiative.

At an Air Canada event last week, I got to speak once more with Air Canada’s Vice-President responsible for the Aeroplan program, and again, he reiterated their motivation to always make things more simple. 

(In this particular case, we were talking about the upcoming changes to how elite status is reached. But I remember in 2020, at the very first media event about the Aeroplan revamp, simplicity was at the core of everything they changed — which is  why you can use your points for any seat on Air Canada if you prefer getting more simplicity over getting more value with the fixed prices on Aeroplan’s 48 airline partners.)

In any case, we can’t say that simplicity is currently reflected in their 3 different policies for economy-class food and drinks inclusions, depending on the destination! Having 2 different policies was already hard for many to understand.

It seems the non-Aeroplan side of the business isn’t as focused on simplicity, but at least they’re offering this improvement!

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Summary

Air Canada now offers free beer, wine, and premium snacks in economy class for domestic and transborder flights, matching a staple of the Porter experience. This new initiative to improve economy flights is planned to last the entire year.

What would you like to know about Air Canada adding alcohol and snacks in economy? Tell us in the comments below.

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Featured image: Air Canada snacks and beverages (photo credit: Air Canada)

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