Air Canada and United Airlines Enhance Passenger Experience with Apple’s New Boarding Passes and Complimentary In-Flight Drinks
Air Canada and United Airlines are rolling out Apple’s redesigned digital boarding passes, integrating features like Live Activities, airport maps, and luggage tracking. This update, part of iOS 26, aims to streamline the travel process for passengers. In a separate, significant move, Air Canada has also made alcohol complimentary on all its flights, a decision that aligns with industry trends and aims to boost customer satisfaction.
Key Takeaways
- Air Canada and United Airlines now support Apple’s revamped digital boarding passes with enhanced features.
- Air Canada has made beer and wine free for all passengers on domestic and international flights.
- The new boarding passes offer Live Activity displays, airport maps, and luggage tracking via the Find My app.
- Air Canada’s move to offer free alcohol positions it as the only traditional North American carrier to do so across all economy flights.
Revamped Digital Boarding Passes
Passengers flying with Air Canada and United Airlines can now experience Apple’s updated digital boarding pass format, introduced with the iOS 26 update. This new system brings several key improvements to the Apple Wallet experience. A prominent feature is the Live Activity display, which provides real-time flight information, such as countdowns to boarding, directly on the user’s home screen and in the device’s notch. This information can also be shared with others via iMessage, allowing friends or family picking up travelers to track flight status easily.
The redesigned boarding passes also offer integrated airport maps with directions to terminals and gates. Furthermore, they provide one-tap access to the Find My app, enabling passengers to track their luggage using AirTags. By tapping "Pass Details," users can access more flight information and airline-specific links, such as options to change seats or purchase last-minute upgrades.
This enhanced boarding pass experience is available on all Apple devices running iOS 26, with more airlines expected to adopt the format soon. Several other major carriers, including American Airlines, Delta Air Lines, and Lufthansa, have also committed to integrating this new design.
Air Canada’s Complimentary In-Flight Alcohol
In a significant shift in its onboard service, Air Canada has begun offering complimentary beer, wine, and Canadian-made snacks to all passengers across its network. This new policy applies to Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express flights, including both domestic and international routes that previously offered beverage service.
This decision comes amid increasing passenger dissatisfaction with airline fees and a desire to enhance the overall travel experience. Air Canada’s vice president of loyalty and product, Scott O’Leary, stated that food and beverage services have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction. By offering free alcohol, Air Canada aims to be the sole traditional North American carrier to provide this amenity across all its economy flights.
The complimentary offerings include a selection of Canadian beers like Moosehead Canadian Lager and Molson Canadian, alongside Jackson-Triggs wine. Passengers can also enjoy non-alcoholic options, including Heineken 0.0. The airline is also featuring a variety of Canadian snacks and expanded bistro menu items. This move by Air Canada follows a similar strategy by Porter Airlines, a fellow Canadian carrier that has long offered complimentary beer and wine on its flights.
