Air Canada this week began overhaul work on over two dozen regional aircraft operated under its Air Canada Express brand.
The carrier said Wednesday that it will install new cabin interiors and seats on 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 turboprop aircraft operated for Air Canada Express by regional airline Jazz. The airline is also making wireless internet available for free on Dash 8-400s flying between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Montréal and Ottawa.
The Wi-Fi, provided by Canadian company Bell, comes online in October. It will be the first time wireless internet has been made available on a De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft type anywhere in the world.
“This innovative project is an industry-first, and it reflects the pride we take in serving customers with care and class,” said Mark Nasr, executive vice president and chief operations officer at Air Canada, in a statement. “By bringing many of the design details and comforts of our largest jets to the Canadian-made Dash 8-400, even our shortest flights can feel special.”
Airline leaders said crews will install well-padded, ergonomic seats from Expliseat. The seats will have a new branding design and a multi-use device holder for tablets and phones, as well as a table tray.
Each Dash 8-400 will have 78 passenger seats.
The cabins will be redone with colors and textures similar to Air Canada’s mainline aircraft interiors.
The overhaul program is expected to be completed at some point in 2026.
