If you live in Canada, like we do, chances are you’ve flown with Air Canada. But have you ever stopped to think about how it all started and what led to the success of one of the largest airlines in North America? We have dug into its history and unveiled some fascinating facts to share in this in-depth review.
Air Canada Brief Review
Air Canada is a top-notch airline in the country with headquarters in Saint-Laurent, Montreal, Quebec. The company was created on 10 April 1937 and guarantees charter and scheduled air transport for cargo and passengers to 220+ destinations globally. Air Canada operates its primary hubs at Vancouver International Airports (YVR), Montréal–Trudeau (YUL), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ).
This air transport company has a fleet of Boeing 777, Airbus A330, and Boeing 787 Dreamliners. We have also found that the airline uses Airbus A320 family aircraft for short-haul routes. The company can also offer private jet charters. Alongside its regional partners, Air Canada runs over 1,613 scheduled flights daily. Can you imagine this?
| Industry | Transportation and logistics |
| Founded | 1937 |
| Founder | C.D. Howe |
| Country | Canada |
| Headquarters | Saint-Laurent |
| Chief Executive Officer (CEO) | Michael Rousseau |
| Employees | 35,700 |
Air Canada History
The history of this airline is fascinating, with a flood of thrilling twists, transformations, bankruptcy, and revivals. We have systematized all the main facts in Air Canada’s history into a few blocks and are ready to describe them below.
Founding and Early Development (1937-1945)
The company began as TCA, Trans-Canada Air Lines. It was created under the direction of the Canadian National Railways in 1937. The airline’s first flight was from Vancouver to Seattle in September 937. From 1937 to 1945, the company bought new aircraft (for instance, Lockheed Model 10 Electra), which gave the green light to future growth.
Rebranding and Growth (1965-1987)
When analyzing the airline’s history, we highlighted the crucial point in 1965. At that time, Trans-Canada Air Lines became Air Canada. The airline also increased international routes and added jet aircraft to its fleet, such as Douglas DC-8.
In addition, in 1978, the brand broke social barriers by becoming the first airline to hire a woman for pilot work. This woman was Judy Cameron. We also should note that on 7 December 1987, Air Canada made history as the first airline in the world to implement a fleet-wide non-smoking policy.
Deregulation and Privatization (1988-1990s)
Although the company started as government-owned, it became a private corporation in 1989 due to the worldwide movement toward deregulating the aviation industry. The President and CEO, Pierre Jeanniot, offered the privatization program. That period is also known for facing boosted competition, but Air Canada has flawlessly adapted to global market demands.
Then, in the early 1990s, the airline faced financial difficulties due to the Persian Gulf War. Hollis L. Harris became the company’s saviour, reshaping its work and reducing some management positions. The brand’s second half of the 1990s was successful, and the profit totalled $1 billion.
Merger With Canadian Airlines and Future Growth (2000-2005)
The early 2000s were marked by a merger of Canadian Airlines with Air Canada. And do you know what the funniest part of this situation is? Canadian Airlines was Air Canada’s main competitor! Our team should note that this merger was not without issues since workforce and integrating operations provoked financial strain.
The famous Canadian singer Celine Dion became the face of Air Canada in October 2004. Such advertising was created to relaunch the airline and access more international markets after 1,5 years of bankruptcy protection. The singer recorded the “You and I” single for a few company commercials.
By 2005, the company had emerged from bankruptcy protection and transformed into a more streamlined, efficient airline. The brand opened new revenue channels, including Air Canada Rouge, a subsidiary focused on leisure travel.
Modernization of the Company (2010s-present)
Today, the airline’s management focuses on modernizing its fleet by using more fuel-efficient aircraft (for instance, Boeing 787 Dreamliners). On top of that, the company invests in boosting client experience enhancements, like digital solutions and new cabin classes.
Like many other airlines, Air Canada had some financial challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic. Nonetheless, in 2023, things took a positive turn: Air Canada accumulated around 19.6 billion Canadian dollars, and the number of passengers increased to 44.8 million. It’s a pretty promising trend!
Air Canada Livery History
With around 87 years of history, the company has revamped several livery revisions. Below, let’s illuminate the main aspects of Air Canada’s livery history.
The Initial Livery Era (1937-1964)
The TCA’s original livery was presented in 1937. It showcased a simple and functional design. The aircraft were polished aluminum with a red stripe running. The TCA logo, a stylized maple leaf and wings, highlighted Canada’s growing ambition in the air transport area.
Rebranding Stage (1965-1992)
As noted, in 1965, the company rebranded to Air Canada, creating a new livery indicating national identity. The design was based on a white fuselage with an impressive red maple leaf on the plane’s tail. Designers also added “Air Canada” lettering in English and French.
The Ice Blue Period (1993-2004)
The early 1990s symbolized changes in Air Canada’s history. The airline presented an “ice blue” livery with a traditional white fuselage and a fantastic soft blue-green hue. The maple leaf logo was also renovated, getting a more sophisticated and groundbreaking look.
The Red and Mint Green Era (2005-2016)
2004 was hard for the company, and since it emerged from bankruptcy, it refreshed its design. The fuselage had a mint-green colour with deep red hues. Plus, our team highlighted the renewed tail design with maple leaf rondelle. Also, the changes affected the “Air Canada” inscription; it became more modern and sleeker. Such changes symbolized transformation and the airline’s resilience to various difficulties.
Revamp in Black and White Colours (2017-Present)
In 2017, Air Canada had its 80th anniversary, and to celebrate, it created a striking new livery. The planes were painted in white fuselage with noticeable black accents on the tail, belly, and engines. The maple leaf rondelle returned to its iconic 1960s red-and-black colours but with a modern twist.
Crash History
Although airplanes are considered the safest mode of transport, no airline is immune to air crashes. We have reviewed Air Canada’s crash history and described the most shocking incidents in table format.
| Date | Aircraft | Fatalities/Injuries | Reason | Significance |
| September 17, 1946 | Lockheed 18-08 Lodestar | 23 fatalities | Initially, the pilots reported an engine failure and tried to finish the emergency landing. Still, the aircraft struck a hill. | It was one of the first significant crashes in the company’s history, prompting management to check emergency protocols. |
| July 5, 1970 | McDonnell Douglas DC-8 | 109 fatalities | It was really early when the crew deployed spoilers. As a result, the plane crashed. | This air accident triggered changes in landing procedures and better flight crew training. |
| June 2, 1983 | McDonnell Douglas DC-9 | 23 fatalities, 21 survivors | The plane crashed because of the fire. An unknown ignition source in the lavatory caused it. | This case caused the increase in fire safety regulations in commercial planes and their equipment. |
| March 29, 2015 | Airbus A320-211 | No fatalities; 25 minor injuries | The plane came down just short of the runway amidst heavy snowfall, colliding with power lines and an antenna array before stopping. As a result, the aircraft sustained extensive damage. | This air crash resulted in discussions on the procedures during unpredictable weather conditions. Management also discussed the importance of runway safety areas. |
Air Canada Strike History
When we have dived into Air Canada strike history, we have found three most famous protests: Pilot Strike in 1998, Wildcat Strike in 2012, and Pilot Negotiations in 2023. However, the most significant strike was in 1998, and we discuss its background and short description further.
Background
Over 2,100 Air Canada pilots were dissatisfied with their salaries and working demands. Since the company began to boost and profitability increased, pilots wanted to have a competitive salary. The strike became the culmination of labour concessions in the 1990s, the Wall Street Journal says. Pilots mentioned they earned less than their colleagues in the USA.
To ensure that the pilots were right, we found a 1998 Calgary Herald article. According to this review, the company made $427 million in 1997. Still, pilots earned between $32,000 and $200,000 annually. Logically, pilots wanted fair compensation for their work.
When It Started
The strike started on 2 September 1998, becoming the first demonstration in Air Canada’s history. Just imagine: 600+ flights were grounded, disrupting the journeys of 60,000 passengers daily.
How It Was
The strike caused widespread chaos in Air Canada’s network. It lasted for 14 days, and then negotiations started. Discussions were focused on improved conditions for the pilots and better pay. After long conversations, the airline management and pilots decided to create a new two-year contract with a 4 percent wage boost in the first year. Pilots got better working conditions, two free shirts annually and a $150 shoe allowance. Notably, the company lost around $200 million during the strike period.
Summary
So, in today’s article, under our close analysis was Air Canada. We have structured all the information about one of North America’s largest airlines. The brand has a massive team of over 35,700 employees and a fleet of 353 aircraft. The SiteName team has discovered that the airline has experienced numerous historical events, starting from its appearance and ending with various strikes, financial crises, and further successful development.
We have analyzed that the brand has repeatedly positioned itself as a trailblazing professional airline that continually tries to lead the industry. They were the first airline among Canadian companies to hire a female pilot and ban smoking on board. During its existence, the brand changed its livery several times, experimenting and following groundbreaking trends.
Sadly, air crashes were inevitable, with one of the most significant casualties occurring on 17 September 1946. However, we should note that the company has always analyzed the causes of the crashes and implemented new rules for the pilot and crew to prevent future problems. They successfully solved these issues, as there have been no fatal incidents recently.