Air Canada is giving its regional Dash 8-400 fleet a major refresh, including new seating, redesigned interiors, and free Wi-Fi on select routes starting next month.
The upgrade programme covers 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation under the Air Canada Express brand. The first aircraft to get the new features will serve flights from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Montréal and Ottawa — two of the country’s busiest business travel corridors.
“Air Canada Express is at the heart of how we serve Canadian communities. It brings people together, whether connecting families across the country, or linking businesses to the world through our global network,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. “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.”
Doug Clarke, President of Jazz Aviation, called the project a major step forward. “We’re pleased to partner with Air Canada on these exciting upgrades to our Dash 8-400 fleet. This investment in innovative seating, refreshed cabin interiors, and industry-leading onboard Wi-Fi reflects our shared commitment to safety, operational excellence, and delivering exceptional customer service.”
Wi-Fi on regional flights
Starting in October, Air Canada will offer fast, free Wi-Fi on Billy Bishop flights — the first time this has been available on any Dash 8-400 aircraft in the world. Travellers will have gate-to-gate connectivity, letting them stay online for work or entertainment during the short hop between Toronto, Montréal, and Ottawa.
The airline says the rest of the Dash 8-400 fleet could be fitted with Wi-Fi later, and nearly all of its mainline and Rouge aircraft already have Bell-sponsored connectivity.
New seating and interiors
Each of the 25 aircraft will be fitted with new ergonomic seats from Expliseat, including a seatback holder for phones or tablets and a tray table. The cabin design will get a full refresh, with colours and textures inspired by Canadian landscapes.
The seating installation is expected to be complete by mid-2026, with 78 seats per plane and the same pitch as before.
Air Canada Express flights connect more than 70 destinations across Canada and the US, feeding into the airline’s mainline and international network.
