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Air Canada: Official Airline of Team Canada for the Olympic and Paralympic Games until 2030

To the point Air Canada will continue its partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and the Canadian Paralympic Committee for the next four Olympic Games, and unveils the 10 Team Canada athlete ambassadors.

For the occasion, Air Canada invited Milesopedia to an event in Toronto, showcasing a special livery; a Boeing 777 aircraft proudly displaying “Go Canada Go!”, which will carry Olympic and Paralympic athletes, support team and Team Canada staff to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

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Air Canada supporting the athletes

In addition, Air Canada will extend its athlete ambassador initiative, with a new group for each of the 2026, 2028 and 2030 Games, including the upcoming Paris 2024 Games.

“We are delighted to extend our long-standing relationship with Air Canada,” said David Shoemaker, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Canadian Olympic Committee. “For more than 30 years, Air Canada’s passion for Team Canada has been remarkable. We’re grateful for the exceptional travel experience they consistently offer our athletes, helping them compete at their best on the world’s biggest stage.”

Air Canada will provide special service and transportation for all Team Canada athletes travelling to the Games. In total, more than 1,000 athletes and members of the Team Canada delegation will be traveling to the next Olympic and Paralympic Games in Paris.

Athletes will enjoy exclusive benefits, including :

  • Aeroplan Elite 35K status through the Podium Program;
  • An individual Care & Share Package to enhance their in-flight comfort (toiletries and souvenirs to be exchanged during the Games);
  • Celebrations at both Canada Olympic House and Canada Paralympic House in Paris;
  • Celebrations at airports to mark the departure and return of athletes for the Games.

Air Canada’s Going for gold employees team is responsible for the preparation and execution of this special experience for Team Canada members.

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Air Canada athlete ambassadors

Here is the list of the 10 Air Canada Team Athlete Ambassadors, chosen for their Canadian values and sporting excellence:

  • Luguentz Dort – Basketball (Montreal, Quebec)
  • Cindy Ouellet – Wheelchair Basketball (Quebec, Quebec)
  • Aurélie Rivard – Para Swimming (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu, Quebec)
  • Philip Kim – Breaking (Vancouver, British Columbia)
  • Zak Madell – Wheelchair Rugby (Edmonton, Alberta)
  • Summer McIntosh – Swimming (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Marissa Papaconstantinou – Para Athletics (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Josh Liendo – Swimming (Toronto, Ontario)
  • Pierce LePage – Track & Field (Whitby, Ontario)
  • Adriana Leon – Soccer (King City, Ontario)

We had the opportunity to talk to some of the athletes present at the event. For wheelchair basketball player Cindy Ouellet, who will be competing in her sixth Games, this support is significant, as she was telling us about the improvements and conversations she has had with Air Canada over the past 20 years regarding the inclusion of the needs of Paralympic athletes.

For Pierce LePage, reigning world champion in the decathlon, flying on Air Canada saves him a lot of hassle, as he can carry his sports equipment, particularly the javelin, without the risk of it being refused. For a 6′ 7″ athlete like him, the seats he can get in business class thanks to eUpgrades and his Aeroplan status are certainly appreciated too.

And for Mikaël Kingsbury, triple Olympic medalist in mogul skiing (at the Winter Games), traveling with Aeroplan status allows him to benefit from upgrades that contribute to his recovery as an athlete, and to earn Aeroplan points to offer flights to his family, allowing them to cheer in person at his competitions.

Air Canada at Paris 2024

And for Team Canada fans, what can we expect?

As mentioned above, Air Canada has a few surprises and activations in store along the way to Paris 2024 (details of which have yet to be revealed), as Martine Boulerice, Director, Brand Marketing at Air Canada, told us. Fans travelling to Paris for the Games will be able to visit the “Air Canada stopover”, an outdoor area located at Canada Olympic House, for an authentic Canadian experience. Details of these activations will be revealed at a later date.

Bottom Line

Air Canada will #FlyTheFlag as the official carrier of Team Canada’s Olympic and Paralympic athletes as they prepare for a grand experience at the 2024 Olympic Games. If Paris 2024 is on your agenda as a sports fan, check out our guides to help you plan your trip:

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Marie-Ève Leclerc
Travelling is a way of life for Marie-Ève, who spends almost six months a year abroad. She's always looking for waves to surf, great coffee and the best strategies to travel longer. You'll probably find her in a coworking space with other digital nomads, or by the sea watching the sunsets.

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