Air Canada is under pressure from the airmen and the pressure from key competitors, free alcohol on all flights

Now, Air Canada will provide all passengers with free beer, wine and Canadian-made snacks on its network.

The new service started last month and is available on Express flights from Air Canada, Air Canada and Air Canada, the airline told TPG. It includes domestic and international flights that provide beverage services, including travel to Mexico and the Caribbean.

Reuters noted that the move “North American airlines face passenger fees to put extra luggage on their legs facing passenger substitutes.”

“Food and beverages often have a disproportionate impact on customer satisfaction than any other attributes of our products and services,” Scott O’Leary, vice president of loyalty and product at Canada, said in an interview with Reuters.

He also noted that Air Canada has become the only traditional “heritage” carrier in North America that provides free alcohol in all economic aircraft.

But, Air Canada Porter Airlines (both launched as a regional boutique transport company, but has expanded to a true national competitor – it also offers free beer and wine on its flights over the years, as well as “premium snacks” from several Canadian producers. Options include Jackson-Triggs wines from Ontario, Moosehead Canadian Lager from New Brunswick and hard-bite kettle fries from British Columbia.

“Our beloved competitor, Canada Air Canada. We have noticed that you have recently started offering free beer, wine and snacks, just like Porter Osling,” the airline wrote in a recent Instagram post. “Cheer to join us as our passengers actually enjoy the economical treat. It’s very good to be there.”

Porter flew across Canada, the United States, Mexico, Costa Rica and the Caribbean. Last month, it worked with American Airlines to allow Aadvantage members to earn miles and loyalty while flying.

As for Air Canada, O’Leary described his airline’s move as “part of our commitment to enhancing the in-vehicle experience.”

He added in a press release announcing the move: “These upgrades provide something for everyone and proudly showcase the Canadian brand so that our customers can sit down, relax and start traveling.”

On the morning flight before 10 a.m., passengers can celebrate cookies at the Canadian Diet Company’s Madegood Mornings Cinnamon Bread Soft Baked Oat Bars and Twigz Craft Pretzels and Leclerc’s Quebec from Alberta. The airline will also offer greenhouse ginger health shots on a portion of its premium snack basket and on the Bistro menu, which has been expanded to include more Canadian-made products such as Summer Fresh Fresh Hummus and Crackers.

Passengers can use Ontario’s Creemore Springs Premium Lager and Molson Canadian, as well as non-alcoholic Heineken 0.0 beer to eliminate thirst. (AirCanada says it is the only airline that North American airline serves non-alcoholic beer on its flights.)

Speaking of wine, Air Canada offers Paul Mas’ French red and dry white.

On international flights, the airline offers meals from red Thai chicken, rice to chicken chicken and roasted potatoes and pepper. In Air Canada’s signature class, passengers can feast on four-course meals, grilled salmon in teriyaki sauce and buttered chicken with basmati rice.

Air Canada and United Airlines are members of the Star Alliance. Recently, operators have turned to revenue-based models to qualify for elite status through their Aeroplan program. Members earn a base fare of 1 Aeroplan (about 72 cents) per transaction.

The airline’s latest menu follows a major strike, forcing Air Canada to cancel thousands of flights. The airline reached an agreement with its flight attendant union in August.

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