Air Canada

Air Canada has begun offering in-flight wi-fi access on some of its flights from Toronto and Montreal to Los Angeles (and vice versa). Like many other Airlines, now offering this service, it will be powered by Gogo, and I have to say I have heard nothing but good things about their offering.

The Air Canada website mentions that from now, until January 29, 2010 will be a trial period for this service, but I really have to wonder who came up with the pricing model for this? At $9.95 USD for a laptop, or $7.95 for a handheld device... I am not sure how many people are really going to take advantage of this service, while other carriers in the US have been lowering their prices, or finding sponsorships to offer the service for free.

Leaving the debate aside about whether one wants to be connected while in the air, this is a good first step, and hopefully this service will be be expanded to other routes to the US, and then those across Canada in the future! Currently the service is only available when flying over the US, as I believe it is a ground-based system.

It is also not clear at this point, if one can log in with their computer, and then with a handheld device, without having to pay twice. Something I think would make the cost of the service a little more palatable. Perhaps someone who has used the Gogo service on another carrier can answer that question?

• Darren Mak's blog

There was much said in the news media when Calin Rovinescu was appointed as President and CEO at the end of March, specifically with many believing he was being brought in to direct them through anouther CCAA filing (Canadian version of Chapter 11 bankruptcy).

However there was an announcement today that Air Canada has come to an agreement with three unions on Pension funding, which was though by many to be a main sticking issue in contract negotiations with the unions this summer. Part of this agreement seems to include the employees becoming part owners in the airline.

In my opinion, having the unions and their members holding equity in the company is a smart move. There are many complaints both from employees and customers (whether they are valid or not is a discussion for another day) that the union culture is detrimental to Air Canada and its customers. Perhaps being part owners of the airline will help them see things in a different light, and will make them feel that they have a vested interest in the success of the airline.

Then again, shouldn't that have been the case when the survival of the airline had an effect on their wage and their pensions?

• Darren Mak's blog