In March 2023, Air Canada introduced the ability for passengers in business class and premium economy cabins to pre-order a meal on select flights. Eligible passengers can see the menu choices available for their flight, and choose which meal they’d like to enjoy onboard.
Meal pre-ordering can be done online or through the Air Canada app, during the period from 30 days until 72 hours prior to departure.
Air Canada’s Meal Pre-Ordering Service
Passengers travelling on select Air Canada flights in business class and premium economy can pre-order the meal they’d like to enjoy on their flight. The feature made its debut in March 2023 on select routes to South America, and has been gradually expanding to include other destinations since then.
Air Canada meal pre-ordering starts at 30 days prior to departure, and is available up until 72 hours before the flight. You can pre-order a meal on the Air Canada website, or through the Air Canada app.
On the meal pre-ordering menu, passengers can see details of the meal service planned for their upcoming flight.
Meal pre-ordering only pertains to the main course. Some parts of the meal, such as the appetizer, cheese selection, dessert, and beverages, can’t be pre-ordered, but you can still get a sense of what’s available.
If you’re eligible for pre-ordering a meal, you can ensure that you get your preferred choice on your flight. This way, you won’t be disappointed if your selection is unavailable by the time the crew takes your order on board.
Should you change your mind after making your selection, you can change the meal online or through the app, up to 72 hours before departure. After that, you can still change your mind; however, you’ll be limited to what’s available onboard.
How to Pre-Order a Meal with Air Canada
30 days prior to departure, passengers booked in Air Canada business class or premium economy on an eligible flight will receive an email invitation to pre-order their meal. The feature will also appear on your booking, both online and in the Air Canada app.
Clicking the “Order now” button will take you to a landing page. To see the choices available on your flight, select “Order now”.
On the next screen, you’ll have the option to choose from the business class or premium economy menu, or a special dietary menu.
Choose the menu from which you’d like to order, and then you’ll see the appetizer being served on your flight, as well as the main course choices.
Once you’ve made your selection, you’ll be asked to confirm your choice, and enter your email address on a subsequent screen. From there, select “Place order”, and your choice will be confirmed.
Alternatively, you can head to the “Trips” tab in the Air Canada app to pull up your booking. Look for the “Pre-Order Now” button on the Trip Overview page.
On subsequent screens, you can choose from the same menu that’s available on the Air Canada website. Make your selection, and press “Continue”.
Your selection will be confirmed, along with a disclaimer that the meal options on your flight are subject to change, and your selection isn’t necessarily guaranteed. However, as long as there aren’t any major changes to your itinerary or the planned meal service, your choice should be what’s served.
Should you change your mind at some point along the way, you can update your previous order by accessing your booking online or through the Air Canada app.
Meal pre-ordering will become unavailable exactly 72 hours prior to departure, at which point you’ll order after boarding the flight.
Conclusion
On select Air Canada flights, you can pre-order meals in business class and premium economy from 30 days up until 72 hours prior to departure.
Meal orders may be placed either online on the Air Canada website, or alternatively on the Air Canada app. Passengers can change their selection, as long as it’s done within the eligible time frame.
The meal pre-order feature is rolling out to other airports and routes, with the eventual goal of having the feature available on all Canada-outbound flights.