Is Air Canada a Safe Airline?

Sometimes traveling can be risky! In this case, you should know how safe a journey with your preferred airline is. Indeed, Air Canada is among the safest airlines that you can ever hope to travel with. It has a four-star safety rating, and IATA safety certification, and scored well in the ICAO’s country audit because of its governing authority, Transport Canada. Although, it is impossible to say that any airline is safe from accidents. Air Canada has an outstanding record for safety that started in 1983 without a single recorded number of fatalities and remains one of the safest airlines in the entire world.

Air Canada is the largest airline in Canada, which started its work in 1937 and is a member of the Star Alliance. However, it offers direct flights to six continents. In North America, it holds a special position as it is the international network carrier to receive Skytrax’s four-star ranking. In light of this, it is possible to recommend Air Canada for traveling. Especially, bearing in mind the fact that it is a safe airline. If you are booked with them, trust me, there is no reason to be concerned and worry about your safety. To know more, be in this guide.

Is Air Canada a Safe and Secure Airline for Travelers?

Analyzing the sources of information it is possible to conclude that Air Canada is a rather safe airline, the last registered fatal accident is dated 39 years ago. It flies a young and efficient fleet with more than 130 single-aisle narrow bodies that improve fuel efficiency by 23 percent. However, this kind of aircraft is built for flights but is cheaper for the passengers. While welcoming the clients on board, Air Canada maintains high-security measures to ensure the security of the passengers as well as the crew. This commitment to keeping very high safety standards instills confidence in the customers and this in turn makes customers safe during their travels with Air Canada.

Air Canada’s 7-Star Safety Rating

Like Air France, Air Canada is a founder of the Star Alliance and has an IOSA certificate. It has achieved a safety rating of five out of a possible seven stars based on several key factors:

1. IOSA audits Air Canada which mainly checks on operational safety. Especially, to make sure airlines have systems and measures to provide safe operations.
2. The two most important blocs, namely the EU and the US, have not blacklisted the airline.
3. IOSA audits are carried out by the ICAO where the company undertakes a safety review oversight. In addition, a regulation system in various countries, otherwise known as the International Operational Safety Audit Program. Air Canada always records impressive results in its IOSA audit. Transport Canada oversees its safety, and it scored well in an IATA audit. It includes an implementation level of 90-100% in eight assessed categories, far higher than the global standard. 
4. Air Canada has been very lucky over the past decade as they have not suffered any fatal accidents. However, there have been a few lapses, there was a noteworthy one at San Francisco International Airport in 2017.

A Look at Air Canada’s Incident and Accident History

Air Canada has a large fleet size, and it’s not a secret that the company has had certain safety issues over the last 50 years. Thus is Air Canada safe to fly? In terms of safety, it is crucial to say that according to their official data, the airline has suffered only ten safety incidents. However, it does not include cases of hijacking and lightning strikes.

The two major accidents occurred in 1978 and 1983. Both of which involved the DC-9 aircraft which is not in operation in Air Canada.  However, Air Canada flies more than 500,000 flights per year. Like many large stable airlines that have been in operation for years, Air Canada has experienced some events and accidents. It is however important to note that the most recent plane accident the airline has reported was 39 years ago. Indeed, like many other large airlines around the globe, Air Canada boasts a relatively healthy safety record. Thus, it is a safe airline for passengers.

Inside Air Canada’s Large and Advanced Fleet of Aircraft

Hence it is clear that the life safety of an aircraft is not an indicator of its age but requires strict practices on the part of maintenance personnel and efficient safety checks. Air Canada has a young fleet with Boeing and Airbus aircraft on its fleet.

• Air Canada is currently flying the below Airbus models:
  • A220
  • A320
  • A321
  • A330
• On the Boeing side their fleet includes the B737 Next Generation B737MAX, B777, and B787 Dreamliners.
• Air Canada also has two subsidiaries: Air Canada Rouge which acts as a low-cost airline and Air Canada Jetz which is a charter airline. However, the current fleet does contain a rather old Boeing 767. However, the weighted average age of the aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet is effectively 9.1 years. Excluding the 767 freighters, this average falls to 8.9 years, whilst the median age is 7.2 years. So, the majority of the airline’s aircraft should still have a significant useful working life.
• An average fleet age above 9 years is typical to the leading large airlines and Air Canada continues to offer an acceptable position with this factor. Indeed, among the global carriers with a fleet even older than Air Canada are Lufthansa, United Airlines, British Airways, Delta Air Lines, and Air France.

Top Honors for Air Canada in 2023

Air Canada has been praised for having a highly effective safety culture. Also, it implements new technologies for security improvement in the workplace. All these were recognized at the OHS Honors, a special top-tier annual event that recognizes safety and health achievers in the workplace across the Canadian region. The rewards awarded to the airline included OHS Culture and Best Use of Safety Technology categories. 

Also, the company received the Excellence in Service Award from Expeditors Worldwide. Additionally, a major Air Canada Cargo client, for exceptional cooperation in the COVID-19 challenges in 2020 and 2021. Other notable awards highlighting Air Canada’s commitment to safety include:

1. International Travellers’ Choice Award for Health and Safety 2021
2. Best Airline for Onboard Entertainment (2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012)
3. Best Premium Economy Class (four years in a row)
4. Best Airline for Onboard Menu in Air Canada Business Class
5. North American Leading Family Friendly Airline (four years in a row)
6. Best Family-Friendly International Airline for the third time

For a broader insight into airline safety, check out our other blogs on Is Turkish Airlines Safe? and Is Silver Airways Safe?.

Need Assistance? Air Canada Airlines Contact Details

To contact Air Canada, below are the details:

Name of the Airline	Air Canada
Customer Service Number	000 800 040 1885
Headquarters	Montreal, Canada
Founding Year	1964
Official Website	www.aircanada.com

Prominent Air Canada Offices Locations

Air Canada New York Office in USA	Air Canada Edmonton office in Canada
Air Canada Brampton Office in Canada	Air Canada Dubai office in UAE
Air Canada Dallas Office in Texas	Air Canada Havana Office in Cuba
Air Canada Kansas Office in United States	Air Canada Kuwait Office
Air Canada Phoenix Office in Arizona	Air Canada Denver Office in Colorado
Air Canada Tokyo office in Japan	Air Canada Madrid Office in Spain

For detailed information about Air Canada’s address and contact details, visit: Air Canada Offices.

Custumers Experience: Rating Air Canada

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Final Thoughts

Air Canada is on the list of the safest airline companies in North America. Security measures are strictly enforced on the airline consistent with IOSA benchmarked safety standards. These are overseen by Transport Canada whose score on ICAO’s Country Audit Index is above average globally. Air Canada is one of the airports in the region and safely performs half a million flights per year with tens of millions of passengers. And aviating through Air Canada, one has no reason to worry because the organization’s last fatal plane crash was in 1983 and the organization has shown improved safety records in its last few years.

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