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Air Canada has announced a major refresh of its Q-400 fleet, with upgrades designed to improve the passenger experience on short-haul regional flights.
The program introduces free Wi-Fi on select routes from Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ), along with new seating and cabin interiors across 25 aircrafts.
The Q-400, also known as the Dash 8-400, is the backbone of Air Canada’s regional network. And it’s not just the Wi-Fi getting an upgrade.
The upgrades mark a significant step in bringing these aircraft in line with the airline’s mainline standards.
Free Wi-Fi on Billy Bishop Routes
Starting in October 2025, passengers travelling between Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and Ottawa (YOW) or Montréal (YUL) will be able to access free, high-speed Wi-Fi from gate to gate.
The service, powered by Intelsat 2Ku and sponsored by Bell, makes Air Canada the first airline to offer inflight connectivity on the Q-400.
For many travellers, these short shuttle flights are routine business commutes. Until now, they’ve often been “offline time” due to the lack of connectivity.
With the upgrade, passengers will be able to stay connected for the entire journey, making the one-hour hops far more productive.
The rollout will begin with select aircraft and expand as the program progresses.
Cabin and Seating Upgrades
Alongside Wi-Fi, 25 of the 39 Air Canada Jazz Q-400s are receiving a cabin refresh. The aircraft will keep their 78-seat configuration, but will be fitted with new Expliseat ergonomic seating.
The updated seats will feature improved support, integrated device holders, and modern finishes.
Cabin interiors will also be redesigned to reflect Air Canada’s current branding, creating a more consistent look and feel across the fleet.
For passengers connecting from mainline flights onto regional services, this should reduce the jarring shift in comfort and style.
New Air Canada Q-400 SeatsBilly Bishop Competition
Regional flying isn’t always the most glamorous part of the journey, but with new seating and free Wi-Fi, Air Canada is making the Q-400 feel less like a throwback and more like an extension of its mainline service.
With Porter Airlines continuing to expand at Billy Bishop, these upgrades show how competition at the airport is driving better experiences for travellers. Free Wi-Fi and refreshed cabins are small touches, but they’re the kind that business travellers and frequent flyers actually notice.
The Aspire | Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop Toronto City AirportPersonally, I love flying from Billy Bishop, because of the Aspire Air Canada Café. I think it’s one of the best in town, and arguably my favourite lounge in Toronto alongside the Air France KLM Lounge in Terminal 3 at Pearson.
With these cabin upgrades layered in, the case for flying out of Billy Bishop becomes even stronger, especially for travellers who live or work closer to downtown.
Part of a Wider Connectivity Rollout
This announcement also ties into Air Canada’s broader Wi-Fi strategy. Earlier in 2025, the airline made free Wi-Fi available on most mainline flights across North America.
Extending the service to regional turboprops ensures a more seamless experience across the network, fulfilling the airline’s commitment to equip nearly the entire fleet with next-generation connectivity by 2026.
Rollout Timeline
- October 2025: Free Wi-Fi launches on YTZ–YOW and YTZ–YUL flights.
- Through mid-2026: 25 Q-400 aircrafts operated by Jazz will be refurbished with new seats and updated interiors.
Conclusion
Air Canada’s Q-400 fleet is set for a long-overdue refresh, starting with free Wi-Fi on Billy Bishop routes this fall and continuing with new seating and cabin interiors through 2026.
For frequent travellers between Toronto, Ottawa, and Montréal, the upgrades promise a more comfortable, connected, and consistent experience.
And with Porter Airlines also investing heavily in its product, the healthy competition at Billy Bishop ultimately means better choices for travellers across the board.
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