Air Canada releases 2026-29 Accessibility Plan with 157 initiatives

Air Canada has released its Accessibility Plan for 2026–2029, outlining its progress since its inaugural 2023 plan along with a three-year plan to continually reduce barriers in travel and employment for persons with disabilities.

The plan details objectives, ongoing work and progress in improving accessibility at the airline across the focus areas of the Accessible Canada Act.

It outlines 157 customer and employee accessibility initiatives, says the airline. 

“Air Canada is committed to championing accessibility in the travel industry by designing our products, services and employment practices so more people can access the services and opportunities we offer,” said Michael Rousseau, president and CEO at Air Canada, in a statement.

“We have made significant progress over the past three years, which has been possible in great part through establishing constructive relationships with national disability organizations, undertaking customer and employee focus groups and creating a robust accessibility advisory committee to pair expert insight with customer and employee experience.”

Air Canada has further created a Diverse Abilities Employee Resource Group to ensure employees with disabilities help shape how it removes barriers and designs a more accessible workplace.

“We recognize existing barriers are complex and substantial, but we are determined to continue the important work of strengthening and advancing safe, dignified travel and an inclusive employment experience for people with disabilities,” said Rousseau.

Highlights of the Accessibility Plan include:

• Improving the experience for customers who use power wheelchairs, such as flight options and automations, complemented by digital tracking and notifications.
• Collaborating with our partners to drive change across the flight experience, including the Accessibility Advisory Committee, airports, Canadian Air Transport Security Authority, aircraft and mobility aid manufacturers and other airlines.
• Improving the availability and quality of accessibility equipment, including passenger lifts, slings and aisle chairs.
• Improving boarding, deplaning and transfer support, including at smaller airports.
• Expanding mandatory, recurrent accessibility training grounded in lived experience.
• Improving recruitment, hiring and internships to increase employment of people with disabilities.
• Streamlining and automating workplace accommodation processes.
• Improving accessibility of office spaces, lounges and aircraft interiors.
• Embedding accessibility into digital systems, apps, websites and internal tools.
• Integrating accessibility requirements into procurement, vendors and supplier contracts.

“Our priorities reflect what we heard from people with disabilities and where we can make the greatest impact,” stated Kerianne Wilson, director, customer accessibility at Air Canada.

Meghan Hines, chair of Air Canada’s Accessibility Advisory Committee, added: “Accessibility isn’t just about ramps and washrooms. It’s about ensuring every person can participate fully in their community with true independence and freedom." 

“When we design for everyone, we build places where people don’t just get access, they get to belong.”

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