When national pride meets aviation, the result is something meant to be seen from the ground and felt in the air. Air Canada has officially unveiled a special aircraft livery honouring Canadian Olympians and Paralympians ahead of the Milano Cortina 2026 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games — and it’s already on the move.
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Flying the flag for Team Canada
The bold new design appears on Fin 940, an Airbus A330, featuring imagery of Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors and symbolizing the strength, dedication, and resilience of Team Canada. Its first scheduled flight, AC894, departed for Milan, setting the tone for what promises to be a high-energy lead-up to the Games in Italy.
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As the Official Airline of Team Canada, Air Canada will once again quite literally fly the flag, transporting more than 750 athletes and delegation members to and from the Games. It’s a role the airline has held for decades, serving as the Official Airline of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1988 and the Canadian Paralympic Team since 2007.
More than a design statement
According to Andy Shibata, Vice President of Brand at Air Canada, the livery is meant to be more than visual flair. It’s a tribute to the heart and perseverance of Canadian athletes, and a reminder of the airline’s role in helping them reach the starting line. That sentiment is echoed by Canada’s Olympic leadership. Jacqueline Ryan, Chief Brand and Commercial Officer of the Canadian Olympic Committee and CEO of the Canadian Olympic Foundation, described the livery as a powerful symbol of ambition that will inspire Canadians nationwide as the Games approach.
For the Paralympic community, the moment feels especially real. Karen O’Neill, CEO of the Canadian Paralympic Committee, noted that seeing both Olympic and Paralympic athletes represented on the aircraft makes Milano Cortina 2026 feel closer than ever — and underscores Air Canada’s care and commitment to every member of Team Canada.
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The faces representing Canada
Alongside the livery reveal, Air Canada also announced its Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors, a group representing excellence across disciplines. The lineup includes hockey icon Marie-Philip Poulin, freestyle skiing powerhouse Mikaël Kingsbury, speed skater William Dandjinou, freestyle skier Cassie Sharpe, and Para ice hockey captain Tyler McGregor, among others spanning alpine skiing and wheelchair curling.
Team Canada athletes will also receive complimentary Aeroplan 35K status, 10,000 Aeroplan points through the Podium Program, and curated care-and-share packages featuring amenity kits and memorabilia to make long-haul travel more comfortable.
Looking ahead to Milano Cortina 2026
With this livery taking to the skies, the countdown to the Milano Cortina 2026 Winter Olympics feels officially underway. The aircraft itself becomes a moving rally cry — a reminder that sport has the power to unite, inspire, and elevate a country’s collective spirit. As Air Canada continues its partnership through the 2028 and 2030 Games, one thing is clear: for Team Canada, the journey to gold starts long before competition — sometimes, it starts on the runway.
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