Air Canada Unveils Special A330 Livery for 2026 Winter Games

Air Canada has launched a special livery on its Airbus A330-300 to celebrate Canada’s participation in the upcoming 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games. The airline, which serves as the official carrier for Canada’s Olympic teams, revealed this striking design during its announcement of the Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors. The aircraft is set to transport approximately 800 athletes and delegates to the Games in Italy.

Showcasing Canadian Spirit

The new livery features a golden maple leaf design on the tail, symbolizing the aspirations of Canada’s top winter athletes aiming for gold medals. Notably, the fuselage displays large images of eight athletes, recognized as Air Canada’s official Athlete Ambassadors. The selection reflects Canada’s bilingual heritage, with four ambassadors from French-speaking Quebec and four from English-speaking regions like Ontario and British Columbia. Each side of the aircraft features messaging in one of Canada’s two official languages, proudly stating “Fly the flag / Haut le drapeau.”

Andy Shibata, Vice President of Brand at Air Canada, emphasized the significance of the livery, stating, “This special livery is more than a design – it’s a tribute to the strength, resilience, and heart of the athletes representing Team Canada. We are honoured to support our athletes on their journey.”

Enhancing the Athlete Experience

Beyond the visual tribute, Air Canada has initiated a program called “Going for Gold,” designed to ensure a seamless travel experience for the athletes. This employee-driven initiative includes special care packages for athletes leaving Canada, featuring amenity kits and memorabilia to enhance comfort during flights. The airline expects to transport over 750 athletes and delegates during the Games, reinforcing its commitment to supporting Team Canada.

In a notable enhancement to its partnership with the Canadian Olympic Committee and Paralympic Committee, Air Canada will provide “complimentary 35K Aeroplan status and 10,000 Aeroplan points” to all participating athletes through the Podium Program. This initiative aims to foster a closer relationship between the airline and Canada’s winter sports representatives.

Data from Flightradar24 indicates that the aircraft, registered as C-GEGC, underwent its livery transformation in Toronto (YYZ) between November 23 and 27, 2023. Following its repainting, the plane made its inaugural flight with the new design to Milan (MXP), the host city for the 2026 Winter Olympics and Paralympics.

The Airbus A330-300, now adorned with the Winter Games livery, has a history that dates back to its entry into service with Singapore Airlines in April 2009. After a stint with TAP Air Portugal, the aircraft joined Air Canada’s fleet in May 2019. Currently, the jet features a three-class layout, accommodating 241 economy seats, 24 premium economy recliners, and 32 business class flatbeds.

With this initiative, Air Canada not only showcases its dedication to supporting athletes but also exemplifies national pride as the world anticipates the excitement of the 2026 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.