MONTREAL, Jan. 26, 2022 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada's flight
AC2201 today from Vancouver to
Beijing marks the first of three
special charter flights transporting Team Canada to the
Beijing 2022 Olympic and
Paralympic Winter Games. The airline also named its Team Air Canada
athlete ambassadors and outlined its comprehensive program in
support of Team Canada's journey to excellence at the 2022 Winter
Games.
"At Air Canada, we are proud to literally 'Fly the Flag' as we
transport Team Canada to the 2022 Winter Games and honour their
journey to the podium. We're also delighted to endorse Olympians as
Team Air Canada athlete ambassadors. Their resilience and
relentless drive to be the very best in their sport, while
embodying Canada's collective
values of diversity, inclusivity, openness, and kindness inspire
all of us. We look forward to sharing our athletes' individual
journeys and cheering on all members of Team Canada in their
pursuit of excellence," said Andy
Shibata, Vice President, Brand at Air Canada.
"The pandemic has resulted in many unique logistical challenges
in the lead up to the Beijing 2022
Olympic Winter Games and planning flights for approximately 230
Team Canada athletes has been one of them," said Canadian Olympic
Committee Chief Brand and Commercial Officer Jacquie Ryan. "However, our amazing partner at
Air Canada has provided incredible support behind the scenes to
ensure a safe path for athletes including air charter services to
and from Beijing. We have never
been more proud to Fly The Flag on the official airline of Team
Canada."
"Flying to the host city is an important step of the journey for
all athletes, coaches, and support staff as they prepare to
represent Canada and be at their
best for the Paralympic Games. A big thank you to Air Canada for
all of their support in ensuring Team Canada is able to get to the
Games safely and comfortably," said Karen
O'Neill, CEO, Canadian Paralympic Committee.
Air Canada's charter flights
operate with a 787 Dreamliner in a special livery. Flights from
Vancouver to Beijing take place today, Jan. 29, and Feb.
25, and return to Canada
from Beijing to Vancouver and Toronto on Feb.
21 and to Vancouver on
Mar. 14.
Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors
- Cassie Sharpe – Freestyle Skiing
– Halfpipe
- Cynthia Appiah – Bobsleigh
- Gilmore Junio – Speed Skating –
Long Track
- Marie-Philip Poulin – Ice
Hockey
- Mikaël Kingsbury – Freestyle
Skiing – Moguls
- Paralympians to be announced prior to Paralympic Games
In addition to the employees and crews dedicated to transporting
Team Canada safely to and from the Beijing 2022 Olympic and Paralympic Winter
Games, Air Canada is:
- Recognizing Team Canada's drive and determination through the
airline's "Rise Higher" brand spot online via Air Canada's social
media channels and in broadcast throughout the Games,
- Presenting all Team Canada athletes with unique, personal care
kits including Canadian-made travel essentials to help make their
flight even more comfortable, together with a complimentary Wi-Fi
streaming pass, courtesy of our partner Intelsat,
- Providing all Team Canada athletes with Aeroplan points,
complimentary 35K status which
includes complimentary checked bags through the Aeroplan Elite
Podium Program to help make their journey to the podium more travel
friendly,
- Encouraging fans to virtually connect with Team Canada in
unique and innovative ways to enable them to experience the 2022
Winter Games as if they were there. Learn more about these exciting
opportunities here.
Air Canada has been a proud
sponsor of the Canadian Olympic Team since 1988 and of the Canadian
Paralympic Team since 2007.
About Air Canada
Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international
airline, the country's flag carrier and a founding member of
Star Alliance, the world's most
comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada is the only international network
carrier in North America to
receive a Four-Star ranking from the independent U.K. research firm
Skytrax, which in 2021 also named Air Canada as having the Best
Airline Staff in North America,
Best Airline Staff in Canada, Best
Business Class Lounge in North
America, as well as an Excellence award for its handling of
COVID-19. Also in 2021, Air Canada was named Global Traveler's Best
Airline in North America for the
third straight year. In January 2021,
Air Canada received APEX's Diamond Status Certification for the Air
Canada CleanCare+ biosafety program for managing COVID-19, the only
airline in Canada to attain the
highest APEX ranking. Air Canada
has also committed to a net zero emissions goal from all global
operations by 2050. For more information, please visit:
aircanada.com/media, follow Air Canada on Twitter and
LinkedIn, and join Air Canada on Facebook.
Sign up for Air Canada news: aircanada.com
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