Newsletter

AIR CANADA OPENS NEW CAFES IN VANCOUVER & MONTREAL AIRPORTS

Air Canada has opened a new Air Canada Café at Vancouver International (YVR)  Airport.  The opening follows the recent debut of another Café at Montréal–Trudeau International Airport (YUL) in the U.S. departures area.

The new Vancouver and Montréal Cafés are key parts of Air Canada's commitment to keep investing in the customer journey. Each is designed to capture the unique spirit of its respective city.

Vancouver Café highlights local food and design

The new Café in Vancouver is located on the C concourse near gates 50 and 51.  The 4,489-square-foot space seats 84 guests and includes a full-service bar offering barista-made coffee, local craft beer and a selection of wines, including options from Okanagan producers.

The food menu offers locally inspired options, including char siu pork bao buns, vegan curry bao, vegetarian kimbap and doughnuts from Lee's Donuts.

Design elements draw on the region. The ceiling references the shoreline of Stanley Park, while lighting and materials reflect organic forms found in nature. The space also includes works from local artists, including a custom installation by Coast Salish artist Kelly Cannell of the Musqueam Nation.

Montréal location builds on coffee culture

The Montréal Café, which opened in March in the transborder area, seats 62 and is inspired by the city’s “third wave” coffee scene.

Menu items include smoked meat sandwiches, fresh bagels and pastries such as pistachio croissants, along with a vegan soup created by Sagamité Watso, a Québec-based Indigenous-owned business. Beverage offerings highlight Québec producers, including wines, gin and local craft beer.

The Café openings are part of Air Canada’s effort to modernize its global lounge network, with additional upgrades and new locations planned through 2026 and beyond.

Access to Air Canada Cafés is available to eligible customers, including those travelling in Business Class, Aeroplan 50K, 75K and Super Elite members, Star Alliance Gold members and select Aeroplan co-branded credit cardholders.

Europe’s New Border Reality Is Here: What EES Means for Canadian Travellers

Europe has officially moved into a new era of border control.

The European Union’s long-awaited Entry/Exit System (EES) is now fully operational across 29 countries, replacing the familiar passport stamp with a digital record of every traveller’s movement in and out of the Schengen Area.

For Canadian travellers, it marks a shift that’s been years in the making, but one that will be felt immediately at the airport.

What is EES?

EES is a centralized digital tracking system for non-EU visitors.

Instead of a border agent stamping a passport, travellers now have their entry and exit recorded electronically, along with biometric data including fingerprints and a facial image. As outlined by the European Commission, the system is designed to modernize border management and improve oversight of short-term stays.

The system applies to short stays of up to 90 days within a 180-day period, and remains unchanged for Canadians.

According to the Government of Canada, travellers must still comply with existing Schengen rules despite the new technology.

What travellers will experience

For most Canadians, the biggest change happens on arrival.

First-time visitors under EES will need to:

• Scan their passport
• Provide fingerprints
• Have their photo taken

This typically happens at kiosks or with a border officer. On future trips, travellers will simply verify their identity, as their data is stored for repeat use.

There’s no pre-registration required, everything happens at the border.

Expect delays (at least for now)

While the system is designed to streamline border crossings long-term, the rollout is unlikely to be seamless.

Airports and border crossings across Europe are expected to face longer wait times during the initial phase, particularly as travellers complete biometric registration for the first time.

EES applies to:

• Canadians and other visa-exempt travellers
• Visitors entering the Schengen Area for short stays

It does not apply to:

• EU citizens or residents
• Travellers with long-stay visas
• Ireland and Cyprus are also not part of the system and will continue manual passport processing.

Later, the EU is expected to introduce ETIAS, a pre-travel authorization system that Canadians will need to complete before departure.

In other words, Europe is moving toward a fully digitized border process:

EES = recorded at the border

ETIAS = approved before you travel

What you need to know now

• Nothing to do before departure 
• Arrive early at the airport
• Expect longer processing times on arrival
• Ensure passports are valid 

Updated Baggage Fees

As part of an ongoing review of WestJet's cost management strategy and in alignment with global conditions, WestJet have updated their baggage fee structure.

The following changes apply to bookings made on or after April 23, 2026: 

•  A $5 increase to the first and second pre-paid checked baggage fees
•  A $10 increase to the first and second checked baggage fees when paid at the time of airport check-in
•  A $50 increase to excess, overweight and oversized baggage fees

WestJet Rewards members with Teal status will continue to receive a $5 discount on their first pre-paid checked baggage fees. To do so, your WestJet Rewards ID must be added to the booking and you must pre-pay for baggage post-booking via Manage Trips up to 24 hours before flight departure.

Silver, Gold and Platinum members remain eligible for their complimentary checked baggage allowance based on tier status.

This update is part of a long-term approach to recover increased operational expenses and support the sustainability of their business.