Air Canada is sending Canadian athletes and their families to the Milano Cortina Olympics to go for gold
Team Canada has officially taken off on their journey to Milano Cortina, and Air Canada threw them the ultimate send-off.
On Jan. 29, Air Canada was proud to #FlyTheFlag as Team Canada’s Official Airline and hosted an Olympic send-off celebration at Montréal-Trudeau Airport (YUL), bringing fans, athletes, employees and a whole lot of national pride together as the road to Milano Cortina 2026 continues.
This is Canada’s moment to rally behind our athletes, and Air Canada is making sure it feels like a proper party.
The send-off event featured food, photo moments, a DJ, and even Olympic-inspired games. It was a chance for fans to cheer on athletes before they even left the ground — and be part of a memory they take all the way to Italy.
The Canadian Women’s Hockey Team was even there to join the send-off, led by Team Air Canada Ambassador and captain Marie-Philip Poulin.
Flying high since ’88
Did you know Air Canada has been Team Canada’s Official Airline since 1988?! And for Milano Cortina 2026, that commitment is reaching new heights.
The airline will transport more than 750 athletes, family members, and delegates, helping ensure they arrive rested, ready, and focused.
How do they do this? Well, behind the scenes, Air Canada’s employee-driven “Going for Gold” program sees over 10,000 employees across more than 23 airports working in concert to help ensure smooth, seamless journeys for Team Canada — the same level of dedication they have to Team Canada go further on national and global stage
More fun for fans in the lead-up to the Games
Good news — the momentum doesn’t stop at the airport gates! To further connect Canadians to the excitement in the lead-up to the Games, the airline’s Team Air Canada Athlete Ambassadors will launch a national contest with the athletes at the core of the inspiration.
A series of digital campaigns – including travel guides, behind-the-scenes features, and personal storytelling – will spotlight ambassadors’ routes, favourite places, and experiences on the road to the Games. It’s all about bringing fans along for the ride!
These eight ambassadors include Marie-Philip Poulin (Ice Hockey), Mikaël Kingsbury (Freestyle Skiing), William Dandjinou (Speed Skating), Cassie Sharpe (Freestyle Skiing), Tyler McGregor (Para Ice Hockey), Ina Forrest (Wheelchair Curling), Alexis Guimond (Para-Alpine Skiing), and Mollie Jepsen (Para-Alpine Skiing).
The contest features the most-loved destinations of their ambassadors, offering fans the chance to win trips that reflect the places and moments that shape their journeys.
Ready to cheer on our athletes as they go for gold? Follow Team Canada’s journey to Milano Cortina 2026 and celebrate the send-off as we all come together to #FlyTheFlag.
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