Air Canada History: From Trans-Canada Air Lines to Today – Airline Employee Shop

Air Canada History

Air Canada began in 1937 as Trans-Canada Air Lines, a government airline whose first flight carried two passengers from Vancouver to Seattle, and grew into Canada's largest airline. Here's a short history of Trans-Canada Air Lines and Air Canada, plus the Air Canada collection that celebrates them.

Trans-Canada Air Lines takes off (1937–1945)

Parliament created Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA) in April 1937 as a subsidiary of Canadian National Railways. On September 1, 1937, a Lockheed 10A Electra flew the first service from Vancouver to Seattle in about 50 minutes, with two passengers and bags of mail. Transcontinental service from Montreal and Toronto to Vancouver began on April 1, 1939. During the Second World War, TCA ran the Canadian Government Trans-Atlantic Air Service with Avro Lancastrians.

Postwar growth (1946–1964)

Canadair North Stars arrived from 1947, and the head office moved to Montreal in 1949. In 1953 TCA became the first airline in the world to use a computer reservation system with remote terminals, called ReserVec. Lockheed Super Constellations flew the Atlantic from 1954, and Vickers Viscounts followed on routes within North America. TCA received its first Douglas DC-8 jet on May 25, 1960, and it was the only North American airline to fly the Vickers Vanguard in scheduled passenger service.

Becoming Air Canada (1965–1999)

On January 1, 1965, TCA became Air Canada, a bilingual name, and the red maple leaf rondelle made its debut the same day. By 1987 the fleet included Boeing 747s, Lockheed L-1011s, Boeing 727s and Boeing 767s. The government sold shares starting in 1988 and completed privatization in 1989. On May 14, 1997, Air Canada joined Lufthansa, United, SAS and Thai Airways as a founding member of Star Alliance.

A new century (2000–today)

Air Canada took control of rival Canadian Airlines International in January 2000. It filed for creditor protection on April 1, 2003, and emerged on September 30, 2004. Leisure brand Air Canada Rouge launched in December 2012, and Boeing 787 Dreamliner deliveries began in May 2014. A new black, white and red livery was unveiled on February 9, 2017, and in January 2019 Air Canada bought back its Aeroplan loyalty program.

A few things collectors love

  • The maple leaf rondelle was created by the firm Stewart, Morrison and Roberts, with Hans Kleefeld as creative director. It was refreshed in 1993 and 2004.
  • For its 60th anniversary in 1997, Air Canada painted an Airbus A319 in TCA colors. In 2021 the heritage look moved to an Airbus A220-300.
  • TCA's first flight in 1937 cost a reported $14.20 for a round trip.

Shop Air Canada

Browse Air Canada logo T-shirts, coffee mugs, coasters, tote bags and vintage designs in the Air Canada collection. Add an airline bag tag or key tag for the Air Canada fan in your life.

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