MONTREAL, May 30, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Giving the freedom of travel is now easier than ever with the launch today of the Air Canada Gift Card.  Available in both the traditional plastic gift card or in electronic form, Air Canada Gift Cards can be purchased in Canadian or US dollar denominations with values starting as low as $25.  An Air Canada Gift Card can be easily redeemed in Canada and the United States online at aircanada.com, through Air Canada Call Centres and travel agents when purchasing Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge tickets, and extra à-la-carte options such as pre-paid meal vouchers, Maple Leaf Lounge access, advanced seat selection and pre-paid baggage.

"After hearing from our employees and customers alike, we are delighted to launch the Air Canada Gift Card, allowing anyone to share the gift of travel," said Craig Landry, Vice President Marketing. "Gift card practicality plus ease of purchasing and using have driven their enormous popularity and appeal over the past few years, and we're very pleased to offer this convenient product to our customers."

Gift Cards can be purchased in any value starting at $25, and can include a customized message directed to the recipient.  Gift Cards may also be purchased in volume, ideal for companies of all sizes to utilize as unique incentives and rewards for customers and employees.

Air Canada Gift Cards are now available for purchase by Canadian and US residents online at www.aircanada.com.  Air Canada Gift Cards are fully transferable, funds never expire and there is no activation or monthly fees. Gift Card balances can be checked online at any time.  Full details including conditions for use are available at www.aircanada.com/giftcard.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 175 destinations on five continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 15th largest commercial airline in the world and in 2012 served close to 35 million customers. Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 59 Canadian cities, 51 destinations in the United States and 67 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,329 destinations in 194 countries. Air Canada rewards its most loyal customers through its top tier recognition program, Altitude, that offers frequent flyers a range of priority travel services, lounge access and upgrades to Executive Class, complementing their membership in Aeroplan, Canada's premier loyalty program, which provides numerous ways to earn and redeem Aeroplan Miles with over 150 travel and retail partners.

Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax. In 2012, Air Canada was ranked for a third consecutive year "Best International Airline in North America" in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers conducted by Skytrax. According to the 2012 Canadian Business Travel Survey conducted by Ipsos Reid, Air Canada was the preferred airline for more than 79 percent of frequent business travellers in Canada. In 2012, readers of Global Traveler magazine voted Air Canada "Best Airline in North America," the readers of Business Traveler voted Air Canada "Best North American Airline for International Travel" and "Best In-Flight Services in North America," and the readers of Premier Traveler voted Air Canada "Best North American Airline for Business Class Service," "Best North American Airline for International Travel" and "Best Flight Attendants in North America." For more information on Air Canada visit aircanada.com, follow @AirCanada on Twitter and join Air Canada on Facebook.

SOURCE: Air Canada