Aeroplan Adds Partnership with PAL Airlines

Aeroplan has added PAL Airlines to its list of partners, marking the first new airline to join forces with Aeroplan in 2023. 

The airline, which is based in Newfoundland and Labrador and serves destinations in the Maritimes and Quebec, brings the total number of Aeroplan’s partner airlines ever-so-close to 50.

The addition of PAL Airlines adds more connectivity in Eastern Canada, giving passengers the option to fly to some very intriguing destinations, in addition to more options for residents to access major hub airports.

Redeem Aeroplan Points on PAL Airlines

PAL Airlines has officially become Aeroplan’s newest partner airline. The regional carrier features an all-economy cabin throughout its fleet, offering flights to major and remote destinations across the Maritimes and Quebec.

For the most part, Aeroplan redemptions on PAL Airlines follow the typical principles set out by Aeroplan:

• Aeroplan members can book flights with PAL Airlines online at aircanada.com, on the Air Canada app, or via the contact centre
• PAL Airlines flights can be combined with Air Canada flights and other airline partners
• PAL Airlines flights are eligible for redemptions in economy class only, as the airline operates an all-economy fleet
• A $39 partner booking fee will apply for any itinerary that includes PAL Airlines

However, as we’ll explore below, reward pricing for flights with the airline will eventually be subject to a separate award chart that will include other regional Canadian airlines, too. While full details have yet to be announced, for all intents and purposes, there will be another section added to the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart, similar to how Emirates has its own chart.

The partnership between Aeroplan and PAL Airlines officially launched on March 16, 2023, and you can now earn and redeem Aeroplan points on flights operated by PAL Airlines. 

PAL Airlines Destinations

Before we further examine what it will cost in points, let’s take a look at PAL Airlines’s route network. The regional airline flies throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, with additional flights to destinations in Quebec, New Brunswick, and even Ottawa.

The airline serves some intriguing destinations, including Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Gaspé in Quebec and Goose Bay in Labrador.

From Goose Bay, you can also depart on flights with Air Borealis to remote destinations in Labrador. Air Borealis is an airline that was formed through a partnership between the Innu and Inuit of Labrador and PAL Airlines.

In terms of more major airports, PAL Airlines flies to Ottawa, Montreal, and Quebec City, from which you can catch flights onward to other destinations in Canada, the United States, or abroad.

PAL Airlines Award Pricing

Unlike most partnerships with other airlines, there is an interesting twist for PAL Airlines that will soon also affect other regional carriers that are bookable with Aeroplan points. 

For a limited time, redeeming Aeroplan points on PAL Airlines will be subject to standard partner-airline pricing. This means that the cost of flights will be predictable, based on the distance flown and partner-airline pricing on the “Within North America” section of the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart.

For example, a one-way flight from St. John’s (YYT) to Gander (YQX) will cost 6,000 Aeroplan points for the time being, since it measures less than 500 miles. 

Indeed, the flights are already loaded in Aeroplan’s inventory, and they price out as expected.

However, later on in 2023, PAL Airlines and other Canadian regional airline partners, such as Calm Air and Air Creebec, will be transitioned to a separate award chart. We don’t know the complete details yet, but we’ll be sure to make an update as soon as one becomes available.

Until then, if you have your eyes on any destinations served by PAL Airlines, it’s in your best interest to book sooner rather than later.

For example, anyone based out of Quebec City will be happy to fly to Les Îles-de-la-Madeleine for just 6,000 Aeroplan points.

Compared to the dynamic pricing on the Air Canada flights via Montreal, the fixed pricing is a great deal, even with the partner booking fee.

For passengers based in the Maritimes or Quebec, this is an opportunity to secure fixed pricing to access a larger airport, such as Montreal, Quebec City, or Ottawa. During times of peak demand, when flights with Air Canada can be priced much higher, you’ll be able to benefit from a fixed price.

There are up to four seats available on most routes, and availability is pretty good throughout the schedule on all routes.

What Is PAL Airlines’s Onboard Product Like?

PAL Airlines currently has a fleet that includes De Havilland Dash 8-Q400, Dash 8-300, and Dash 8-100 aircraft, as well as Beechcraft 1900D. 

Each plane in PAL Airlines’s fleet features an all-economy cabin, with seating for 16–76 passengers, depending on the aircraft.

While this may not be the most luxurious partner airline, many of the flights are of a short length. In some cases, a flight will be similar to to flying with Air Canada on shorter routes, such as between Vancouver Island and Vancouver.

Sometimes, paying cash for flights to remote destinations can be very expensive, so having an option to redeem points instead may indeed be very worthwhile.

Earn Aeroplan Points on PAL Airlines

As part of the new partnership, passengers who fly on cash fares with PAL Airlines may also credit their flights to Aeroplan and earn Aeroplan points, according to the following chart:

The following conditions also apply regarding earning towards Aeroplan points: 

• Aeroplan members will earn points based on distance flown on all scheduled flights operated by PAL Airlines
• Aeroplan Elite Status qualification is not applicable 

Conclusion

Aeroplan’s newest partner provides extended route coverage across Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as to destinations in Quebec, the Maritimes, and even Ottawa. PAL Airlines officially joined Aeroplan as of March 16, 2023.

Based in St. John’s, Newfoundland but with a network that covers both remote and more major city centres, PAL Airlines joins other Canadian regional carriers to offer members options for earning and redeeming Aeroplan points.

Later on in 2023, Aeroplan will launch a separate award chart for Canadian regional carriers, and we’ll be sure to provide information about the changes in due course. Until then, all PAL Airlines flights will continue to price according to the standard partner airline pricing, which can be a great deal.