Air Canada announces a new partnership with Michelin-starred Chef Masaki Hashimoto to bring traditional Japanese Kaiseki cuisine onboard all flights connecting Canada and Japan.
Traditional Japanese In-flight Dining Experience with Air Canada
Starting 1 March 2025, passengers travelling with Air Canada to and from Japan in Signature class can get a taste of traditional Japanese dishes onboard. Masaki Hashimoto, the owner of the Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto, based in Toronto, specialises in Kaiseki cuisine. His delicately crafted menu, served in specialised traditional Japanese dishware, aims to recreate the Kaiseki dining experience for travellers on board as if they were enjoying their meals in a restaurant:
“It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to bring an authentic Japanese in-flight dining experience to travellers. Partnering with Air Canada is truly an honour for me, as it brings together the two places I now call home—Japan and Canada.“
What is Kaiseki cuisine?
Kaiseki cuisine, or kaiseki-ryōri (懐石料理), is a traditional Japanese multi-course meal. In Japanese tradition, it is the meal served by the host to their guest during a tea ceremony. Now it has evolved to become a high-class Japanese dining experience.
Dishes in a Kaiseki course are made with fresh seasonal ingredients. This is the same for the airline’s menu onboard.
The menu is a rotating one with 6 recipes, according to the airline. It will include a Zensai (appetizer), some Komono (side dishes) and an Oshokuji (main dish), served with rice and miso soup.
While not one of the top in-flight dining providers in 2024, this new menu shows the airline’s dedication to improving the customer experience onboard.
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