Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Air Canada, Virgin Australia and SAS Reach Airline App Finals
Three airlines have reached the final round of a competition about airline apps.
The finalists are Air Canada, Virgin Australia and Scandinavian Airlines, also called SAS.
They will present their apps at the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon.
The event will happen from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Judges will examine how the apps help passengers before, during and after flights.
Virgin Australia’s app lets passengers bid for upgrades and choose some travel options.
Air Canada’s app helps travelers find terminals and gates in airports.
SAS’s app supports early check-in and stores loyalty information.
The winner will be chosen after the airlines explain their digital choices and strategies.
Air Canada, Virgin Australia and Scandinavian Airlines are finalists in the Battle of the Airline Apps.
The competition will take place during the World Aviation Festival in Lisbon from October 13 to 15, 2026.
Representatives from the three airlines will present their mobile strategies to a panel of industry experts.
Virgin Australia’s app includes upgrade bidding, Fly Ahead and Fly Later options, and an integrated bag tag-and-drop system.
Air Canada highlights airport navigation tools, while SAS offers early check-in, travel extras and digital loyalty features.
- Who
- Air Canada, Virgin Australia and Scandinavian Airlines, represented by Carlos Faxas, Dan Fischer and Massimo Pascotto.
- What
- They were named finalists in the Battle of the Airline Apps.
- When
- The competition is scheduled for October 13–15, 2026.
- Where
- The World Aviation Festival in Lisbon.
- Why
- The competition showcases innovation in airline mobile technology and how apps improve the passenger journey.
- Finalists
- Air Canada, Virgin Australia and Scandinavian Airlines (SAS)
- Event
- Battle of the Airline Apps
- Host event
- World Aviation Festival 2026
- Location
- Lisbon
- Dates
- October 13–15, 2026
- Judging panel
- Five aviation, travel and investment experts
- Previous winner
- Qatar Airways won the 2025 competition