The Big Story How do we fix the state of Canadian air travel?
Jan 8, 2026
John Gradek, an aviation expert and McGill University professor with nearly five decades in the industry, dives into the challenges plaguing Canadian air travel. He reminisces about the golden age of airline service before deregulation led to cost-cutting and declining quality. Gradek highlights systemic failures like rising passenger frustration and ineffective enforcement of existing protection laws. Advocating for financial penalties on airlines and loosening foreign ownership limits, he envisions a revitalized aviation sector that can restore consumer confidence.
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Golden-Era Flight Experience
- John Gradek recalls boarding a 747 with an upper-deck piano and dance bar as a hallmark of past service.
- He contrasts that with Ward Air's economy table service, glassware and steel cutlery as benchmarks of former Canadian service.
Deregulation Shifted Priorities
- Deregulation in the late 1980s and 1990s shifted airlines to destructive price competition and cost-cutting.
- That cost focus shrank margins and pushed customer service to the back seat, Gradek argues.
Airlines Run On Thin Margins
- Airlines operate on very thin margins, typically 2–3%, making the industry economically fragile.
- Gradek says that low margins explain why carriers cut costs and why the industry struggles to attract investment.