Imagine indulging in a multi-course, Japanese Michelin-starred Kaiseki meal—while cruising at 35,000 feet, before you even land.
Thanks to a new partnership between Air Canada and acclaimed Kaiseki master Chef Masaki Hashimoto, travellers on Japan-bound flights can now savour an authentic taste of Japan before they even land. It’s the latest chapter in elevated in-flight dining—and this time, it’s infused with centuries-old tradition, artistic presentation, and the delicate flavours of true Japanese hospitality.
Launching this spring across all Air Canada Signature Class routes to Japan, the collaboration brings Hashimoto’s unparalleled culinary craftsmanship from his intimate, Michelin-starred Toronto restaurant, Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto, to the sky. For those who crave more from their inflight experience than pretzels and a warm roll, this is luxury at its most delicious.
A Michelin moment at cruising altitude
Chef Masaki Hashimoto isn’t just any culinary talent. With over 35 years of experience—and a Michelin star to prove it—his approach to food is grounded in the deeply revered Japanese art of Kaiseki: a refined, multi-course dining philosophy rooted in seasonality, precision, and visual harmony. From sautéed lotus root to sesame tofu with wasabi sauce, every dish is designed not only to satisfy but to transport you.
“We are proud to present Chef Hashimoto’s exceptional culinary artistry in our Signature Class experience,” said Scott O’Leary, Loyalty and Product at Air Canada. “His journey and dedication to Kaiseki cuisine have enriched Canada’s culinary landscape, and we are honoured to celebrate this onboard.”
“It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to bring an authentic Japanese in-flight dining experience to travellers.”
Chef Masaki Hashimoto
“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,” said Chef Masaki Hashimoto.
On Air Canada’s Japan routes, passengers flying Signature Class will enjoy a rotating selection of six curated recipes annually, including:
- Zensai (appetizer): Light and elegant starters, such as sautéed lotus root
- Komono (side dishes): Silken sesame tofu with a kick of wasabi sauce
- Oshokuji (main course): Beef sukiyaki simmered with tofu, scallions, napa cabbage and red ginger, paired with calrose rice and miso soup
- Brunch before landing: A warming Japanese-style casserole to ease your transition back to terra firma
“This collaboration allows us both to bridge the rich cultural landscapes of each country and celebrate our shared values of care, respect, and connection,” said Hashimoto.
This isn’t your typical airline upgrade—this is cultural storytelling, plated with precision and centuries-old technique. And beginning this spring, the presentation will get a luxury boost, too, with custom Noritake dishware curated by Chef Hashimoto himself, blending elegant Japanese design with practical beauty.
A sake sommelier in the sky? Yes, please.
What’s a Japanese meal without a perfectly paired sake? To complement the cuisine, a premium sake pairing has been introduced, chosen by Chef Hashimoto’s son, Kei Hashimoto—a certified Kiki sake-shi (aka sake sommelier), trained at the Sake Service Institute in Tokyo.
The featured sake? Ninki-ichi Junmai Daiginjo Gold, brewed with Gohyakumankoku rice and filtered using the traditional Yabuta method. With floral and fruity aromas and a velvety mouthfeel, it’s a refreshing and refined pairing to match the complexity of Kaiseki dining, even at cruising altitude.
Canada meets Japan in every bite
Born and trained in Japan, Chef Hashimoto moved to Toronto over four decades ago with his wife, Sachiko, bringing with him a rare mastery of Kaiseki traditions. His restaurant—Kaiseki Yu-zen Hashimoto, located inside the Japanese Canadian Cultural Centre—is one of Canada’s few true Kaiseki experiences. With just a handful of guests per evening, dining there is a transcendent ritual. Now, for the first time, his artistry extends beyond the walls of his intimate Toronto restaurant—and into the skies, connecting travellers with the spirit of Japan before they even land.
“It has always been a lifelong dream of mine to bring an authentic Japanese in-flight dining experience to travellers,” Chef Hashimoto said in a statement. “Partnering with Air Canada is truly an honour for me, as it brings together the two places I now call home—Japan and Canada.”
And that’s exactly what makes this collaboration so special: the seamless fusion of two cultures through food, storytelling, and travel. It’s a journey for the senses before you even touch down at Narita, Haneda, or Osaka.
Where you can try it—and how to get onboard
The Michelin-starred in-flight menu is now available exclusively in Signature Class on all Air Canada flights between Canada and Japan. This summer, Air Canada will operate up to six daily flights between the two countries, including:
- Vancouver to Narita (daily)
- Vancouver to Osaka (4x weekly)
- Toronto to Narita (daily)
- Toronto to Haneda (daily)
- Toronto to Osaka (3x weekly)
- Montreal to Narita (daily)
With more flights to Japan than any other Canadian airline, Air Canada is serving up premium comfort—and now, Michelin-starred dining—on the most in-demand routes to Asia.
What is Air Canada Signature Class?
Air Canada’s Signature Class is the airline’s top-tier international business class, designed for comfort, elevated service, and now—culinary excellence. Available on international routes aboard their wide-body aircraft, Signature Class includes:
- Lie-flat seats with direct aisle access
- Exclusive airport lounge access (including the Signature Suite in Toronto and Vancouver for select international travellers)
- Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling
- Premium bedding and amenity kits
- A rotating menu of gourmet meals by Canadian and internationally renowned chefs
- Thoughtfully curated wine, cocktail, and now sake pairings
With the addition of Chef Masaki Hashimoto’s Kaiseki-inspired menu, Signature Class is more than just a way to get to Japan—it’s a meaningful part of the journey. It invites you to slow down, savour the details, and experience travel as a celebration of culture and taste.
A refined farewell—or a flavourful welcome
Forget gimmicky inflight luxuries—this is something different. With Chef Hashimoto’s menu, Air Canada is offering travellers a rare encounter with Japanese culinary tradition, from a chef who has spent decades perfecting it. So when your next flight to Tokyo or Osaka takes off, know that you’re not just flying—you’re dining your way into a cultural experience that begins before wheels down.
So go ahead—recline your seat, raise a glass of Daiginjo sake, and let the flavours of Japan carry you across the Pacific.
