Air Canada Faces Backlash Over In-Flight Map Displaying Israel as ‘Palestinian Territories’

The ongoing Israel-Gaza conflict has sparked global tensions, with businesses and organizations under increasing scrutiny for their positions on the issue.

Air Canada recently found itself at the center of controversy after an in-flight map on its Boeing 737 MAX fleet incorrectly labeled Israel as “Palestinian territories.”

The discrepancy was first flagged by a passenger traveling from Vancouver to Montreal. Air Canada confirmed that the map, part of an in-flight entertainment system provided by French aerospace company Thales, inaccurately depicted Middle Eastern boundaries.

https://twitter.com/ShaykhSulaiman/status/1900899884812673091

The airline explained that the maps were created by an unnamed third-party supplier contracted by Thales. In a statement, Air Canada said, “It was brought to our attention that the interactive map on our Boeing 737 fleet did not consistently portray certain Middle Eastern boundaries, including those of the State of Israel, at all amplification levels.”

The airline emphasized that its standard policy is to display only city names on in-flight maps and that this system deviated from that guideline.

Upon discovering the error, Air Canada promptly disabled the map function on the affected aircraft and implemented a corrected version. The incident, however, drew significant criticism online, with passengers expressing concern over how such a mistake could occur, particularly during a period of heightened geopolitical sensitivity.

Both Air Canada and Thales issued public apologies, with Thales confirming it was working closely with the airline and the third-party supplier to resolve the issue and prevent similar errors in the future.

Why This Matters
This incident highlights the importance of accuracy and sensitivity in global communications, especially during times of conflict. For businesses operating internationally, ensuring that content aligns with geopolitical realities is crucial to maintaining credibility and avoiding public backlash.