Benjamin Smith

Early Career and Education

Benjamin Smith was born in the United Kingdom on 27 August 1971. He moved to Canada for his university education, earning a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Western Ontario. His aviation career began in 1990 while he was still studying, taking a position as a unionized ground customer sales and service agent at Air Ontario, a regional subsidiary of Air Canada. In 1992, he left the airline industry to open and operate his own retail corporate travel agency, a venture he ran for eight years before returning to the airline sector.

Rise at Air Canada

Smith rejoined Air Canada in 1999, initially working as a consultant. His first major assignment was as managing director of the new low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Tango, where he was responsible for writing the business plan and launching the operation. The launch in 2001 involved transferring 21 aircraft from Air Canada and introducing a novel commercial model that blended low-cost and full-service elements. The Tango model proved successful and was rolled out across Air Canada's entire North American network in 2004, with the Tango brand retained as the airline's base fare structure. Following this success, Smith was appointed vice president of Network Planning, a role that set the stage for his broader influence on the airline's strategic direction.

In 2007, Smith joined Air Canada's executive management team as Chief Commercial Officer. In this capacity, he oversaw Network Planning, Revenue Management, Marketing, Cargo, Alliances, and Global Sales. He is widely credited as the driver behind Air Canada's commercial strategy during this period, which included the development of three global hubs in Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. He led a massive fleet renewal program involving new wide-body and narrow-body aircraft and spearheaded a global network expansion that connected the airline to over 200 destinations on six continents with a fleet of 350 aircraft. Under his commercial leadership, the airline's profitability grew by over twenty-fold and it won the Skytrax award for Best Airline in North America seven times.

Key Initiatives at Air Canada:

• 2001: Successfully launched the low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Tango.
• 2004: Rolled out the Tango commercial model across Air Canada's North American network.
• 2007: Appointed Chief Commercial Officer, leading all commercial functions.
• 2013: Launched the low-cost leisure carrier Air Canada Rouge.
• 2014: Served as chief negotiator for landmark 10-year collective agreements with pilot and cabin crew unions.
• 2014: Appointed President of Airlines (overseeing Air Canada, Rouge, Express, and Cargo) and Chief Operating Officer.

Leadership at Air France-KLM

The Air France-KLM Group Board of Directors appointed Benjamin Smith as its new Chief Executive Officer on 16 August 2018. His appointment broke precedent as the first non-French CEO in the group's history. He inherited an organization plagued by years of internal labour conflict and immediately set to work achieving stability. Within a few months, he secured labour peace at Air France, a critical step for the group's recovery and future planning. Smith then initiated an ambitious Group-wide fleet modernization program, retiring older aircraft like the Airbus A380, Boeing 747, and Airbus A340 from the Air France and KLM fleets and replacing them with more efficient Airbus A350 and Boeing 787 aircraft.

In 2019, Smith negotiated a new agreement with Air France's pilot union that removed fleet size and geographical restrictions on the group's low-cost subsidiary, Transavia. This paved the way for an ambitious growth strategy for the low-cost carrier, supported by a large order for Airbus A320neo aircraft. The COVID-19 pandemic presented an unprecedented crisis shortly after, which Smith managed by securing billions of euros in stabilizing loans from the French and Dutch governments. These funds were crucial for the group's survival, and Smith later oversaw their full repayment. To improve operational synergies, he appointed new CEOs at both Air France and KLM. His leadership was reaffirmed on 31 March 2022, when the board renewed his contract as CEO for a further five years.

Board Role at WestJet

On 6 September 2023, WestJet announced the appointment of Benjamin Smith as non-executive vice-chair of its Board of Directors. This role allows Smith to contribute his extensive experience in network strategy, labour relations, and airline transformation to another major Canadian carrier. His appointment to the WestJet board connects his deep roots in the Canadian aviation market with his current leadership of a major European airline group, providing a unique cross-continental perspective. This position leverages his proven track record in commercial strategy and labour negotiations to guide WestJet's own strategic direction.

Honours and Recognition

In recognition of his services to French industry and aviation, Benjamin Smith was made a Knight of the Legion of Honour by France in July 2023. This prestigious national order is the highest French order of merit, both civil and military. The honour reflects the significant impact of his leadership on Air France and the broader French aviation sector during a period of major transformation and recovery following years of internal conflict. The award acknowledges his success in stabilizing the airline group and implementing a decisive modernization strategy.

Personal Life

Benjamin Smith is a lifelong aviation enthusiast. Since taking the helm at Air France-KLM, he has relocated to Paris, France, where he lives with his family. He maintains his Canadian citizenship while leading one of Europe's largest airline groups, bridging his professional foundations in North America with his executive responsibilities in Europe. His career progression from a ground agent in Canada to CEO of a major European airline group demonstrates a deep and practical understanding of the aviation industry.

Questions about Benjamin Smith

What did Benjamin Smith do at Air Canada?

At Air Canada, Benjamin Smith held several key leadership positions. He was the managing director responsible for launching the low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Tango. He later served as Chief Commercial Officer and was appointed President and Chief Operating Officer. During his tenure, he launched another low-cost carrier called Air Canada Rouge, negotiated landmark 10-year collective agreements with unions, and oversaw a significant network expansion. The airline's profitability grew substantially and it was awarded the Skytrax Best Airline in North America multiple times under his commercial leadership.

Who is Benjamin Smith?

Benjamin Mark Smith is a Canadian businessman and airline executive. He has been the Chief Executive Officer of the Air France-KLM Group since 2018, and was previously the President and Chief Operating Officer of Air Canada. Born on 27 August 1971 in the United Kingdom, he holds a Bachelor of Arts in economics from the University of Western Ontario. His career began in 1990 as a unionised ground Customer Sales and Service Agent at Air Ontario. At Air Canada, he was the driver of the airline's commercial strategy, leading to a twenty-fold growth in profitability and the launch of the low-cost subsidiary Air Canada Rouge. His leadership at Air France-KLM has involved achieving labour stability and implementing a major fleet modernization program.

When did Benjamin Smith become CEO of Air France-KLM?

Benjamin Smith became CEO of Air France-KLM on 16 August 2018. The Air France-KLM Group Board of Directors appointed him as the new Group's CEO on that date, making him the first non-French chief executive in the company's history. His appointment followed a long and successful tenure at Air Canada where he served as President and Chief Operating Officer. Under his leadership, the group handled the COVID-19 crisis and repaid state stabilization loans. His contract was renewed for a further five years by the Board of Directors on 31 March 2022, extending his leadership of the European airline group.

What is Benjamin Smith's role with WestJet?

Benjamin Smith's role with WestJet is non-executive vice-chair of the Board of Directors. WestJet appointed him to this position on 6 September 2023. In this capacity, he provides strategic oversight and guidance to the Canadian airline's board. This role leverages his extensive executive experience from leading Air Canada and the Air France-KLM Group. His appointment to WestJet's board represents a continued influence in the North American aviation sector alongside his primary leadership role in Europe.

What honour did Benjamin Smith receive from France?

Benjamin Smith received the honour of being made a Knight of the Legion of Honour from France. This recognition was bestowed upon him in July 2023. The Legion of Honour is France's highest order of merit for military and civil accomplishments. This award acknowledges his significant contributions to the French aviation industry, particularly his leadership as CEO of the Air France-KLM Group where he achieved labour stability and spearheaded strategic modernization initiatives.

Where does Benjamin Smith live?

Benjamin Smith lives in Paris, France, with his family. He relocated to Paris upon assuming the role of CEO at the Air France-KLM Group in 2018. This move was necessary to lead the European airline group from its operational base. Despite living in France, he remains a Canadian citizen. His residence in Paris places him at the heart of the company's operations, facilitating his direct leadership over the group's major subsidiaries, Air France and KLM.

Sources and further reading

• Benjamin Smith (Wikipedia)
• Futurpreneur with Benjamin Smith (cookscamp.ca)
• Benjamin Smith: books, biography, latest update (amazon.com)

Checked by the Yadude Books desk. Last updated 2026-11-02.