Air Canada is set to acquire 26 extra-long range versions of Airbus’ A321 neo aircraft.
The deliveries will begin in the first quarter of 2024, with the final aircraft set to arrive at the start of 2027.
The aircraft has a range of approximately 8,700 km and can fly up to 11 hours, meaning it can operate non-stop services across North America. Air Canada added that the aircraft could also operate transatlantic services “pending Transport Canada approval for overseas operations”.
The A321 LXR will replace the company’s older, less-efficient aircraft in the fleet, and will have up to 17 per cent lower fuel burn per seat than the previous generation narrow-body on a typical transcontinental flight and a reduction of up to 23 per cent versus previous generation wide-body aircraft on a transatlantic flight.
The A321 XLR’s will have capacity for 182 passengers across two cabins – there will be 14 lie-flat Signature Class seats and 168 Economy class seats. Amenities will include “next generation setback entertainment”, inflight wifi and “generous” overhead baggage storage bins.
Michael Rousseau, president and CEO of Air Canada, commented:
“Air Canada is committed to further strengthen its market-leading position, especially through investments in new technology. The acquisition of the state-of-the-art Airbus A321XLR is an important element of this strategy and will drive our core priorities of elevating the customer experience, advancing our environmental goals, network expansion and increasing our overall cost efficiency.
“This order also shows that Air Canada is emerging strongly from the pandemic and is ideally positioned to grow, compete and thrive in a reshaped global aviation industry.”
The Canadian carrier will lease 15 aircraft from Air Lease Corporation and five from AerCap. An additional six are being acquired under a purchase agreement with Airbus S.A.S. that includes purchase rights to buy an additional 14 planes between 2027 and 2030.
The airline is currently selecting an engine manufacturer for the aircraft.
As of December 31, 2021, Air Canada had a combined 214 aircraft in its mainline and Air Canada Rouge fleets, including 136 single-aisle, narrow-body aircraft.
