• Air Canada is acquiring 30 of the next-generation A321XLR
• Features lie-flat seats on a single-aisle aircraft, a first for the airline and the only Canadian airline to offer this product
• Configured to Air Canada’s new cabin design standard, bringing a wide-body experience to a single-aisle jet

MONTRÉAL, April 24, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada today took delivery in Hamburg of its first Airbus A321XLR, a next-generation single-aisle aircraft designed to fly longer routes efficiently and with greater passenger comfort. The arrival of this aircraft, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, marks an important milestone in Air Canada’s fleet renewal and growth strategy, with a total of 30 A321XLR aircraft (15 will be leased, 15 are being acquired directly from Airbus S.A.S.) expected to enter the fleet over the coming years.

“Air Canada is building one of the most modern and capable fleets in the industry. The Airbus A321XLR introduces a dynamic new component to Air Canada’s growth strategy, greatly expanding our flexibility to launch new international routes and improve our offering on existing markets. Equipped with a quieter, more comfortable cabin when compared to previous generation aircraft, this game-changing aircraft will shortly be deployed across the Atlantic from Montréal and Toronto, while also becoming a staple on key North American transcontinental markets,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada. “Supporting our fleet modernization, continued network growth, and an elevated onboard experience, the arrival of the Airbus A321XLR marks a transformative moment for Air Canada.”

“SMBC Aviation Capital is delighted to deliver the first of 15 A321XLR aircraft to Air Canada, one of the world’s premier airlines. The A321XLR will elevate the customer experience through enhanced comfort and service, while delivering the efficiency and operational flexibility required to support Air Canada’s continued global expansion. We look forward to supporting our valued customer, Air Canada, as they continue to launch new international routes with the A321XLR,” said Barry Flannery, Chief Commercial Officer, SMBC Aviation Capital.

“Air Canada is a pioneer in North American aviation and we are honoured to celebrate the delivery of their first A321XLR. By combining transatlantic range with a significant reduction in fuel burn and CO2 emissions, the A321XLR will further empower Air Canada to unlock ambitious new routes with unprecedented efficiency. We are very proud to see our latest-designed aircraft take flight under the iconic maple leaf,” said Benoît de Saint-Exupéry, EVP Sales, Airbus Commercial Aircraft.

The A321XLR furthers Air Canada’s ability to serve new transcontinental and transatlantic city pairs.

The new Glowing Hearted cabin standard makes its debut on the A321XLR, offering calm, comfort and connectivity to customers. It features personal device power at every seat, fast, free Wi-Fi for Aeroplan Members, next-generation in-flight entertainment screens that are larger and offer Bluetooth connectivity, and thoughtfully curated cabin finishes inspired by the Canadian landscape and aligned to the airline’s brand and commitment to enduring quality. In a first for Air Canada, the A321XLR also offers Air Canada Signature Class on a single-aisle aircraft, with 14 lie-flat seats.

Following Transport Canada certification and entry into service, Air Canada plans to integrate the A321XLR into its schedule progressively to support growth across its network. The aircraft’s performance and range characteristics are well suited to adjust for seasonal demand patterns and evolving market opportunities.

This delivery is the latest step in Air Canada’s multi-year fleet modernization program, which is focused on customer experience, operational resilience and fuel efficiency improvements versus older-generation aircraft. It reflects the airline’s commitment to prudent growth, continuous product investment, and disciplined execution. In addition to the A321XLR, Air Canada has announced orders for eight A350-1000s for delivery starting in 2030 and 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners. It also continues to take deliveries of the Canadian-built Airbus A220, with 23 aircraft remaining on its firm order of 65. Five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, on lease, have also been delivered in 2026.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montréal, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft. Air Canada’s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. 

HAMBURG, Germany, April 24, 2026 /CNW/ – The first of 30 Airbus A321XLRs for Canada’s flag carrier Air Canada, has been delivered. The aircraft is on lease from SMBC Aviation Capital. The delivery marks a significant milestone in the airline’s fleet renewal strategy, enabling the carrier to bridge the gap between its narrowbody short-haul and widebody long-haul operations.

The delivery makes Air Canada the first operator of the A321XLR in Canada. The aircraft will play a pivotal role in the airline’s network expansion, operational efficiency gains on new and existing long-haul routes, as well as providing additional range and economics required to serve secondary markets with non-stop connectivity.

Powered by Pratt & Whitney GTF engines, Air Canada’s A321XLR features a sophisticated two-cabin layout designed for maximum comfort on transcontinental and transatlantic flights. The premium cabin has 14 Air Canada Signature Class full-flat seats in a 1-1 configuration, offering every passenger direct aisle access, while there are 168 Economy cabin seats. Passengers will experience the Airspace interior design, which boasts the latest in-flight entertainment with Bluetooth audio, full in-seat connectivity, and XL overhead bins providing 60% more storage space. Additionally, an advanced ambient lighting system enhances the overall travel experience to help mitigate jetlag.

The A321XLR is the next evolutionary step of the A320neo Family, responding to market needs for more range and payload, creating even more value for the airlines. It delivers an unprecedented Xtra Long Range of up to 4,700nm and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise. The range allows for Air Canada to operate non-stop transatlantic flights from Montreal and Toronto to destinations such as Berlin, Toulouse and Edinburgh. At the end of March  2026, Airbus had secured over 500 orders for the type.

As with all Airbus aircraft, the A321XLR is able to operate with up to 50% Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). Airbus is targeting to have its aircraft up to 100% SAF capable by 2030.

Air Canada currently operates a fleet of 136 Airbus aircraft and has 61 aircraft on order, including recently ordered A350 aircraft.

• Cabin improvements include larger overhead bins, new seating, and a state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment system
• Industry-first exterior cameras on a narrow-body aircraft provide customers real time, high-definition flight views on IFE seatback screens 
• Aircraft will serve as onboard trial environment for new technologies such as Bluetooth audio at seatbacks and free high-speed Internet available to all customers

MONTREAL, Oct. 23, 2023 /CNW/ – Customers on board Air Canada flight AC692 operated with Fin 451 (C-GITU) Saturday shared a pilot’s eye view of the take-off due to new exterior cameras connected to the aircraft’s seatback entertainment system. The new camera feature, a first for a narrow-body aircraft, is one of several innovations unveiled with the airline’s first upgraded Airbus A321, which has been redesigned from nose to tail.

Air Canada is continuing to invest in customer comfort across its fleet of Airbus A321s and A320s which will feature a new cabin interior, new technologies and services such as Bluetooth audio, and free high-speed internet sponsored by Bell.

“We’re proud to welcome customers on board to experience the comfort, convenience, and connectivity of our latest cabins. These upgraded fleet interiors will align the A320s and A321s to the highly popular A220 experience, further strengthening our industry leading product offering,” said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President, Marketing and Digital, and President of Aeroplan at Air Canada. “Additionally, new features such as our inflight entertainment system streaming exterior aircraft camera feeds, Bluetooth connectivity, and free, fast internet connectivity will be extremely popular with travellers. We will continue advancing our product leadership by trialing more new in-flight experiences with this A321 and expanding those learnings to additional aircraft in our fleet.”  

Highlights of new cabin features:

• Larger overhead bins – Latest Airbus Airspace XL design, the largest overhead bins in-class that will also be installed on the Airbus A321XLRs.
• Upgraded seating – Presents a standardized product across the Air Canada narrowbody fleet in both Business Class and Economy. The new seats are designed to optimize passenger personal space, improve ergonomics, and provide more storage giving customers a more comfortable experience.
• Bluetooth audio – Air Canada’s newest IFE system will feature a Bluetooth-enabled seatback monitor. Customers will be able to connect their personal headsets while watching video on demand, live TV, or listening to podcasts or music. This initiative helps reduce usage of single-use headphones and supports Air Canada’s sustainability objectives in reducing waste.
• New exterior cameras – Customers can now watch their flight live thanks to a new first-in-class narrowbody tail and belly camera system providing high-resolution, real-time video of the aircraft exterior. 
• Full colour LED mood lighting – New cabin lighting system will allow different ambiances to be set depending on time of day and phase of flight.
• Fast and reliable Wi-Fi – Upgraded satellite-based connectivity.
• Power options at all seats – All customers have access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C.

The new IFE system being installed on the Airbus A321 and A320 fleets will feature Air Canada’s award-winning in-flight entertainment via screens at each seat, offering the most extensive content overall of any airline in the Americas. Customers will also enjoy live TV on their flights with this new cabin, featuring BNN, CTV, LCN, RDS, TSN1 and TSN2 available on all flights operated by this aircraft, including when flying over the US.

Air Canada’s remaining 14 Airbus A321s and its eight A320s will be retrofitted starting this fall through to the end of 2025.  With these upgrades, customers will benefit from an elevated narrow-body cabin experience, in line with the cabins of the Airbus A220 and Boeing 737 MAX aircraft that comprise the majority of Air Canada’s narrowbody fleet.  

The new cabin also reduces the overall weight of the A321 by approximately 240 kilograms, which will reduce fuel consumption for the entire fleet once the work is completed by more than 2.4 million litres and reduce GHG emissions by 6,256 tCO₂ equivalent per year, or the equivalent of the electricity used annually by 4,185 Canadian homes.

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country’s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada’s Aeroplan program is Canada’s premier travel loyalty program, where members can earn or redeem points on the world’s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental rewards. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s passenger and freighter aircraft.  Air Canada aims to achieve an ambitious net zero emissions goal from all global operations by 2050.