Air Canada has decided to purchase 26 extra-long-range (XLR) Airbus A321neos, with delivery scheduled for Q1 2024 to Q1 2027.
The Canadian flag carrier airline has incorporated an option for 14 further XLR variants, which will be delivered between 2027 and 2030 if exercised.
The new aircraft’s expanded range of 8,700 km will allow Air Canada to serve all of North America as well as several transatlantic trips, pending Transport Canada certification for international operations. 15 of the jets will be leased from Air Lease Corporation, five will be leased from Aercap, and six will be purchased from Airbus S.A.S.
While expanding Air Canada’s fleet, several of the new jets will replace older, less fuel-efficient planes, resulting in cost savings as well as environmental benefits.
On a typical transcontinental flight, Air Canada estimates that it will burn up to 17 percent less fuel per seat than previous-generation narrow-body aircraft, and up to 23 percent less fuel per seat than previous-generation wide-body aircraft.
“Air Canada is committed to further strengthening 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,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada. The carrier is yet to make a decision on the engines which will power its new A321neos.
 Airbus A321neos, with delivery scheduled for Q1 2024 to Q1 2027.){kind=link}