Corporate Profile

Air Canada continues fleet modernization with order for 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner, new cabins for existing A321 fleet

Air Canada placed a firm order with Boeing for 18 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft, with deliveries scheduled to begin in Q4 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q1 2027.  They will be used to replace older, less efficient wide-body aircraft currently in the Air Canada fleet. The agreement also includes options for another 12 Boeing 787-10 aircraft.

Air Canada currently operates 30 787-9 and eight 787-8 versions of the Dreamliner, with two more 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery from a previous order. According to Boeing, the 787-10 has up to 25 per cent lower fuel emissions per seat than the aircraft it replaces.

The airline also recently unveiled a redesigned cabin for its existed fleet of Airbus A321 and A320 aircraft. This includes belly and tail cameras connected to the aircraft's seatback entertainment system, giving customers a bird’s eye view of their flight. The upgrades include a new cabin interior, new technologies and services such as Bluetooth audio, and free high-speed internet.

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

Air Canada’s Fleet Renewal

Air Canada’s ongoing fleet modernisation program began in 2007 and the airline has been adding next-generation, fuel efficient aircraft with industry leading customer amenities. Its long-range workhorse is the ultra-efficient Boeing 787 Dreamliner, which now comprise nearly 50 per cent of the wide body fleet and deliver an approximate 20 per cent improvement in fuel efficiency over the aircraft they replaced. Air Canada recently announced the acquisition of 18 Dreamliner 787-10 aircraft.

Respecting its narrow body fleet, the Airbus A220-300 (formerly known as the Bombardier C Series) and 737 MAX 8 aircraft feature product specifications and in-flight entertainment similar to the 787 Dreamliner. They also average approximately 20 per cent less fuel consumption per seat and emit 20 per cent less CO2 and 50 per cent less nitrogen oxides than the aircraft they replace. Air Canada operates 33 A220-300 aircraft and is expecting delivery of another 27 A220-300s, and it has 40 737 MAX 8 aircraft.

Air Canada has placed an order for 25 Airbus A321 extra-long range aircraft. The A321XLR is projected to yield up to 17 per cent lower fuel burn per seat than the previous generation narrow-body on a typical transcontinental flight and up to 23 per cent versus previous generation wide-body aircraft on a transatlantic flight.

In September 2022, Air Canada announced plans to Acquire 30 ES-30 Electric Regional Aircraft from Heart Aerospace. The revolutionary regional aircraft, expected to enter service in 2028, will fly on battery power, with optional hybrid energy sources to extend its range, and yield significant operational savings and benefits.

Air Canada and United Airlines Further Expand Relationship to Make Transborder Travel Easier, With More Choice

Air Canada and United Airlines announced a further strengthening of their joint business agreement for the Canada-U.S. transborder market, building on their long-standing alliance. The airlines operated more than 260 daily transborder departures in summer 2023, about a 20 percent increase in schedule capacity compared to summer 2022. The expanded relationship gives more flight options and better flight schedules to customers travelling between the two countries. Customers will be able to connect to 66 codeshare destinations in the U.S. and 20 cities in Canada — all while enjoying the benefits of the carriers' MileagePlus® and Aeroplan loyalty programs.

Air Canada’s global network  

Air Canada offers the most seats and frequencies of any Canadian carrier. Air Canada continues to expand its network with the announcement of new destinations launching in 2024:

• Toronto to Stockholm, Tulum and Charleston
• Montreal to Madrid, Stockholm, Tulum, St. Louis and Austin
• Vancouver to Singapore

In 2024, Air Canada also plans to restart routes such as:

• Ottawa to Calgary, and Winnipeg
• Vancouver to Austin, and Halifax
• Montreal to Seattle, and San Diego

Domestic network
As the country's flag carrier for over 85 years, Air Canada connects the nation with domestic service to 51 Canadian airports and an average of over 500 daily frequencies.

U.S. transborder network
Air Canada’s proud tradition of being the largest foreign carrier in the U.S. is reflected in its transborder schedule to 52 U.S. airports and up to 400 daily flights between the two countries.

International network
The airline’s international network extends to six continents with service to over 80 airports from its Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver hubs, as well as from Calgary and Halifax, and an average of more than 150 daily frequencies.

Air Canada Elevates Airport Lounges, Onboard Dining and Entertainment Customer Experience

Air Canada is making an improved customer experience central to its strategy and a means to strengthen its position as a leading global carrier. The airline is investing in all aspects of the customer journey, whether people are flying in Air Canada's Premium or Economy cabins, or in Premium Rouge. In 2023 Air Canada has opened its first Maple Leaf Lounge at San Francisco International Airport, an Air Canada Café at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport and is also co-located within the new United Club at Newark Liberty International Airport.

Commits to Net Zero Emissions by 2050

In March 2021, Air Canada announced its Climate Action Plan, which aims to achieve an ambitious goal of net-zero emissions by 2050, demonstrating its long-term commitment to advancing climate change and environmental sustainability throughout its business.

In defining its pathway to this goal, Air Canada has set absolute mid-term GHG net-reduction targets by 2030 in its air and ground operations compared to its 2019 baseline. For more information, visit aircanada.com/leaveless.

Fleet and Operations

Along with the significant investments we are making for its air operations, we continue to move forward with wise investments for its ground operations as well. Case in point is the deployment of electric ground support equipment (GSE), which we initiated in 2019 and continued to accelerate the transition to e-GSE with the integration of more than 2,400 clean-energy units into its fleet in 2022.

Air Canada launched electric shuttle services for employees at Vancouver airport. The daily service, comprising more than 150 itineraries, now operated by fully electric vehicles instead of conventional gasoline-powered ones.

Carbon reductions and removals

In September 2022, we introduced CHOOOSE as its new carbon offset program provider and embedded the option to easily purchase verified carbon offsets into its Canadian and U.S. booking websites.

As of Jan. 1, 2023, all Aeroplan redemption flights operated by Air Canada (including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express) are automatically offset using carbon credits provided by CHOOOSE through the new carbon offset program for flight rewards. Members do not need to do anything differently, as the carbon offset purchase is triggered once the flight redemption is complete. The offset appears in the booking flow, as well as on their itinerary confirmation.

Air Canada made a $6.75 million investment in the Canadian-based climate solutions company Carbon Engineering (CE), supporting the advancement of CE’s direct air capture technology that pulls carbon dioxide directly out of the air at industrial scale.

SAF and renewable energy

In 2023 Air Canada purchased 9.5 million litres of Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). We continue advancing initiatives in its Climate Action Plan by strengthening its partnership with SAF producer, Neste, to power flights with Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel from San Francisco International Airport.

In the summer of 2023, we expanded its partnership with Neste to supply its first flight from Europe with SAF. This means that we are taking a step further and offering more SAF through its Leave Less Travel Program on a book-and-claim basis, further supporting its journey towards its ambitious 2050 net zero emissions goal.

Air Canada Cargo

Air Canada Cargo, the freight division of Air Canada, is Canada's largest air cargo provider as measured by cargo capacity, with a presence in over 50 countries and self-handled hubs in Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Chicago, London, and Frankfurt. Air Canada Cargo offers reliable air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada’s domestic and international passenger flights, freighter flights, and trucking services.

The freighter fleet now consists of seven Boeing 767s in service, including five converted aircraft and two factory-built 767Fs which entered service in May 2023.

Aeroplan

Air Canada’s Aeroplan is Canada’s leading travel loyalty program, chosen by more than 8 million travellers worldwide. Aeroplan helps members travel more and offers the ability to earn or redeem points on all Air Canada flights as well as the world's largest airline partner network, encompassing over 45 airlines serving more than 1,300 of destinations across the globe. 

Members earn points with Aeroplan’s more than 250 financial, retail, and travel partners, including online shopping via the Aeroplan eStore. In addition to flights, members also have access to an extensive range of merchandise, hotel, including preferential rates through HotelSavers at a broad range of acclaimed hotels worldwide, and car rental rewards, enabling them to redeem points for more than flights. 

Aeroplan offers members exceptional value and exclusive benefits including saving on redemptions with no additional cash surcharges on Air Canada flights. Aeroplan’s unique everyday partnerships in Canada with Uber, Starbucks, LCBO and Parkland’s participating 1,100+ Ultramar, Chevron, Pioneer, Fas Gas, ON the RUN and Marché Express locations Canada-wide, enable members to earn points directly when making a purchase. Plus, Aeroplan Elite Status Members and eligible Aeroplan Credit cardholders have access to additional benefits, such as preferred pricing on flight rewards, lounge access, can get an extra night free for every three nights redeemed with Aeroplan points and more. (aircanada.com/aeroplan)

Principal Hubs

Air Canada’s three hubs, Toronto (YYZ), the primary global hub, Montreal (YUL), a principal gateway to French and other international markets, and Vancouver (YVR), the airline’s premier gateway to the Asia-Pacific, offer Air Canada customers convenient connections under one roof.

Premium Offerings

Air Canada Signature Service is an end-to-end premium service with lie-flat seats, access to airport concierge services at many airports, expedited check-in and security clearance (where available), lounge access, priority baggage handling and preferential boarding.

The Air Canada Signature Suite has raised the bar with its five-star dining experience, setting a new standard for premium travel from North America. Signature Suites are located in Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson and at Vancouver International Airport for select Signature Service customers travelling to international destinations.

Maple Leaf Lounges are a comfortable way to relax or catch up on work before take-off with services and amenities to make the pre-flight experience more pleasurable and productive.

Air Canada Café at Toronto Pearson offers a selection of Canadian craft beers, wine and hot snacks, in addition to the current range of grab-and-go artisanal sandwiches, salads, cold snacks, beverages and specialty coffees to be enjoyed with complimentary Wi-Fi in a relaxed, bistro-type setting.  

Aspire | Air Canada Café at Toronto Billy Bishop Airport is a 133-seat modern respite in the domestic departures terminal. Quiet workspaces, a private meeting room and premium food and drinks to stay or go are among the complimentary amenities in the 4,200+-square-foot café-style executive lounge.

Air Canada Concierge services at 50 airports worldwide are available to Aeroplan Super Elite Members and, on day of travel at the airport, to Signature Service customers. Concierges are an immediate resource in-person at select airports and by phone 24/7 for all travel and airport-related matters, personalized services and priority.

Premium Economy cabin features enhanced comfort and amenities and is offered on all wide-body aircraft: 787 Dreamliners, Boeing 777-300ERs and -200LRs, and Airbus A330-300s.

Preferred Seats are offered in the Economy cabin for those who would like extra space between seats (up to 10 cm more) and convenience to board earlier and exit sooner on arrival.

Culinary and Wine Talent

Air Canada's panel of celebrated Canadian culinary and wine talent has designed award-winning food and wine options that guide the airline’s caterers.

Chef David Hawksworth creates signature dishes with Canadian flair that are exclusively featured on all Air Canada Signature Class flights (except India) flights and the Air Canada Signature Suite.

Chef Jérôme Ferrer designs meals for the airline's Premium Economy and Economy Class customers on all flights departing Canada for Europe and Asia, as well as Australia and South America.

Chef Vikram Vij creates modern Indian dishes for all cabins of service on Air Canada's Canada-India flights.

Sommelier Véronique Rivest is Air Canada’s sommelier. Her carefully hand-picked wines pair with food at 30,000 feet.

Wi-Fi

Air Canada and Bell have partnered to offer free messaging for all Aeroplan Members worldwide on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada's fleet, including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights. This offering enables customers to send and receive text-based messages via onboard Wi-Fi. In addition, Air Canada offers Wi-Fi access on select North American, Caribbean and international flights. Customers can save by purchasing access before their flight or buy on board. Find out if Wi-Fi is available on your next flight.