It appears that Air Canada has decided on the future of its high-capacity long-haul fleet and has selected the Airbus A350-1000.
Air Canada has signed for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft, with purchase options for a further eight aircraft.
Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in the second half of 2030. They will be powered by the XWB97 engines from Rolls-Royce. With the fuel range, it will offer a range of 9,000 nautical miles.
According to the airline, the A350-1000 will enter service with Air Canada’s next-generation cabin design and standard, including enhanced connectivity and in-flight entertainment offerings.
Pushing forward modernisation
The order for eight A350-1000s is in addition to the 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners expected to start entering service later this year. Air Canada is also set to welcome in the coming months the first of its 30 Airbus A321XLRs. Air Canada also continues to take deliveries of the Canadian-assembled Airbus A220, with 23 aircraft remaining on its firm order of 65.
An additional five Boeing 737 MAX aircraft, on lease, are expected to be in service in 2026.
In Quotes
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada.
“Air Canada’s acquisition of the Airbus A350-1000 will further solidify our position as a leading global airline through the next decade. This state-of-the-art aircraft adds a new dimension to Air Canada’s long-haul capabilities, with impressive range, enhanced payload, and proven economics that unlock new possibilities for long-haul flying for our customers,”
“These highly capable aircraft complement our existing fleet by providing flexibility in support of a growing, resilient, and diversified future network. The Airbus A350-1000 will play a central role in defining Air Canada’s next era, connecting our customers, our hubs, and our country to the world.”
John Di Bert, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer, Air Canada.
“The addition of the Airbus A350-1000 to our fleet is a forward-looking investment that strengthens Air Canada’s long-term cost efficiency,”
“These aircraft will deliver improved operating economics, enhance our operational reliability, and ensure we remain competitive across our global network. The aircraft’s lighter materials and advanced engines deliver meaningful fuel-burn improvements versus the aircraft they replace, supporting our financial and environmental objectives. This order is another step in the modernization of our fleet and is aligned with our capital allocation priorities and our target to maintain capital investments at or below 12 per cent of revenues.”
Benoit de Saint-Exupéry, Airbus EVP Sales of the Commercial Aircraft business, concluded:
“Air Canada’s selection of the A350-1000 to lead its long-haul fleet strategy is a strong testament to the most technologically advanced widebody on the market,” said
“This decision is not only about fleet modernisation, it is also about Air Canada’s ambition to set new standards in range, performance and customer satisfaction which we are proud to support.”
Where to send them
With the A350-1000’s economics and lower operating costs will deliver a significant competitive advantage to Air Canada and range, it will enabling seamless, non-stop connectivity from Canada to high-growth markets across the Indian subcontinent, Southeast Asia, and Australia – markets of great intrest to Air Canada, whilst leaving the shorter routes to the Boeing 787-10 – a monster for the shorther long haul segements.
With a good balance, it should set up a good fleet replacement strategy allowing older aircraft such as the Boeing 777-300ER to be drawn down.
There’s just going to be a wait for them – like a lot of orders these days, it’s down to production delays and supply chains still being tight.
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