At Aircraft Interiors Expo, Collins Aerospace and Air Canada announced that the carrier’s new fleet of Airbus A321XLR aircraft will be furnished entirely with Collins’ seating solutions.
Fourteen premium Aurora business class suites will be installed at the front of the aircraft, while 168 Meridian+ main cabin seats will fill out the economy cabin.
The custom lie-flat Aurora suites, revealed at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany, showcase an industrial design, trim, and finish customised by Air Canada alongside Collins and Air Canada’s design partner, Acumen. The suite offers a balance of privacy and sociability with a noticeably warmer palette, where elegant lighting gently accentuates custom materials, rich wood, stone, and bronze accents.
The proprietary shape and installation angle of the Aurora suite conform to the exact dimensions of the XLR, maximising passenger living space, providing an extra row of premium seating and expanding galley capacity to accommodate the catering volume necessary for long-haul service.
Meanwhile, Meridian+ incorporates design principles from widebody solutions, utilising a distinctly contoured architecture to reclaim additional area for passenger hips, knees and elbows. The articulating seat diaphragm subtly flexes and adapts to augment comfort, while Air Canada has selected enhanced seatback options to optimise stowage, inflight entertainment and personal power supply.
In Quotes
Cynthia Muklevicz, vice president of Global Airlines and Lessors for Collins Aerospace, said:
“Aurora is designed to provide a widebody business class experience on single-aisle aircraft, offering passengers the comfort, space and privacy expected on long-haul flights,”
“By integrating the suites, monuments and galley space into a unified architecture, we’re able to make better use of the cabin footprint while maintaining passenger comfort and the service capabilities airlines need to deliver a true premium experience.”
John Moody, managing director of On-Board Product for Air Canada, added:
“Our primary goal was to elevate the in-flight experience by creating a space that feels exceptionally inviting and highly personal,”
. “With the Aurora suite, we are setting the standard through the thoughtful use of space, technology, bespoke materials and finishes. Our meticulous attention to detail offers our customers a true retreat.”
Entry into Service
The first of 30 Air Canada A321XLRs will enter service this spring, with demonstrations being held during AIX this week.
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