Air Canada has just announced a very exciting aircraft order, which I think many of us were anticipating.
Air Canada will fly the Airbus A350-1000 as of 2030
Air Canada has placed an order for up to 16 Airbus A350-1000s. This includes a firm order for eight of the jets, plus options for eight more, with deliveries expected start in the second half of 2030.
The A350-1000 is an incredibly capable plane with great unit costs and impressive range, and it’s among my favorite planes to fly. Air Canada notes how the plane has the range of approximately 9,000 nautical miles, which will allow the airline to fly just about anywhere it could want to go, with operating costs that are 25% lower than on previous generation aircraft.
Air Canada’s wide body fleet currently consists of Boeing 787s (787-8s and 787-9s) Boeing 777s (777-200LRs and 777-300ERs), and Airbus A330s.
The airline is currently further modernizing its long haul fleet with 14 Boeing 787-10s, as well as 30 Airbus 321XLRs, with deliveries expected within the coming year. That’s in addition to this new Airbus order. All of these planes will enter service with Air Canada’s next generation cabin design and standard, including enhanced inflight entertainment and connectivity.
Air Canada is only the second airline in North America to order the A350-1000, after Delta. Here’s how Air Canada Chief Commercial Officer Mark Galardo describes this A350 order:
“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.”
Why the Airbus A350-1000 is an important plane for Air Canada
The Airbus A350-1000 will unlock a new era of ultra long haul flying for Air Canada. Canada of course has great geography for connecting North America (including the United States) to destinations like Asia and Europe, particularly via its hubs in Montreal (YUL), Toronto (YYZ), and Vancouver (YVR). The airline has a better cost structure than US carriers, given the weakness of the CAD compared to the USD.
The thing is, there’s value in having a large, fuel efficient plane for ultra long haul flights, so that the economics of that kind of service can work. The 787-9 is a great plane, but isn’t exactly huge. Meanwhile the 787-10 offers extra capacity, but has reduced range, so it can’t go that deep into Asia.
Ultimately I’d view the A350-1000 as a replacement for the 777-300ER, with all kinds of advantages, from range to fuel efficiency. Just for context, Air Canada’s 777-300ERs seat 336-450 passengers (yes, there are some high density layouts!), while Air Canada’s 787-9s seat “just” 298 passengers. So the airline really wants a latest generation aircraft that can have a high capacity and fly long distances, and the A350-1000 perfectly fits that bill. I can’t wait to learn about the onboard product (though I imagine we’ll have to be patient).
Bottom line
Air Canada has placed an order for up to 16 Airbus A350-1000s, with eight firm orders and eight options. Deliveries are expected as of the second half of 2030. The A350-1000 is an incredible plane, and it will serve an important purpose in Air Canada’s fleet, operating ultra long haul flights while offering high capacity. Think of it as a replacement and significant improvement over the 777-300ER.
What do you make of Air Canada’s A350-1000 order?