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Air Canada has revealed an order for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft and another eight options as the next phase of its fleet modernization program. The Canadian carrier expects the first deliveries to take place in the second half of 2030, adding a new dimension to its long-haul fleet.
Air Canada’s long-haul fleet primarily consists of Boeing-made aircraft in the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 Dreamliner, complemented by a small fleet of Airbus A330-300s. The airline heralds the A350-1000 as being 25% more efficient than older-generation aircraft and will facilitate Air Canada’s ongoing international expansion.
Air Canada’s A350-1000 Order In Detail
According to the airline, with eight firm orders and an additional eight purchase options, the A350 will complement its existing long-haul aircraft while playing “a central role in defining Air Canada’s next era.” Air Canada is already an extensive Airbus operator, but primarily of the European planemaker’s narrowbody products – the A220 and A320-family – along with a small fleet of A330s. This order represents its first widebody commitment with Airbus for almost three decades, with its A350-1000s to be powered by Rolls-Royce’s Trent XWB97, the only engine option on the -1000.
While not disclosing the value of the order, the A350-1000’s last list price disclosed in 2018 put each airframe at around $360 million, although airlines typically receive a sizable discount on list prices. This easily puts the deal into the billion-dollar threshold, and the value will likely exceed $3 billion if all options are taken. Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, commented,
“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.”
What Will It Be Like Onboard?
The A350-1000 has the potential to become Air Canada’s flagship long-haul aircraft. At this stage, the carrier has not released any details on the seating layout of its upcoming widebodies, but this is likely to be disclosed later in the year. The airline has developed a new cabin standard for its Boeing 787-10 and Airbus A321XLRs — its two new aircraft types coming this year — so we can expect something similar on the A350-1000.
Most A350-1000 operators go for a nine-abreast economy configuration, but it is possible to cram in a ten-abreast layout if so desired. This is precisely what Philippine Airlines opted to do with its A350-1000 fleet, pushing the cabin’s seat width down from 18 inches to 17 inches.
The A350-1000 has one of the industry’s lowest cabin altitudes of 6,000 feet, establishing a more comfortable onboard atmosphere that helps tackle fatigue and jet lag. It also features the Airbus “Airspace” cabin philosophy, which incorporates features like adjustable mood lighting and noise-dampening for a quiet cabin experience.
How Many Aircraft Does Air Canada Have On Order Pending Delivery?
Air Canada has around 90 aircraft on order made up of Airbus, Boeing, and former Bombardier passenger jets.
Air Canada’s International Ambitions
Offering an impressive maximum range of up to 9,000 nautical miles (16,668 km), the A350-1000 will open up a world of new international possibilities for Air Canada. As well as complementing its existing network, the A350-1000 will make new ultra-long-haul routes more economically viable.
Air Canada will be flying a number of brand-new international routes this year as part of its global expansion. This includes several new European services as well as Asian flights to Shanghai and Sapporo and an expansion of its presence in Latin America.
The Canadian carrier will also be a future operator of the Airbus A321XLR, which is set to add a whole new dimension to its narrowbody capabilities. With deliveries slated for this year, the A321XLR will be the first narrowbody in Air Canada’s fleet to offer its Signature Class lie-flat cabin.
