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Air Canada on Tuesday unveiled the new interiors and business-class seats coming to two of its jets. This is a major upgrade that the airline described as “the first major expression” of its “Glowing Hearted” design standard and customer service approach.
The new business-class cabin, which the airline is calling “Air Canada Signature Class,” will debut on its Airbus A321XLR this summer — marking the first time Air Canada will offer lie-flat seats on a single-aisle jet. It will later appear on the airline’s new fleet of Boeing 787-10 jets.
On both jets across all classes, passengers can expect to find larger overhead compartments; ergonomic seats with phone or tablet holders; new, larger OLED 4K inflight entertainment screens with Bluetooth audio; and USB-C and AC power outlets at each seat.
The A321XLR will feature 14 business-class seats in a 1-1 herringbone configuration, along with 168 economy seats (36 of which offer extra legroom). Travelers will find these cabins on certain transatlantic and transcontinental routes.
While the business-class seats will not have fully closing doors, Air Canada said they will feature “a sliding privacy panel” that passengers can close to block out more of the cabin.
Air Canada has 30 of the jets on order from Airbus.
Meanwhile, the 787-10 will have 42 Signature Class seats in a 1-2-1, reverse-herringbone layout. It will also feature 28 premium economy seats and 262 economy seats, including some with extra legroom. (Air Canada did not specify the number of extra-legroom seats.)
The first row of business-class seats, dubbed “Signature Class Plus,” will offer more spacious suites.
This includes a center divider between the middle seats that passengers can fully lower to create more open space when traveling with a companion.
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Premium economy will also see a slight redesign with “privacy wings” that appear similar to those on newer domestic first-class seats offered by Delta Air Lines and United Airlines.
Air Canada is scheduled to take delivery of 14 of the largest variant of the 787, which it plans to position as its new flagship.
The design of both cabins speaks to a peaceful and relaxing vibe, with gray tones accented by Air Canada’s signature red, along with natural wood grain and bronze metal details.
Air Canada also said it plans to overhaul its soft product, including upgraded service, food and drink, and amenities. The end result will be a “distinctly Canadian” hospitality experience. The airline said it will unveil details on the upgraded service later this year.
“This investment is about fundamentally redefining the experience of flying with Air Canada,” the airline’s executive vice president and chief operations officer Mark Nasr said in a statement about the redesign.
“Details matter: we listened closely to feedback and challenged ourselves to create an experience defined by a strong Canadian sense of place, alongside a commitment to craftsmanship, functionality, and long-term durability,” he added.
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