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Air Canada operates a fleet of 37 Airbus A320 family jets. Split between the A320-200 and the A321-200, Air Canada is growing its fleet of A320 family planes for mainline operations, and currently performing a swap in which all A320-200s and A321-200s will be transferred to mainline service, Meanwhile, its fleet of Boeing 737 MAX 8s will move to Air Canada Rouge. As such, in the future, all Air Canada mainline narrowbody flights will either be on the Airbus A220-300, A320-200, or A321-200.
In North America, premium travel has become extremely popular, and not only is demand high for premium seats, but these cabins generate higher yields and, therefore, higher margins. As such, it’s an increasingly lucrative market for all airlines, including Air Canada. Not only will Air Canada’s A320 family fleet grow with the arrival of the former Rouge aircraft, but the carrier also holds orders for 30 Airbus A321XLRs, which are set to begin arriving later in 2026 and will be delivered until 2029.
An Overview Of Air Canada’s Airbus A320 Fleet
Data from Planespotters.net shows that Air Canada operates 37 Airbus A320 family jets, out of a fleet of 218 aircraft. This is split between 16 Airbus A320-200s and 21 Airbus A321-200s. As a whole, this is its smallest narrowbody fleet, as its Airbus A220-300 fleet consists of 42 aircraft, whereas the Boeing 737 MAX 8 fleet is made up of 48 aircraft. However, all 737 MAX 8s will be transferred to Air Canada Rougeby the end of 2026, after which Rouge will only use the 737 MAX 8.
The Airbus A319-100s currently flying for Rouge will be retired, while the A320-200s and A321-200s will be transferred to mainline Air Canada operations. Once all is set and done, Air Canada will be flying 21 A320-200s along with 34 A321-200s, for a combined fleet of 55 aircraft. In addition, Air Canada intends to take delivery of 30 Airbus A321XLRs, which will bring the total fleet of A320 family aircraft to 85 aircraft. As a comparison, Air Canada’s A220 fleet is set to grow to 65 aircraft.
All of Air Canada’s A320-200s and A321-200s are powered by CFM56-5 engines. The A320-200s are an average of 22.5 years old, whereas the A321-200s are an average of 19.9 years old. Two of its A320-200s had served for the carrier’s Jetz subsidiary before being transferred, while another two formerly flew for Thomas Cook. In addition, the carrier operates former China Southern and Alaska Airlines A320-200s, as well as former Air France and EVA Air Airbus A321-200s.
The Layouts Of Air Canada’s A320-200 Fleet
Air Canada operates three subfleets of Airbus A320-200. Two of them, C-FCUG and C-FDGQ, are in a relatively dense layout with only eight business class seats and 144 economy seats, for a total of 152 guests. These were formerly flown by China Southern and maintain their original configuration, including having no ‘Preferred’ (extra legroom) seats in economy. The ex-Alaska A320-200s also do not seat any economy preferred guests, but have 12 business class seats and 138 economy seats.
The standard configuration for Air Canada’s Airbus A320-200 fleet features 14 business class seats, more than the former China Southern or Alaska Airlines jets. In addition, these planes feature 36 Preferred seats in the economy cabin, although only half of them offer added legroom. Regardless, these remain Air Canada’s most premium A320-200s, with two additional business class seats over the former Alaska Airlines aircraft and six more compared to the former China Southern birds.
|
Air Canada A320-200 Layouts |
Business |
Economy |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layout 1 |
14 |
132 |
146 |
|
Layout 2 (former Alaska Airlines) |
12 |
138 |
150 |
|
Layout 3 (former China Southern) |
8 |
144 |
152 |
|
Rouge |
12 |
156 |
168 |
Air Canada operates five A320-200s under its Rouge subsidiary, which are to be transferred to the mainline operations. These aircraft are currently configured with 12 business class seats, along with 156 economy seats, for a total capacity of 168. While this is the same number of business class seats as the former Alaska Airlines A320-200s, the Rouge A320-200s have a larger economy cabin due to a different galley and lavatory configuration, making for a denser layout.
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The Layouts Of Air Canada’s A321-200 Fleet
The Airbus A321-200 fleet is, and will remain, the larger of the two A320 family fleets operated by Air Canada. You’d expect that, given its increased size over the A320-200, the A321-200 would have additional premium seats, but this is not the case for all of Air Canada’s A321s. There are, in fact, five A321-200s that only feature eight business class seats, as these planes were formerly operated by EVA Air and retain their original configuration.
These aircraft also come with 176 economy seats for a total capacity of 184. The rest of the Air Canada A321-200 fleet comes with 16 business class seats and 180 economy seats, for a total of 196 seats. These aircraft feature Air Canada’s latest ‘Dream Cabin,’ which includes seatback screens, Airbus’s XL Bins, and updated mood lighting. In addition, these aircraft feature new seats, namely, the Collins Aerospace MiQ in business class and the Collins Aerospace Meridian in economy.
|
AIr Canada A321-200 Layouts |
Business |
Economy |
Total |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Layout 1 (Dream Cabin) |
16 |
180 |
196 |
|
Layout 2 (former EVA Air) |
8 |
176 |
184 |
|
Rouge |
12 |
184 |
196 |
Air Canada Rouge operates 13 A321s, but these aircraft feature a denser layout with only 12 business class seats along with 184 economy seats, for a total of 196. As such, Air Canada’s latest A321-200 with the ‘Dream Cabin’ is the most premium aircraft in its A320 family fleet. However, if you’re looking to score an upgrade, the standard A320 is your best bet, as the 14 business class seats on this aircraft comprise nearly 10% of the aircraft’s total seats, vs 8% on the A321.
How Does The Rest Of The Air Canada Narrowbody Fleet Compare?
Air Canada currently operates 42 Airbus A220-300s and has another 23 on order. These planes only feature 12 business class seats, alongside 125 economy seats for a total of 137. Similar to the refurbished A321-200s, these aircraft feature modern Collins MiQ seats in business and Collins Meridian seats in economy, equipped with in-flight entertainment and Intelsat Wi-Fi. In addition, the A220 is popular with guests due to its low noise levels, large windows, and five-abreast layout.
The other narrowbody type in Air Canada’s fleet is the Boeing 737 MAX 8. With 48 in service, this is Air Canada’s largest fleet, and here too, the carrier offers a modern experience that’s a significant upgrade from the older interiors found on its A320-200s or non-refurbished A321-200s. Once again, you’ll find the Collins MiQ in business and the Collins Meridian in economy. The 737 MAX 8s feature Wi-Fi and seatback entertainment, just like on the A220 and refurbished A321-200s.
The A220-300s and 737 MAX 8s both feature large sections of ‘Preferred’ seating in economy, which offer passengers extra legroom for a fee. While this is offered on the newly reconfigured A321-200, these seats are, in practice, front row and exit row seats only. On the A220 and 737, Air Canada dedicates the first several rows as Preferred and also offers significantly more Preferred seats than on the A321-200.
All Of Air Canada’s Airbus A321 Routes Flown Once Or More Daily
Air Canada operates a fleet of 20 Airbus A321 aircraft.
What To Expect From Air Canada’s Airbus A321XLRs
Air Canada holds 30 orders for the Airbus A321XLR. The first aircraft, C-GXLR, is due to be delivered within the coming months and will enter service in June on the route from Montreal to Palma de Mallorca. These planes will be equipped with the Pratt & Whitney PW1100G and will be configured with 182 seats. This is notably the same layout as Iberia’s Airbus A321XLRs, split between 14 business class seats and 168 economy seats.
While Air Canada has not officially revealed the interiors of its A321XLRs, flights are bookable on the aircraft, and seating maps show a herringbone layout. Herringbone layouts are becoming increasingly common on narrowbodies due to their efficient layout, but they’re a mixed bag from a passenger perspective. While JetBlue’s iteration of the Thompson VantageSOLO is generally well-liked, it’s also pitched at a generous 35 inches.
Meanwhile, American Airlines, using the Collins Aurora, and Iberia, using a denser variant of the VantageSOLO, have pitched their product at 32 inches, to harsher feedback. The identical layout to Iberia’s A321XLR would suggest that Air Canada has pitched its business class product at 32 inches as well. Leaks suggest that Air Canada has selected the Collins Aurora, which is the same product as American’s business class seat on the A321XLR.
