Airbus has delivered the first A321XLR aircraft to Air Canada, registered C-GXLR, marking the start of the carrier’s fleet modernization for long-range narrowbody operations. This milestone positions Air Canada to launch new international routes previously uneconomical with larger jets.
The aircraft features 182 seats in a 14-business-class and 168-economy configuration, with lie-flat suites, seatback entertainment, Wi-Fi, and Airbus’ signature interiors including larger overhead bins. Air Canada ordered 30 A321XLRs—15 purchased and 15 leased—in 2022, with up to 11 arrivals planned for 2026.
Entry-into-service shifts to June 1, 2026, with the debut flight from Montréal-Trudeau (YUL) to Toulouse-Blagnac (TLS). Montreal will serve as the primary hub, supporting routes to Berlin (BER), Edinburgh (EDI), Nantes (NTE), Palma de Mallorca (PMI), and Porto (OPO) starting in June and July.
Additional deployments include Toronto to London-Heathrow (LHR), plus domestic transcontinentals like Montreal-Calgary (YYC), Vancouver (YVR), and Los Angeles (LAX). Future expansion eyes Ottawa and Halifax bases.
The A321XLR’s extended range drives Air Canada’s international growth strategy, replacing older jets while opening shoulder-season markets and thin transatlantic routes from eastern Canadian hubs. This versatility boosts operational efficiency and passenger access to premium features on longer domestic legs.