Air Canada has just announced a very exciting aircraft order, which I think many of us were anticipating.
In this post:
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?
Air Canada have said the A35Ks will replace the 789s ultra long haul flying, which will shift over to replacing A333s. Given the specific ULR mission, I imagine that will cover the longest 77W routes and the 77Ls too. I imagine the 78X/789 combination will be balanced between upgauging A330 routes and growth.
Depending on how the political situation develops, I think a 779 order is still possible, but assuming it doesn't get better I...
Air Canada have said the A35Ks will replace the 789s ultra long haul flying, which will shift over to replacing A333s. Given the specific ULR mission, I imagine that will cover the longest 77W routes and the 77Ls too. I imagine the 78X/789 combination will be balanced between upgauging A330 routes and growth.
Depending on how the political situation develops, I think a 779 order is still possible, but assuming it doesn't get better I see AC just ordering more A35Ks, maybe even some A359s. I'm honestly surprised their A350 initial order is so small.
Just one more company pulling away from doing business with an unreliable trade partner...
no.
The A350 is simply a superior product to anything that Boeing builds right now.
Airbus has done it with multiple products competitive with Boeing products.
Air Canada is simply willing to operate a fairly small subfleet of A350-1000s to have the capabilities and economics that they cannot get out of their current or any future Boeing fleet
A certain someone will have a meltdown about this in Truth Social.
Mark alluded to me that they will change the tray table position so it doesnt block the hips of larger side sleepers like it does today, can't wait to see the new products !
Lol Air Canada has 8 A330 that will be 30 years old when the 350s come, and a bunch more 330s that came from TAP/SQ.
ACs 777 fleet is new for and airline like AC that loves ancient planes
yet another global airline chooses Airbus for the superior product that is the A350.
The fact that AC is taking a pretty small number of 35Ks compared to the size of its total widebody fleet says that they intend to use it on the longest routes.
The chances are that AC will have a much more dense configuration than DL. Routes like YYZ to India can easily be done by the 35K with 350 or...
yet another global airline chooses Airbus for the superior product that is the A350.
The fact that AC is taking a pretty small number of 35Ks compared to the size of its total widebody fleet says that they intend to use it on the longest routes.
The chances are that AC will have a much more dense configuration than DL. Routes like YYZ to India can easily be done by the 35K with 350 or more passengers, routes that AC cannot operate nonstop year round in both directions.
welcome to the club, AC.
I see you will be waiting 4 years to get your A350-1000s.
and as an aside, DL's 10K is out and they will receive 8 35Ks in 2027 and 12 in 2028; their latest Airbus order fits in perfectly between the existing Airbus order including the 35Ks and the upcoming 787-10s in the early 2030s.
Then why did DL order 787-10s instead of more A350-1000s?
seriously?
because the 787-10 is lighter which gives it better economics on medium haul international flights - such as to Europe and S. America.
The A350-1000 is optimized for very long haul operations.
You do realize that Air Canada is pursuing the same strategy of using 787-10s and 35Ks?
It is AA and UA that are unique among major global N. American carriers that ARE NOT taking advantage of the best products from Airbus and Boeing.
After years of mostly operating the Boeing widebodies, Air Canada is ordering another Airbus widebody (A350-1000).
Similar, after years of mostly operating the Airbus widebodies, Delta is ordering another Boeing widebody (787-10). Are they switching sides?
Air Canada has been impartial for a very long time.
DL still operates the world's largest passenger 767 fleet which cumulatively numbered 124 aircraft in addition to 24 747s and 18 777s. Assuming DL exercises all of its 787 options - which they certainly will and may add on new orders as they have done Airbus - DL will replace all of its currently remaining 767s (at least one for one in number) with 787s.
AC and DL both recognize - like alot of airlines...
DL still operates the world's largest passenger 767 fleet which cumulatively numbered 124 aircraft in addition to 24 747s and 18 777s. Assuming DL exercises all of its 787 options - which they certainly will and may add on new orders as they have done Airbus - DL will replace all of its currently remaining 767s (at least one for one in number) with 787s.
AC and DL both recognize - like alot of airlines -that Airbus and Boeing both build great products and they will get the best from both sides of the Atlantic.
DL just will be in a better position to make its fleet diversity because of its engine maintenance overhaul rights.
Wonder if these are supposed to replace their B77Ls instead, which are older than their B77W fleet and close closer in capacity to the A35K.
i was thinking the same. I think using the A35Ks to replace the B77Ws (capacity wise) would require AC to go 3-4-3 on the A350 which would be a travesty.
Agreed. A35K is an excellent aircraft but its capacity is smaller than B77W. This order rather seems to be a replacement of B77L.