Air Canada recently unveiled its new cabins for long haul aircraft, referred to as the Glowing Hearted cabin standard. We’ve known that these cabins will be delivered on new Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-10 aircraft. One big question has been if/when existing aircraft will be retrofitted with new interiors, so let’s talk about what we know there…
In this post:
Air Canada will retrofit wide bodies with new cabins
Executive Traveller has a story about Air Canada’s wide body aircraft retrofit plans, quoting Kiyo Weiss, Air Canada’s Senior Director of Sales for Asia Pacific, who said the following:
“Our 777 and 787 aircraft will be refurbished, but it will not happen until 2029, so the existing markets with those services will have to wait for a little bit.”
To add a little more to that, as I understand it, all existing Boeing 787s will be retrofitted, and all Boeing 777s that will fly well into the 2030s will be retrofitted, while Airbus A330s will retire with their current cabins.
Regarding 777s, my assumption would be that all the 777-300ERs stick around, while we’ll see what happens with the 777-200LRs, especially with Air Canada now having the A350-1000 on order (the most direct replacement in terms of range, though significantly higher capacity).
It’s also my understanding that the timeline on retrofits is still being finalized. The project should start by 2029 at the latest, but don’t be surprised if it starts earlier than that.
Air Canada’s cabins are already good, will get even better
I think Air Canada deserves a lot of credit for the consistency of its long haul business class product. While nothing flashy, the carrier has identical reverse herringbone seats across its 777 and 787 fleets. While not cutting edge, this product continues to be very competitive.
With Air Canada’s new Glowing Hearted cabin standard, we’re going to see updated reverse herringbone seats across wide body aircraft. Air Canada has opted for the Elevate Ascent product, which is an increasingly popular business class seat, as you’ll find it on some planes of American, United, etc.
Compared to the existing product, you can expect that the new seats will have privacy doors and massively improved tech, including 27″ 4K OLED monitors and bluetooth audio, along with AC, USB-C, and AC power outlets.
This also includes a front row “business class plus” product, marketed as Air Canada Signature Plus Suites.
What’s also exciting is that beyond the new hard product, the airline is also going to overhaul its soft product later this year. As it’s described, the “end-to-end hospitality experience will be distinctly Canadian and include upgraded service, food and beverage elements and elevated amenities.”
Bottom line
Air Canada plans to retrofit most of its existing wide body aircraft with its new Glowing Hearted cabin standard. The project is expected to start in 2029 at the latest, and with this, we’ll see all 787s retrofitted, along with the 777s that will stick around in the long run.
These new cabins look great, and more immediately, I’m looking forward to flying Air Canada’s new 787-10s, once they do enter service.
What do you make of Air Canada’s wide body retrofit plans?
You are sadly wrong to even suggest Air Canada’s current J class is anything approaching good. It is not. It sucks. The seats aren’t comfortable, there is precious little service space and on the last two flights I took - YUL-LHR-YOW - the white wine they served costs $12 (yes $12) per bottle at my local store. And it was warm.
“Storage” space meant.
Only AC have refused my carryon bag when flying to Ireland in Business Class in a 787. US Airlines let me take it on board even in Coach.
So that lack of storage space has real ramifications.
I didn't think the "old" AC hard product was bad, so this'll be a nice upgrade and that omelette for breakfast remains the single most consistent business class catering item on any airline.
AC is doing alot of good things. I was at the Signature lounge in YYZ for the first time last week...its really nice. Air Canada café is a great concept, lounges are recent and nice...lots to like. Almost makes up for the crappy service on board.
only 19 inches... meh...
Unfortunately AC is pathetic with maintenance it's 777-200s interiors have fallen apart! The galley floors, have holes.
Seriously AC can't wait 3 more years!
AC is using the same seat in business class as AA and UA I read so other than some colour changes and AC pathetic on time performance what the difference between any North America airline?
this business plus nonsense needs to stop.
So basically the Glowing Hearted cabin standard is akin to Cathay's Aria standard.
Aside from CX, the hard product experience is consistent which I appreciate.
The 27" display is also larger than the industry standard 24" which is also a plus (depending on how far back the seat is)
The seat strikingly resembles Cathay's Aria Studio; I wonder if they share the same OEM whether it's Stelia, Collins, etc.?
Aside from AC, I'm interested...
So basically the Glowing Hearted cabin standard is akin to Cathay's Aria standard.
Aside from CX, the hard product experience is consistent which I appreciate.
The 27" display is also larger than the industry standard 24" which is also a plus (depending on how far back the seat is)
The seat strikingly resembles Cathay's Aria Studio; I wonder if they share the same OEM whether it's Stelia, Collins, etc.?
Aside from AC, I'm interested to see what CI and BR do as they've been tight-lipped on their upcoming products.
Awesome. Glad to see this. When things go well, AC is a pleasure; when they don't at least there's APPR, so, sometimes, we get actual compensation (unlike in the US). New interiors, new XLR with lie-flat, all good signs. Wish there was more partner award availability, like the good ole days...
@Ben, unrelated to AC, but look what I just got in my inbox:
"https://www.lifemiles.com/discover/landing-page/magno?utm_source=emk&utm_campaign=pgrm_launch_all_jun_26&correlationId=0b008b5a-6f11-41ae-bee4-d91daba75697-0"
Can't help but notice how bad is LM when it comes to naming: I keep reading 'mango, m-a-n-g-o.'
I guess everyone missed that I reported this back on April 14! https://viewfromthewing.com/air-canada-reveals-stunning-new-cabins-what-its-coo-told-me-about-the-design-choices-and-fleet-plans/
"Mark [Nasr] tells me that they “absolutely plan to reconfigure” existing planes to this new cabin and design standard – that they will retrofit their fleet of Boeing 787s, “probably” the 777s, but not their Airbus 330s."
you write about things other than trashy people yelling at airports? never knew that
(It's very important to Gary that his "ME FIRST!" moments never go unnoticed. And of COURSE "everyone missed that I reported this back on April 14!" because nobody with any sense reads his drivel. He really needs to stick with stories where men lose their scrotums to jet engines and people get into cage matches at the check-in counters of low-cost airlines.)
oooof... sick burn, Harold.
this is cool, but looking forward to seeing how you actually try and book this, as AC has basically decided they dont want anyone actually redeeming points for J anymore. I'd argue theyre worse than Emirates at this point
Havent seen AC metal in J via a partner in years, havent seen AC metal via Aeroplan at a reasonable price in J in years. Good luck!
@Harold It's an "elites first" approach. High elites have lots of Priority Rewards in their accounts, so they can grab J for 50% off anytime. They also have lots and lots of eUpgrades in thri account, so they can book Economy/Premium Economy and redeem stickers for upgrades to J. Partners? You must be as old as I am, to remember when one could book J travel with partners. CX J with AAdvantage points? UA Polaris...
@Harold It's an "elites first" approach. High elites have lots of Priority Rewards in their accounts, so they can grab J for 50% off anytime. They also have lots and lots of eUpgrades in thri account, so they can book Economy/Premium Economy and redeem stickers for upgrades to J. Partners? You must be as old as I am, to remember when one could book J travel with partners. CX J with AAdvantage points? UA Polaris with partner points? EVA J with partner points? AC's attitude right now is "pay up or sit in the back", while they pamper their high elites.
that makes sense- its funny i actually did book AC J via UA for my honeymoon in 2022. Guess that was about the last time that was possible!
TG F with UA points was the sweet spot we used to hit. Precious memories...
I've seen very, VERY, random availability with lifemiles (mostly from South America to YYZ/YUL). And virtually zero reasonably priced availability with AC's own aeroplan (all J availability I've seen goes for at least 6 figures, even for YYZ-YVR).
With the new spend based system, expect AC metal awards to skyrocket as more points get awarded to OPM flyers.
So priority awards will be 50% off 100k from Winnipeg to Regina.