Air Canada yesterday marked the entry into scheduled service of its first Airbus A321XLR. The 182 passengers onboard AC413 from Montréal to Toronto experienced the start of a whole new chapter in how – and where – Air Canada customers can fly.
“Air Canada is building one of the most capable fleets in the industry. The entry into service of the first Airbus A321XLR marks a transformative moment for Air Canada and the beginning of an exciting new era for our customers, industry partners, and colleagues,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada. “Today, we celebrate an aircraft that will unlock new destinations, improve service on existing markets, and enhance the onboard experience. For our premium customers, the A321XLR will offer the only lie-flat seats on a single-aisle aircraft for a Canadian carrier as it crosses the Atlantic and connects destinations across North America.”
“ADM Aéroports de Montréal is pleased to mark the official launch of the A321XLR departing from YUL Montréal-Trudeau today. This next-generation aircraft is a core part of the development and expansion of Air Canada and YUL,” said Yves Beauchamp, ADM’s President and CEO. “This modern and versatile aircraft will open up new markets and strengthen Montréal’s international connectivity, in addition to bringing greater flexibility to existing routes.”
“We are thrilled to celebrate this historic milestone alongside our long-standing partner Air Canada. As the first airline in Canada to operate the A321XLR, Air Canada is showcasing true leadership in fleet modernization,” said Colin, Bole, Senior Vice President Customers, North America, Airbus. “This aircraft is the perfect tool to support their network growth, seamlessly bridging the gap between short-haul and long-haul operations while delivering a 30% reduction in fuel burn per seat and the ability to operate with up to 50% neat Sustainable Aviation Fuel. We are proud to see our next-generation technology support Air Canada’s ambitions and operate on both new and already-existing non-stop transatlantic markets like Montréal to Toulouse in a more sustainable way.”
