MONTR\u00c9AL, April 14, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Air Canada today detailed its most significant cabin investment, unveiling new long-haul cabin designs at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. The first major expression of its new Glowing Hearted standard, the design delivers a distinctly Canadian experience, emphasizing comfort, care, and connection for all customers on every flight, while signalling the airline\u2019s bold growth ambitions.\u00a0<\/p>\n
![\"Airbus](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/1776152668_545_airbus-a321xlr-signature-class.jpg\")
\u201cThis investment is about fundamentally redefining the experience of flying with Air Canada. From the moment of stepping on board, we\u2019re setting a new standard for how Canadians and the world connect with our brand,\u201d said Mark Nasr, Executive Vice President & Chief Operations Officer at Air Canada. \u201cDetails matter: we listened closely to feedback and challenged ourselves to create an experience defined by a strong Canadian sense of place, alongside a commitment to craftsmanship, functionality, and long-term durability. This investment in the care and comfort of our customers is a key element of our New Frontiers growth strategy to become one of the world’s leading airlines.\u201d<\/p>\n
The completely reimagined cabins will appear first this summer on the A321XLR, which offers a true lie-flat Air Canada Signature Class experience for the first time on a single-aisle aircraft. The introduction of the new Airbus A321XLR will be a game changer, unlocking new trans-Atlantic routes and allowing Air Canada to offer an upgraded, premium journey across more of its North America transcontinental network.\u00a0The new cabin design featuring the exclusive Air Canada Signature Plus Suite will launch when the Boeing 787-10 enters service.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to the Experience Across All Cabins<\/p>\n
Air Canada\u2019s new Glowing Hearted design standard will deliver a range of thoughtful upgrades for every customer, including:<\/p>\n
All-new ergonomic seats designed to maximize personal space with built-in tablet holders, and larger overhead bins.Significantly larger 4K OLED screens and Bluetooth audio available for all customers.Access to high-powered USB-C and AC power outlets at every seat, ensuring laptops and all personal devices stay fully charged.Air Canada Premium Economy cabins will also feature new extended privacy wings for added comfort.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to the Premium Experience <\/p>\n
The cabin updates are headlined by distinct premium products that will be available on the airline\u2019s newest aircraft.<\/p>\n
On the Airbus A321XLR:<\/p>\n
For the first time on a single-aisle aircraft, Air Canada will introduce 14 lie-flat Air Canada Signature Class seats, setting a new standard for single-aisle comfort on longer journeys.4K OLED IFE screen (13-inch in Economy, 19-inch Premium Cabins) with Bluetooth audio.<\/p>\n
On the Boeing 787-10:<\/p>\n
Air Canada Signature Plus, a new and exclusive suite at the front of the aircraft, designed for customers seeking an elevated experience with extra space. The suites in the centre of the aircraft also offer companion seats for use while in cruise.All four suites include a larger (2-metre\/6\u20195\u201d) bed, quartzite-topped table and a dedicated guest seat, with more space for personal items and a higher wall for additional privacy.The two centre suites feature a fully retractable sliding privacy panel, maximizing sociability for up to four customers travelling together.4K OLED IFE screen (13-inch in Economy, 16-inch in Premium Economy, and up to 27-inch in premium cabins) with Bluetooth audio.<\/p>\n
Distinctly Canadian Design and Commitment to Quality <\/p>\n
The new cabin design is inspired by Canada, creating a thoroughly modern space that evokes a sense of calm.<\/p>\n
Key design features across both aircraft: <\/p>\n
Air Canada Signature red stitching and bespoke fabrics provide a subtle Canadian touch paired with a palette of greys and stone.Natural wood grain details are complemented by bronze metal accents.Leather-grain surfaces and metal finishes reflect deliberate investment in enduring quality, balancing refined aesthetics and durability.<\/p>\n
A refined and Glowing Hearted experience:<\/p>\n
On the Airbus A321XLR, a backlit canopy of maple leaves for an unmistakably Canadian welcome for every customer as they board.On the Boeing 787-10, premium customers are greeted by a wave-like entrance monument, inspired by Canada\u2019s waterways and anchored by the Air Canada rondelle cast in bronze.To be unveiled later this year, the end-to-end hospitality experience will be distinctly Canadian and include upgraded service, food and beverage elements and elevated amenities.<\/p>\n
North American Fleet Upgrade Program Underway<\/p>\n
In addition to the Glowing Hearted cabins on the A321XLR and 787-10 Dreamliner, Air Canada is also upgrading the interiors on other fleets.<\/p>\n
Air Canada\u2019s Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, currently operated by Rouge, will move to the mainline fleet and be retrofitted to Air Canada\u2019s latest design standard, while the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft will transition to Air Canada Rouge in 2026. This will allow customers flying Rouge leisure and Sun routes across North America and the Caribbean to enjoy upgraded interiors, including personal seatback entertainment, reclining seats and complimentary Fast, Free Wi-Fi sponsored by Bell.<\/p>\n
Upgrades to the customer experience also extend to\u00a0the Air Canada Express aircraft operated by Jazz Aviation LP, which will be fitted with new cabins, and are now flying with next generation Fast, Free Wi-Fi.<\/p>\n
Broader Investments in the Customer Experience<\/p>\n
Air Canada\u2019s commitment to a thoughtful, end-to-end experience extends beyond the cabin. The\u00a0Glowing Hearted design standard is reflected in the airline\u2019s ongoing investments<\/a> to\u00a0elevate\u00a0its onboard amenities, food and beverage offerings,\u00a0entertainment and connectivity, and introduce new digital tools. This is particularly evident in the modernized\u00a0and expanded global lounge network, with new or renovated locations opening this year across Canada and in Europe. This is delivered by the airline’s 39,000+ people, who proudly fly the flag globally.<\/p>\n About Air Canada <\/p>\n Air Canada is Canada’s largest airline, the country\u2019s flag carrier and a founding member of Star Alliance, the world’s most comprehensive air transportation network. Headquartered in Montr\u00e9al, Air Canada provides scheduled service directly to more than 180 airports in Canada, the United States and Internationally on six continents. It holds a Four-Star ranking from Skytrax. Air Canada\u2019s Aeroplan program is Canada\u2019s premier travel loyalty program, with more than 10 million members worldwide. Members can earn or redeem points on the world\u2019s largest airline partner network of 45 airlines, plus through an extensive range of merchandise, hotel and car rental partners. Through Air Canada Vacations, it offers more travel choices than any other Canadian tour operator to hundreds of destinations worldwide, with a wide selection of hotels, flights, cruises, day tours, and car rentals. Its freight division, Air Canada Cargo, provides air freight lift and connectivity to hundreds of destinations across six continents using Air Canada\u2019s passenger and freighter aircraft.\u00a0Air Canada\u2019s climate-related ambition includes a long-term aspirational goal of net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. For additional information, please see Air Canada\u2019s TCFD disclosure<\/a>. Air Canada shares are publicly traded on the TSX (AC) in Canada and the OTCQX (ACDVF) in the US.<\/p>\n Contacts: \u00a0media@aircanada.ca<\/a><\/p>\n Internet: \u00a0 \u00a0aircanada.com\/media<\/a><\/p>\n Read our annual report Here<\/a><\/p>\n Sign up for Air Canada news: aircanada.com<\/a><\/p>\n Media Resources: CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION\u00a0<\/p>\n This news release includes forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws. Forward-looking statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on forecasts of future results and estimates of amounts not yet determinable. These statements may involve, but are not limited to, comments relating to guidance, strategies, expectations, planned operations or future actions. Forward-looking statements are identified using terms and phrases such as “preliminary”; “anticipate”; “believe”; “could”; “estimate”; “expect”; “intend”; “may”; “plan”; “predict”; “project”; “will”; “would”; and similar terms and phrases, including references to assumptions.\u00a0<\/p>\n Forward-looking statements, by their nature, are based on assumptions including those described\u00a0herein\u00a0and are subject to important risks and uncertainties, which are amplified in the current environment. Forward-looking statements cannot be relied upon due to, among other things, changing external events and general uncertainties of the business of Air Canada. Actual results may differ materially from results\u00a0indicated\u00a0in forward-looking statements due to\u00a0a number of\u00a0factors, including those discussed below.\u00a0 Air Canada has and continues to\u00a0establish\u00a0targets, make commitments and assess the impact\u00a0regarding\u00a0climate change, and related initiatives, plans and proposals that Air Canada and other stakeholders (including government, regulatory and other bodies) are pursuing in relation to climate change and carbon emissions. The achievement of our commitments and targets depends on many factors, including the combined actions of governments, industry, suppliers and other stakeholders and actors, as well as the development and implementation of\u00a0new technologies.\u00a0In particular, our\u00a02030 carbon emission-related targets and our related 2050 aspiration are ambitious and heavily dependent on\u00a0new technologies, renewable\u00a0energies\u00a0and the availability of a sufficient supply of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF), which\u00a0continues to present serious challenges. In addition, Air Canada has incurred, and expects to continue to incur, costs to achieve its goal of net-zero carbon emissions and to\u00a0comply with\u00a0environmental sustainability legislation and regulation and other standards and accords. The precise nature of future binding or non-binding legislation, regulation,\u00a0standards\u00a0and accords, on which local and international stakeholders are increasingly focusing, cannot be predicted with any degree of certainty, nor can their financial,\u00a0operational\u00a0or other impact. There can be no assurance of the extent to which any of our climate goals will be achieved or that any future investments that we make in furtherance of achieving our climate goals will produce the expected results or meet increasing stakeholder environmental, social and governance expectations. Moreover, future events could lead Air Canada to prioritize other nearer-term interests over progressing toward our current climate goals based on business strategy, economic,\u00a0regulatory\u00a0and social factors, and potential pressure from investors, activist\u00a0groups\u00a0or other stakeholders. If we are unable to meet or properly report on our progress toward achieving our climate change goals and commitments, we could face adverse publicity and reactions from investors, customers, advocacy\u00a0groups\u00a0or other stakeholders, which could result in reputational harm or other adverse effects to Air Canada.\u00a0<\/p>\n The forward-looking statements\u00a0contained\u00a0or incorporated by reference in this news release represent Air Canada’s expectations as of the date of this news release (or as of the date they are otherwise\u00a0stated\u00a0to be made) and are subject to change after such date. However, Air Canada\u00a0disclaims\u00a0any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements whether because of\u00a0new information, future events or otherwise, except as required under applicable securities regulations.\u00a0<\/p>\n Photos accompanying this announcement are available at: <\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/8c937a99-0f5e-4f75-8354-5fa666834f21<\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.globenewswire.com\/NewsRoom\/AttachmentNg\/be3f8cee-7dbf-42cc-bc2d-5f94c274e00c<\/a><\/p>\n This article contains syndicated content. We have not reviewed, approved, or endorsed the content, and may receive compensation for placement of the content on this site. For more information please view the Barchart Disclosure Policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Comprehensive redesign showcases a distinctly Canadian experience rooted in comfort, care, and connectionWill debut on new Airbus A321XLR…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4202,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[2],"tags":[2617,1206,17,1630,2272,2271,2274,2273,2275,1741],"class_list":{"0":"post-4201","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-canada","8":"tag-ac-to","9":"tag-air-canada","10":"tag-canada","11":"tag-futures","12":"tag-index-market-quote","13":"tag-index-market-quotes","14":"tag-index-market-symbol","15":"tag-index-market-symbols","16":"tag-indices","17":"tag-the-globe-and-mail"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4201"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4201\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4202"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4201"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4201"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4201"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
Photos<\/a>
Videos<\/a>
B-Roll<\/a>
Articles<\/a><\/p>\n
Factors that may cause results to differ materially from results indicated in forward-looking statements include economic conditions, statements or actions by governments and uncertainty relating to the imposition of (or threats to impose) tariffs on Canadian exports or imports and their resulting impacts on the Canadian, North American and global economies and travel demand, geopolitical conditions such as the military conflicts in the Middle East and between Russia and Ukraine, Air Canada\u2019s ability to successfully achieve or sustain positive net profitability, industry and market conditions and the demand environment, competition, Air Canada\u2019s dependence on technology, cybersecurity risks, interruptions of service, climate change and environmental factors (including weather systems and other natural phenomena and factors arising from anthropogenic sources), Air Canada\u2019s dependence on key suppliers (including government agencies and other stakeholders supporting airport and airline operations), employee and labour relations and costs, Air Canada\u2019s ability to successfully implement appropriate strategic and other important initiatives (including Air Canada\u2019s ability to manage operating costs), energy prices, Air Canada\u2019s ability to pay its indebtedness and maintain or increase liquidity, Air Canada\u2019s dependence on regional and other carriers, Air Canada\u2019s ability to attract and retain required personnel, epidemic diseases, changes in laws, regulatory developments or proceedings, terrorist acts, war, Air Canada\u2019s ability to successfully operate its loyalty program, casualty losses, Air Canada\u2019s dependence on Star Alliance\u00ae and joint ventures, Air Canada\u2019s ability to preserve and grow its brand, pending and future litigation and actions by third parties, currency exchange fluctuations, limitations due to restrictive covenants, insurance issues and costs, and pension plan obligations as well as the factors identified in Air Canada\u2019s public disclosure file available at www.sedarplus.ca and, in particular, those identified in\u00a0section 18 \u201cRisk Factors\u201d of Air Canada\u2019s 2025 MD&A.\u00a0<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/air-canada.png\"\/)
<\/p>\n![\"Primary](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/canada\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/aircanada-jpg.jpg\")
<\/a><\/p>\n