The first of an order of 30 Airbus A321XLR aircraft has been delivered to Canada’s flag carrier, Air Canada.
On lease from SMBC Aviation Capital; the delivery marks a milestone in Air Canada’s fleet renewal strategy, enabling the carrier to bridge a gap between narrowbody short-haul and widebody long-haul operations.
Air Canada has ordered a total of 30 A321XLR aircraft
© Air Canada
The delivery renders Air Canada the first operator of the A321XLR within Canada, with the aircraft set to play a vital role in the wider expansion of the airline’s network, operational efficiency gains and existing long-haul routes, as well as providing additional range and economics required to serve secondary markets with non-stop connectivity.
Air Canada’s A321XLR features a two-cabin layout designed for comfort on both transcontinental and transatlantic flights, with the aircraft’s premium cabin offering 14 Air Canada Signature Class full-flat seats in a 1-1 configuration, and the Economy cabin offering 168 seats.
Passengers are able to experience in-flight entertainment with Bluetooth audio, full in-seat connectivity and large overhead bins providing 60% more storage space.
The A321XLR is the latest model in the A320neo Family, and has been designed to respond to market needs for both more range and payload, creating more value for airlines. The aircraft is capable of providing range of up to 4,700nm and 30% lower fuel burn per seat compared with previous generation competitor aircraft, as well as reduced NOx emissions and noise.
Air Canada will begin utilising the A321XLR on non-stop transatlantic flights from Montreal and Toronto to a range of destinations such as Berlin, Toulouse and Edinburgh. As of April 2026, Airbus had secured more than 500 orders of the type.
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