Air Canada’s latest planes will quickly have an all-new look on board.
The Montreal-based airline introduced plans Tuesday to launch an all-new cabin look subsequent 12 months, that includes new temper lighting, extra-large overhead bins and an total refreshed “vibe.”
The brand new design will debut on its Airbus A220 jets, the Canadian flag service mentioned at a information convention hosted by Airbus in Hamburg, Germany.
Passengers will begin seeing the brand new interiors in 2026.
It will not simply be a milestone for Air Canada: The cabin refresh will mark the debut of Airbus’ “Airspace” cabin on the A220.
Learn extra: Air Canada shifts to dynamic pricing for some Aeroplan companion awards
Recognized for its elaborate lighting panels, ethereal and spacious cabin layouts, and a number of up to date, extra sensible options, the Airspace cabin already flies on a variety of airways on different varieties of planes. However this would be the first time the planemaker’s Airspace design will make its method onto the A220 — an plane that first entered Air Canada’s fleet simply over 5 years in the past, in late 2019.
Bigger overhead bins
For Air Canada passengers, essentially the most tangible improve would be the bigger overhead bins.
They will be 20% greater, the service mentioned — room sufficient for as much as 19 extra luggage. That is no small feat on a aircraft that seats as much as 137 passengers.
Day by day Publication
Reward your inbox with the TPG Day by day publication
Be part of over 700,000 readers for breaking information, in-depth guides and unique offers from TPG’s consultants
These bins must also be simpler to shut, latching on the backside and hinging upward, as I noticed when touring a mock-up of Airbus’ design Tuesday at Plane Interiors Expo, a serious trade conference in Hamburg.
These bins must be simpler and quicker for passengers (to not point out flight attendants) to close as treasured seconds tick away forward of departure.
Plus, the up to date A220s will assist usher in two enhancements Air Canada beforehand introduced: quick, free onboard Wi-Fi for Aeroplan members and spiffy new 4K seatback screens made by Panasonic, which I acquired a take a look at (beneath) final 12 months.
Learn extra: Air Canada’s Aeroplan program: The final word information to incomes and redeeming factors
An total refresh — for the A220 and past
However the refreshed aesthetic must be a pleasant enchancment, too. Air France is asking it the “Glowing Hearted” design.
“The cabin is quite a bit hotter than it has been prior to now, and that’s on objective,” John Moody, Managing Director of Onboard Product, mentioned at a information convention Tuesday. “What we wish to ship is that kind of heat character, heat caring, that Canadians are recognized for.”
1 of 4
SEAN CUDAHY/THE POINTS GUY
Anticipate that heat to indicate up on extra than simply the A220, too. The design Air Canada unveiled with the French planemaker Tuesday ought to “begin flowing” throughout different Air Canada plane varieties, Moody mentioned.
Whereas he could not say for certain, we should always word — as a result of he did — that the airline has dozens of long-range Airbus A321XLRs on order. This new plane variant has impressed a variety of carriers, from American Airways to Iberia, to roll out new kinds and premium seat varieties.
Associated: Chase Aeroplan Credit score Card assessment: A compelling and precious airline card
“Consider that as a deep tease,” Moody mentioned of Air Canada’s plans. “We have now the XLRs coming. We have now different plane varieties coming that will probably be introducing new merchandise, keep tuned.”
Backside line
Air Canada at present has 35 A220s in its fleet, which fly on a variety of routes throughout North America. The brand new Airspace cabin will debut with the arrival of its forty third A220, the airline mentioned. That is at present slated for supply in March of 2026.
The airline doesn’t plan, as of now, to retrofit its present A220s with the brand new product.
Air Canada’s A220s function 12 premium recliners in its North America enterprise class. It has 125 seats in the principle cabin organized within the A220’s signature 2-by-3 configuration.
The airline’s announcement Tuesday got here because it (like rivals) has been reducing flights to and from the U.S. amid plummeting bookings from Canada-based passengers.
Associated studying:
