MONTREAL, Air Canada confirmed a firm order today for eight Airbus A350-1000 aircraft to anchor its future global network. The agreement includes purchase rights for an additional eight jets. deliveries begin in the second half of 2030.

Air Canada executed a firm agreement today for eight Airbus A350-1000 widebody aircraft to spearhead its long-haul operations next decade. The carrier also secured purchase rights for an additional eight units to ensure future capacity flexibility. First deliveries are scheduled for the second half of 2030. This acquisition marks the airline’s return to Airbus widebody operations after decades of Boeing dominance. Executives aim to deploy these jets on high-density global routes requiring extreme range.

FLEET MODERNIZATION STRATEGY

This order diversifies Air Canada’s widebody portfolio beyond its existing Boeing 777 and 787 fleets. The A350-1000s will operate alongside 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners entering service in 2026.

Diversification: Reducing reliance on a single manufacturer mitigates supply chain risks.

Replacement Cycle: The jets will replace aging Airbus A330s and older Boeing 777-200LRs.

Narrowbody Integration: The widebody expansion complements the arrival of Airbus A321XLRs for trans-Atlantic missions.

Mark Galardo, EVP and Chief Commercial Officer, stated the aircraft defines the carrier’s “next era” of international connectivity. The mixed fleet allows precise capacity management across Atlantic and Pacific corridors.

TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS OF A350-1000

The A350-1000 serves as the largest variant in the Airbus widebody family. It features a fuselage seven meters longer than the A350-900.

Range: Capable of flying up to 8,700 nautical miles (16,100 km).

 Capacity: Accommodates 350 to 410 passengers in a standard three-class layout.

Propulsion: Powered exclusively by Rolls-Royce Trent XWB-97 engines generating 97,000 lbf of thrust.

– Efficiency: Composite materials reduce fuel burn and CO2 emissions by 25% compared to previous generation aircraft.

Air Canada will outfit these jets with a new cabin standard debuting later this year. The cabin pressurization system maintains a lower cabin altitude of 6,000 feet for improved passenger comfort.

FINANCIAL & OPERATIONAL IMPACT

CFO John Di Bert highlighted the order as a disciplined capital allocation maintaining investment below 12% of revenue. The deal structure provides cost certainty for deliveries starting four years from now.

– Cost Savings: Lower fuel consumption directly improves operating margins on ultra-long-haul sectors.

– Cargo Volume: The A350-1000 offers substantial underfloor cargo capacity to boost freight revenue.

– Sustainability Targets: The 25% emission reduction aligns with the airline’s net-zero 2050 trajectory.

Operational reliability increases with modern avionics and reduced maintenance intervals. The Trent XWB-97 engine boasts a 99.9% dispatch reliability rate since entry into service.

Air Canada positions itself to dominate long-haul traffic between North America and Asia-Pacific markets. The 8,700nm range unlocks direct routes from Toronto and Montreal to Southeast Asia and India.

• Network Growth: New city pairs become viable due to improved unit economics.
• Hub Strength: High-capacity jets reinforce Toronto Pearson and Montreal-Trudeau as global transit hubs.
• Competitive Edge: Superior cabin quietness and humidity levels attract premium business travellers.

This procurement ensures the flag carrier retains a competitive fleet age against North American rivals. The option for eight additional units allows rapid scaling if demand exceeds current projections in 2030.