Long-haul flights will be more comfortable as the airline unveils upgrades
Long-haul Air Canada flights will have more comfort for passengers as the airline unveils upgrades, including lie-flat seats and premium suites in its new aircraft.
The new, more luxurious interiors were showcased on Monday at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Germany. Dubbed the “Glowing Hearted” interior, the updates also include larger entertainment screens and redesigned seats, which will be made across all classes in the upcoming Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-10 planes, the airline announced in a media release.
“This investment is about fundamentally redefining the experience of flying with Air Canada,” said Mark Nasr, executive vice president and chief operations officer. “From the moment of stepping on board, we’re setting a new standard for how Canadians and the world connect with our brand.”
Nasr said Air Canada listened to customer feedback, which challenged the company 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,” he said.
What can passengers expect?
Passengers will enjoy a more comfortable sleep on long-haul flights aboard the Airbus A321XLR, which is the first single-aisle plane in Canada to feature lie-flat seats, which go from seat to bed with the push of a button. Expected to enter service this summer, the new signature class seats will be featured on trans-Atlantic routes and on longer North American flights, Air Canada noted.
The air carrier’s new Boeing 787-10 fleet will receive the Air Canada Signature Plus Suite, a front-cabin offering that features more space, higher privacy walls, a larger bed, and a dedicated guest seat. Centre suites have retractable privacy walls, which allow up to four passengers to share a space during the flight.
Travellers in all cabins aboard both new planes will get upgrades of their own. There will be more spacious ergonomic seating, larger 4K OLED entertainment screens, Bluetooth audio, and higher-charging capacity USB-C and AC outlets for those smart devices.
Those sitting in Premium Economy will also get more privacy with extended wings, as well as larger overhead bins for carry-on luggage.
Interiors will be Canadian themed
The planes’ interiors will be more Canadian themed, featuring natural wood grain accents, bronze metal finishes, leather grain surfaces and the airline’s signature red stitching and bespoke fabrics.
Passengers boarding the Airbus aircraft will board under a canopy of maple leaves that’s backlit, while the Boeing jet will feature a sculpted entranceway that’s inspired by Canadian waterways.
Existing cabins to be modernized
In addition to the upgrades on the new planes, Air Canada’s existing Airbus A320 and A321 aircraft, which fly under the Rouge branding, will move from mainline to leisure service and will be retrofitted with the latest interior.
The airlines’ Boeing 737 MAX fleet will be transitioning to Air Canada Rouge this year. Meaning, those flying Rouge and Sun across North America and the Caribbean will get upgraded seatback entertainment, reclining seats, and complimentary Wi-Fi.
Air Canada Express planes will also be getting new cabins and free Wi-Fi.
Credits: Air Canada
