On December 20th, Air Canada, Canada’s flag carrier, received a new addition to its fleet: the Airbus A220-300 (formerly known as the CS300). The aircraft is of high importance for the airline as it is one of the most popular aircraft in its range, while also being made in Mirabel, Canada.
Michael Rousseau, Deputy Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Air Canada, said: “This is a highly anticipated moment for Air Canada as we welcome this game-changing aircraft into our fleet, the next step in our fleet modernization. It will not only allow us to transport our customers in comfort, but also further our environmental commitment with its improved efficiency. The A220 will enable Air Canada to strengthen our position on transborder and transcontinental markets and will be key to our continued growth. Our customers will benefit from the A220’s innovative design features, including a choice of two spacious and comfortable cabins, larger overhead bins, bigger windows and a quieter experience in flight.”
Air Canada's A220s are configured with 137 seats in a 2 class layout. Business-class makes up 12 seats, while the economy class has 125 seats equipped. All seats have IFE screens, USB ports, and in-seat power outlets. The plane boasts 19-inch-wide seats, the widest economy seat in Air Canada’s fleet.
“This delivery is a historical moment and makes all of us at Airbus Canada extremely proud. In just a few weeks, Canadians will be able to fly on board this Canadian-designed and assembled aircraft for the first time in Air Canada’s distinctive and emblematic Maple Leaf livery that symbolizes Canada around the world” said Philippe Balducchi, CEO, Airbus Canada Limited Partnership and Head of Country, Canada for Airbus.
The carrier plans to utilize their A220s on North American routes with new flights from Montreal to Seattle and Toronto to San Jose, California. The aforementioned routes are a result of innovative design and state-of-the-art technology brought by the A220. This makes them viable not because of an increase in traffic, but rather the lower cost of operating and fuel efficiency. The A220-300 offers a 20% reduction in CO2 emissions and is considered as one of the most efficient jets in the market.
Air Canada's first A220-300 will be unveiled during a ceremony at the Air Canada headquarters in Montreal on January 15, 2020. The A220 is an aircraft mainly built to carry 100-150 passengers, equipped with the latest generation PW1500G geared turbofan engines, offers a 20% reduction in fuel burned, 50% reduction in noise footprint, and 50% lower NOx emissions compared to previous generation aircraft.
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