An Airbus A350-1000.GIUSEPPE CACACE/AFP/Getty Images
Air Canada AC-T has ordered eight Airbus A350-1000s, updating its wide-body fleet as it expands its international network.
The Montreal-based airline said the order, which includes the rights to buy an additional eight planes, will start to be delivered in the second half of 2030.
The planes are 25-per-cent more fuel efficient than older aircraft, reducing costs while improving reliability and payload capabilities, Air Canada said.
“The addition of the Airbus A350‑1000 to our fleet is a forward‑looking investment that strengthens Air Canada’s long‑term cost efficiency,” said John Di Bert, Air Canada’s chief financial officer, in a statement. “These aircraft will deliver improved operating economics, enhance our operational reliability, and ensure we remain competitive across our global network.”
Air Canada did not disclose the purchase price. In 2018, the last time Airbus EADSY published its prices, the A350-1000 listed for US$366.5-million, although airlines negotiate steep discounts.
The A350, assembled in Toulouse, France, is powered by the Rolls-Royce XWB97 engine and has a range of about 9,000 nautical miles.
Air Canada said the planes offer the industry’s quietest cabin, pressurized to 6,000 feet to reduce jet lag and improve customer comfort. The planes will be fitted with Air Canada’s new interior layout, to be announced this year.
“This state-of-the-art aircraft adds a new dimension to Air Canada’s long-haul capabilities, with impressive range, enhanced payload, and proven economics that unlock new possibilities for long-haul flying for our customers,” said Mark Galardo, Air Canada’s chief commercial officer.
The order is announced as Air Canada prepares to begin service of 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners later this year. Other new aircraft expected this year include Airbus 321s, Canadian-made Airbus 220s and Boeing 737 Maxes.
Air Canada will fly an expanded international network this summer and next winter, announcing new destinations in Europe, Asia and Latin America.