The carrier’s long-range narrowbody era finally begins with the receipt of its first of 30 A321XLRs.
Air Canada has received its first Airbus A321XLR, with another 29 of the long-range single-aisle type expected to join the carrier’s fleet before decade-end.
The aircraft, leased from SMBC Aviation Capital, was recently handed off at Airbus’ production facility in Hamburg. Last month, Air Canada shared a video of the A321XLR, prior to delivery, taking flight after rolling off Airbus’ production line. Fleet-data provider Cirium shows that the flight occurred on 27 February.
Air Canada plans to lease half its A321XLRs, while the other 15 jets will be purchased directly from Airbus. All will be powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G geared turbofans. The jets have 4,700nm (8,704km) of range, according to Airbus.
Air Canada chief commercial officer Mark Galardo says the first delivery marks a “transformative moment for Air Canada” that supports the carrier’s long-term fleet renewal plan.
“Air Canada is building one of the most modern and capable fleets in the industry,” he says. “The Airbus A321XLR introduces a dynamic new component to Air Canada’s growth strategy, greatly expanding our flexibility to launch new international routes and improve our offering on existing markets.”
The Montreal-headquartered carrier will deploy the A321XLR on transatlantic flights from Montreal and Toronto, adding that the type will also become a “staple on key North American transcontinental markets”, Galardo says.
Delivery of the first A321XLR to Air Canada had been delayed several times. When placing the aircraft order in March 2022, Air Canada anticipated receiving the first in the first quarter of 2024, based on Airbus’ prior expectation of clearing certification of the type in 2023.
More recently, in an April 2025 fleet renewal update, Air Canada predicted it would take its first A321XLR in the fourth quarter of that year.
At the time, Air Canada foresaw A321XLR deliveries continuing through 2029. The carrier holds options to receive another 10 A321XLRs between 2030 and 2032, for a potential total 40 of the long-range jets. It is not immediately clear whether the long-term delivery timeline has changed due to the delays.
Airbus has marketed the variant of its flagship A321neo narrowbody as a “game changer” capable of unlocking “skinny” long-haul routes that lack sufficient demand to economically justify widebody jets.
Air Canada says the type will bring a “widebody experience to a single-aisle jet”, configured with 182 seats – 14 lie-flat seats and 168 economy seats. Earlier this month, the company revealed plans for lie-flat seating on its A321XLR as part of its new Glowing Hearted interior design.
A321XLRs are just one aspect of Air Canada’s narrowbody fleet plan. In March, the carrier transferred the first of 45 retrofitted Boeing 737 Max aircraft to leisure subsidiary Rouge and opened a new crew base in Vancouver.
On the widebody side, Air Canada ordered eight A350-1000s in February, with deliveries set to begin in late 2030. The carrier is also expecting the first of 14 787-10s to arrive later this year.
The post Air Canada receives first A321XLR after years of delays first appeared on FlightGlobal.