Air Canada Awaits First A321XLR Delivery

Air Canada is eagerly anticipating the arrival of its first Airbus A321XLR, a narrowbody aircraft it believes will revolutionize its long-haul network. The airline sees the new aircraft as a game changer, offering the ideal combination of size, range, and efficiency for long-range routes where year-round demand makes operating widebodies less profitable.

Originally, Air Canada expected to receive its first A321XLR in the first quarter of 2024. However, the first delivery of the aircraft went to Iberia in the fourth quarter of 2024, leaving Air Canada in a holding pattern. The Montreal-based carrier has 30 A321XLRs on order and is now hopeful that its first delivery will come in the fourth quarter of 2025, although uncertainty remains.

Speaking at the Routes Americas 2025 conference in Nassau, Bahamas, Air Canada Vice President for Network Planning and Scheduling Alexandre Lefevre expressed cautious optimism about the aircraft’s delivery. “We have been waiting for the XLR for quite a long time and we’re still waiting,” Lefevre explained. “Our planning process now includes more buffer. If the manufacturer tells us the aircraft will be here in October, I usually plan to put it into service the following March.” This extra buffer is a sign of the airline’s need to adapt to extended delivery timelines in today’s challenging market.

Lefevre also pointed out that delays are not unique to Airbus. “It’s across the whole industry,” he said, noting that not only are manufacturers experiencing delays, but suppliers and engine manufacturers are also facing difficulties. He acknowledged that post-COVID workforce issues have added further strain on the supply chain, making delays more common across the board.

Once delivered, the A321XLR is expected to unlock new network possibilities for Air Canada. The airline plans to introduce its new business-class product on the aircraft, which will feature a 182-seat configuration including 14 lie-flat business-class seats. With a maximum range of 4,700 nautical miles (5,408 miles), the A321XLR is well-suited to operate routes that were previously unprofitable for the carrier due to seasonal demand fluctuations. Lefevre cited routes such as New York to Rio de Janeiro, New York to Munich, and Toronto to São Paulo as examples where the aircraft could maintain a year-round presence, unlike the larger 250-300 seat widebody services that only work well during peak seasons.

Lefevre explained, “In Canada, we see a very good fit with the XLR. We have a number of markets where year-round demand is lower. With the A321XLR, we can maintain service throughout the year, building brand awareness and offering a product that has a strong cost base on routes around the 5-hour mark.”

Airbus is equally enthusiastic about the aircraft’s potential. Veronica Paddock, Airbus Marketing Director for Fleet and Network Planning, emphasized that the A321XLR’s extended range and capacity can help airlines tap into new markets along thin routes and increase frequency on existing ones. “On the very longest routes, it could fly up to 10 or 11 hours,” Paddock noted. She highlighted how Iberia has already leveraged the aircraft to increase frequency between Madrid and Washington Dulles.

Air Canada’s awaited A321XLR promises not only to fill a critical niche in its network but also to drive enhanced service on both new and existing routes. With flexible configurations and a strong focus on efficiency, the A321XLR is set to become a key tool for Air Canada as it continues to adapt to a dynamic global aviation market.

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