Air Canada Nears Deal with Boeing for 787 Dreamliners to Renew Long-Haul Fleet

Air Canada is in the final stages of negotiations with Boeing to acquire up to 20 787 Dreamliners, aiming to renew and expand its long-haul fleet, Bloomberg News reported citing knowledgeable sources.

As the demand for long-haul flights rebounds, airlines worldwide are eager to strengthen their wide-body aircraft fleets ahead of the upcoming busy summer travel season.

According to the report, Air Canada is nearing an agreement to purchase between 15 and 20 twin-aisle 787 aircraft. However, an Air Canada spokesperson stated that no final decisions have been made yet, while Boeing declined to comment on the matter.

Presently, Air Canada operates a fleet of 38 Dreamliners, consisting of 30 787-9 and 8 shorter 787-8 models. The average age of Air Canada’s Dreamliner fleet is 7.4 years.

The 787-9 models in Air Canada’s fleet feature a total of 298 seats, including 247 in economy class, 21 in premium economy, and 30 in business class. On the other hand, the shorter 787-8 models accommodate 255 passengers, with 214 in economy, 21 in premium economy, and 20 in business class.

Considering the existing distribution of variants in Air Canada’s fleet, it is likely that the new order will focus on additional 787-9s. However, if the airline seeks greater capacity, the longer 787-10 variant may also be included in the mix. Further details regarding the specific variant(s) selected by Air Canada will be disclosed in a formal announcement.

As Air Canada progresses towards finalizing the deal with Boeing, the addition of new Dreamliners will play a significant role in the airline’s efforts to enhance its long-haul operations and meet the growing travel demands of passengers.