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Air Canada today announced the next step in its international expansion with the unveiling of the first route to be operated by the Airbus A321XLR (the airline’s next-generation narrow-body aircraft). Starting June 2026, Air Canada will begin nonstop service from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Palma de Mallorca Airport (PMI). This will offer travelers a direct connection to one of Spain’s most scenic destinations in the western Mediterranean.
The Airbus A321XLR represents a new era for Air Canada, combining wide-body comfort with narrow-body efficiency. The aircraft will feature a two-class configuration with 14 Signature Class and 160 Economy Class seats. This marks the first time Air Canada will offer lie-flat seating on a narrow-body jet. The Airbus A321XLR will also debut enhanced lighting, upgraded in-flight entertainment, and improved storage solutions.
Air Canada has 30 Airbus A321XLR aircraft on order (with the first delivery scheduled for Q1 2026 through a lease agreement with Air Lease Corporation). Up to 10 additional aircraft are expected to join the fleet later next year. As new Airbus A321XLRs are delivered, Air Canada plans to transition several existing routes and introduce new ones, including:
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to/from Toulouse-Blagnac Airport (TLS)
- Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to/from Edinburgh Airport (EDI)
Future Airbus A321XLR routes from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Ottawa/Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW), and Halifax Stanfield International Airport (YHZ) will be announced as the fleet grows.
The Airbus A321XLR offers a 4,700 nautical mile range. This will enable Air Canada to serve long-haul transatlantic routes traditionally operated by widebody aircraft. It will open opportunities to explore underserved leisure and business markets with improved efficiency and lower environmental impact. The aircraft’s advanced design includes fuel-efficient engines that reduce CO2 emissions by up to 30% compared to older-generation aircraft as well as a modern cabin experience featuring state-of-the-art in-flight entertainment and enhanced passenger comfort.
Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer, and President of Cargo at Air Canada, said:
The wait is nearly over as the imminent arrival of the game-changing Airbus A321XLR marks the next phase of international growth at Air Canada. This revolutionary narrow-body aircraft unlocks new, exciting global opportunities with its wide-body range and enhanced onboard product. Today, we begin that journey of growth with the announcement of Palma de Mallorca as the first new destination made possible by this fleet. By leveraging the unique capabilities of the A321XLR, Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer flights to this Spanish island, renowned for its stunning beaches, history and culture. We look forward to welcoming our customers aboard this exciting new aircraft, which will join our fleet in the coming months.”
Anthony’s Take: The Airbus A321XLR is going to be a game changer for airlines. They’ll be able to add international routes that could never have filled a widebody aircraft with ease. I can’t wait to see what other routes are coming nonstop from the United States as other carriers take deliveries.
(Image Credits: Air Canada.)
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
