Air Canada is giving its long-haul cabins a major facelift, including new lie-flat seats, larger entertainment screens and other features, which the airline says will provide travellers more space and modern “passenger comfort.”
Unveiled at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg, Air Canada said the new changes — first being rolled out on its incoming fleet of new Airbus A321XLR and Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner planes — will provide upgrades across all tiers, from economy to Air Canada’s Signature Class.
The new designs, themed “Glowing Hearted Cabins,” will first roll out on the Airbus jets this summer, the airline wrote in a news release on Tuesday, servicing Atlantic routes from Toronto and Montreal, as well as select North American cities.
New seats, screens
The airline says it is introducing all-new ergonomic seats designed to maximize personal space, along with expanded overhead bins. In the A321XLR, the redesign also promises more legroom for 36 “Preferred+” seats in the economy class.
Economy travellers can expect larger 13-inch 4K OLED screens with Bluetooth audio, while USB-C and AC power outlets at every seat will keep your gadgets charged throughout the flight.
If you’re able to snag a spot in Air Canada’s “Signature Class” on the A321XLR, you’ll be treated to a fully lie-flat seat — a first for a single-aisle plane in North America. Fourteen of these seats will be available each flight on that aircraft.
The new Boeing 787-10, which is expected to be launched in 2028, will debut the Signature Plus Suite at the front of the aircraft, featuring six-foot-five beds, higher privacy walls, and companion seating in the centre. Air Canada says the Signature Plus Suite is “designed for customers seeking an elevated experience with extra space.”
The premium economy seats will also “feature new extended privacy wings for added comfort,” the release said.
According to Air Canada, the newly purchased Boeing 787-10 will have a seating capacity of 332, while the Airbus A321XLR will accommodate 182 passengers.
Mark Nasr, executive vice president and chief operations officer at Air Canada, said in the press release that the investments and redesign are about “fundamentally redefining the experience of flying with Air Canada.”
A new home-inspired look
Design-wise, Air Canada said its aiming to make you feel at home — even high up in the sky.
Expect subtle maple leaf motifs, natural wood grain, and that signature red stitching on board. Boarding the A321XLR, you’ll pass under a backlit canopy of maple leaves welcoming every customer as they board.
While on the Boeing 787-10, there’s a sculpted, wavelike entrance inspired by Canada’s waterways for premium customers, the release added.
Air Canada also shared that it will be unveiling upgrades to its hospitality experience, such as service, food and beverage offerings, later this year.
The changes don’t stop with the newest aircraft, Air Canada said. The airline’s Airbus A320 and A321 jets (currently flying as Rouge) will be “retrofitted to Air Canada’s latest design standards,” while Boeing 737 MAX planes will move to Rouge in 2026, bringing seatback screens, reclining seats, and free Wi-Fi to travellers on the lower-cost flights.
John Gradek, an aviation expert at McGill University, calls the redesign a “calculated experiment” with a very narrow rollout. Initially, only about 10 A321XLRs will feature the new interiors, mostly on routes “closer to home” rather than competitive international legs.
Gradek says the airline’s international workhorses — the Boeing 787-9s, 777s, and Airbus A330s — are not yet slated for these upgrades, leaving the core of Air Canada’s fleet at a competitive disadvantage compared to other international airlines.
