Feb 15, 19, 9:51 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
Background
It is intended that this wiki will be updated periodically using new fleet plans from future quarterly disclosures, presentations or press releases by AC, or information from other sources (e.g. Planespotters), and that anyone is free to update the wiki. The data in the wiki is intended to be as up-to-date as possible.
Fleet Evolution Over Time
This spreadsheet contains data on AC's fleet back to 2005, and includes numerous charts that detail the evolution of various types in the fleet from then until the present.
Overview of Current Fleet and Future Plans
Mainline Widebody Fleet
Boeing 777-300ER (77W)
Current: 18
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 777-200LR (77L)
Current: 6
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 787-9 (789)
Current: 29
Future plans: +2 in 2023, +1 in 2024
Boeing 787-8 (788)
Current: 8
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A330-300 (333)
Current: 16
Future plans: +1 in 2022, +1 in 2023
Mainline Narrowbody Fleet
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 A321 XLRs, with deliveries from 2024 to 2027, plus options for 15 additional aircraft with deliveries from 2027 to 2030. See this thread
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 15
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 18
Future plans: -2 in 2022
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 6
Future plans: -3 in 2022
Boeing 737-8 (7M8)
Current: 40
AC holds purchase options for 10 additional aircraft (7M7, 7M8, or 7M9).
Airbus A220-300 (223)
Current: 31
Future plans: +2 in 2022, further 27 aircraft on order
AC holds options for 15 additional aircraft.
rouge Narrowbody Fleet
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 14
Future plans: +3 in 2022
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 5
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 20
Future plans: no changes planned
Express Fleet
Following changes announced in early 2021, all regional aircraft are now operated by Jazz. Jazz has exclusivity to operate 70+ seat aircraft for AC until 2025.
More changes at Chorus. E175s transfering to Jazz, Dash8-300s leaving fleet
Embraer 175 (E75)
Current: 25
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9)
Current: 35
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier CRJ-200 (CRJ)
Current: 15
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier Q400 (DH4)
Current: 39
Future plans: -3 in 2023
The last of the DH3 fleet was retired in early 2022.
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 Heart ES-30 hybrid regional aircraft. See this thread
Cargo Fleet
Boeing 777F (77F)
Current: 0
Further plans: +2 in 2024
Boeing 767-300F
Current: 4
Future plans: +2 in 2022, +1 in 2023, +3 in 2024/25
Sources
Information above is based primarily on the fleet plan in Air Canada's 2022 Q3 MD&A, as of October 28, 2022, with updates based on information from planespotters.net.
It is intended that this wiki will be updated periodically using new fleet plans from future quarterly disclosures, presentations or press releases by AC, or information from other sources (e.g. Planespotters), and that anyone is free to update the wiki. The data in the wiki is intended to be as up-to-date as possible.
Fleet Evolution Over Time
This spreadsheet contains data on AC's fleet back to 2005, and includes numerous charts that detail the evolution of various types in the fleet from then until the present.
Overview of Current Fleet and Future Plans
Mainline Widebody Fleet
Boeing 777-300ER (77W)
Current: 18
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 777-200LR (77L)
Current: 6
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 787-9 (789)
Current: 29
Future plans: +2 in 2023, +1 in 2024
Boeing 787-8 (788)
Current: 8
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A330-300 (333)
Current: 16
Future plans: +1 in 2022, +1 in 2023
Mainline Narrowbody Fleet
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 A321 XLRs, with deliveries from 2024 to 2027, plus options for 15 additional aircraft with deliveries from 2027 to 2030. See this thread
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 15
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 18
Future plans: -2 in 2022
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 6
Future plans: -3 in 2022
Boeing 737-8 (7M8)
Current: 40
AC holds purchase options for 10 additional aircraft (7M7, 7M8, or 7M9).
Airbus A220-300 (223)
Current: 31
Future plans: +2 in 2022, further 27 aircraft on order
AC holds options for 15 additional aircraft.
rouge Narrowbody Fleet
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 14
Future plans: +3 in 2022
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 5
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 20
Future plans: no changes planned
Express Fleet
Following changes announced in early 2021, all regional aircraft are now operated by Jazz. Jazz has exclusivity to operate 70+ seat aircraft for AC until 2025.
More changes at Chorus. E175s transfering to Jazz, Dash8-300s leaving fleet
Embraer 175 (E75)
Current: 25
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9)
Current: 35
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier CRJ-200 (CRJ)
Current: 15
Future plans: no changes planned
Bombardier Q400 (DH4)
Current: 39
Future plans: -3 in 2023
The last of the DH3 fleet was retired in early 2022.
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 Heart ES-30 hybrid regional aircraft. See this thread
Cargo Fleet
Boeing 777F (77F)
Current: 0
Further plans: +2 in 2024
Boeing 767-300F
Current: 4
Future plans: +2 in 2022, +1 in 2023, +3 in 2024/25
Sources
Information above is based primarily on the fleet plan in Air Canada's 2022 Q3 MD&A, as of October 28, 2022, with updates based on information from planespotters.net.
Air Canada Master Fleet Changes Thread
May 4, 20, 10:15 am
#151
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM, WS Gold
Posts: 15,644
From the earnings release and in line with this thread: "Air Canada has operated more than 500 all-cargo international flights since March 22, 2020, and plans to operate up to 150 all-cargo flights per week in the second quarter using a combination of Boeing 787 and Boeing 777 aircraft as well as four newly converted Boeing 777 and four converted Airbus 330 aircraft where it has doubled available cargo space by removing seats from the passenger cabin."
Part of me is sad to see the Rouge 763's go as that is an indication that AC's aggressive expansion to "secondary" European destinations is dead in the water, but on a more positive note it may mean mainline 330 or 787 flights to places like BCN down the road.
Part of me is sad to see the Rouge 763's go as that is an indication that AC's aggressive expansion to "secondary" European destinations is dead in the water, but on a more positive note it may mean mainline 330 or 787 flights to places like BCN down the road.
May 4, 20, 12:21 pm
#152
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Edmonton/Calgary/Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,228
Originally Posted by The Lev
Part of me is sad to see the Rouge 763's go as that is an indication that AC's aggressive expansion to "secondary" European destinations is dead in the water, but on a more positive note it may mean mainline 330 or 787 flights to places like BCN down the road.
May 4, 20, 12:23 pm
#153
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC SE100, SPG Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 503
discussed elsewhere, sorry.
I figure of 79 aircraft to go:
767: 5 ML, 25 ACr
E190: 14 ML
A319: 16 ML, 22 ACr
discussed further in Fleet thread.
I figure of 79 aircraft to go:
767: 5 ML, 25 ACr
E190: 14 ML
A319: 16 ML, 22 ACr
discussed further in Fleet thread.
Last edited by YWG-RO; May 4, 20 at 12:39 pm Reason: Master Fleet discussed
May 4, 20, 12:37 pm
#154
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM, WS Gold
Posts: 15,644
Originally Posted by EdmFlyBoi
I don't think it is dead in the water. I would suggest that when demand resumes for those destinations (and travel in general), AC will look to either use the existing fleet or acquire appropriate aircraft for those routes. Prior to the Max grounding, AC was intending to use that aircraft for some of the smaller destinations. Mainline will likely continue to fly to places like Lyon. The 767's were going to need to be retired sooner rather than later, and so a strategy for those routes was going to be required. I suspect the European strategy will resume when the market conditions support it.
May 4, 20, 12:51 pm
#155
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,780
Originally Posted by The Lev
I agree in part with this but it will likely be harder for AC to re-enter those secondary markets going forward. the beauty of the rouge 763's was that they were cheap, so AC could try out those new markets without having to deploy an aircraft costing $150 million. In addition they had a good aircraft for cities with little no premium demand. They will likely fill some of this need going forward with the 7M8 but it rules out going back to central and eastern Europe unless they are willing to commit to a 330/787 or they find a way to pick up some 321XLR.
May 4, 20, 7:11 pm
#156
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,015
Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
I think you've hit the nail on the head. ZAG, OTP, WAW, PRG, BUD will most likely rely on connectivity versus the deployment of a 787/330 in markets where premium traffic has always been flat.
But what happens in 3 years (according to AC's prediction) when demand recovers to 2019 levels?
May 4, 20, 7:26 pm
#157
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,000
Originally Posted by cedric
But what happens in 3 years (according to AC's prediction) when demand recovers to 2019 levels?
By then, or in the meantime when crystal balls improve, it might still be relatively easy to get 321XLRs on a relatively short notice. Which might be perfect for a number of secondary destinations.
May 4, 20, 7:40 pm
#158
Join Date: Mar 2002
Location: YYJ
Posts: 4,015
Does anyone recall seeing if the pre-covid fleet plan called for the retirement of the 767 fleet from Rouge within the next three years? If so, the early retirement makes perfect sense.
I'll miss the 767 for the 2-3-2 layout in economy.
I'll miss the 767 for the 2-3-2 layout in economy.
May 4, 20, 8:00 pm
#159
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Silver, BA Bronze, Marriott Titanium, Hilton/Radisson Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 15,113
Originally Posted by cedric
Does anyone recall seeing if the pre-covid fleet plan called for the retirement of the 767 fleet from Rouge within the next three years? If so, the early retirement makes perfect sense.
A plane like that is generally going to retire at around 30 years of service. Here's the breakdown of the rouge 763 fleet by age:
- 15-20: 9
- 20-25: 9
- 25-30: 7
So AC was starting to phase out the 763s, but it looked like they were going to be around for quite a while. Possibly even close to 15 years.
May 4, 20, 11:30 pm
#160
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Originally Posted by Adam Smith
So AC was starting to phase out the 763s, but it looked like they were going to be around for quite a while. Possibly even close to 15 years.
May 5, 20, 6:16 am
#161
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM, WS Gold
Posts: 15,644
Originally Posted by CZAMFlyer
Given their very strong position at the beginning of the pandemic, it's almost surprising that the company is retiring these frames if they have meaningful life left in them. Presumably they're long-ago paid off, and parking them in the desert for a year or two would not be a prohibitive venture. Maybe they can get a line on some comparable-capacity new Airbus products sooner than conventional belief?
May 5, 20, 7:06 am
#162
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC SE100, SPG Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 503
I think the fleet strategy reflects AC’s impression that times are bleak. Comments like return to 2019 levels maybe by 2023; this is a huge statement. They lose the entire 2020 summer season and it’s likely that lower yield winter sun bookings are down significantly.
So, this makes a lot of sense to me:
B767: leaving ML already, ACr offers secondary markets and dense sun when times are good. Not the case now. Good decision.
E190: already leaving ML, high CASM, can be replaced by CRA / E175 or A223 with less frequency. Good decision to accelerate removal.
A319: more surprising, but poor CASM even at ACr. There are More efficient aircraft and A319 at ML approaching 25 years. Good decision if economy stays down, but flexibility to keep if things pick up. This is their flexibility plane.
A320: already slated to leave ML, only hanging around because of B7M8 debacle. Some flexibility over next year or so if things pick up and pending Max RTS.
A223: still bringing on at previous rate. Efficient and good cabin spacing at 2+3.
CRA / E175 : reasonable capacity for thinner routes, good spacing at 2+2.
A321: good number at ML and ACr for dense routes. Can perform many of the same missions as B767 except secondary European cities.
B7M8: I still contend that it may never fly again with AC. Despite the agreement reached between AC and B there is no need at present for them, and there must to a limit regarding RTS guarantee. I.e. if still no RTS after 18 months AC has the option to cancel further deliveries. It may be worthwhile to offload 24 B7M8 to UA or WN and supplement with more A223, A225 when available, or A321XLR for some of those secondary European markets.
So, this makes a lot of sense to me:
B767: leaving ML already, ACr offers secondary markets and dense sun when times are good. Not the case now. Good decision.
E190: already leaving ML, high CASM, can be replaced by CRA / E175 or A223 with less frequency. Good decision to accelerate removal.
A319: more surprising, but poor CASM even at ACr. There are More efficient aircraft and A319 at ML approaching 25 years. Good decision if economy stays down, but flexibility to keep if things pick up. This is their flexibility plane.
A320: already slated to leave ML, only hanging around because of B7M8 debacle. Some flexibility over next year or so if things pick up and pending Max RTS.
A223: still bringing on at previous rate. Efficient and good cabin spacing at 2+3.
CRA / E175 : reasonable capacity for thinner routes, good spacing at 2+2.
A321: good number at ML and ACr for dense routes. Can perform many of the same missions as B767 except secondary European cities.
B7M8: I still contend that it may never fly again with AC. Despite the agreement reached between AC and B there is no need at present for them, and there must to a limit regarding RTS guarantee. I.e. if still no RTS after 18 months AC has the option to cancel further deliveries. It may be worthwhile to offload 24 B7M8 to UA or WN and supplement with more A223, A225 when available, or A321XLR for some of those secondary European markets.
May 5, 20, 12:45 pm
#163
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Edmonton/Calgary/Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 1,228
I am curious what happens to the Rouge routes that are 767's that can't be flown with a narrow body - specifically Bogota, Athens, and Barcelona - that are to restart end of June or sooner? I have space to Bogota the start of October which is a rebooking of a Peru trip originally to be started in Lima. Does this shift to mainline (with a corresponding addition of J)?
May 5, 20, 12:58 pm
#164
Join Date: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,953
Originally Posted by EdmFlyBoi
I am curious what happens to the Rouge routes that are 767's that can't be flown with a narrow body - specifically Bogota, Athens, and Barcelona - that are to restart end of June or sooner? I have space to Bogota the start of October which is a rebooking of a Peru trip originally to be started in Lima. Does this shift to mainline (with a corresponding addition of J)?
May 5, 20, 12:59 pm
#165
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM, WS Gold
Posts: 15,644
Originally Posted by EdmFlyBoi
I am curious what happens to the Rouge routes that are 767's that can't be flown with a narrow body - specifically Bogota, Athens, and Barcelona - that are to restart end of June or sooner? I have space to Bogota the start of October which is a rebooking of a Peru trip originally to be started in Lima. Does this shift to mainline (with a corresponding addition of J)?
BOG will move to a 7M8
BCN will move to seasonal A330 or B787 either alternating between YYZ and YUL or possibly only served from YYZ (likely ditto for LIM)
ATH direct will be axed and you will connect through FRA, MUC, LHR or ZRH. Might eventually come back as summer seasonal but I can't see much J to support the route..
