Feb 15, 2019, 9:51 pm
Last edit by: briguychau
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: 19
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 777-200LR (77L)
Current: 6
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 787-10 (781)
Current: 0
Future plans: 18 aircraft to be delivered between Q4 of 2025 and Q1 of 2027; options for a further 12 aircraft
Boeing 787-9 (789)
Current: 31
Future plans: +1 in 2024
Boeing 787-8 (788)
Current: 8
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A330-300 (333)
Current: 18
Future plans: +2 in 2024
Mainline Narrowbody Fleet
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 A321 XLRs, with deliveries from 2025 to 2027, plus options for 15 additional aircraft with deliveries from 2027 to 2030. See this thread
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 16
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 18 (including 4 configured for Jetz)
Future plans: +3 in 2024
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 7
Future plans: -2 in 2024
Boeing 737-8 (7M8)
Current: 40
Future plans: +5 in 2025
AC holds purchase options for 10 additional aircraft (7M7, 7M8, or 7M9).
Airbus A220-300 (223)
Current: 33
Future plans: +2 in 2024, +7 in 2025, further 18 aircraft on order
AC holds options for 15 additional aircraft.
rouge Narrowbody Fleet
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 17
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 5
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 18
Future plans: no changes planned
Express Fleet
All regional aircraft are operated by Jazz, with the exception of a small number of DH4s operated by PAL Airlines in Atlantic Canada.
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: -7 in 2024
Bombardier Q400 (DH4)
Current: 43
Future plans: no changes planned
The last of the DH3 fleet was retired in early 2022.
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 Heart ES-30 hybrid regional aircraft, with entry in to service in 2028. See this thread
Cargo Fleet
Boeing 767-300F
Current: 8
Future plans: +1 in 2024, +1 in 2025
Sources
Information above is based primarily on the fleet plan in Air Canada's 2023 Q4 MD&A, as of February 16, 2024, with updates based on information from planespotters.net, press releases, and other sources.
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: 19
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 777-200LR (77L)
Current: 6
Future plans: no changes planned
Boeing 787-10 (781)
Current: 0
Future plans: 18 aircraft to be delivered between Q4 of 2025 and Q1 of 2027; options for a further 12 aircraft
Boeing 787-9 (789)
Current: 31
Future plans: +1 in 2024
Boeing 787-8 (788)
Current: 8
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A330-300 (333)
Current: 18
Future plans: +2 in 2024
Mainline Narrowbody Fleet
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 A321 XLRs, with deliveries from 2025 to 2027, plus options for 15 additional aircraft with deliveries from 2027 to 2030. See this thread
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 16
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 18 (including 4 configured for Jetz)
Future plans: +3 in 2024
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 7
Future plans: -2 in 2024
Boeing 737-8 (7M8)
Current: 40
Future plans: +5 in 2025
AC holds purchase options for 10 additional aircraft (7M7, 7M8, or 7M9).
Airbus A220-300 (223)
Current: 33
Future plans: +2 in 2024, +7 in 2025, further 18 aircraft on order
AC holds options for 15 additional aircraft.
rouge Narrowbody Fleet
Airbus A321 (321)
Current: 17
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A320 (320)
Current: 5
Future plans: no changes planned
Airbus A319 (319)
Current: 18
Future plans: no changes planned
Express Fleet
All regional aircraft are operated by Jazz, with the exception of a small number of DH4s operated by PAL Airlines in Atlantic Canada.
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: -7 in 2024
Bombardier Q400 (DH4)
Current: 43
Future plans: no changes planned
The last of the DH3 fleet was retired in early 2022.
AC has announced plans to acquire 30 Heart ES-30 hybrid regional aircraft, with entry in to service in 2028. See this thread
Cargo Fleet
Boeing 767-300F
Current: 8
Future plans: +1 in 2024, +1 in 2025
Sources
Information above is based primarily on the fleet plan in Air Canada's 2023 Q4 MD&A, as of February 16, 2024, with updates based on information from planespotters.net, press releases, and other sources.
Air Canada Master Fleet Changes Thread
May 6, 2019, 9:23 am
#46
Join Date: May 2015
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Anecdotally, the 0600 YQT-YWG and mid-late afternoone YWG-YQT on WS always seem full when I've been on them (as recenly as a few weeks back).
May 6, 2019, 11:47 am
#47
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May 6, 2019, 6:03 pm
#48
Join Date: May 2003
Programs: UA Silver
Posts: 1,931
The AC YQT-YWG segment has been in a descending spiral for many years, matched by WJ ascending. YQT-YWG was 2x daily 15 years ago, then 1x daily on a CRJ2, then 1x daily on a Q4, then 1x daily on a Dash3, with terrible sched. At some point in the early 2000s the segment was operated by Calm Air.
Interesting how WJ could manage a 6am start and 25mins connections in YWG (or continue direct to YYC in the 737 days) while AC would start at 5am to feed marginally earlier departing YWG flights.
AC choose not to be competitive on this segment; no surprise it eventually failed.
Interesting how WJ could manage a 6am start and 25mins connections in YWG (or continue direct to YYC in the 737 days) while AC would start at 5am to feed marginally earlier departing YWG flights.
AC choose not to be competitive on this segment; no surprise it eventually failed.
Jan 6, 2020, 3:58 pm
#50
Join Date: May 2016
Location: YVR
Programs: Aeroplan 75K, Westjet Gold, Skymiles, Alaska MP, Marriott Gold, IHG Gold, Amex MR
Posts: 40
Agreed. It would seem that with the A220s enhancing the mainline fleet beyond the E90s some DH4 routes will go CR9 and some CR9 will go A220 maybe with lower frequency. Existing DH1 routes will go DH3 with lower frequency and some DH3 will upgauge to DH4 with lower frequency.
Jan 6, 2020, 4:30 pm
#51
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ottawa
Programs: AC SE*MM/S100K; HHonors Diamond; a bunch of others at various levels!
Posts: 1,580
Plenty of fleet developments going on at AC these days. We have a number of threads dedicated to individual aircraft type changes, but many airline forums on FT also have a master thread (or a couple) to keep track of type threads and discuss broader issues relating to fleet changes. I thought I'd start one here.
I hope this is useful for people as a quick reference to upcoming fleet changes as well as a place to discuss them.
The intention is to keep a wiki up to date with current fleet stats and plans, along with links to the individual threads with more in-depth discussion of individual types. The idea is to keep the wiki fairly up to date, so, for instance, I've not included links to the thread on the extra 77Ws that AC purchased in 2013 and were delivered in 2013-14.
I hope this is useful for people as a quick reference to upcoming fleet changes as well as a place to discuss them.
The intention is to keep a wiki up to date with current fleet stats and plans, along with links to the individual threads with more in-depth discussion of individual types. The idea is to keep the wiki fairly up to date, so, for instance, I've not included links to the thread on the extra 77Ws that AC purchased in 2013 and were delivered in 2013-14.
Jan 6, 2020, 4:59 pm
#52
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........Wiki shows 6 for ML but little Fin 682 celebrated her retirement to the sun last September as noted here Air Canada's aging 767-300's
AC Fleet page shows
https://www.planespotters.net/airline/Air-Canada
Of course any one of these could be making noise
Jan 6, 2020, 5:04 pm
#53
Join Date: May 2004
Location: Ottawa
Programs: AC SE*MM/S100K; HHonors Diamond; a bunch of others at various levels!
Posts: 1,580
I should have said it was at 21:40, perfect timing for AC888 to LHR.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
Jan 6, 2020, 5:08 pm
#54
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
I should have said it was at 21:40, perfect timing for AC888 to LHR.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
You're more than welcome to make changes.
I'm sure Mr. Smith won't mind... well, just as long as you don't bungle it up... but that's hard to do given the limited formatting tags used in this wiki.
Jan 6, 2020, 5:16 pm
#55
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I should have said it was at 21:40, perfect timing for AC888 to LHR.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
My point was that the wiki indicates all 763 aircraft were to leave the fleet in 2019. That, and a few other aircraft changes planned for 2019, haven't taken place. That's why I suggested an update may be due.
Saw the wink.
Understood the hint to Adam.
Still, thought I'd post.
And at least not over my location tonight
Jan 6, 2020, 7:04 pm
#56
Join Date: Aug 2018
Location: YYC
Programs: Air Canada SE100K, Westjet Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite, NEXUS
Posts: 144
I can’t wait to see them gone. The interiors are in bad shape, bins are small, and the planes need to be sent to the paint shop.
Jan 7, 2020, 7:22 am
#57
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Paint, bins and interiors are the least concerns for an airline who needs to retain as much capacity as possible in these days of Max restraint. If the 767s are still making money, they'll still fly, until the point there's a reasonable alternative and/or the company gets backed into a corner with forced large (maintenance) expenditures.
Jan 7, 2020, 8:55 am
#58
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: Toronto
Programs: BA Exec Club - Demoted to Bronze and re-promoted to Silver alongside AC Elite 50K (gold) in 2022
Posts: 393
I still love the 767v - sorry. love the 2-3-2 in economy, decent pitch still. And fast boarding and deplaning. Old - yes, but these old ladies have kept AC going with all sorts of odd rotations? Got one back from LGA on a rescue flight, SFO, and YOW. Plus many happy trips between the UK and Halifax to see family in the good old days. I don't care which livery the aircraft is in. They work and have a good safety record. Of course, AC must be pumping some money in to extend their life beyond what was planned but in the short term it's money well spent
Jan 22, 2020, 6:09 pm
#59
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Posts: 16,767
That being said, I've updated the wiki based on the latest available information, although things should become clearer after AC releases year-end results in six weeks or so.
All of the 763s definitely were not retired in 2019 though, only one. With the MAX grounding and 320 retirements starting to bite, AC is desperate for every bit of lift that it can get. If you were to compare the version of the wiki that I just updated to the one based on data from last February, you'd see that quite a few retirements have been pushed off. Now, keeping a DH1 around isn't a direct replacement for a 7M8, but you keep some DH1s and use those to replace some DH3 flying, downgauge some DH4 flights to DH3s, and so on up the line and eventually you've created a bit more wiggle room for yourself.
Debatable, given how many delays they suffer due to mechanical issues, and even when they fly, thrre frequently seem to be inoperative lav sinks and other equipment issues. And that has been a problem for many years.
Of course, AC must be pumping some money in to extend their life beyond what was planned but in the short term it's money well spent
Last edited by Adam Smith; Jan 22, 2020 at 6:15 pm
Jan 26, 2020, 6:31 pm
#60
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
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@Fiordland @YVR72 @chriscol1 @EdmFlyBoi @StuMcIlwain @RangerNS Wanting to keep the rouge 763 retirement thread on topic, I've replied to a few posts here from that thread that were more related to broader fleet questions than rouge 763 replacement.
Why, are you saying AC would fold the rouge brand? If anything, I think it would be more likely to fold Transat in to rouge.
What's the difference between the "mainline sub-brand" and "flag carrying"? And why would AC take back the E75s, CR9s, and CRJs, and fly them with higher-cost mainline pilots, rather than leave them with Jazz/Sky?
The remaining mainline 763s were planned to be retired during the course of 2019.
AC stopped sending 763s to rouge in 2017, at which point there were 10 left at mainline, which were the oldest 10 in the fleet. Those that have left mainline since then were all scrapped because they had reached the end of their useful lives, or near enough to it that AC didn't want to operate them anymore.
Given the continued delays in getting the MAX back in to service, the remaining 763s will probably stick around until the bitter end, whether it be cycles, hours, or needing a D check that's just not worth the money. But that point may come even before the MAX comes back, as it seems to have for C-FCAE late last year.
I thought AC plan was to keep AirTransat as a separate banner. The question may be how many aircraft go from Rouge to AirTransat.
One viable option may in fact be the Rouge A321 (the new aircraft) go to AirTransat. The A319 and 767 stay in Rouge until they are retired from the fleet and the new replacement aircraft are added to the two other banners.
One viable option may in fact be the Rouge A321 (the new aircraft) go to AirTransat. The A319 and 767 stay in Rouge until they are retired from the fleet and the new replacement aircraft are added to the two other banners.
My prediction is that 767s and some of the oldest Transat wide-bodies will be replaced by new build 787s (already optioned).
- Air Canada will create a sub-brand for “mainline” narrow-body domestic and transborder flying currently done by mainline, AC Express, Rouge and Transat.(737 and CR9). AC Express will be purely DH4 regional.
- “Transat, by Air Canada” will operate a fleet of 321, 32L and 788/9 on leisure routes replacing mainline and Rouge on many transborder and international routes.
- Air Canada mainline will operate “flag carrying” international routes and high yield/J-friendly domestic and transborder routes (YYZ, YUL, YYC, YVR, LAX, EWR) with 77L, 77W, 788/9, 332/3 and dare I suggest,, 77X.
All mainline 767s are supposed to be retired this spring, although they are trying to keep them around as long as possible due to the aircraft shortage, so that date may slide a bit.
I'm pretty sure that the remaining mainline 767s will be going to the desert when they are retired, not to Rouge or anyone else. They would keep them around at Air Canada longer if they had any life left in them, at least until the MAX is flying again, which is now likely next fall at the earliest.
I'm pretty sure that the remaining mainline 767s will be going to the desert when they are retired, not to Rouge or anyone else. They would keep them around at Air Canada longer if they had any life left in them, at least until the MAX is flying again, which is now likely next fall at the earliest.
AC stopped sending 763s to rouge in 2017, at which point there were 10 left at mainline, which were the oldest 10 in the fleet. Those that have left mainline since then were all scrapped because they had reached the end of their useful lives, or near enough to it that AC didn't want to operate them anymore.
Given the continued delays in getting the MAX back in to service, the remaining 763s will probably stick around until the bitter end, whether it be cycles, hours, or needing a D check that's just not worth the money. But that point may come even before the MAX comes back, as it seems to have for C-FCAE late last year.