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
Feb 24, 2020, 8:00 pm
#91
Join Date: Jan 2014
Programs: AC 35K, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 232
Master fleet thread: Air Canada Master Fleet Changes Thread
Feb 24, 2020, 8:04 pm
#92
Join Date: Feb 2018
Location: YYT
Programs: M-Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Aeroplan 50K, DragonPass, AMEX MR, NEXUS
Posts: 1,715
Feb 24, 2020, 8:17 pm
#93
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: Sardine Class
Posts: 36
Some have theorized that AC's acquisition for Transat was for their Airbus orders, not the airline. Since if they inherit those orders, they can order more, while still being able to justify why they went with Airbus instead and won't hurt their, in my opinion, pretty good relationship with Boeing.
AC originally went with MAX over the 320neos for their renewal plan, however, with the MAX's future uncertain, it doesn't surprise me they are in a rush to fill the demand of the retiring 767s, after repeatedly pushing back their retirement due to unforeseen events.
AC originally went with MAX over the 320neos for their renewal plan, however, with the MAX's future uncertain, it doesn't surprise me they are in a rush to fill the demand of the retiring 767s, after repeatedly pushing back their retirement due to unforeseen events.
Feb 24, 2020, 9:48 pm
#94
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
As a corporate finance professional, I would tell you that Transat's 321neo delivery slots have some value, but that there are far simpler and cheaper ways to acquire 321neos than to acquire the whole airline.
Feb 25, 2020, 10:34 am
#95
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,602
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/s...fire-sale.html
Lots of further RR powered A332's and A333's now on the market in addition to what is available from SQ and potentially CX. You would have to think AC is an a position to acquire a fair bit of lift at pretty low prices.
Lots of further RR powered A332's and A333's now on the market in addition to what is available from SQ and potentially CX. You would have to think AC is an a position to acquire a fair bit of lift at pretty low prices.
Feb 25, 2020, 10:48 am
#96
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
https://www.flyertalk.com/articles/s...fire-sale.html
Lots of further RR powered A332's and A333's now on the market in addition to what is available from SQ and potentially CX. You would have to think AC is an a position to acquire a fair bit of lift at pretty low prices.
Lots of further RR powered A332's and A333's now on the market in addition to what is available from SQ and potentially CX. You would have to think AC is an a position to acquire a fair bit of lift at pretty low prices.
Feb 25, 2020, 11:00 am
#97
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,795
Not sure about whether AC needs more capacity or not. If the coronavirus triggers a global economy downturn, reducing capacity may be the best choice. With the suspension of Chinese and now potentially East Asia flights, AC should no longer have capacity issue in the next 3 months and potentially the entire summer.
Feb 25, 2020, 11:18 am
#98
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
Not sure about whether AC needs more capacity or not. If the coronavirus triggers a global economy downturn, reducing capacity may be the best choice. With the suspension of Chinese and now potentially East Asia flights, AC should no longer have capacity issue in the next 3 months and potentially the entire summer.
Feb 25, 2020, 11:29 am
#99
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: TK *G
Posts: 3,099
Fleet planning decisions are made with a time horizon of many years. If AC wants to acquire additional 330s to replace rouge 763s, grow capacity, or any other reason, the next 3-6 months aren't that important. Even if they pulled the trigger on some of these aircraft, they're almost certainly months away from delivery anyway.
If we are talking about long term fleet planning, then there are too many unknowns. TS 330s and 321s will be available to replace ACr 767s.
Feb 25, 2020, 11:44 am
#100
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
My understanding is that EY wants to sell their A330s fast, and for the previous batch of A330s AC wanted them to join the fleet fast to alleviate the 7M8 grounding situation. Even if "fast" means 6 months away, AC still need to come up with the cash or set up the financing to acquire them in a shorter time span. Cash and financing may not be widely available in the coming months.
The other 330s were acquired because AC liked the 330 long-term. They were brought in to the fleet more quickly than normal by delaying the cabin refurbishments. Same as the WOW 321s.
If we are talking about long term fleet planning, then there are too many unknowns. TS 330s and 321s will be available to replace ACr 767s.
AC may or may not take advantage of this glut of 330s in the market, but the coronavirus isn't going to have any impact on it.
Feb 25, 2020, 3:03 pm
#101
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: Sardine Class
Posts: 36
AC seems better positioned than many airlines to ride out the current situation and potential economic downturn.
The Chinese government has announced plans for government-owned airlines to absorb HNA's assets, which has been undergoing financial difficulties for some time now and the coronavirus seems to be the last straw. The situation in Europe and the rest of Asia seems to be getting worse, so I doubt that HNA is going to the be only airline to go under before this is all over.
In the end, coronavirus might actually help AC, allowing them to get some pretty good deals on aircraft.
The Chinese government has announced plans for government-owned airlines to absorb HNA's assets, which has been undergoing financial difficulties for some time now and the coronavirus seems to be the last straw. The situation in Europe and the rest of Asia seems to be getting worse, so I doubt that HNA is going to the be only airline to go under before this is all over.
In the end, coronavirus might actually help AC, allowing them to get some pretty good deals on aircraft.
Last edited by CanuckMoose; Feb 25, 2020 at 3:05 pm Reason: Reformatted
Feb 25, 2020, 3:08 pm
#102
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
AC seems better positioned than many airlines to ride out the current situation and potential economic downturn. The Chinese government has announced plans for government-owned airlines to absorb HNA's assets, which has been undergoing financial difficulties for some time now and the coronavirus seems to be the last straw. The situation in Europe and the rest of Asia seems to be getting worse, so I doubt that HNA is going to the be only airline to go under before this is all over. In the end, coronavirus might actually help AC, allowing them to get some pretty good deals on aircraft.
The other Chinese airlines are likely impacted only in the short term.
So this likely means nothing to AC's fleet strategy.
Feb 25, 2020, 3:19 pm
#103
Join Date: Feb 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: Sardine Class
Posts: 36
HNA isn't in trouble because of coronavirus, it's in trouble because it has binged on debt-fuelled acquisitions for years across a bunch of different sectors and a number of businesses have underperformed.
The other Chinese airlines are likely impacted only in the short term.
So this likely means nothing to AC's fleet strategy.
The other Chinese airlines are likely impacted only in the short term.
So this likely means nothing to AC's fleet strategy.
"HNA was in financial trouble for a while now, and this coronavirus outbreak seems to be the nail in the coffin, after many bad decisions"
Also, what I meant was that the airline industry in general, will be impacted, and some of the airlines already in poor financial standing before likely won't make it through if the coronavirus estimates are anything to go by, which means if AC were to want some cheap A330s, there won't be short supply.
Feb 28, 2020, 9:12 pm
#104
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,743
I've updated the spreadsheet with the comparison of premium seating by aircraft with the new 333 configuration being available. Fairly significant increase in premium seats (22% to 28%), with a bit more of everything. Best ratio of total premium seats, PY, and preferred seats in the widebody fleet; the 77L is still the highest proportion of J seats. But overall it looks like the new 333s should be a bit of an improvement for those who don't just want Y.
That being said, still a long way from what UA and others are doing in terms of their equivalent of preferred seats. This is only slightly more premium than the current AC fleet.
That being said, still a long way from what UA and others are doing in terms of their equivalent of preferred seats. This is only slightly more premium than the current AC fleet.