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
#1
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
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Posts: 14,910
Air Canada Master Fleet Changes Thread
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.
#2
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: 14,910
To kick off the discussion... One interesting open item is what is AC going to do with the 319s and 321s that are currently projected to be at mainline through 2021. They have a bunch more 7M8s on order and the ability to convert those to 7M7s or 7M9s, but no sign of doing so thus far. So do the 319s and 321s have a long-term future at mainline, or will they end up at rouge soon enough?
Last edited by Adam Smith; Feb 15, 19 at 11:00 pm
#3
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
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#4
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
Fantastic wiki and thread. Well done.
At quick glance it doesn't seem there is much of a net change in pax capacity across the fleet in coming years which suggests either that AC feels they have saturated the various markets, or they fly many aircraft not full.
I am disappointed in the change from A32Xs to 7M8s. It isn't new news of course but this thread serves as the reminder.
I actually have never liked A32X aircraft owing almost entirely to the engines. The sound they make on takeoff until cruising altitude is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Having said that, a few flights aboard the 7M8 have served as a reminder to be careful what one wishes for.
At quick glance it doesn't seem there is much of a net change in pax capacity across the fleet in coming years which suggests either that AC feels they have saturated the various markets, or they fly many aircraft not full.
I am disappointed in the change from A32Xs to 7M8s. It isn't new news of course but this thread serves as the reminder.
I actually have never liked A32X aircraft owing almost entirely to the engines. The sound they make on takeoff until cruising altitude is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Having said that, a few flights aboard the 7M8 have served as a reminder to be careful what one wishes for.
#5
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YXU
Programs: AC SE100K, National E/E, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, MB Plat, Avis P/P
Posts: 842
Airfleets.net is showing the 7M8 fleet as 20 strong. According to them, MSN7358, C-GEHI has been delivered n January 31. MSN7383, C-GHEV has been delivered on Feb. 1.
#6
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: YXU
Programs: AC SE100K, National E/E, HH Diamond, IHG Plat, MB Plat, Avis P/P
Posts: 842
Fantastic wiki and thread. Well done.
At quick glance it doesn't seem there is much of a net change in pax capacity across the fleet in coming years which suggests either that AC feels they have saturated the various markets, or they fly many aircraft not full.
I am disappointed in the change from A32Xs to 7M8s. It isn't new news of course but this thread serves as the reminder.
I actually have never liked A32X aircraft owing almost entirely to the engines. The sound they make on takeoff until cruising altitude is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Having said that, a few flights aboard the 7M8 have served as a reminder to be careful what one wishes for.
At quick glance it doesn't seem there is much of a net change in pax capacity across the fleet in coming years which suggests either that AC feels they have saturated the various markets, or they fly many aircraft not full.
I am disappointed in the change from A32Xs to 7M8s. It isn't new news of course but this thread serves as the reminder.
I actually have never liked A32X aircraft owing almost entirely to the engines. The sound they make on takeoff until cruising altitude is like nails on a chalkboard to me. Having said that, a few flights aboard the 7M8 have served as a reminder to be careful what one wishes for.
#9
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE100K, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold, Hertz 5*
Posts: 2,132
AC's A32X fleet is sort of sharing the engines with the wast majority of the worldwide 737 fleet. The buzz saw sound is definitely present on 737's too. So not too much choice there. And right now I can't recall the sound inside of a V2500 powered A321. It's almost 3 years since I flew one.
#10
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,602
Until I read the Wiki I didn't know that AC Express operators are getting rid of 9 CRJ, 8 Q400, and 6 DH3. I knew that the 15 DH1 were on the way out, but the others came as a surprise to me. Some of these will be offset by 14 new CR9, but overall there is quite a decrease in birds for AC Express.
#12
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,792
Until I read the Wiki I didn't know that AC Express operators are getting rid of 9 CRJ, 8 Q400, and 6 DH3. I knew that the 15 DH1 were on the way out, but the others came as a surprise to me. Some of these will be offset by 14 new CR9, but overall there is quite a decrease in birds for AC Express.
#13
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
Join Date: Feb 2015
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Posts: 14,910

Fair question. I believe Airbus is updating the paperwork to change it. Whether that's done or not, I don't know. I do know that Air Baltic uses "223" on their schedule.