Oct 23, 2023, 9:11 pm
Last edit by: YVR72
A320/321 cabin refurbishment tracker 2024-2026
Official News Release here. AC indicates 15 321 and 8 320 to be refurbed, but has since leased additional aircraft, transferred from Rouge, and announced that Rouge will have an all 7M8 fleet. Aircraft are being upgraded to the A220 standard. Modifications include Airspace XL overhead bins, brand new seating, improved IFE with exterior tail and belly cameras, Bluetooth-enabled monitors, Intelsat 2Ku Wi-Fi (upgraded, satellite-based), LED mood lighting, power outlets, USB-A and USB-C at every seat.
Initial photos from FT'ers: Cabin Overview | Screen and Exterior Camera | Trip report from AirlineGeeks: Trip Report: Flying on Air Canadas Newly Retrofitted A321 | AirlineGeeks.com
Official News Release here. AC indicates 15 321 and 8 320 to be refurbed, but has since leased additional aircraft, transferred from Rouge, and announced that Rouge will have an all 7M8 fleet. Aircraft are being upgraded to the A220 standard. Modifications include Airspace XL overhead bins, brand new seating, improved IFE with exterior tail and belly cameras, Bluetooth-enabled monitors, Intelsat 2Ku Wi-Fi (upgraded, satellite-based), LED mood lighting, power outlets, USB-A and USB-C at every seat.
Initial photos from FT'ers: Cabin Overview | Screen and Exterior Camera | Trip report from AirlineGeeks: Trip Report: Flying on Air Canadas Newly Retrofitted A321 | AirlineGeeks.com
Airbus A320/A321 (320/321) refurbishment program (beginning 2023)
Mar 27, 2026 | 9:08 pm
#586
Join Date: Nov 2025
Posts: 39
We are getting pictures internally of the updated cabin. It's not being called "glowing hearted" as of right now, just "321 New Configuration" - i'm sure us FA's will rename it soon.
The J seats are the same, but different fabric colours - matches what the company released awhile back in the investor presentation. The Y tray tables are the ones that fold open. So they fold in half then stow. The IFE is new. Looks nice. Everything else matches the dream 321. New bins, flex lav/galley at the aft. I'm not sure they will make a big deal about it.
The J seats are the same, but different fabric colours - matches what the company released awhile back in the investor presentation. The Y tray tables are the ones that fold open. So they fold in half then stow. The IFE is new. Looks nice. Everything else matches the dream 321. New bins, flex lav/galley at the aft. I'm not sure they will make a big deal about it.
Last edited by airboy.yvr; Mar 27, 2026 at 9:11 pm Reason: wording
Mar 27, 2026 | 9:37 pm
#587
Join Date: Nov 2025
Location: YYZ Terminal 2
Programs: AC, PD, DL
Posts: 57
Mar 27, 2026 | 11:48 pm
#588
Join Date: Nov 2025
Posts: 39
I imagine it will be the same for the XLR and 787-10.
Mar 28, 2026 | 4:24 am
#589
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: AC P(easant)25K
Posts: 1,183
Mar 28, 2026 | 6:42 am
#590
Join Date: Jan 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE 100K MM; Marriott Lifetime Titanium, Avis Presidents Club
Posts: 3,903
Mar 28, 2026 | 7:07 am
#591
Join Date: Mar 2026
Location: Gate D49 Pearson Terminal 1
Posts: 28
We are getting pictures internally of the updated cabin. It's not being called "glowing hearted" as of right now, just "321 New Configuration" - i'm sure us FA's will rename it soon.
The J seats are the same, but different fabric colours - matches what the company released awhile back in the investor presentation. The Y tray tables are the ones that fold open. So they fold in half then stow. The IFE is new. Looks nice. Everything else matches the dream 321. New bins, flex lav/galley at the aft. I'm not sure they will make a big deal about it.
The J seats are the same, but different fabric colours - matches what the company released awhile back in the investor presentation. The Y tray tables are the ones that fold open. So they fold in half then stow. The IFE is new. Looks nice. Everything else matches the dream 321. New bins, flex lav/galley at the aft. I'm not sure they will make a big deal about it.
Mar 28, 2026 | 7:47 am
#593
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: AC P(easant)25K
Posts: 1,183
I think OP is referring to the bi-folding table form the seatback like you find on SQ.
In theory it will give you more room for your knees but in reality it's an extra point of failure and I highly doubt AC's cleaning contractors would do half decent job now they need to fold them out one more time to clean the surface.
In theory it will give you more room for your knees but in reality it's an extra point of failure and I highly doubt AC's cleaning contractors would do half decent job now they need to fold them out one more time to clean the surface.
Mar 28, 2026 | 12:31 pm
#594
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,219
I think OP is referring to the bi-folding table form the seatback like you find on SQ.
In theory it will give you more room for your knees but in reality it's an extra point of failure and I highly doubt AC's cleaning contractors would do half decent job now they need to fold them out one more time to clean the surface.
In theory it will give you more room for your knees but in reality it's an extra point of failure and I highly doubt AC's cleaning contractors would do half decent job now they need to fold them out one more time to clean the surface.
But then I've also had a few tray tables or seat areas in general where I need to go ask for a wet wipe during boarding because it's obviously sticky with some colored substance.
And while I could imagine they spend a little extra on cleaning the J cabin, I have doubts about they're going to add the necessary time (in terms of turn time or paying the cleaners) for the entire plane.
Mar 29, 2026 | 12:06 pm
#595
Join Date: Nov 2025
Posts: 39
- These are the J seats on the 321
A lot of the narrowbody J tray tables have some kind of moisture on them when I pull it out for meal service, and I always hope it's from cleaning them properly, and just not drying them sufficiently.
But then I've also had a few tray tables or seat areas in general where I need to go ask for a wet wipe during boarding because it's obviously sticky with some colored substance.
And while I could imagine they spend a little extra on cleaning the J cabin, I have doubts about they're going to add the necessary time (in terms of turn time or paying the cleaners) for the entire plane.
But then I've also had a few tray tables or seat areas in general where I need to go ask for a wet wipe during boarding because it's obviously sticky with some colored substance.
And while I could imagine they spend a little extra on cleaning the J cabin, I have doubts about they're going to add the necessary time (in terms of turn time or paying the cleaners) for the entire plane.
Last edited by Adam Smith; Mar 29, 2026 at 12:39 pm Reason: Merge consecutive posts by same user
Mar 29, 2026 | 1:09 pm
#597
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: AC P(easant)25K
Posts: 1,183
The center console seems to suggest it's either A220 or CRJ/E175 (the window is definitely E175 shape), but it's just a computer render, it could be anything.
I suppose all AC's cabins going forward will follow a similar colour scheme.
I suppose all AC's cabins going forward will follow a similar colour scheme.
Mar 29, 2026 | 1:12 pm
#598
Join Date: Mar 2026
Location: Gate D49 Pearson Terminal 1
Posts: 28
I think he means in terms of the seat covers, but I love the new Colour Scheme theyre using