Air Canada A321 XLR order (1st delivery Q1 2026)
Feb 27, 2026 | 11:10 am
#691
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: YOW
Programs: AC*SEMM, *G, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 967
The smaller winglets on the "classic" A321s are different than the more modern ones that are on about 6-7 of the Rouge fleet...
Feb 27, 2026 | 11:43 am
#692
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 25,009
Are the wingtips the same?
But the real difference: engine diameter is significantly larger at 2.22 m vs. 1.75.
Feb 27, 2026 | 11:45 am
#693
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: YOW
Programs: AC P(easant)25K
Posts: 1,254
It was redesigned for fire proofing requirements from the center fuel tank.
Feb 28, 2026 | 11:00 am
#694
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 25,009
Air Canada posted this:
https://www.aircanada.com/media/the-...ead-its-wings/
But nothing about interiors.
https://www.aircanada.com/media/the-...ead-its-wings/
But nothing about interiors.
Mar 2, 2026 | 10:39 pm
#697
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SEMM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,771
Mar 3, 2026 | 10:42 am
#701
Join Date: Mar 2014
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SEMM, Marriott Plat
Posts: 2,771
For what it's worth, my wife had a change of metal recently for an upcoming flight, that resulted in her going from a pod to regular narrowbody J. When I phoned in, they did allow a change free of charge since it was a "downgrade" in J experience.
Mar 3, 2026 | 2:41 pm
#702
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 2,128
Curious what fare class this was on. AC is consistently inconsistent on how they approach these downgrades.
Mar 3, 2026 | 2:47 pm
#703
Join Date: Sep 2017
Posts: 160
Mar 3, 2026 | 3:33 pm
#704
Formerly known as tireman77
Join Date: Dec 2013
Posts: 7,799
If I recall from the 787 there were a bunch of Rapidair flights before the long haul schedule, though since the XLR is essentially an A321 with a bigger bladder perhaps that won't be necessary.
Mar 3, 2026 | 3:40 pm
#705
Join Date: May 2024
Posts: 81
AA: 20J/12PY/123Y Total 155PAX for 4 LAVs. (not sure which one PY can use... ) 1 lav per 39PAX
EI: 16J/168Y --> 184 PAX for 4 Lavs. 1 Lav per 46 PAX
IB: 14J/168Y --> 180 PAX for 4 Lavs. 1 Lav per 45 PAX
UA: 20J/12PY/36Y+82Y Total 150PAX for 4 LAVs. (not sure which one PY can use... ) 1 lav per 38PAX
Not a massive difference via a vis QF's original 67 PAX per Lav.
As for PY on AC... Canada is notorious for having a lower demand for premium versus everyone else. Given PY is essentially the same as current narrow-body J recliners I doubt there is a market for an in between, and certain not an extra-premium market AA & UA can demand over a PY. Thinking AC will add PY to the XLR is wishful thinking, in my opinion, because being pragmatic, cheap ... people up here, there isn't enough demand for an 'in between' product on these. Thos who want to "Be Big" will pay for a crappy, narrow pod that faces the wrong way...and the 99% who don't have a clue what type of plane they are flying on will just buy Y.
EI: 16J/168Y --> 184 PAX for 4 Lavs. 1 Lav per 46 PAX
IB: 14J/168Y --> 180 PAX for 4 Lavs. 1 Lav per 45 PAX
UA: 20J/12PY/36Y+82Y Total 150PAX for 4 LAVs. (not sure which one PY can use... ) 1 lav per 38PAX
Not a massive difference via a vis QF's original 67 PAX per Lav.
As for PY on AC... Canada is notorious for having a lower demand for premium versus everyone else. Given PY is essentially the same as current narrow-body J recliners I doubt there is a market for an in between, and certain not an extra-premium market AA & UA can demand over a PY. Thinking AC will add PY to the XLR is wishful thinking, in my opinion, because being pragmatic, cheap ... people up here, there isn't enough demand for an 'in between' product on these. Thos who want to "Be Big" will pay for a crappy, narrow pod that faces the wrong way...and the 99% who don't have a clue what type of plane they are flying on will just buy Y.