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Air Canada Master Fleet Strategy Thread

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Old Feb 15, 2019, 9:51 pm
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Information below is based on the fleet plan reported in the latest fleet update in the quarterly MD&A, currently 2026 Q1 (PDF [English] [Franais]) with updates based on information from planespotters.net, press releases, and other sources. Please expand the "Spoilers" section that the bottom of the wiki to see latest updates. 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.



Updated 7 June 2026


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Air Canada Master Fleet Strategy Thread

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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 9:48 pm
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Air Canada Master Fleet Strategy 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.
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 9:49 pm
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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, 2019 at 10:00 pm
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Old Feb 15, 2019 | 9:55 pm
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Thank you so much for this. Outstanding. ^
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 6:53 am
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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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 7:22 am
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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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 7:30 am
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Originally Posted by WaytoomuchEurope
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.
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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 7:59 am
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This is a great idea for a thread! Thanks very much for collecting the data and making it really accessible
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 8:23 am
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Thanks Adam. Anyone else scared by the notion that the 7M8 fleet will be bigger than all mainline A32X narrowbodies combined in 2020? They will be everywhere.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 8:47 am
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Originally Posted by WildcatYXU
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.
Funny, I haven't noticed it on the MAX. Selective hearing is a possibility, but more likely that I hear it less up front which is the only cabin I've enjoyed for the 7M8.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 10:26 am
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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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 11:01 am
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Is the aircraft code for A220-300 223 or CS3?
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 11:05 am
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Originally Posted by smallmj
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.
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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 11:25 am
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Originally Posted by WildcatYXU
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.
Thanks. I've updated the wiki. Of course, anyone is free to update it themselves

Originally Posted by YXUFlyboy
Thanks Adam. Anyone else scared by the notion that the 7M8 fleet will be bigger than all mainline A32X narrowbodies combined in 2020? They will be everywhere.
Already happening. I regularly get notices from EF that flights I've booked on a 319, 320 or 321 have been swapped to 7M8. It's only going to get worse.

Originally Posted by YXUFlyboy
Is the aircraft code for A220-300 223 or CS3?
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.
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 11:26 am
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Good riddance to the DH1s to be honest
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Old Feb 16, 2019 | 12:00 pm
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According to the AC website, the DH1 fleet is down to just 10 now.
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