Canada’s largest airline announced Thursday that it will reshuffle aircraft across its brands and install refreshed cabins with new seats, improved entertainment systems, and upgraded wireless internet.
Air Canada plans to transition all of its Boeing 737 MAX aircraft to subsidiary Air Canada Rouge, while moving Rouge’s Airbus A320s and A321s into the mainline fleet.
Mainline aircraft will be fitted with new reclining seats, personal screens, and Wi-Fi service. Air Canada officials said the new design scheme for mainline cabins – which will be adopted across the company’s brands – is meant to be “modern, accessible, and warm,” while also distinctly Canadian.
The upgrade work is already underway, the carrier noted, and 15 A321s are currently operating with the refurbished cabins.
Rouge’s 737 MAX 8 jets will be reconfigured to accommodate 12 Business Class seats, 18 Preferred extra-legroom Economy seats, and 147 Standard Economy seats. Like the mainline fleet, the aircraft will get new seats and entertainment systems. Wireless internet will be made available for free for Aeroplan members.
Air Canada Express’ Embraer E175s and Mitsubishi CRJ-900s, operated by Jazz Aviation, will also get new cabins starting in 2026. The Express subsidiary’s 25 De Havilland Dash 8-400 aircraft have already been set aside for a full cabin redesign, which includes new seating, new interiors, and Wi-Fi.
Air Canada also plans to offer complimentary beer, wine, and premium snacks on all flights in its North American network.
Growing A220 Fleet
Airline officials added Thursday that they will continue to invest in the A220, which has become increasingly central to Air Canada’s domestic and transborder operations. The carrier has an additional 26 A220-300s on order and will introduce its new design standard on future deliveries starting in March 2026.
As part of the cross-fleet reorganization, Air Canada Rouge will open a new crew base in Vancouver, “providing more choices for leisure travelers from Western Canada,” the airline said. It did not provide an opening date for the facility.
