Air Canada this week gave a first look at the redesigned cabin interiors it will install on its two new long-range aircraft, the Airbus A321XLR and the Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner.
The design concepts come with new premium seat types – lie-flat Air Canada Signature Class seats for the A321XLR, and suite-style Air Canada Signature Plus seats for the 787-10.
The Signature Class seats on the A321XLR will be the first lie-flat seats on any single-aisle jet in Air Canada’s fleet, officials said. There will be 14 of them on each aircraft.
The Signature Plus suites on the new Dreamliners will come with a longer, 6-foot, 5-inch bed, a quartzite-topped table, a dedicated guest seat, privacy doors, and larger 4K OLED screens. The seats will be located at the front of the aircraft.
Passengers outside of business class will also see upgrades from the redesign. Air Canada plans to install new, ergonomic seats, larger overhead bins, larger 4K screens, Bluetooth audio, and USB-C and AC power outlets across every cabin on the new aircraft.
In line with Air Canada’s “Glowing Hearted” design standard, the new interiors will pair red stitching and bespoke fabrics with a gray and stone color palette. Designers have also worked in natural wood grain details, bronze metal accents, and some unique artistic flourishes, including a “canopy” of backlit maple leaves on the A321XLR and a wave-like monument near the premium cabins on the 787-10.
“From the moment of stepping on board, we’re setting a new standard for how Canadians and the world connect with our brand,” Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s executive vice president and chief operations officer, said in a news release. “Details matter: we listened closely to feedback and challenged ourselves to create an experience defined by a strong Canadian sense of place, alongside a commitment to craftsmanship, functionality, and long-term durability.”
Air Canada expects to take delivery of its first A321XLRs this spring. The carrier’s first 787-10s will arrive somewhat later, with the first two projected to enter service by the end of the year.
The aircraft will be used to expand Air Canada’s long-haul international network, including new routes to Europe.
