Air Canada has announced that it has placed a firm order for 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft with first deliveries expected in Q4 2025.
This latest order comes as part of the airline’s fleet renewal plans to phase out less fuel-efficient widebodies in its current fleet. Deliveries are expected to take place from Q4 2025, with the last planned for delivery in Q1 2027.
The agreement also states that they will swap out its two previously orderered Boeing 777 Freighters in favor of this new passenger order, and have added in options for 12 additional 787-10s.
“Air Canada has made investing in the passenger experience a core priority. Our experience shows customers greatly enjoy flying on the Dreamliner, so we are pleased to offer them a larger version of this popular aircraft, which will premiere a new, state-of-the-art interior cabin design. As importantly, the 787 is highly fuel efficient and will generate operational savings as well as support our sustainability goals of reducing emissions,” said Michael Rousseau, President and Chief Executive Officer of Air Canada.
Without the inclusion of today’s order, Air Canada’s widebody fleet consists of the following:
- 18 Airbus A330-300s
- 6 Boeing 777-200LRs
- 19 Boeing 777-300ER
- 8 Boeing 787-8
- 30 Boeing 787-9 with 2 more expected for delivery
Statistically, the two older fleet types include their Airbus A330s which have an average age of 17 years, as well as their Boeing 777s which average 14 years old. Even though the Boeing 787-10 has the highest passenger capacity, it also has the lowest range compared to the -9 and -8.
Older widebody types up on the chopping block
While the airline did not specify which of its older aircraft will be phased out over time, the A330s sound like they may be the first to go, as they have similar performance range statistics with the one major difference being the added seat and cargo capacity being offered on the 787-10.
The factory stats list the 787-10 as having a performance range of 6,430 NM, while the 787-9 can fly much further at 7,635 NM. The 787-8 also comes out on the higher end of the range bracket, having a tecnical range of 7,355 NM.
Currently, Air Canada uses its A330s primilary out of Toronto and Montreal, to operate flights to various parts of Europe, as well as some American cities further south and on the west coast, as well as parts of the Caribbean and Colombia.
The carrier may most likely hold on to its much higher capacity and higher range 777s as they perform longer missions out of its east and west coast hubs to the South Pacific, Asia and Middle East.
[Featured Photo: Air Canada]
