Air Canada says it has placed a firm order for 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner aircraft that will be used to replace older, less efficient wide-body aircraft in its fleet. The agreement also includes options for an additional 12 Boeing 787-10 aircraft.
The purchase is necessary to meet future customer demand, says Air Canada, with company president and CEO Michael Rousseau stating, “Air Canada has made investing in the passenger experience a core priority.”
He adds, “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.”
The airline says it expects to start receiving the new aircraft in the fourth quarter of 2025 with the last one scheduled for delivery in the first quarter of 2027.
The order announced Monday substitutes an earlier deal for two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft.
The 787-10 is the largest model of the Dreamliner family and can carry more than 330 passengers depending on the seat configuration. It also has 175 cubic meters of cargo volume.
Air Canada currently operates 30 787-9 and eight 787-8 versions of the Dreamliner, with two more 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery from a previous order.
Fleet renewal
The acquisition of the new aircraft is part of an ongoing fleet renewal program at Air Canada, with the airline continuing to take delivery of new Airbus A220 aircraft, as well as plans to acquire 28 extra-long range (XLR) versions of the Airbus A321neo aircraft, also beginning in 2025. In addition, as previously announced, Air Canada has finalized a purchase agreement for 30 ES-30 electric-hybrid aircraft under development by Heart Aerospace, which are expected to enter service in 2028.
In total, Air Canada currently operates approximately 240 aircraft in its mainline and Air Canada Rouge fleet.