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Airbus has announced that it has delivered the first of 30 A321XLR aircraft to Air Canada. The aircraft is on lease from SMBC Aviation Capital.
The delivery makes the airline the first operator of the A321XLR in Canada. The jet will be pivotal in the airline's network expansion and will operate on new and existing long-haul routes. The aircraft is powered by a Pratt andamp; Whitney GTF engine and features a sophisticated two-cabin layout. It has 14 Air Canada Signature Class full-flat seats and 168 Economy cabin seats.
It can fly 4,700 nautical miles with an estimated 30% lower fuel consumption per seat. That is 700 more nautical miles than the A321LR and 1,200 nautical miles farther than the Airbus A321neo can fly. The A321XLR should be able to operate non-stop transatlantic flights from Montreal and Toronto to destinations such as Berlin, Toulouse and Edinburgh.The aircraft is able to operate with up to 50% of SAF fuel. Its in-flight entertainment includes Bluetooth audio and full in-seat connectivity. Additionally, an advanced ambient lighting system is meant to decrease passengers' jetlag.
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Air Canada currently operates a fleet of 136 Airbus aircraft and has 61 aircraft on order, including recently ordered A350 aircraft.