Boeing and Air Canada have announced that the carrier has placed an order for up to 30 aircraft.
The two aviation giants announced on September 25, 2023, that Canada’s flag carrier had agreed to purchase 18 787-10 Dreamliner widebody jets, with the option to purchase 12 more.
The order means that the airline will fly every model in the 787 Dreamliner family.
“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 CEO of Air Canada.
Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in Q4 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q1 2027.
Air Canada currently operates a fleet of 38 787s, including eight 787-8 and 30 787-9 jets. The airline is also waiting for two more 787-9 aircraft scheduled for delivery from a previous order.
The largest model in the family, the 787-10, can carry up to 336 passengers with a range of 6,330 nautical miles (11,730 km).
The 787-10 is the newest Dreamline and is a stretched version of the 787-9, making it the longest in the 787 family.
“With the 787 Dreamliner family, Air Canada will soon operate one of the most modern, efficient widebody fleets in the world,” said Stan Deal, president and CEO of Boeing Commercial Airplanes. “The 787-10 will provide Air Canada with greater flexibility and commonality across its expansive network, connecting Canadians to destinations around the world.”
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.
Air Canada confirmed the 787-10 aircraft order with Boeing today substitutes for a previously announced agreement to purchase two Boeing 777 freighter aircraft and, as a result, Air Canada will no longer take delivery of the two freighters.
Canada is among Boeing’s largest international supply bases with more than 550 suppliers.
There are more than a dozen Canadian suppliers supporting the 787 program, including Boeing’s aerospace composite manufacturing facility in Winnipeg.
Since revenue service began in 2011, the 787 family has opened more than 370 new nonstop routes around the world and received more than 1,760 orders from 87 customers – including more than 870 repeat orders from 56 repeat customers.
Over the last year, the 787 has received more than 295 orders and commitments.
Nearly half of all 787 Dreamliner operators fly more than one variant and four airlines operate, or will operate, fleets with all three variants.