Air Canada Brings Back Retired Boeing 767 for 5 Routes
Air Canada Revives Boeing 767 Aircraft for Key Routes in 2024
Air Canada, the Montreal-based airline, is set to make a significant move by resurrecting two Boeing 767-300ER aircraft that were retired during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. These aircraft, now parked at John C. Munro Hamilton International Airport (YHM), will return to service on five popular routes starting in early 2024. This decision marks an important step in Air Canada’s strategy to enhance its domestic and international offerings, catering to travelers seeking flexibility and convenience.
Air Canada 767 Routes and Schedule
The two Boeing 767-300ERs, registered as C-FOCA and C-GLCA, are over 33 years old and are expected to operate out of Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ). According to Ishrion Aviation, the revived aircraft will service the following routes:
- Toronto (YYZ) to Las Vegas (LAS): February 1 to March 29 (AC1281/1282)
- Toronto (YYZ) to Calgary (YYC): February 15 to April 30 (AC157/156)
- Toronto (YYZ) to Edmonton (YEG): February 15 to April 30 (AC163/166)
- Toronto (YYZ) to Montego Bay (MBJ): March 31 to April 30 (AC932/983)
- Toronto (YYZ) to Phoenix (PHX): March 14, 16, and 23
Currently, these routes are scheduled through April 30, with potential extensions as Air Canada finalizes its summer flight schedule.
Aircraft Features and Comfort
The Boeing 767-300ERs will maintain their original layout, providing passengers with a comfortable travel experience. The aircraft will feature:
- 24 lie-flat business class seats in a 1-1-1 configuration
- 187 economy seats in a 2-3-2 configuration
This setup ensures that travelers can enjoy both comfort and space during their flights.
Future Fleet Expansion Plans
Air Canada has ambitious plans to expand its fleet over the next five years, aiming to acquire 90 new aircraft from 2024 to 2029. This initiative includes a mix of wide-body and narrow-body models, designed to enhance operational efficiency and optimize the route network. The expected new additions include:
- 30 Airbus A321XLRs (28 arriving between 2026-2029)
- 27 Airbus A220s (delivering throughout the timeline)
- 18 Boeing 787-10s (scheduled for 2026-2029)
- 12 Boeing 737 MAXs (to be delivered by 2025)
- 2 Boeing 767-300ERs (planned for 2025)
- 1 Boeing 787-9 (expected in 2025)
Summer 2025 Schedule Updates
Looking ahead, Air Canada is expanding its network for Summer 2025 with new routes and increased capacity across Europe, the United States, and Asia. Key additions to the schedule include:
- Montreal to Naples and Porto
- Toronto to Prague and Port of Spain
- Ottawa to London
In transborder services, Air Canada will introduce new routes from Vancouver to Nashville and Montreal to Cincinnati, while also resuming its Toronto-Jacksonville route, the only nonstop service between Canada and Jacksonville. The airline is poised to operate over 200 daily flights to more than 45 U.S. destinations during the summer of 2025.
In Asia, Air Canada will reinstate seasonal flights from Montreal to Seoul and Toronto to Osaka using Boeing 787 Dreamliners, thereby increasing capacity to these vital markets.
Commitment to Sustainability
In a significant move towards sustainability, Air Canada has signed an agreement with Neste to purchase 77.6 million liters (20.5 million U.S. gallons) of Neste MY Sustainable Aviation Fuel™. This initiative underlines the airline’s commitment to advancing climate initiatives and reducing its environmental footprint.
For more details on Air Canada’s routes and fleet expansion, readers can explore related articles here and here.
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