Air Canada has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9, a larger version of the Dreamliner 787-8 already in its fleet. This move that will give the carrier greater range and capacity, enabling the airline to further expand its international network.
“Air Canada is very excited to take delivery of its first Boeing 787-9,” said Benjamin Smith, president, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. “This new aircraft’s larger capacity and greater range will accelerate our international expansion strategy and allow us to offer customers more non-stop services to new international destinations.”
Air Canada announced two new routes with the 787-9 to Delhi and Dubai from Toronto beginning this fall. The non-stop Delhi flight will begin Nov. 1, and the flight to Dubai begins Nov. 3.
In the interim, customers will have the opportunity to preview the new aircraft on select flights between Toronto and Vancouver during August and between Toronto and the cities of Munich and Milan during September and October. Future deployments of the 787-9 Dreamliner will be announced as new aircraft enter service.
Air Canada took delivery of its first Dreamliner in May 2014 and will receive a total of 29 new 787-9 Dreamliner aircraft by 2019, in addition to eight 787-8 aircraft already in operation. All Dreamliners will feature Air Canada’s redesigned interiors in a three-cabin configuration, including International Business with fully lie-flat seats, Premium Economy and Economy.
Air Canada’s next generation seatback in-flight entertainment system will be available throughout and will seat 298 passengers.