Air Canada

[TheAverageJoe]

Air Canada To Launch New International Boeing 787 Dreamliner Routes from Vancouver

 

Route	Frequency	Operating	Depart YVR	Arrive Destination	Depart Destination	Arrive YVR
YVR-Melbourne (MEL)	3 times weekly	Begins Jun 1, 2018 year-round	AC037 @ 22:45 Wed/Fri/Sun	MEL @ 07:55 (+2 days)	AC038 @ 09:40 Tue/Fri/Sun (begins Jun 3)	07:35
YVR-Paris (CDG)	4 times weekly	Jun 8-Oct 15, 2018	AC806 @ 13:30 Mon/Wed/Fri/Sun	CDG @ 08:15 (+1 day)	AC807 @ 09:55 Mon/Tue/Thu/Sat	10:50
YVR-Zurich (ZRH)	3 times weekly	Jun 7-Oct 14, 2018	AC802 @ 12:55 Tue/Thu/Sat	ZRH @ 07:50 (+1 day)	AC803 @ 09:30 Wed/Fri/Sun	10:50

Vancouver expansion in 2017:
So far in 2017, Air Canada has launched new services from its Vancouver hub to: Taipei (year-round), Frankfurt (seasonal), Nagoya(seasonal), London-Gatwick (seasonal), Dallas-Fort Worth (year-round), Denver (year-round) and Boston (seasonal). Delhi seasonal service resumes on Oct. 14 and will increase up to five times weekly for the 2017/2018 season. Still to launch are: Melbourne seasonal flights beginning Dec. 1, Yellowknife seasonal flights beginning Dec. 15, and Orlando seasonal flights beginning Dec. 20.

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2017-08-31-Air-Canada-To-Launch-New-International-Boeing-787-Dreamliner-Routes-from-Vancouver

 

[TheAverageJoe]

What's That Silver Plane in the Air? Air Canada's Lockheed 10-A Takes to the Skies to Mark the Airline's 80th Anniversary

News Releases

What's That Silver Plane in the Air? Air Canada's Lockheed 10-A Takes to the Skies to Mark the Airline's 80th Anniversary

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MONTREAL, Sept. 9, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - In honour of Air Canada's 80th anniversary, Air Canada's Lockheed 10A vintage aircraft is taking to the skies across Canada. After taking off this morning from Vancouver, BC, the L-10A will be making overnight stops as well as fuel stops at airports across Canada, and will be on public display at the Royal Aviation Museum in Winnipeg on September 13 and 14. More information is at: http://www.royalaviationmuseum.com.

As part of the tour, the vintage 10-seat aircraft will overnight in Edmonton, Saskatoon, Regina, Winnipeg, Thunder Bay, Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and Halifax. The plane may also make a fuel stop in your community. Look out Calgary, Sudbury, Quebec City, and possibly more! Aviation enthusiasts may track the aircraft's movements by its registration, CF-TCC, and look out for the silver aircraft in the skies as follows:

• This week: B.C., Alberta, Saskatchewan
• Week of September 11: Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario
• Week of September 23: Ontario, Quebec, Maritimes, and returns to Manitoba.

About the Lockheed L-10A Electra
The Lockheed L‐10A Electra was designed in the mid-1930s by the Lockheed Aircraft Corporation, to compete against the Boeing 247 and the Douglas DC‐2. This was Lockheed's first all‐metal twin engine aircraft design, and was first flown on February 23rd, 1934.

Although the aircraft was operated by many commercial airlines in the 1930s, the Lockheed Electra was made most famous by aviatrix Amelia Earhart, who in 1937, disappeared in her L-10E Electra while attempting an around‐the‐world flight. The only difference between the two models is that the L‐10E was equipped with larger, more powerful Pratt & Whitney R1340 engines.

Trans Canada Air Lines and the Lockheed L-10A
On September 1st, 1937 Air Canada's forerunner, Trans Canada Air Lines (TCA), launched its first commercial passenger flight; a fifty-minute trip from Vancouver to Seattle. TCA had acquired the route plus two Lockheed L‐10A aircraft from Canadian Airways.

In that same month, TCA bought three additional Lockheed L‐10A aircraft, brand new, from the Lockheed factory for $73,000 each. These aircraft were dubbed the "Three Sisters" and carried the registrations CF‐TCA, CF‐TCB, and CF‐TCC. The first aircraft, CF‐TCA can now be found in the Canadian Aviation and Space Museum in Ottawa. CF‐TCC is the silver aircraft flying across Canada and is only one of two Lockheed L‐10A Electra aircraft flying in the world.

The History of CF-TCC
After being operated by Trans Canada Air Lines from 1937 to 1939, CF‐TCC was sold to the Canadian Government and operated by the RCAF as part of the War Effort during World War II. During the next 40 years, the aircraft was sold several times to various private corporations and individuals. In 1975, a retired Air Canada employee recognized the faded old registration marks on the aircraft while attending an air show in Texas. Air Canada kept track of the aircraft until 1983, at which point the company purchased the aircraft back, restored it, and flew it during Air Canada's 50th Anniversary celebrations in 1986. At the end of the Fifty stop Canadian tour, CF‐TCC was featured in the Air Canada pavilion during Expo 86 in Vancouver.

Since 1986, the aircraft has been maintained in flying condition. Air Canada employee and retiree volunteers from Air Canada Maintenance and Flight Operations have put thousands of hours of personal time into keeping CF‐TCC, our Air Canada heritage, flying for future generations to enjoy.

 

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2017-09-09-Whats-That-Silver-Plane-in-the-Air-Air-Canadas-Lockheed-10-A-Takes-to-the-Skies-to-Mark-the-Airlines-80th-Anniversary

[TheAverageJoe]

Air Canada to use the new Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 on routes to Ireland

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced expanded seasonal services to Ireland with new nonstop flights from Toronto (Pearson) to Shannon and between Montreal (Trudeau) and Dublin. The flights will be operated using Air Canada’s newest single-aisle aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 featuring a Business and Economy cabin configuration.

The new services announced include:

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC820	Toronto 22:00	Shannon 9:30 + 1 day	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
AC821	Shannon 10:30	Toronto 12:45	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
AC818	Montreal 21:15	Dublin 8:25 + 1 day	Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
AC819	Dublin 10:20	Montreal 12:00	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

 

https://worldairlinenews.com/2017/09/15/air-canada-to-use-the-new-boeing-737-8-max-8-on-routes-to-ireland/

[dcspeedskater]

On 10/19/2016 at 6:23 PM, shadow21 said:

Just booked a flight on Air Canada, and I will be flying for the first time on a Dash 8-100, any info on this fleet in jazz fleet?

I fly the Dash 8-400 (known more commonly as the Q400) all the time, it's a nice plane ride from YXJ to YVR, we even disembark using a jetbridge

[dbdb]

13 hours ago, dcspeedskater said:

I fly the Dash 8-400 (known more commonly as the Q400) all the time, it's a nice plane ride from YXJ to YVR, we even disembark using a jetbridge

The -100 is quite a different animal.  It's smaller, older, has a 4 blade prop instead of 6 so it's slow and noisy.  The back row is like the back bench seat on a bus where the middle seat (row 10) has nothing in front but the aisle.  They used to have 2 rear facing seats in row 1 which were incredibly uncomfortable during takeoff but I think that's been reconfigured.  There are no great window seats due to the engine nacelles and propellers obstructing much of the view.  Overhead bin space is very limited, most carry on bags end up being placed in the rear cargo compartment at boarding and you collect them on a cart as you exit the aircraft.  It's a perfectly adequate aircraft for a short flight (under ~300km), on longer flights you'll start to feel more like cargo than a passenger.

The -100 and -300 are comparable for comfort and speed with size being the main differentiation.   The Q400's are much nicer in all respects.

Official Air Canada info here: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/onboard/fleet.html

[Transit geek]

On 9/15/2017 at 10:04 AM, TheAverageJoe said:

Air Canada to use the new Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 on routes to Ireland

Air Canada (Montreal) has announced expanded seasonal services to Ireland with new nonstop flights from Toronto (Pearson) to Shannon and between Montreal (Trudeau) and Dublin. The flights will be operated using Air Canada’s newest single-aisle aircraft, the Boeing 737-8 MAX 8 featuring a Business and Economy cabin configuration.

The new services announced include:

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Days of Week
AC820	Toronto 22:00	Shannon 9:30 + 1 day	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday
AC821	Shannon 10:30	Toronto 12:45	Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday
AC818	Montreal 21:15	Dublin 8:25 + 1 day	Monday, Wednesday, Thursday, Saturday
AC819	Dublin 10:20	Montreal 12:00	Tuesday, Thursday, Friday, Sunday

 

https://worldairlinenews.com/2017/09/15/air-canada-to-use-the-new-boeing-737-8-max-8-on-routes-to-ireland/

How ironic considering the new flights are destined for a country (or place) where some of its newly ordered jets are being made amid controversy:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2017/09/18/bombardier-row-tops-agenda-uk-canada-trade-talks-northern-irish/

[9924]

10 hours ago, dbdb said:

The -100 is quite a different animal.  It's smaller, older, has a 4 blade prop instead of 6 so it's slow and noisy.  The back row is like the back bench seat on a bus where the middle seat (row 10) has nothing in front but the aisle.  They used to have 2 rear facing seats in row 1 which were incredibly uncomfortable during takeoff but I think that's been reconfigured.  There are no great window seats due to the engine nacelles and propellers obstructing much of the view.  Overhead bin space is very limited, most carry on bags end up being placed in the rear cargo compartment at boarding and you collect them on a cart as you exit the aircraft.  It's a perfectly adequate aircraft for a short flight (under ~300km), on longer flights you'll start to feel more like cargo than a passenger.

The -100 and -300 are comparable for comfort and speed with size being the main differentiation.   The Q400's are much nicer in all respects.

Official Air Canada info here: https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/home/fly/onboard/fleet.html

Give me a -100 or -300 over the Q400 any day. I like the noise and vibration.  Much better than the annoying high pitched buzz from the noise suppression systems on the Q400s.

[TheAverageJoe]

Air Canada, pilots reach deal for more aircraft in low-cost Rouge unit

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/air-canada-pilots-reach-deal-for-more-aircrafts-in-low-cost-rouge-unit/article36249609/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com

[Cathay 888]

Latest member repainted with the new livery - Tail number 931 / C-GFAF~~

 

AirCanada_931_C-GFAF_b

[TheAverageJoe]

 

Air Canada and AAR Conclude $500M CAD Agreement for Airframe Maintenance in Québec, Canada

 

TROIS-RIVIÈRES, QC, Sept. 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Global aviation services leader AAR CORP. (NYSE: AIR) and Air Canada (TSX: AC) today announced they have signed a 10-year agreement to provide airframe maintenance for the airline's Airbus narrow-body fleet of A319, A320 and A321 aircraft, as well as a new five-year agreement for Air Canada's Embraer E190 fleet. AAR will perform the work at its Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) facility at Trois-Rivières Airport in Québec, previously known as Premier Aviation.

The work to be performed on Air Canada's fleet of 125 narrow bodies will require approximately 350 aircraft mechanics at AAR's Trois-Rivières facility. The total value of the contract over its term is estimated to be approximately $500 million CAD. 

"We have been very pleased with the quality and turnaround time of AAR and the Trois-Rivières facility for the work performed on our narrow-body fleet over the past five years and are especially delighted that additional work can now be performed in Trois-Rivières Québec," said Richard Steer, Senior Vice President, Operations at Air Canada. "This contract further supports the development of Québec's aviation sector by encouraging industry expertise and job growth in the coming years, and Air Canada is proud to be a significant contributor to the economy of the region."

"We are honored by Air Canada's confidence in AAR's airframe heavy maintenance expertise, and look forward to continuing our long-term relationship," said Chris Jessup, Chief Commercial Officer, AAR.

 

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2017-09-19-Air-Canada-and-AAR-Conclude-500M-CAD-Agreement-for-Airframe-Maintenance-in-Quebec-Canada

[TheAverageJoe]

Air Canada open to ultra-low-cost air fares to compete in changing market

https://globalnews.ca/news/3760138/air-canada-ultra-low-cost/?utm_source=GlobalNews&utm_medium=Facebook

[TheAverageJoe]

Air Canada Expands its Global Network from Montreal with New Service to Bucharest, Romania and Lisbon, Portugal

 

• Enhances service to South America with new non-stop Montreal-Lima service expanded to year-round when it launches in December
• Non-stop Montreal-Casablanca transfers to Air Canada Airbus A330 service, beginning June 1, 2018

 

Air Canada today announced new non-stop services to two new destinations next summer from Montreal, expanding its global network to Bucharest, Romania and Lisbon, Portugal.

Tickets are now available for purchase at aircanada.com or through travel agents with special introductory fares starting as low as $899 round-trip, all in, for Bucharest; $799 round-trip, all in, for Lisbon; and $622 round-trip, all in, for Lima.

In addition, beginning June 2018, the airline will enhance its year-round service between Montreal and Casablanca by transferring the route to Air Canada mainline from Air Canada Rouge and operating an Airbus A330 aircraft offering three classes of service. It will also extend its new Montreal-Lima Air Canada Rouge service beginning December 2017 to year-round flights.

"Today's announcement further solidifies Air Canada's position as a leading global carrier. With these new services from Montreal, Air Canada becomes the only North American airline flying to Romania, the largest European market without trans-Atlantic flights, strengthening even further Air Canada's presence in Southeastern Europe," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada.  "Building on Air Canada's current success in the Portuguese market, the new Montreal-Lisbon route solidifies the airline's presence in the summer leisure market from Montréal. In addition, enhancements to our year-round services to Casablanca and Limademonstrate Air Canada's on-going commitment to grow Montreal as an important hub in our global network. Together, these new and enhanced services will provide customers greater comfort and choice, as well as the ability to conveniently connect onward through our extensive North American and International network."

"The addition and expansion of direct flights announced by Air Canada are a clear response to travellers' needs, and highlights once again Montreal's position as an air travel hub and leading international city. By taking these initiatives, Air Canada is not only promoting Montreal around the world, but also boosting the city's economy. These new flights will not only strengthen our partnerships and exchanges with the countries served, but also increase Montreal's potential for economic growth as an international crossroads. I want to congratulate Air Canada on launching 20 new direct international flights from our city in less than two years. We could not be more proud," said Montreal Mayor Denis Coderre.

"By adding Lisbon and Bucharest to its Montreal network, and offering year-round service to Lima, Air Canada is further confirming its intention to use Montréal-Trudeau as a strategic hub, as well as enhancing destination options from Montreal," said Philippe Rainville, President and CEO of Aéroports de Montréal. "The accelerated development of our air services underscores our position as an international traffic hub, with a wide-range of vacation and business destinations that meet our passengers' desire to explore, as well as direct links with internationally recognized hubs."

Montreal-Bucharest

The twice weekly Air Canada Rouge seasonal Bucharest service begins June 7, 2018 from Montréal, with the last operation from Bucharest on October 5. It will be complemented by a twice weekly Toronto-Bucharest flight operating from June 9 to October 7. The Air Canada Rouge flights will be operated with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring Premium Rouge and Economy class Service. Flights are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada's network through Air Canada's Montreal hub and offer the opportunity for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption.

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Start/End 2018	Days of Week
AC1928	Montreal 17:20	Bucharest 9:15 +1day	June 7/Oct. 4	Mon., Thurs.
AC1929	Bucharest 11:30	Montreal 14:05	June 8/Oct. 5	Tues., Fri.
*Bucharest flights sold subject to government approval.

 

Montreal-Lisbon

The three-times weekly Air Canada Rouge seasonal Lisbon service begins June 15, 2018 from Montréal, with the last operation from Lisbon on October 27. Flights will be operated with Boeing 767-300ER aircraft featuring Premium Rouge and Economy Class service and are timed to optimize connectivity from across Air Canada's network through Air Canada's hub in Montreal as well as opportunity for Aeroplan accumulation and redemption.

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Start/End 2018	Days of Week
AC1960	Montreal 20:45	Lisbon 8:10 +1 day	June 15/Oct. 26	Wed., Fri., Sun.
AC1961	Lisbon 9:45	Montreal 12:10	June 16/Oct. 27	Mon., Thurs., Sat.

 

Air Canada has already announced five new international services for 2018 from Montreal. These include Montreal-Tokyo-Narita, Montreal-Dublin. Montreal-Lisbon, Montreal-Bucharest and Montreal-Phoenix. As well, a new Vancouver-Melbourne service beginning in December, 2017, originally planned as seasonal, will operate year-round effective June, 2018.

Eight new non-stop destinations from Montreal were launched in 2017: Shanghai (China); Marseille (France), Dallas/Ft. Worth (U.S.), Washington/Dulles (U.S.), Keflavik (Iceland), Tel-Aviv (Israel), Algiers (Algeria) and starting in December Lima (Peru).

 

https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2017-09-28-Air-Canada-Expands-its-Global-Network-from-Montreal-with-New-Service-to-Bucharest-Romania-and-Lisbon-Portugal

Air Canada Expands its Global Network with New and Enhanced Services to Europe, South America and Africa for Summer 2018

 

New destinations include Bucharest, Zagreb and Porto

• Non-stop Air Canada Rouge seasonal services start in June to Bucharest from Toronto and Montreal; to Zagreb and Porto from Toronto; and to Lisbon from Montreal
• Non-stop service between Casablanca and Montreal transfers to Air Canada mainline, beginning June 1, 2018
• Non-stop, Air Canada year-round Toronto-Buenos Aires service begins May 2, 2018, and a Montreal-Lima seasonal service starting in December has been upgraded to year-round

MONTREAL, Sept. 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today announced new non-stop services to begin next summer from Toronto and Montreal, including three new destinations in its global network – Bucharest, Zagreb and Porto – and a new route between Montreal and Lisbon.

In addition, the airline will enhance existing year-round service between Montreal and Casablanca by transferring the route to Air Canada mainline from Air Canada Rouge.

Air Canada will also be starting non-stop service to Buenos Aires from Toronto, which today is served through a one-stop service via Santiago. Air Canada will continue to service Santiagowith its non-stop service from Toronto. Its Montreal-Lima service will be extended to year-round.

"Today's announcement further solidifies Air Canada's position as a leading global carrier. With these new services, Air Canada becomes the only North American airline flying to Romania and we are now offering the most weekly seats and frequencies from Canada to Portugal and Croatia," said Benjamin Smith, President, Passenger Airlines at Air Canada. "Moreover, with our modernized fleet we are able to enhance our existing services, by deploying our Boeing 787 Dreamliner on a new non-stop route to Buenos Aires. Together, these new and enhanced services will provide customers greater comfort and choice, as well as the ability to conveniently connect onward through our extensive North American and International network, on North America's Best Airline as rated by Skytrax."

Air Canada has already announced several new non-stop international services beginning in June for Summer 2018. These include Vancouver-Paris, Vancouver-Zurich, Toronto-Shannon, Montreal-Tokyo-Narita and Montreal-Dublin. As well, a new Vancouver-Melbourneservice beginning in December, 2017, originally planned as seasonal, will operate year-round effective June, 2018.

The new services announced today are now on sale*. This includes special introductory, all-inclusive round-trip fares such as: $899 for Bucharest-Toronto/Montreal and Zagreb-Toronto; $799 for Toronto-Porto and Montreal-Lisbon; $622 for Montreal-Lima; and $1,228 for Toronto-Buenos Aires.

Flight	Departs	Arrives	Start/End 2018	Days of Week
AC1968	Toronto  16:55	Zagreb 7:30 +1day	June 2/Oct. 6	Tues., Wed., Thurs., Sat.
AC1969	Zagreb  9:15	Toronto 12:40	June 3/Oct. 7	Wed., Thurs, Fri., Sun.
AC1964	Toronto  16:50	Bucharest 9:15 +1day	June 9/Oct. 6	Tue., Sat.
AC1965	Bucharest  11:30	Toronto 14:45	June 10/Oct. 7	Wed., Sun.
AC1928	Montreal 17:20	Bucharest 9:15 +1day	June 7/Oct. 4	Mon., Thurs.
AC1929	Bucharest 11:30	Montreal 14:05	June 8/Oct. 5	Tues., Fri.
AC1958	Toronto  22:50	Porto 10:50 +1 day	June 8/Oct. 26	Mon., Wed., Fri., Sun.
AC1959	Porto  12:20	Toronto 15:20	June 9/Oct. 27	Mon., Tues., Thurs., Sat.
AC1960	Montreal  20:45	Lisbon 8:10 +1 day	June 15/Oct. 26	Wed., Fri., Sun.
AC1961	Lisbon  9:45	Montreal 12:10	June 16/Oct. 27	Mon., Thurs., Sat.
*Bucharest and Zagreb flights sold subject to government approval. https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2017-09-28-Air-Canada-Expands-its-Global-Network-with-New-and-Enhanced-Services-to-Europe-South-America-and-Africa-for-Summer-2018

[ghYHZ]

Air Canada will be deploying the 737MAX8 on the YYT-LHR route beginning next May. Previously it was operated with an A319

[Dexter249]

Saw a 787 on approach to CYOW this morning, Traffic so tight, A Porter Q400 about two mins before, a WJ Encore Q400 a minute before the 787, Pretty sure it was a Crew Orientation flight as with one a few weeks ago, Most likely from CYYZ.

It's getting way less rare to see ACA heavies other than the 763 now.

[JCL]

2 hours ago, Dexter249 said:

Saw a 787 on approach to CYOW this morning, Traffic so tight, A Porter Q400 about two mins before, a WJ Encore Q400 a minute before the 787, Pretty sure it was a Crew Orientation flight as with one a few weeks ago, Most likely from CYYZ.

It's getting way less rare to see ACA heavies other than the 763 now.

Yes, they've been sending Boeing 787-9 as of late on the Toronto to Ottawa/Ottawa to Toronto flights as of late. Supposedly because they are doing maintenance work on the Embraer 190s and as a result, they are short on those aircraft type (I am by no means confirming that's the case, however that is what another plane spotter told me who has a contact with an employee from Air Canada).

These are the days that the Dreamliners visited Ottawa:

- September 18 on ACA454 and 459 by C-FNOI

- September 19 on ACA460 and 465 by C-FGDX

- September 28 on ACA454 and 459 by C-FNOI

- September 29 on ACA460 and 465 by C-FRSR

- Today on ACA440 and 445 by C-FRSE

As for the Boeing 767-300, supposedly they are being retired and scrapped. In fact, there was a tweet saying that one of the Boeing 767-300 has been retired and will eventually head to Arizona for scrap.

 

[Marc]

6 hours ago, JCL said:

Yes, they've been sending Boeing 787-9 as of late on the Toronto to Ottawa/Ottawa to Toronto flights as of late. Supposedly because they are doing maintenance work on the Embraer 190s and as a result, they are short on those aircraft type (I am by no means confirming that's the case, however that is what another plane spotter told me who has a contact with an employee from Air Canada).

Big step up from the Embraers to the 787-9s.

Though surprised they didn't look to other jets in the fleet before added a few extra short cycles to the -9s.(a model that next year will start one of the longest non-stop trips in the world - Perth (Aus) to London (U.K).

[JCL]

2 hours ago, Marc said:

Big step up from the Embraers to the 787-9s.

I would call it an "unplanned" upgrade to the Ottawa-Toronto flight. 

There was a Boeing 777-300 on ACA460/465 on October 3.

[Chinese Daniel]

https://www.skiesmag.com/news/air-canada-takes-first-boeing-737-max/

1st 737max for AirCanada.

[TheAverageJoe]

A new deal Air Canada has signed with its pilots permits its Rouge airline to expand its narrow-bodied fleet as the carrier's mainline fleet grows, strengthening the company's hand as the competition with low-cost carriers heats up.

Under changes to its contract with pilots, Air Canada will be able to expand the fleet at low-cost Rouge by one narrow-bodied plane for every one it adds to its mainline service, and by two narrow-bodied jets for every wide-bodied plane added to the mainline fleet.

Amendments to the deal with the Air Canada Pilots Association, which eliminate a 50-plane limit on the Rouge fleet, were agreed to in September. The details of how the contract permits the low-cost unit to expand were not revealed at the time, but are contained in a copy of the agreement obtained by The Globe and Mail.

The expansion of Rouge is a key part of Air Canada's strategy to compete against ultralow-cost carriers (ULCCs) such asCanada Jetlines Ltd. and the Swoop unit of WestJet Airlines Ltd., both of which are planning to begin operations next summer.

"The [Rouge] model is now capable of being used to compete against anybody who comes in the market," Calin Rovinescu, Air Canada's chief executive officer, said in an interview. "From our perspective, we think we have a product that is quite competitive."

In the 2014 contract signed with its pilots, Rouge is limited to 25 narrow-bodied planes of the 50-aircraft overall limit.

Removing that limit is crucial, Mr. Rovinescu said, "because, otherwise, what you would have had to do is shift airplanes from other really good markets. So you'd have a tough choice to decide: Are you going to remove it from some markets to put it onto others?"

Air Canada will take delivery of two narrow-bodied Boeing 737 jets this year – the first jets from a 61-plane order – and will add six wide-bodied Boeing 787s to its mainline fleet during the rest of this year and in 2018.

The formulas permit Rouge to expand immediately, which can be done by redeploying A320-family aircraft destined to exit the mainline fleet.

"You could start adding it right now and certainly in time for next summer," Mr. Rovinescu said in Toronto after speaking at an economic conference. "Some of it is market-driven, some of it is how much in advance do you start new routes."

What impact the changes will have on routes is still under study, he said. Air Canada executives said during an investor day presentation that expanding Rouge to regional domestic routes is one option being examined.

Flying an Airbus A319 that has already been paid for into Hamilton from Abbotsford, B.C., for example, could allow Rouge to compete against WestJet, which is already flying that route. Those two cities will also be the eastern Canada and western Canada bases respectively for Canada Jetlines.

The combination of new narrow-bodies, which includes Bombardier Inc.'s C Series planes that will be delivered beginning in 2019, means Air Canada "can look at other opportunities that weren't available to us in the past," said Ben Smith, the airline's president of passenger airlines. "Whether that's in the ULCC or LCC [markets], further leisure areas we're not competing in today or whatever competitive threat comes at us."

The pilot contract also permits Rouge to replace existing Boeing 767s with Boeing 787s, but only as replacements, not as additions to the Rouge fleet.

But using the larger Boeing 787-9 on Rouge in some international long-haul flights could make sense, said industry analyst Robert Kokonis, who heads AirTrav Inc.

Air Canada's mainline service between Toronto and New Delhi on a 787-9 offers 298 seats.

"But think about 340-350 seats on a Rouge-configured 787-9," Mr. Kokonis said. "Now you're talking."

Air Canada has options to acquire 13 more 787s. Delivery of the 37 planes from its firm order is scheduled to be complete in 2019.

The amendments to the pilot contract also outline a change in Rouge's purpose.

"The mandate of ACrouge is to support the strength, sustainability and growth of mainline," a clause in a letter of understanding on work rules and conditions says. Under the previous agreement with pilots, the scope of Rouge was described as being "limited to the market seeking low-cost air travel."

Rouge was not intended to replace mainline routes that were financially viable, the clause stated.

But the low-cost unit is already supplementing some mainline offerings. Air Canada mainline provides service over the Atlantic Ocean to London Heathrow, while Rouge flies into London Gatwick.

But, "we don't expect to have too many routes where you'd have both the Rouge and the mainline service," Mr. Rovinescu said.

 

https://beta.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/new-pilot-contract-allows-air-canada-to-expand-rouge-fleet/article36799290/?ref=http://www.theglobeandmail.com&

[Doppelkupplung]

How much longer will the 319/20/21s be staying with us, now that the 737s are coming in?

[ghYHZ]

 

 

Did Air Canada's enRoute Magazine let the cat out of the bag before it's announced?

 

 

 

Check out the route map on pages 182-183

 

 

 

http://enroute.aircanada.com/en/magazine/the-food-issue-canada-s-best-new-restaurants

 

 

 

Besides the usual route between Halifax and Heathrow......there's a new line drawn in between Halifax and Frankfurt. Could this be a new '737 MAX service coming on line next summer?

 

 

 

It's a popular route already with Condor doing Frankfurt and Munich to Halifax on a '767.....4 times a week in summer and fall.

 

 

[9924]

I’m not a 737 fan but it really looks sharp in the new AC livery

Its in Kelowna getting some work done at Kelowna FlightCraft. I saw it sitting there as we flew in yesterday but I was too slow getting my camera out - so this is the best thing could get when I drove down there today. 

[JCL]

Assignment for the new Boeing 737 MAX 8:

https://www.routesonline.com/news/38/airlineroute/275698/air-canada-outlines-boeing-737-max-dec-2017jan-2018-schedules/

[Doppelkupplung]

https://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2017/12/06/laser-strike-hits-air-canada-pilot.html

I don't understand why people want to do this, or even have time for it in the first place. This is ridiculous. 

I wonder if manufacturers have thought of a solution to this issue; perhaps a reflective film on the windows of some such (just speculating). 

 

[Doppelkupplung]

Any put off by the paint around the cockpit windows on the new livery? Takes away from the overall look imo...