Air Canada Deploys Its A321XLR on Lyon–Montreal Route


Air Canada a mis en service son Airbus A321XLR sur la liaison Lyon–Montréal - Photo : Air Canada

CroisiEurope


Air Canada renforce sa desserte de Lyon. La compagnie a effectué, le 8 septembre 2026, le premier vol de son Airbus A321XLR entre Lyon-Saint Exupéry et Montréal-Trudeau, une liaison opérée depuis 2016.

The aircraft will be deployed on the route until October 25, 2026, at a maximum of five flights per week. It will then be temporarily replaced by an Airbus A330 during the winter season, before a return of the A321XLR expected in summer 2027.

With the A321XLR, Air Canada introduces on this connection its new cabin Glowing Heart, featuring 14 lie-flat seats in Signature Class and 168 seats in Economy. All seats come equipped with a personal entertainment screen and a power outlet.

Members of the Aeroplan loyalty program also benefit from fast and free Wi‑Fi on board.


Montréal comme porte d’entrée vers l’Amérique

Beyond the direct link, Air Canada bets on its Montréal hub to develop connections from Lyon. The airline states it offers more than 250 destinations across Canada, the United States, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

For travelers destined for the United States, Montréal’s U.S. preclearance allows immigration and U.S. customs formalities to be completed before departure to the United States. Passengers can thus arrive on American soil as if on a domestic flight.

This connectivity makes the Lyon–Montreal route a strategic axis for the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, both for leisure markets and for the business segment.

The introduction of the A321XLR also fits into Air Canada’s fleet renewal strategy. Lyon–Saint Exupéry Airport highlights the environmental performance of this next-generation aircraft, presented as more efficient and with lower CO₂ emissions than previous generations.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
See all articles by Amelia Brille

  • picto Linkedin
  • picto email
Add TourMaG to your Google News feed Google Actualités icône  

Air Canada Deploys Airbus A321XLR on Nantes–Montreal Route


Air Canada déploie son Airbus A321XLR sur la liaison Nantes - Montréal - Photo : Aéroport Nantes Atlantique

CroisiEurope


Air Canada poursuit le développement de sa présence dans l’Ouest de la France.

La compagnie canadienne a déployé, jeudi 23 juillet 2026, son nouvel Airbus A321XLR sur la liaison directe entre Nantes et Montréal.

Lancée le 11 juin dernier, cette route saisonnière permet aux voyageurs de rejoindre le Canada sans escale depuis Nantes.

Depuis son hub de Montréal, Air Canada propose ensuite des correspondances vers près de 150 destinations au Canada, aux États-Unis, dans les Caraïbes et en Amérique du Sud.

Le service sera assuré jusqu’à quatre fois par semaine jusqu’au 12 octobre 2026.


Un appareil de nouvelle génération

The latest aircraft to join Air Canada’s fleet, the Airbus A321XLR, features an extended range and is expected to enable the airline to improve the operational efficiency of its long-haul routes.

Its fuel consumption optimized compared with earlier-generation aircraft also helps reduce its environmental footprint.

On board, passengers can travel in two service classes. The Air Canada Signature Class cabin includes seats that can fully recline flat, while Economy benefits from the airline’s latest generation of onboard entertainment and improved connectivity.

“The arrival of our new Airbus A321XLR in Nantes marks an important milestone for this new route, which has been off to an excellent start since its launch in June“, said Jean-François Raudin, the France representative for Air Canada, in a statement.

For the airline, deploying this aircraft on the Nantes–Montreal route reflects the trust placed in the Nantes market and, more broadly, in Western France. “Our customers now benefit from an even more comfortable travel experience, while enjoying direct access to Montréal and straightforward connections to nearly 150 destinations in the Americas“, adds the Air Canada representative.


Un appareil qui met en avant la filière aéronautique régionale

The arrival of the A321XLR is also being highlighted by Nantes Atlantique Airport. “This next-generation aircraft, parts of which are produced in Nantes and Saint-Nazaire, embodies the excellence of the region’s aerospace industry“, notes Guillaume Dubois, director of Nantes Atlantique Airport – VINCI Airports.

According to him, deploying the aircraft on this route helps to strengthen the Greater West’s international connections, while meeting travelers’ and territories’ growing expectations for environmental efficiency.

Passengers travelling to the United States can also continue to benefit from the US preclearance service available at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.

The US immigration and customs procedures can thus be completed in Montréal before departure, allowing travelers to arrive in the United States as if on a domestic flight.


Amelia Brille Published by Amelia Brille TourMaG.com Editor
See all articles by Amelia Brille

  • picto Linkedin
  • picto email
Ajoutez TourMaG à votre flux Google Actualités Google Actualités icône