Airbus has delivered the first Airbus A220 for Air Canada. This marks an exciting moment as Air Canada expects to enter the aircraft into passenger service soon. Moreover, this delivery makes Air Canada the first A220-300 operator in North America.

The first Airbus A220 for Air Canada

Air Canada has 45 Airbus A220-300 aircraft on order. Airbus announced that the aircraft manufacturer has now delivered the first A220-300 for the airline. This is the same aircraft that needed to be repainted due to a little mistake in the Air Canada logo on the tail. Now, the Airbus A220 is ready to enter passenger service with Air Canada.

Air Canada Tail
Prior to delivery, the A220 needed a little repaint job. Photo: Airbus

The Airbus A220 will allow Air Canada to continue towards more environmentally friendly flying. With Pratt & Whitney PW1500G engines powering this aircraft, the aircraft will offer lower fuel burn, emissions, and a reduced noise footprint than older aircraft.

Air Canada E190
Some Airbus A220s will replace Embraer E190 aircraft. Photo: Aero Icarus v">

When Air Canada first ordered the aircraft, the Canadian carrier announced that the Airbus A220 will replace some of the Embraer E190 aircraft currently flying for the airline. The rest of the order will then allow the carrier to expand current operations.

What is inside the Airbus A220?

Air Canada has called the Airbus A220 a "game-changing" aircraft. This new narrowbody, originally ordered when it was called the Bombardier CSeries, is part of Air Canada's future fleet plans.

Air Canada A220 Exterior
The A220 is a key part of Air Canada's fleet renewal program. Photo: Airbus

Onboard, Air Canada will offer 12 Business Class seats in a 2-2 configuration. These seats will feature an adjustable headrest and footrest in addition to personal seatback screens for accessing inflight entertainment and power outlets and USB charging ports.

Business Class
Business Class onboard this type will be in a 2-2 configuration. Photo: Air Canada

All 125 economy class seats will also have adjustable headrests, personal seatback screens, USB outlets and power ports for larger devices like laptops. Air Canada also notes that, at 19-inches wide, these seats are the widest in the airline's fleet. In a 2-3 configuration, this means fewer middle seats than larger aircraft like the A320 or Boeing 737 MAX.

Economy CLass Passengers
The Airbus A220 will offer seatback screens, power outlets, and USB ports for economy class passengers. Photo: Air Canada

The first routes for the A220

For passengers who want to fly on this aircraft, the first routes this aircraft will fly will be on some domestic services including some flights to New York's LaGuardia airport starting this January. Later on, this aircraft will also fly transcontinental routes from Montreal to Seattle and Toronto to San Jose, California.

Airbus A220 in AC LIvery
Air Canada will fly the A220 on other routes once additional aircraft are delivered. Photo: Airbus

Overall

The A220 has been a successful aircraft for several airlines. On regional routes, the A220 offers enhanced comfort in comparison to other aircraft. For routes normally flown with E190 aircraft, the A220 should be a nice upgrade. Now, it just remains to be seen how Air Canada will expand with this "game-changing" aircraft. 

Are you looking forward to a flight on Air Canada's Airbus A220? Do you think the A220 is "game-changing"? Let us know in the comments!