The Airbus A220 could be landing for the first time in Mexico by the end of October. According to the latest scheduling by Air Canada, the carrier could start using its A220-300 to a couple of leisure destinations in Mexico. Let’s investigate further.

Getting the A220 to a new market

Currently, there are no commercial operations with the A220 in Mexico. None of the Mexican airlines operate the type (actually, none of the Latin American carriers do). Nevertheless, that could change in the future if (and only if) Aeromexico is still interested in renewing its Embraer E1 fleet with either the E2 or the A220 families.

Nonetheless, starting on October 31, Air Canada plans to start operations with its Airbus A220-300 fleet in Mexico.

According to Cirium’s database, Air Canada will use its A220-300 fleet to connect Montreal and Toronto with Puerto Vallarta.

In November, the carrier is scheduling 28 flights using the model, offering 3,836 seats. One month later, it will add two new routes using the A220-300, connecting Halifax with Cancun and Montreal with Zihuatanejo, while dropping the Toronto-Puerto Vallarta flight.

Air Canada has 24 active A220-300 airplanes at the moment. Photo: Air Canada.

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Where is Air Canada currently flying the A220?

Currently, Air Canada has 24 active Airbus A220-300 aircraft. Moreover, the carrier expects to receive 21 more units, according to ch-aviation’s database.

In October, the airline is offering 2,367 flights using the A220-300, putting up a capacity of up to 324,729 seats. Air Canada’s flights are 13.6% of the A220 offer worldwide.

From Toronto International (YYZ), Air Canada is using the A220-300 to the following destinations: Seattle, Denver, Chicago O’Hare, and LaGuardia in the United States; in Canada, it flies to Montreal, Ottawa, Halifax, St. John’s, Winnipeg, Fort McMurray, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, and Vancouver.

From Ottawa International (YOW) is flying to Toronto, Edmonton, and Calgary; from Montreal (YUL) is flying to San Francisco, Los Ángeles, Denver, LaGuardia, Orlando, and Fort Lauderdale in the US; Puerto Vallarta in Mexico; Cayo Coco in Cuba and Ottawa, St. Johns, Halifax, Charlottetown, Edmonton, Calgary, Kelowna, Vancouver, and Victoria.

Air Canada received its first A220 at the end of 2019. Photo: Air Canada.

Air Canada’s A220 fleet

The A220 was Air Canada’s latest addition to its fleet. It had the inaugural flight on January 16, 2020. The airline signed its order to replace the aging Embraer ERJ190 and Airbus A319 sub fleets. Air Canada is receiving the new units from Airbus’ manufacturing line in Mirabel, Quebec.

The aircraft has a capacity for 137 passengers. Air Canada seats them in two cabins, 125 in economy and 12 in business class, where it “offers superior comfort with cabin features,” including an exclusive cabin with guaranteed access to a window or aisle; a personal touchscreen monitor, and adjustable headrests, according to the company’s website.

Earlier this year, one of Air Canada’s A220-300 was presented in a livery inspired by Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA), the forerunner of today’s carrier.

According to ch-aviation, Air Canada still has to receive 35 more aircraft. These future deliveries are composed of 21 A220-300 and 14 Boeing 737 MAX 8 units.

Have you flown onboard Air Canada’s A220 fleet? How was your experience? Do you think this aircraft is perfect for connecting with leisure destinations? Let us know in the comments below.