It's a part of Air Canada's fleet not normally accessible to the average traveler: The all-business-class Airbus A319. A fleet made up of three aircraft, this division is known as 'Air Canada Jetz' and is a special charter branch often used to fly sports teams, touring musicians, and corporate groups across Canada. With these special 'Jetz' jets now in scheduled commercial passenger service, let's take a look at what they have to offer.

Air Canada Jetz A319
In normal times, these A319s are available for special charter. Photo: Air Canada

Air Canada Jetz in normal times

These special Air Canada A319s entered 'regular commercial passenger service' on June 1st as the airline's normal clientele were no longer placing bookings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

So who would normally be flying these aircraft? According to Air Canada, these A319s have flown musicians such as Phil Collins, The Rolling Stones, Bruce Springsteen, U2, and the Spice Girls. However, these aren't the most frequent users of the Jetz jets. 

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The most frequent users of the Jetz jets would normally be Canadian teams of the NHL (National Hockey League) and formerly one Canadian team of the NBA (National Basketball Association):

  • Montreal Canadiens
  • Toronto Maple Leafs
  • Toronto Raptors
  • Edmonton Oilers
  • Calgary Flames
  • Vancouver Canucks

Additionally, the airline has listed several large multi-national corporations as past clients.

Toronto Maple Leafs
Hockey teams like the Toronto Maple Leafs would normally fly on the aircraft while playing games on the road. Photo: Clyde via Flickr 

The Jetz cabin

The Airbus A319s are configured to be all-business-class – to domestic standards at least (no lie-flat beds or pods here!). In fact, on the airline’s booking website, the flights are listed as “premium economy .” This simple move will go a long way in terms of expectation management.

“The spacious cabin configuration has 58 seats and provides more comfort and personal space with a recliner seat with a 42-49-inch pitch.” - Air Canada

Air Canada Jetz A319
As mentioned above, there are 58 seats onboard each aircraft with a seat pitch that varies between 42 and 49 inches. Photo: Air Canada
Air Canada Jetz A319
The seats are more at 'premium-economy-level' than 'business class.' Photo: Air Canada

Of course, the seats are just one part of the travel experience, as the airline's VP of network planning and alliances, Mark Galardo explains:

“Customers booking on a Jetz flight will enjoy such amenities as its all-Business Class seating configuration, upgraded meal service, and shorter boarding and deplaning times. These features, combined with Jetz’s other attributes, create a private-jet-like experience.” 

Where you can find these Jetz

While these airplanes have been flying domestic service out of Toronto to Montreal and Ottawa, they will have a new role with new destinations this winter.

As we mentioned earlier this week, passengers can book flights for travel during the Christmas period between December 12th and January 6th. There is also another schedule for March flights currently being planned. Furthermore, nonstop routes for this winter depart from Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver to several airports.

Destinations from the three cities include:

  • Montreal: Barbados and Vancouver
  • Toronto: Barbados, Fort Lauderdale, West Palm Beach, Fort Myers, Cancun, Kelowna, and Vancouver
  • Vancouver: Palm Springs, Phoenix, and Puerto Vallarta
Air Canada Jetz A319
Once restrictions lift and sports teams are playing again, this opportunity may no longer be available. Photo: Air Canada

Will you take this opportunity to fly on these exclusive Air Canada aircraft? Let us know in the comments!