Photos: Onboard Air Canada's Brand New Airbus A321XLR

Air Canada becomes the first Canadian operator of the Airbus A321XLR, marking a milestone for the carrier’s narrowbody fleet. The first aircraft, tail number C-GXLR, was delivered on April 24 in Hamburg and will begin service in June. The A321XLR, powered by Pratt & Whitney PW1100G engines, offers a 4,700 nautical mile (8,700 km) range and about 30% lower fuel burn, enabling new transatlantic and transcontinental routes. The airline will lease 15 aircraft from SMBC Aviation Capital and purchase 15 directly from Airbus, with an option to lift the total to 25. Air Canada plans to deploy the XLR across Atlantic routes from Montréal and Toronto and toward premium cabin experiences with its lie-flat Signature Class, enhanced cabin lighting, and maple-leaf interior motifs.