This past weekend saw Air Canada unveil a new interior and advanced cabin technology on an Airbus A321 operating flight AC692. The aircraft is the first of the A320 and A321 to be fitted with the new cabin and the remaining 22 aircraft (14 A321, 8 A320) will see the upgrades take place from now through to 2025.
The new cabin interiors and technology consist of the following:
- Larger overhead bins – Latest Airbus Airspace XL design, the largest overhead bins in-class that will also be installed on the Airbus A321XLRs.
- Upgraded seating – Presents a standardized product across the Air Canada narrowbody fleet in both Business Class and Economy. The new seats are designed to optimize passenger personal space, improve ergonomics, and provide more storage giving customers a more comfortable experience.
- Bluetooth audio – Air Canada’s newest IFE system will feature a Bluetooth-enabled seatback monitor. Customers will be able to connect their personal headsets while watching video on demand, live TV, or listening to podcasts or music. This initiative helps reduce usage of single-use headphones and supports Air Canada’s sustainability objectives in reducing waste.
- New exterior cameras – Customers can now watch their flight live thanks to a new first-in-class narrowbody tail and belly camera system providing high-resolution, real-time video of the aircraft exterior.
- Full colour LED mood lighting – New cabin lighting system will allow different ambiances to be set depending on time of day and phase of flight.
- Fast and reliable Wi-Fi – Upgraded satellite-based connectivity.
- Power options at all seats – All customers have access to power outlets, USB-A, and USB-C.
All of these are great improvements but as an #avgeek myself I have to say the addition of the exterior cameras will be my favourite of the upgrades 😉
If you are someone who picks flights based on the aircraft operating a route you’ll want to keep an eye out for Fin 451 (C-GITU) as this is the first Airbus A321 featuring the new interior.
Click here to learn more about the new interiors on Air Canada’s A320 and A321 aircraft
Images via CNW Group/Air Canada