Summary
- Air Canada debuted its redesigned Airbus A321 with improved cabin features, including larger overhead bins, cabin lighting, and inflight entertainment.
- The A321 also includes latest technologies similar to exterior cameras, Bluetooth connectivity, and high-speed web.
- The upgraded cabin design optimizes personal space, improves ergonomics, and reduces the load of the aircraft.
Air Canada debuted its first redesigned Airbus A321 aircraft over the weekend, featuring improvements to the cabin, latest WiFi, and exterior cameras connected to the plane’s seatback entertainment system. The update results from the airline continuing to take a position in passenger comfort.
The A321 also features larger overhead bins, cabin lighting, and inflight entertainment. The carrier said all of its A321 and A320s will likely be retrofitted with the brand new features, aligning with other newer aircraft in its fleet.
The most recent cabin
Air Canada unveiled the updated aircraft, C-GITU, on Saturday because it operated as AC692 from Toronto to St. Johns, Canada. The nearly 22-year-old A321 was taken out of service for months to receive maintenance and cabin upgrades, based on ch-aviation and data from Flightradar24.com.
Photo: Air Canada
Mark Nasr, the Executive Vice President of Loyalty and Product at Air Canada, spoke concerning the retrofitted aircraft.
“We’re proud to welcome customers on board to experience the comfort, convenience, and connectivity of our latest cabins. These upgraded fleet interiors will align the A320s and A321s to the highly popular A220 experience, further strengthening our industry leading product offering.”
Recent technologies
The brand new exterior camera feature, which is the primary for a narrowbody aircraft, oversees the body of the aircraft from the highest of its tail. A belly camera also provides a high-resolution, real-time view of the plane’s activity. Recent technologies are also included within the retrofit, similar to Bluetooth connectivity to the IFE and high-speed web. Air Canada said C-GITU will reportedly function an onboard trial environment for the brand new features.
Photo: Air Canada
Nasr explained.
The Bluetooth-enabled IFE seatback monitor will allow passengers to attach their very own headsets brought onboard to look at on-demand video, live TV or take heed to podcasts or music. Air Canada said the innovation supports its sustainability objectives by reducing the usage of single-use headphones. A brand new WiFi system has also been installed, offering free satellite-based high-speed web sponsored by Bell. As well as, passengers can keep their devices charged with access to USB-A and USB-C power outlets.
Cabin comfort
The aircraft can also be equipped with the larger Airbus Airspace XL overhead bins, the biggest in-class, accommodating more carry-on luggage. Seating has also been upgraded to feature a standardized product across the airline’s narrowbody fleet in each business and economy classes. The newly designed seats are expected to optimize personal space, improve ergonomics, and permit more storage to extend passenger comfort. Also enhancing comfort is latest cabin lighting, which is able to simulate different ambiances depending on the time of day and phase of flight.
Air Canada has 14 remaining A321s and eight A320s that may receive the upgrades starting this fall through the tip of next yr. The brand new cabin also reduces the load of the A321 by 529 lbs (240kgs), enhancing fuel efficiency.