Air Canada's first 787-9 takes flight

As Air Canada continues efforts to accelerate its international expansion strategy, the airline has taken delivery of its first Boeing 787-9 aircraft.

The new aircraft compliments the eight 787-8 aircraft already in operation, and is the first of twenty-nine 787-9s that are set to be added to the fleet by 2019.

Although soon to be designated to non-stop service between Delhi beginning Nov. 1 and Dubai beginning Nov. 3, the new Dreamliner made its inaugural flight on Aug. 4 from Toronto to Vancouver, a route which it will fly throughout August, followed by YYZ to Munich and Milan through September and October.

PAX was on-hand to witness the first flight take-off from Toronto Pearson Airport, where guests were treated to a red carpet welcome and chocolates before boarding. A ceremonial water salute also took place prior to take-off.

During a quick tour of the aircraft, Sam Swann, service director - in-flight service, showed off a few unique features. Not only is it a quieter plane, he said, there is also more humidity in the air which allows for a much more comfortable flight. The 787 uses new LED lighting to better mimic the circadian rhythm, which also helps people adjust to different time zones. Air Canada's new interiors boast a new design, next-generation lie flat seats and IFE system, and also a new Premium Economy cabin. Windows are 30 per cent larger with touch-pad controls that offer five degrees of darkness; the entertainment system boasts cool screens (they don't emit heat) and intuitively shut off if they sense no movement; and an onboard washroom is wheelchair accessible.

The Boeing 787-9 will seat 298 passengers and have a range of 15,372 kilometres, compared with the Boeing 787-8, which is configured to carry 251 passengers with a range of 14,500 kilometres.

"Because of its capacity and range, it makes it possible for us to fly to places that we currently cannot serve profitably," Air Canada spokesperson Peter Fitzpatrick told PAX. "To give you an idea, we have tried flying to India a couple different ways over the years – for example, with stops to re-fill, because we did not have the aircraft with the range to fly all the way when full without stopping. We also tried flying non-stop with aircraft that had caps on the number of passengers on board, but this was also not sufficiently profitable. The 787 has the ability to fly full over these distances, so the economics are right. This opens a wide range of possible new cities."

Future deployments of the 787-9 Dreamliner will be announced as new aircraft enter service.