On Location: “The Swiss Army Knife” of planes – unpacking Air Canada’s new A220 in Hamburg

This article was updated on Tuesday, April 15 at 3:06 p.m. EST

PAX is reporting from Hamburg, Germany this week with Air Canada as the airline unpacks more details about being the launch customer for the Airbus Airspace cabin on its A220s.

As previously reported, the most important feature of this new cabin is the introduction of new Airbus XL luggage bins, which will provide 15 per cent more capacity for bags.

Passengers will be able to easily find space for their bags, and more bags can be moved from under the seats to overhead, providing a more comfortable and efficient customer experience.

John Moody, managing director of onboard product at Air Canada, made the announcement to international media and a round of applause at the Aircraft Interiors Expo, which is happening this week at the Hamburg Messe convention centre.

“This is the Swiss Army Knife of airplanes for Air Canada,” said Moody, as he revealed that Air Canada’s 43rd A220 Airbus will include the new cabin design, starting in March 2026. "This aircraft has the range and flexibility to do a multitude of missions for us” for both short haul and long-haul flights." 

“We are extremely happy to launch the A220 Airspace cabin with Air Canada and very proud the Canadian flag carrier is introducing our latest innovation to support its fleet renewal programme,” added Ingo Wuggetzer, vice president of cabin marketing at Airbus, at the joint press conference.

A win for everybody

In addition to an increased 15 per cent in overhead capacity, the new bins are 20 per cent lighter (with no difference in cabin noise), which makes it easier for passengers and crew to get in and out of them.

“It’s a win for our customers, for our crew, and for operations,” said Moody.

Does it make a difference that Air Canada is first to launch the product? Moody thinks it does. “Being first to launch, we get more,” he said.

As well as these new Airspace cabins, Air Canada will also be introducing new onboard entertainment, and as of May 1, 2025, high-speed and free Wi-Fi to all Aeroplan members.

What does it mean for customers?

What does the new design mean for Air Canada customers?

Speaking to PAX, Moody’s message to trade partners and customers was simple: the customer experience will be enhanced, particularly when it comes to on-time departures and the boarding experience.

He said larger bins will drive “a couple different things.”

“We will take any opportunity to reduce friction in the boarding and onboarding experience.  The 15 per cent capacity increase can be the difference between aircraft being full and three to four bags having to be sent into the cargo hold,” which he says adds to on-time departure issues.

Additionally, the new cabins will provide a widebody experience in a single aisle aircraft.

“You’ll immediately notice the spaciousness of the cabin,” said Karsten Elias, head of A220 customer programs and aircraft offers at Airbus, told PAX. “It’s a small single aisle aircraft but it has this widebody cabin feeling to it. And that comes because you have extremely large windows on board the A220, which brings more natural light into it.”

Moody also pointed out that the cabins are “warmer,” with Air Canada’s glowing-hearted design “reflecting the warm, caring personality that Canadians are known for.”

Enthusiastic attendees at the Expo were given the chance to experience the Airspace cabin through a realistic mock up, and to see the difference in the overhead bin space.

It also demonstrated the benefits of the widest seats (18.9 inches in economy and more than 20 in business class) and widest aisle, in addition to the largest cabin and windows in its class.

“This is a very important aircraft for us.” said Moody. “We’re excited to introduce this aircraft standard on as many aircraft as possible. We expect this to be somewhat seamless from a customer perspective. We are cutting in a new standard in the aircraft, with upgrades to seating and connectivity.”

To date, Air Canada operates 34 A220s, with 31 more on order. At present there are no plans to update the first 42 planes.

The A220 is a Canadian-designed aircraft, manufactured in Mirabel, Quebec.

“The XLR is giving us growth"

Hamburg is the German headquarters of Airbus Commercial Aircraft, located approximately 40 minutes from the city centre. This is a “town within a town," employing 18,000 people. 

The Airbus A321XLR is the latest aircraft to be developed and delivered from this site. The “X” marks “extra long range” due to the new fuel tank which will hold 13,000 litres and allow an extra 15 per cent in mileage (8,700 kilometres) for this aircraft, making it the longest for any single-aisle airplane. 

Previously, only wide-bodied aircraft were flying transatlantic routes, which will now be possible with the A321XLR. 

The first for Air Canada was on the production line as I visited the site. Air Canada has placed an order for 30 of the A321XLR, with purchase rights to 14 more.

“The XLR is giving us growth," said Alexandre Lefevre, VP, network planning, scheduling and strategy for Air Canada, in an interview with PAX. “New destinations, or taking over existing routes that only wide-bodies could service.”

Will the efficiencies of this new aircraft result in reduced fares for Air Canada customers?

“Fares are related to multiple aspects," said Lefevre. “The efficiencies that you get on the aircraft will allow us to be competitive." 

"Fares are highly driven by the competitive landscape, highly driven by what other airlines are doing, and when you offer an exclusive market you might have the ability to do a different pricing, but it’s a very competitive market." 

"If you want to go from Point A to Point B, you’ve got multiple ways of doing it via connection points, so you cannot start charging more or charging less just because you’d like, or if you have a new aircraft, but that’s going to give us the ability to keep being more efficient. It will make things that are not viable on a non-stop basis today, make them viable tomorrow.”

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