Air Canada has announced a comprehensive fleet renewal plan scheduled for 2026, involving the retrofit of its B737 MAX aircraft operated by its low-cost subsidiary, Air Canada rouge. The retrofit will introduce updated cabin configurations featuring 12 business class seats, 18 economy seats with additional legroom, and 147 standard economy seats, reducing the current total of 189 economy seats. The airline also plans to open a new rouge crew base at Vancouver International Airport. As part of its fleet strategy, Air Canada intends to add all forty-seven B737-8 aircraft, with an additional four on order.
In parallel, the airline will transfer A320-200 and A321-200 aircraft from rouge to its mainline fleet, upgrading their seating standards according to Air Canada’s configuration. There has been no official update regarding the A319-100 aircraft; some might be retired instead of being redeployed.
The plans reflect Air Canada’s focus on modernizing its fleet to enhance passenger comfort and operational efficiency across key hubs like Toronto Pearson and Vancouver International. This strategic move aims to bolster the airline's competitive position amid evolving market demands.
