MONTREAL- Air Canada (AC) filed a wave of Airbus A321XLR operations across North America for the Northern winter 2026/27 season, alongside new service to the Caribbean. The carrier added a seasonal route from Montreal (YUL) to Bridgetown (BGI) in Barbados, expanding its sun destination reach with the long-range narrowbody.
The plan also reshapes several European routes from Halifax (YHZ), Ottawa (YOW), and Toronto Pearson (YYZ) toward London Heathrow (LHR), Copenhagen (CPH), Manchester (MAN), and Lisbon (LIS). As reported by Aeroroutes, the A321XLR continues to replace widebody and 737 MAX 8 aircraft on multiple transatlantic and domestic services.
Air Canada Grows A321XLR Use in North America and the Caribbean
Air Canada concentrated much of its winter A321XLR flying around its Montreal hub. The Montreal to Bridgetown route operates 5 weekly between 03DEC26 and 31DEC26, marking the type’s entry into Caribbean service for the season.
The airline scheduled Montreal to Halifax 4 weekly from 18DEC26 under flights AC670 and AC665. Montreal to Los Angeles (LAX) gained two layers of service.
Flights AC775 and AC776 begin 25OCT26 at 4 weekly, though this service is not offered between 30NOV26 and 31DEC26. A separate daily frequency under AC781 and AC774 starts 15NOV26.
Shorter seasonal frequencies round out the Montreal program. Montreal to Miami (MIA) runs 1 weekly from 18DEC26 to 25DEC26 as AC1204 and AC1207. Montreal to Ottawa operates 1 weekly between 21DEC26 and 05JAN27.
Montreal to San Francisco (SFO) becomes a daily service from 15JAN27. Montreal to Toronto Pearson runs 2 to 3 weekly between 25OCT26 and 07JAN27. The Montreal to Calgary (YYC) route continues with the A321XLR through the winter season.
Toronto Pearson takes on additional A321XLR flying during the period. The airline scheduled Toronto Pearson to Calgary as a daily service from 16DEC26 under flights AC133 and AC142. Toronto Pearson to Los Angeles begins 15DEC26 as AC791 and AC794.
European Route Changes for the A321XLR
Air Canada adjusted several transatlantic services for the winter season. Halifax to London Heathrow shifts to 4 weekly A321XLR from 17DEC26, replacing a daily 737 MAX 8. The change was previously set for 01DEC26, and the daily 737 MAX 8 is scheduled to return from 28MAR27.
Montreal to Lisbon increases from 3 to 4 weekly, effective 24OCT26, rather than the earlier planned 5 weekly. The service now combines 3 weekly A321XLR with 1 weekly A330-300, replacing the previous 5 weekly A321XLR arrangement.
Ottawa to London Heathrow operates 3 weekly A321XLR between 16DEC26 and 26MAR27, replacing 4 weekly A330-300. The schedule moves to morning hours from Ottawa, and the change was previously planned for 02DEC26.
Toronto Pearson to Copenhagen switches to the A321XLR from 17NOV26 at 4 weekly, replacing the 787-8. The route extends to year round operation, with the 787-8 scheduled between 25OCT26 and 16NOV26 before the A321XLR takes over, instead of the earlier 25OCT26 changeover.
Toronto Pearson to Manchester follows the same pattern, moving to the A321XLR from 15NOV26 at 4 weekly. The 787-8 covers 25OCT26 to 14NOV26 before the swap, again later than the originally planned 25OCT26 date.
Stay tuned with us. Further, follow us on social media for the latest updates.
Join us on Telegram Group for the Latest Aviation Updates. Subsequently, follow us on Google News
