Air Canada reveals unlikely destination for first Airbus A321XLR route
September 9, 2025
Air Canada has selected Palma de Mallorca as the first new destination for its incoming Airbus A321XLR fleet, with flights from Montréal due to begin in June 2026.
The Spanish Balearic island service will be the launch route for the type as deliveries commence in the first quarter of next year.
The Canadian flag carrier is set to receive 30 of the extra-long-range Airbus narrowbodies, with up to 10 more to follow later in 2026.
Using the Airbus A321XLR to open up thinner routes
The XLR will open new opportunities on transatlantic routes and also replace widebodies on certain medium-haul services.
“The wait is nearly over as the imminent arrival of the game-changing Airbus A321XLR marks the next phase of international growth at Air Canada,” said Mark Galardo, Executive Vice President & Chief Commercial Officer, and President, Cargo at Air Canada.
Describing it as “revolutionary” and an aircraft which “unlocks new, exciting global opportunities with its wide-body range and enhanced onboard product”, Galardo said: “Today, we begin that journey of growth with the announcement of Palma de Mallorca as the first new destination made possible by this fleet.
“By leveraging the unique capabilities of the A321XLR, Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer flights to this Spanish island, renowned for its stunning beaches, history and culture.”
The Montréal–Mallorca route will operate four times weekly from 17 June to 23 October 2026, with overnight departures eastbound and daytime returns. Tickets are already on sale.
The aircraft, configured with 182 seats, will be the first narrowbody in Air Canada’s fleet to feature lie-flat business class seating. Fourteen Signature Class seats and 168 in economy will be offered, with the airline also introducing a new interior design standard with the arrival of the type. Images of the cabin interior are yet to be released.
Expanding the A321XLR’s reach
Alongside the Mallorca launch, existing services on other aircraft will also be transitioned to the A321XLR.
These include year-round Montréal–Toulouse flights, linking the two major francophone cities, and Montréal–Edinburgh, which will return as a summer seasonal in 2026.
The airline has confirmed that future deliveries will allow additional long-range narrowbody routes from Toronto, Ottawa and Halifax. Air Canada will take its first examples of the type on lease from Air Lease Corporation in early 2026, with further deliveries continuing through the year.
The Airbus A321XLR: A transformative aircraft
The Airbus A321XLR is increasingly being viewed as a transformative aircraft for global networks, enabling airlines to operate “long, thin” routes that previously would not have been viable with larger widebodies.
With a range of around 4,700 nautical miles, the type combines transatlantic reach with the economics of a single-aisle aircraft, allowing carriers to tap into secondary markets where demand is steady but insufficient to fill a widebody.
Air Canada’s choice of Palma de Mallorca reflects this strategy, with the aircraft’s size making seasonal leisure routes more sustainable.
The same principle is being applied elsewhere.
Wizz Air uses the A321XLR on services from London Gatwick to Jeddah, proving the business case for secondary airports and emerging routes.
Aer Lingus has similarly deployed the aircraft type on transatlantic routes, such as Nashville from Dublin.
