Canada’s home-grown jetliner, the A220 that started out as Bombardier’s C-series, is coming home to make possible a major route expansion for Air Canada, which is getting 45 of the planes in the next two years.
The A220 fits in a size niche north of regional jets and south of the A320 and 737. For Air Canada, which will use them initially as replacement for Embraer E190 regional jets, it means the opportunity to fly more seats more cheaply on current routes, and also to economically fly routes that are beyond the E190s range, but not popular enough to support larger jets. According to Air Canada, its A220s can carry 41% more passengers two-thirds further at 13% lower per-seat cost.
Among the new routes the jet will open for Air Canada, starting from next May, are services between Montreal and Seattle and between Toronto and San Jose, California. Other routes known to be under consideration includ Calgary to Washington/Dulles, Toronto to Monterey, Mexico and Vancouver to Halifax or Washington. With a range of nearly 3,800 miles, the possibilities are many.
