Air Canada’s A321XLR Signature Suites will provide privy and direct aisle access, built on the Aurora platform from Collins Aerospace (image via Air Canada/Collins Aerospace)
Air Canada‘s A321XLR will enter service later this year flying with seats from Collins Aerospace nose to tail. The carrier’s Signature class (i.e. business class) cabin see a customized version of the Aurora premium cabin seats, designed in partnership with Acumen, installed.
Our primary goal was to elevate the in-flight experience by creating a space that feels exceptionally inviting and highly personal. With the Aurora suite, we are setting the standard through the thoughtful use of space, technology, bespoke materials and finishes. Our meticulous attention to detail offers our customers a true retreat.
– John Moody, managing director of On-Board Product for Air Canada
Aurora delivers direct aisle access for all passengers for each of the 14 mini-suites on board. Passengers will have privacy, but they will not have doors separating them from the aisle. John Moody, Managing Director for Onboard Product at Air Canada, described that as a “conscious decision” given the cabin layout. “What is the purpose of the door? The purpose of a door is to create additional privacy for that customer. We believe that this seat is inherently private. In fact, even without a door, we actually saw the seat as being almost too private.”
Moody notes that when seated passengers will only see the exterior panel of the seat across the aisle, not another traveler. Adding the doors would either reduce aisle width or seat/bed space, neither of which was seen as worth the tradeoffs.
He also cited a shifting demographic trend, including more families traveling together in premium cabins. The carrier adjusted the default Aurora design to add a privacy drop down between seats on the same side of the aisle, allowing passengers to engage with each other if desired.
Air Canada’s A321XLR Signature Suites will provide privy and direct aisle access, built on the Aurora platform from Collins Aerospace (image via Air Canada/Collins Aerospace)
The herringbone layout optimizes space in the cabin. It also ensures sufficient galley space for the airline to support long-haul premium catering on a single-aisle aircraft.
The Air Canada implementation offers custom trim elements, including rich wood, stone, and bronze accents.
“Aurora is designed to provide a widebody business class experience on single-aisle aircraft, offering passengers the comfort, space and privacy expected on long-haul flights,” adds Cynthia Muklevicz, vice president of Global Airlines and Lessors for Collins Aerospace. “By integrating the suites, monuments and galley space into a unified architecture, we’re able to make better use of the cabin footprint while maintaining passenger comfort and the service capabilities airlines need to deliver a true premium experience.”
Customization also extends to the digital experience on board. The seats will include an additional screen tucked under the armrest, visible when in bed mode.
The mini-IFE screen in bed mode offer passengers details about flight progress; useful information without much fuss
It offers flight details and seat controls (light, call button, etc.) to make that information readily available for a passenger without needing the big screen active.
For economy class Air Canada will install 168 Meridian+ seats, also from Collins. Air Canada’s implementation includes inflight entertainment screens and power at every seat. The planes will not, however, include a premium economy cabin. Moody suggests this is a compromise made based on the dual purpose role the A321XLR will fill for Air Canada. “This airplane is going to be doing a lot of transcon flying. It’s going to be doing a decent amount of Atlantic flying. We needed an aircraft that had the right seat count for both of those markets, and works well in both of those markets… From a seat count perspective, we needed the density to make this aircraft work in these markets where it will fly.” Canada does not, it would appear, demand a premium transcon offering the same as the US market.
Air Canada holds orders for 30 A321XLRs, with the first expected to enter service later this spring. The order was first announced in 2022 and, as with most recent aircraft delivery schedules, is running a couple years behind schedule.
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Seth Miller has over a decade of experience covering the airline industry. With a strong focus on passenger experience, Seth also has deep knowledge of inflight connectivity and loyalty programs. He is widely respected as an unbiased commentator on the aviation industry.
He is frequently consulted on innovations in passenger experience by airlines and technology providers.
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