Air Canada selects Montréal to Palma de Mallorca as first route for A321XLR

Air Canada has announced Montréal to Palma de Mallorca as its first new route to be operated by the carrier’s new Airbus A321XLR aircraft. 

In a statement, published on September 9, 2025, Air Canada said the new service will start in June 2026, aligning with the delivery of the airline’s A321XLR fleet in the first quarter of the year. 

“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.  

“Air Canada becomes the first Canadian airline to offer flights to this Spanish island, renowned for its stunning beaches, history and culture,” Galardo added. “We look forward to welcoming our customers aboard this exciting new aircraft, which will join our fleet in the coming months.” 

The airline said it will provide four flights each week from Montréal to Palma de Mallorca. These will leave at 18:45 local time and reach their destination the following day at 08:25 local time. Flights will depart on Mondays, Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays, running from June 17 to October 23, 2026. 

For the return journey from Palma de Mallorca to Montréal, flights will be available on Tuesdays, Thursdays, Saturdays, and Sundays. These will depart at 12:15 local time and arrive at 15:10 local time, from June 18 to October 24, 2026. 

New A321XLR expands international routes 

Along with starting new services to Mallorca, Air Canada will gradually switch its current routes to the A321XLR. This includes year-round flights from Montréal to Toulouse and seasonal flights from Montréal to Edinburgh. 

Additionally, as Air Canada receives more A321XLR aircraft, the airline plans to introduce more exciting routes from Toronto, Ottawa, and Halifax, among other cities. 

The A321XLR will be the first narrowbody aircraft in Air Canada’s fleet to offer lie-flat seats in the Business Class cabin, bringing a widebody experience on a narrowbody jet.  

This aircraft will have a capacity for 182 passengers, featuring 14 Signature Class seats and 168 Economy Class seats. The carrier said that the A321XLR will also initiate a new era in Air Canada’s cabin interiors with a fresh design. 

“This revolutionary narrow-body aircraft unlocks new, exciting global opportunities with its wide-body range and enhanced onboard product,” Galardo said. 

Air Canada is set to acquire 30 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with the first one expected to arrive in the first quarter of 2026 on lease from an American aircraft leasing company Air Lease. The airline is also scheduled to receive up to 10 more A321XLRs in 2026.