Air Canada Launches First Airbus A220 with Airspace Cabin—Here’s What’s Inside
The Maple leaf carrier to become the first to operate A220s with Airbus's Airspace cabins
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus SAS
Starting next year, Air Canada passengers will find larger overhead bins and mood lighting on some of the airline’s newest jets.
The updated cabins will arrive on Air Canada’s newest Airbus A220s and mark the first time the aviation manufacturer’s state-of-the-art Airspace cabins have been installed on the narrow-body planes.
Larger Overhead Bins
The Airspace cabins feature larger overhead luggage storage, which Airbus has dubbed its “XL bins.” Installed on the A220, they’ll increase its overhead storage volume by 20 percent, with room for an additional 19 bags.
Photo: Courtesy of Air Canada / CNW Group
If passengers can find space for their bags more easily and fewer bags need to be placed into the hold, the flight can get airborne sooner.
The bins also have simplified closing mechanisms. They’re easier for passengers and flight attendants to shut, which should shave more seconds off turnaround times and boost Air Canada’s on-time performance stats.
Environmental and Efficiency Benefits
“The introduction of larger overhead bins on future A220s means more space for your belongings, quicker boarding, and an even better experience on board,” John Moody, Managing Director of Onboard Product at Air Canada, said.
The simplified bins also weigh less, reducing the plane’s overall weight by around 300 lbs. Less weight means lower fuel consumption, which benefits Air Canada’s bottom line and sustainability goals. Moody said fuel is the airline’s biggest cost.
Photo: Courtesy of Air Canada / CNW Group
The Airspace cabin is also fitted with mood lighting, including customizable color-changing LED light strips and advanced soundproofing—all contributing to a quieter, calming experience for passengers.
Ingo Wuggetzer, Vice President of Cabin Marketing at Airbus, said: “We are extremely happy to launch the A220 Airspace cabin with Air Canada and very proud the Canadian flag carrier is introducing our latest innovation to support its fleet renewal program.”
“At Air Canada, we’re always looking for opportunities to evolve our products and make travel more comfortable and convenient,“ Moody added.
The Airspace cabin debuted on the A350 before expanding to the A330neo and the A320 family.
New Cabin Design and IFE
The launch of the Airspace cabins on Air Canada A220s will also coincide with the rollout of a new cabin design standard, the airline calls “Glowing Hearted.“ The design, which will also be installed on the carrier’s A321s, is a nod to Canadians’ famed niceness.
Photo: Courtesy of Airbus SAS
“The cabin is a lot warmer than it has been in the past, and that is on purpose,“ Moody said. “What we want to deliver is that sort of warm personality, warm caring, that Canadians are known for.”
Air Canada is also rolling out updated seatback entertainment systems with 4K Panasonic screens.
Air Canada will receive its first A220 fitted with the new cabins in March 2026. It will be the 43rd A220 it has received over the last few years out of the 65 firm orders it has for the jetliner.
The airline said its previous 42 Airbus A220s would be prioritized for upgrades to the new cabins in the future.
Air Canada primarily uses its A220 fleet to operate domestic flights and those into the United States.
