Air Canada Begins Deliveries of 30 New A321XLRs, Testing Pratt & Whitney GTF Reliability

Air Canada has begun receiving its new Airbus A321XLRs powered by Pratt & Whitney’s PW1100G GTF Advantage engine, marking a significant milestone in the airline’s long‑term fleet upgrade. The first aircraft entered service in April, followed by a second delivery in May and a third in August. The order totals 30 aircraft, with 14 additional options, and the full delivery schedule is slated to conclude in 2029. The A320neo family, of which the A321XLR is a variant, can be equipped with either the CFM International LEAP‑1A or the Pratt & Whitney GTF engines. By deploying the GTF‑powered A321XLRs across its network, Air Canada is conducting a real‑world assessment of the engine’s reliability and performance over a diverse set of routes and operating conditions.