TORONTO — The summer 2026 preview is out, the Airbus A321XLRs are on the way and booking levels are back to normal in the wake of last month’s labour disruption, as Air Canada’s EVP & CCO, and President, Cargo, Mark Galardo, shared with Travelweek this morning in a wide-ranging interview.
After the news came out yesterday that Air Canada’s first A321XLR route will be Montreal-Palma de Mallorca, starting in June 2026, Travelweek wanted to know what exactly makes the XLR a “game-changer.”
It’s a buzz word that gets used a lot in the travel industry, but Galardo got right to the point about why Air Canada is so excited about this new aircraft.
Essentially the XLR is a sweet spot for the airline, combining a sleek narrow-body aircraft experience with the ability to fly considerably longer distances than typical narrow-body planes.
“The XLR enables us to grow into routes and markets where wide-body aircraft would be too big,” Galardo told Travelweek, noting the XLR’s size, with 182 seats and a single-aisle configuration.
“The XLR is ideal for secondary routes, like Toulouse, like Mallorca. It allows us to open up those routes and do it profitably.”
Delivery of the A321XLR fleet begins in the first quarter of 2026. The new service linking Montreal and Palma de Mallorca starts June 17, 2026 and runs through Oct. 24, 2026. Seats are available for sale now.
With its fully lie-flat seats in Business Class, the XLR is also “very competitive” for the lucrative business class market.
Asked if the XLR will operate any North American routes, Galardo noted that the aircraft is meant for longer hauls. “It’s not meant to be a U.S. growth airplane. It’s for Europe, for Africa. It’s an international airplane. Most narrow-body aircraft can fly distances around 5 to 6 hours. With the XLR, you’re looking at the ability to add 3 hours of range.”
Speaking of the U.S. and looking at Air Canada’s transborder segments, Galardo told Travelweek that Air Canada bookings by Canadians heading to the U.S. are still down in the 10-15% range. That’s in line with the airline’s Q1 2025 numbers. “It’s been plateauing for a while and we don’t see that changing any time soon,” said Galardo. There’s been no significant change in the number of U.S. travellers booking Air Canada on flights into Canada, he added.
In the wake of the three-day labour disruption in August, Galardo said bookings are “back to normal levels.”
“We want to thank the travel advisors and the travel trade, for taking care of our customers. We recognize the wonderful job they did,” he said.
AIR CANADA’S SUMMER 2026 PREVIEW
Air Canada’s summer 2026 international network preview includes new destinations taking flight in Europe and Asia.
Beginning next year, the airline will launch new routes from Montreal to Catania in Sicily and, as reported yesterday, to Palma de Mallorca.
From Toronto, Air Canada is re-establishing nonstop flights to Shanghai and Budapest, and increasing flights to Prague. These new services further strengthen Toronto Pearson as Air Canada’s largest hub, linking to over 150 destinations across Canada and around the world.
Air Canada’s seasonal Vancouver-Bangkok route will now become year-round, strengthening the airline’s position as the only North American carrier offering direct, nonstop service to BKK.
Air Canada also plans to resume its Tel Aviv route from Toronto next month.
