Air Canada to introduce premium economy seat
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Air Canada has announced it will introduce a premium economy cabin on its international aircraft from this summer.
The new seats will offer seven inches more legroom than its economy seats and offer a complimentary bar service and priority check-in and baggage pick-up.
The cabin will initially be introduced on the Paris-Montreal route from 11 July and will be included on its new fleet arrivals with a fresh design onboard. This will be present on the three new Boeing 777-300ERs that the carrier has ordered (to be received November 2013-February 2014) on top of the two due to be delivered in June and August 2013.
Other new product including new lie-flat beds will be introduced on its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner when delivered in 2014.
“The introduction of these Boeing 777-300ER aircraft in our fleet and launch of Air Canada’s new Premium Economy cabin on the Montreal-Paris route will allow us to compete effectively in a market with high demand for economy travel that is served by both international network and charter carriers,” said Ben Smith, executive vice president and chief commercial officer at Air Canada.
The product updates came after the airline announced its fourth quarter and full-year results, which showed EBITDAR of CAD1.45 billion (GBP927bn) across 2012 compared to GBP793m in 2011. Its full year net profit came in at GBP83 million throughout last year with its international routes performing well.
The carrier marked its 75th anniversary last year and is now gearing up for the launch of low-cost carrier Air Canada rouge, which includes a route from Edinburgh to Toronto.
