The made in Canada aircraft flew on the nation’s flag carrier across country for its first revenue flight from Montreal to Calgary on January 16, 2020. Customers and employees celebrated at Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport, which hosted an event before the morning departure.

A ceremonial gift exchange to mark the historical occasion took place with Air Canada’s Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer, Lucie Guillemette, Captain Patrick Tompkins, Chief Pilot – A220,  and Robert Trudeau, Senior Director, Global Corporate Sales and Quebec Market, presenting a model Airbus A220 aircraft to Stéphane Lapierre, Vice President Airport Operations and Air Services Development at Montreal-Trudeau, who in turn presented a gift from the airport.

Many customers booked their travels specifically to be a part of the historic occasion, some spending only one hour in Calgary before getting back on the plane for the second revenue flight from Calgary to Montreal. Before that flight, the airport hosted a second celebration to mark the occasion. 

Captain Patrick Tompkins, Chief Pilot - A220 at Air Canada, told local media in Calgary that his team of Canadian pilots is proud to fly the made in Canada aircraft. Captain Tompkins continued “It’s a really nice airplane. It’s very intuitive to fly. The wing is super efficient up high. It’s got good landing and take off performance and it’s quiet.”

Here’s what a few customer’s on board the first flight had to say: