First airline in Canada to fly next generation 787 aircraft

TORONTO, May 18, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada has completed its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner flight with the arrival of AC7008 at Toronto's Pearson airport this afternoon carrying 100 of the airline's employees on its maiden voyage. Air Canada is the first Canadian airline to fly the new aircraft which, with its long-range and unsurpassed fuel efficiency, will play a starring role in the airline's international expansion strategy. Air Canada has orders for 37 Boeing 787 aircraft.

"This is an exciting day for all of us at Air Canada as we bring home our first Dreamliner. With the introduction of the 787 into the Air Canada fleet, we are set to further strengthen our position as one of the world's leading global carriers. The Boeing 787 Dreamliner with its range, passenger capacity and operating efficiencies is virtually custom-designed to allow us to grow in international markets on a cost-competitive basis, and our new on-board product will enhance our position as North America's leading airline," said Calin Rovinescu, President and Chief Executive Officer.

"With the Dreamliner we are premiering our new three-cabin interior. It features the next generation lie-flat pod in International Business Class, a new Premium Economy cabin and our redesigned Economy cabin with our upgraded In-Flight Entertainment system available free at every seat," added Benjamin Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer at Air Canada.

Media tours:

On the morning of Tuesday, May 20 accredited media will have an opportunity to view and film the interior of Air Canada's first Dreamliner with its entirely redesigned on-board product. Event details are available at:

http://aircanada.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=762

About Air Canada

Air Canada is Canada's largest domestic and international airline serving more than 180 destinations on five continents.  Canada's flag carrier is among the 20 largest airlines in the world and in 2013 served more than 35 million customers.  Air Canada provides scheduled passenger service directly to 60 Canadian cities, 49 destinations in the United States and 72 cities in Europe, the Middle East, Asia, Australia, the Caribbean, Mexico and South America. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, the world's most comprehensive air transportation network serving 1,269 airports in 193 countries.  Air Canada is the only international network carrier in North America to receive a Four-Star ranking according to independent U.K. research firm Skytrax that ranked Air Canada in a worldwide survey of more than 18 million airline passengers as Best Airline in North America in 2013 for the fourth consecutive year.  For more information, please visit: www.aircanada.com.

SOURCE Air Canada

Video with caption: "Video: Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner lands and receives a water cannon salute at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014.". Video available at: http://stream1.newswire.ca/cgi-bin/playback.cgi?file=20140518_C8921_VIDEO_EN_40470.mp4&posterurl=http://photos.newswire.ca/images/20140518_C8921_PHOTO_EN_40470.jpg&clientName=Air%20Canada&caption=Video%3A%20Air%20Canada%27s%20first%20787%20Dreamliner%20lands%20and%20receives%20a%20water%20cannon%20salute%20at%20Toronto%27s%20Pearson%20Airport%2C%20Sunday%20May%2018%2C%202014%2E&title=AIR%20CANADA%20%2D%20Air%20Canada%27s%20Dreamliner%20Touches%20Down%20in%20Toronto&headline=Air%20Canada%27s%20Dreamliner%20Touches%20Down%20in%20Toronto

Image with caption: "Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner receives a water cannon salute at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140518_C8921_PHOTO_EN_40464.jpg

Image with caption: "Flight AC7008, Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner, lands at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140518_C8921_PHOTO_EN_40466.jpg

Image with caption: "Flight AC7008, Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner, parked at the hangar at Toronto's Pearson Airport. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140518_C8921_PHOTO_EN_40465.jpg