TORONTO, May 20, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today unveiled its brand new international interior product following the arrival in Toronto on Sunday of its first Boeing 787 Dreamliner. Visit 787.aircanada.com for details and a virtual tour of the aircraft and new design, seating and amenities. The airline will take delivery of a total of 37 Boeing 787 aircraft by the end of 2019, transforming its international wide-body fleet using the most recent advancements in aviation technology for fuel efficiency and customer comfort.

"We are very excited to debut today Air Canada's completely re-designed seating and cabin amenities for international customers following the arrival of our first 787 Dreamliner," said Ben Smith, Executive Vice President and Chief Commercial Officer. "As we continue to renew our international widebody fleet with the introduction of these next-generation, fuel efficient aircraft over the next five years, we look forward to offering our customers the very best in comfort and amenities."

Air Canada's first new route to be operated with the 787 Dreamliner will be Toronto-Tokyo/Haneda in July.  Following the conversion of the airline's Toronto-Tel Aviv route to 787 Dreamliner service this summer, Air Canada will convert its Vancouver routes to Tokyo and Shanghai to 787 Dreamliner service over the 2014-2015 winter months. Plans for future deployment of the 787 Dreamliner will be announced at future dates as new aircraft enter service.

As the 787 aircraft are gradually introduced into the fleet, the airline will offer a preview of its new Dreamliner service on select domestic Canada and transatlantic flights on a temporary basis.

"The new interiors and seating on the 787 Dreamliner will become Air Canada's new international standard. As recently announced, we also plan to begin conversion in late 2015 of 12 Boeing 777-300ER and six Boeing 777-200LR aircraft to provide our customers a consistent product with the Boeing 787 Dreamliner. With the conversion of these 777 aircraft, we will introduce a much desired premium economy cabin and refurbish the International Business Class cabin to the new Boeing 787 state-of-the-art standards. The reconfiguration project is planned be completed in the second half of 2016," continued Mr. Smith.

Air Canada will provide three cabins of service on board its Boeing 787 Dreamliners and converted 777 aircraft, highlighted by comfortable ergonomic seating that features 180-degree lie-flat seats in its International Business Class cabin. An extensive choice of in-flight entertainment on enhanced definition seat back touch screens will be available for all customers along with power outlets and USB ports.

"The introduction of 787 Dreamliner aircraft featuring our new standard of onboard product is a key component of Air Canada's international expansion plans that include the development of Toronto Pearson into a preferred North American gateway and true airline hub," said Mr. Smith. "The fuel efficient Boeing 787 aircraft will open up opportunities for Air Canada to serve new international destinations and convert existing routes to Dreamliner service as we replace existing Boeing 767 aircraft with the new 787 Dreamliners."

Contemporary New Cabin Design

With the introduction of the 787 Dreamliner into its widebody fleet, Air Canada is unveiling a contemporary, sophisticated cabin design in a palette of slate grey and neutral tones with accents of Canadian red and celeste blue.

The interior decor, cabin architecture and seating in all three cabins - International Business Class, Premium Economy and Economy - have been designed to provide customers with an exceptional travel experience.

Highlights of Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner include 20 lie-flat Executive Pods with an adjustable pneumatic cushion system that can be extended into a fully flat sleeping position 80 inches in length. New features that enhance the airline's award-winning International Business cabin include:

• An adjustable pneumatic cushion headrest offers a massage feature, unique for an airline in business class.
   
• The personal entertainment screen with touch handset, at 18 inches, is the largest offered by a North American airline in business class. Universal power and USB outlets are available at each seat.
   
• Air Canada will also introduce later in 2014 a new espresso and cappuccino service for International Business Class customers.
   
• A 1-2-1 configuration guarantees direct aisle access with window views featuring the largest windows of any aircraft flying today.

Air Canada's Premium Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner has 21 seats in a 2-3-2 configuration providing 38-inch legroom and generous 19.5-inch seat width and 7-inch recline.  Each seat is equipped with a 9- or 11-inch enhanced definition intuitive touch personal entertainment screen, as well as universal power and USB outlets. Air Canada's Premium Economy cabin service, unique in North America, offers premium meals, complimentary bar service and priority check-in and baggage delivery at the airport.

Air Canada's Economy cabin has 210 slimline seats in a 3-3-3 configuration providing personal space consistent with the comfort of Air Canada's current Economy cabin. Each seat is equipped with a 9-inch enhanced definition intuitive touch personal entertainment screen with USB outlet and a universal power outlet available at arm's reach.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner: A New Generation in Comfort and Fuel Efficiency

Boeing is the world's first major airliner to use composite materials in the construction of its airframe, allowing for significant fuel efficiencies, a more economical long flying range and an enhanced passenger experience with less impact on the environment.  Air Canada is the only Canadian carrier to order this new generation aircraft.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is 20 per cent more fuel efficient than the Boeing 767 aircraft it will replace.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner provides passengers with an unparalleled passenger experience:

• A quieter, smoother flight, lower cabin pressure, higher humidity levels and ambient mood lighting contribute to a more rested feeling upon arrival;
   
• Windows are 30 per cent larger than those on most similarly sized airplanes and feature an electrochromatic electronic dimming system;
   
• A more spacious interior cabin design featuring larger overhead bins;
   
• Cleaner air continuously circulating through an advanced filtration system.

Air Canada's Dreamliner fleet will consist of a total of 15 787-8 aircraft and 22 of the larger capacity 787-9 aircraft. All 37 Boeing 787 aircraft are scheduled to be delivered by the end of 2019.  As Air Canada takes delivery of new widebody aircraft for its mainline fleet, current Boeing 767 and Airbus A319 aircraft will be transferred to its leisure carrier subsidiary, Air Canada rouge.

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.

ATTENTION EDITORS: A selection of photos can be downloaded here: http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/media/facts/photos_fleet.htm 

SOURCE Air Canada

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40496.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40490.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40494.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new Premium Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40491.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new Premium Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40495.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40493.jpg

Image with caption: "Air Canada's new Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner. (CNW Group/Air Canada)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20140520_C8994_PHOTO_EN_40492.jpg