MONTREAL, March 30 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada is introducing a new
generation of aircraft into its fleet with the arrival Saturday of its first
Boeing 777 in Montréal. Accompanied by Air Canada's 70-year-old Lockheed L-10A
heritage aircraft, the highly-efficient, customer-friendly 777 aircraft is
expected to touch down at Montreal-Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport
in the mid-afternoon following a five-hour maiden flight from its Seattle
manufacturer.
    The new aircraft, the first of eight wide-bodied 777 aircraft being
delivered to Air Canada in 2007, will begin regular international service with
a flight from Toronto to London scheduled for April 6. Air Canada customers
will experience the latest in-flight amenities while travelling aboard the
world's most advanced widebody airliner. Air Canada's 777 fleet will operate
on key long-haul routes to Europe, Asia and the South Pacific, commencing with
Toronto-London in April, Toronto-Frankfurt and Toronto-Tokyo beginning in
June, Vancouver-Tokyo starting in July, Toronto-Hong Kong beginning in August,
and on a new Vancouver-Sydney route launching in December.
    "With the arrival of the Boeing 777, we are thrilled to mark another
important milestone in Air Canada's proud, 70-year history of high-quality,
safe and reliable service," said Montie Brewer, President and Chief Executive
Officer. "We are equally proud to be the only North American carrier to offer
customers the comfort and privacy of first class lie-flat beds, at a business
class price. The introduction of 777 service raises the bar in comfort and
convenience in air travel while leveraging Air Canada's extensive
international and North America route networks via our Toronto and Vancouver
hubs."
    Air Canada's 777-300ER aircraft are configured with 42 Executive First
Suites and 307 seats in Economy Class, while the new 777-200LR model arriving
later this year will be configured with 42 Executive First Suites and
228 seats in Economy Class. Customers will enjoy industry-leading in-flight
comforts on all 18 of the new 777 aircraft that Air Canada has on order,
creating a consistent fleet-wide, in-flight product in conjunction with the
carrier's ongoing major refurbishment program for its existing fleet. In
addition, Air Canada has 14 Boeing 787 aircraft on order that will begin
delivery in 2010.
    Air Canada's new in-flight product features lie-flat beds in its
international Executive First cabin, the only North American airline to offer
the comfort and privacy of lie-flat beds in business class. All customers will
enjoy digital quality personal seatback entertainment systems with 80 hours of
video and 50 hours of audio on demand, as well as standard 110 volt electrical
outlets at arms reach.

    Montreal-based Air Canada provides scheduled and charter air
transportation for passengers and cargo to more than 150 destinations on five
continents. Canada's flag carrier is the 14th largest commercial airline in
the world and serves 30 million customers annually with a fleet consisting of
335 aircraft. Air Canada is a founding member of Star Alliance, providing the
world's most comprehensive air transportation network.