Air Canada is the launch customer for the improved Airspace cabin in the Airbus A220 narrowbody, the two companies announced today at the Aircraft Interiors Expo (AIX).
The Airspace cabin, also available on the A320, A330 and A350, aims to create a similar experience across Airbus aircraft. Its availability on the A220 is one more step in the integration of the aircraft, originally a Bombardier design, into Airbus' product range. However, it comes as Airbus is struggling with ramping up A220 production—causing long delivery lead times—and postponing the launch of a stretch version, negatively impacting sales in both instances. In 2024, Airbus gathered orders for 17 A220s and delivered 75.
Air Canada will receive its first A220 with an Airspace cabin in March of next year. It will be the carrier's 43rd A220 and the first 42 are not planned for retrofit, Air Canada managing director for onboard product John Moody said at AIX. Air Canada has 35 A220s in service, over a total order for 65, he added.
Air Canada chose the Airspace XL Bins, which offer larger overhead storage space for carry-on luggage. Thanks to a fixed design (as opposed to a mechanism lowering the entire bin), they have been made 20% lighter, Airbus aircraft interiors marketing director Geoffroy Oury said. Only the doors are coming up, making the cabin crew's job easier and improving reliability, he pointed out.
The bins are also higher in dimensions, providing 20% more volume but encroaching on the passengers' headroom when they want to leave their seat. The A220's XL bins allow 15% more baggage and 10% more payload, VP cabin marketing Ingo Wuggetzer said.
The Airspace cabin also features a new design for the personal service unit, including lighting, ventilation, and moving map, and a number of lighting scenarios.
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