Air Canada Debuts New B787 & A321XLR Business Class Seats
Signature Plus suites feature 2-metre beds
Air Canada has lifted the lid on its next-generation business class, unveiling new suites for the Boeing 787-10, alongside a narrowbody lie-flat product for its incoming Airbus A321XLR.
The new 787-10 cabin will feature reverse herringbone seats with sliding privacy doors in business class. The carrier will also introduce a new product dubbed Signature Plus, as Air Canada joins a growing list of airlines carving out elevated front-row seating within existing business class cabins.
At the other end of the fleet, the A321XLR will boast lie-flat business class seats, a first for Air Canada on a narrowbody jet. The airline says its A321XLR will unlock new transatlantic routes, while also allowing it to offer more premium seating on North American transcontinental services.
Together, the upgrades form part of Air Canada’s most significant cabin investment to date, marking the rollout of its new “Glowing Hearted” design language, aviation’s latest addition to the marketing glossary.
Air Canada COO, Mark Nasr, said the cabin refresh is central to the airline’s “strategy to become one of the world's leading airlines.”
“From the moment of stepping on board, we’re setting a new standard for how Canadians and the world connect with our brand…we listened closely to feedback and challenged ourselves to create an experience defined by a strong Canadian sense of place, alongside a commitment to craftsmanship, functionality, and long-term durability,” Nasr said.
Air Canada’s New Boeing 787-10 Business Class
Air Canada has a firm order for 14 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliners, with deliveries expected from late 2026, although the airline has not yet committed to a timeline. Each aircraft will seat 332 passengers, including 42 in business class, 28 in premium economy and 262 in economy. Of those business class seats, four are an elevated product branded Air Canada Signature Plus Suites.
Signature Plus is essentially a more spacious, slightly upgraded take on business class, positioned in the first row. The four suites feature larger two-metre beds, higher walls for added privacy, and a quartzite-topped table. Passengers in the two centre Signature Plus suites will also have access to companion seating, allowing for shared four-person dining during the cruise.
Air Canada’s new business class seat is based on the Adient Ascent platform, a reverse herringbone design fitted with sliding privacy doors. It’s a seat that’s quickly becoming a go-to choice for airlines, particularly on the 787. Hawaiian Airlines is already flying the product, and I was very impressed.
B787-10 Business Class:
- Lie-flat seats with leather-grain finishes and bespoke fabric
- 19-inch 4K OLED entertainment screen with Bluetooth audio pairing
- USB-C and AC charging outlets
- Sliding privacy panel for centre seats
B787-10 Signature Plus Suites:
- Two-metre lie-flat bed
- Higher walls for additional privacy
- A quartzite stone table
- 27-inch 4K OLED entertainment screen with Bluetooth audio pairing
- USB-C and AC charging outlets
- Sliding privacy at two centre suites open to create a social space for four
- Guest seat for visits while at cruising altitude
Air Canada’s New Airbus A321XLR Business Class
Air Canada has a firm order for 30 Airbus A321XLR aircraft, with entry into service due from summer 2026. Each aircraft will seat 182 passengers, with 14 in business and 168 in economy.
At the pointy end, Air Canada’s A321XLR business class seat brings lie-flat comfort to a narrowbody, a feature more airlines are thankfully committing to. By contrast, back home, Qantas is fitting just 16 of its 48 XLR’s on order with lie-flat seats.
Air Canada’s XLR business class is based on the Collins Aerospace Aurora platform. That means herringbone seats that face the aisle, which isn’t ideal if you want to look out the window, but a worthwhile compromise for lie-flat on a narrowbody.
Something interesting to note is Air Canada’s decision not to include closing privacy doors on its A321XLR business class, despite the option being available from the manufacturer. Given the seat’s already high walls and inherently private layout, that feels like a sensible trade-off. In return, Air Canada can offer a longer bed and wider aisle than other airlines deploying the same seat.
A321XLR Business Class:
- Lie-flat seats with leather-grain finishes and bespoke fabric
- Leather-wrapped night table for storage
- 19-inch 4K OLED entertainment screen with Bluetooth audio pairing
- USB-C and AC charging outlets
- Wireless charging tray
Summing Up: My Take
Air Canada’s new business class seats feel more like a clever refinement than a major leap. It’s not groundbreaking, but it doesn’t need to be. The seats look stunning and should prove very competitive.
On the Boeing 787-10, Air Canada has selected a solid, proven seat with doors, alongside a new premium front-row offering. The A321XLR is where I think the real value sits, with a proper lie-flat seat on a narrow-body, and it’s offered across the entire XLR fleet.
