Huh? Air Canada Will Have Boeing 767 Flights Again?

Summary

Air Canada is set to reintroduce Boeing 767 passenger flights to the US for the first time since 2020, utilizing wet-leased Omni Air International 767-300ER aircraft. The 246-seat configuration includes 22 business and 224 economy seats in a 2-2-2 and 2-3-2 layout, respectively. This summer, the airline will operate daily services from Toronto to San Francisco between June 15 and July 13, facing competition from United and Porter airlines. The decision is driven by demand, with the route being one of Air Canada's top international services from Toronto.

Takeaways

• 🛫 Air Canada retired its Boeing 767 passenger aircraft in 2020 and some were converted into freighters.
• 🛬 Rouge, Air Canada's leisure-focused unit, also ceased operations of its 767 passenger aircraft in June 2020.
• ✈️ Air Canada is set to reintroduce Boeing 767s for flights to the US through a wet-lease agreement with Omni Air International.
• 💺 The wet-leased Omni Air 767-300ER has 246 seats, including 22 business class and 224 economy seats in a 2-3-2 layout.
• 💰 Wet leasing is an expensive short-term solution that includes the provision of aircraft, maintenance, crew, and insurance.
• 📅 Air Canada plans to operate the wet-leased 767s on the Toronto to San Francisco route from June 15 to July 13, 2024.
• 🔄 This is not the first time Air Canada has wet-leased Omni Air's 767s, having done so previously on the Toronto to Manchester route.
• 🏅 Air Canada is competing with United and Porter airlines on the Toronto to San Francisco route.
• 🌐 The Toronto to San Francisco route is one of Air Canada's top international routes from Toronto's Pearson International Airport.
• 🛩️ In addition to the Omni Air 767s, Air Canada will also operate the route with 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
• 🗣️ The video invites viewers to share their thoughts on Air Canada's use of wet-leased Omni Air 767s and whether they would prefer this service or Air Canada's own aircraft.

Q & A

Why did Air Canada remove its Boeing 767s from passenger service in 2020?

Air Canada removed its Boeing 767s from passenger service in 2020 and converted some of them into freighters to adapt to changing market conditions.

What is the significance of Air Canada using Boeing 767s for US flights after 2020?

It is significant because it marks the first time since 2020 that Air Canada is using the Boeing 767 for passenger flights to the US, utilizing wet-leased aircraft from Omni Air International.

What is a wet lease in the context of airlines?

A wet lease in the airline industry refers to an arrangement where an airline rents an aircraft, complete with its crew, maintenance, and insurance, from another airline for a short-term period.

Why might Air Canada receive negative feedback from consumers for using a wet-lease operator?

Air Canada might receive negative feedback if consumers feel they have paid a high price for a service that is not operated by Air Canada's own aircraft and crew.

What is the seating configuration of the Omni Air 767-300ER that Air Canada plans to wet lease?

The Omni Air 767-300ER has a seating configuration of 22 business class seats in a 2-2-2 layout and 224 economy class seats in a 2-3-2 layout.

For which route is Air Canada planning to use the wet-leased Omni Air 767-300ER?

Air Canada plans to use the wet-leased Omni Air 767-300ER for the transborder route between Toronto and San Francisco.

What is the duration of the daily service between Toronto and San Francisco using the Omni Air 767s?

The daily service will run from June 15 to July 13 in both directions.

Has Air Canada used Omni Air's 767s for similar arrangements in the past?

Yes, Air Canada has used Omni Air's 767s in the past, as evidenced by the arrangement last summer between Toronto and Manchester.

How does the Toronto to San Francisco route compare in terms of service frequency among Air Canada's international routes from Toronto?

The Toronto to San Francisco route is Air Canada's joint-fourth most-served international route from Toronto's busiest airport during the specified period.

What other airlines will be operating on the Toronto to San Francisco route during the period mentioned in the script?

Besides Air Canada, fellow Star Alliance member United Airlines and the relatively new entrant Porter Airlines will also be operating on the Toronto to San Francisco route.

What aircraft types will be used by Air Canada for the Toronto to San Francisco route aside from the Omni Air 767-300ERs?

In addition to the Omni Air 767-300ERs, Air Canada will also use the 737 MAX 8 for the Toronto to San Francisco route.