Airbus A320: A Closer Look At Air Canada's Fleet

Throughout its 86 year history, Air Canada has adapted to changing times through innovation, embracing new technologies, and a solid fleet of dependable planes. MotoArt now welcomes an Air Canada Airbus A320-200 into the PlaneTags fleet - introducing C-FTJO. Read about this aircraft then add Air Canada Airbus A320 PlaneTags to your collection.

What is the Airbus A320?

The Airbus A320 is a family of narrow-body, twin-engine commercial aircraft developed and manufactured by Airbus. It is one of the most popular and widely used commercial aircraft in the world. The A320 family includes several variants, each with different seating capacities and range capabilities, including the A318, A319, A320, and A321, with the next generation A320neo (New Engine Option) based on the A320 series. Designed as a competitor of the Boeing 737, the baseline A320 model was launched in March 1984, taking its first flight in February 1987, and first entered service with Air France in April 1988.

C-FTJO Airbus A320

431bx - Air Canada Airbus A320-211; C-FTJO@YVR;07.10.2006 flickr photo by Aero Icarus shared under a Creative Commons (BY-NC-SA) license

The A320 introduced several innovations to the commercial aviation industry, including the widespread use of composite materials, a common cockpit design for all variants (reducing pilot training costs), and a unique cross-section, which allows for wider seats and aisles. It was one of the first commercial aircraft to extensively use fly-by-wire technology, with flight control inputs from the pilots transmitted electronically to the control surfaces, rather than mechanically, providing more precise control and enhanced safety. It also featured a modern glass cockpit with advanced avionics, including a side-stick control system for the pilots.

The A320 family has several variants tailored to specific market segments and mission requirements. These include the A318 (short-haul), A319 (medium-haul), A320 (short to medium-haul), A321 (medium to long-haul), and A321XLR (extra-long-range). The Airbus A320 family has become a workhorse for airlines around the world, providing efficient and reliable service on a wide range of routes, from short domestic flights to longer international journeys. Its combination of advanced technology, fuel efficiency, and passenger comfort has contributed to its enduring popularity in the aviation industry.

Developing the A320

The development and manufacturing of the Airbus A320 involved a complex and collaborative process that spanned several years and brought together expertise from multiple countries. Development began in the late 1970s when Airbus, a consortium of European aerospace companies, identified the need for a new, more fuel-efficient, and technologically advanced narrow-body aircraft to compete with the Boeing 737. Airbus involved various member companies from different European countries, including France, Germany, Spain, and the United Kingdom, which allowed Airbus to tap into the expertise and resources of multiple countries.

Airbus established design and engineering teams to work on the project. The aircraft was designed to incorporate several innovative features, including a fully digital "glass cockpit," advanced aerodynamics, and a fly-by-wire control system. The fly-by-wire system, which was a significant innovation at the time, replaced traditional mechanical controls with electronic control systems. Several prototypes were built, and extensive testing was performed. The A320 underwent a rigorous certification process to ensure that it met the safety and regulatory standards set by aviation authorities, including the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). The aircraft received its type certificate in February 1988.

Airbus France

By Duch - Own work, CC BY-SA 4.0, Link

Airbus established manufacturing facilities across Europe to produce various components of the A320. Key production sites included Toulouse, France, where the final assembly line for most A320s is located, and other facilities in Hamburg, Germany; Tianjin, China; Seville, Spain; Mirabel, Canada; Broughton, Wales, among others.

The Airbus A320 has been a product of extensive collaboration, cutting-edge technology, and a global supply chain. Its development and manufacturing process reflect the complexity of modern commercial aircraft production, with careful attention paid to safety, efficiency, and innovation.

Air Canada A320 At a Glance

Airbus A320 drawing

Specifications

Manufacturer: Airbus
Type: A320-211
Tail #: C-Ftjo
Crew: 5 (2 Pilots, 3 Flight Attendants)
Passengers: 146 (14 Business, 132 Economy)
Wing Span: 111 Ft 10 In
Length: 123 Ft 3 In
Height: 38 Ft 7 In

Performance

Range: 3,300 Nm
Cruise Speed: 454 Kts
Ceiling: 39,100 Ft
Empty Weight: 92.980 Lb
Max Takeoff Weight: 162,040 Lb
Rate Of Climb: 2,200 Ft/Min
Engine: 2x Cfmi Cfm-56-5a1 Turbofans

Air Canada

Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada, a founding member of Star Alliance, as well as one of the world's leading airlines, providing domestic and international passenger and cargo services. Its history dates back to its founding in 1937 as Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA). In 1965, it officially became Air Canada, and in 1988 it was privatized. TCA was originally formed in April 1936, as a subsidiary of the government’s Canadian National Railway (CNR), to unite the west and east coast of Canada. The first passenger flight took place in September 1927. Over the years, the airline flew a variety of aircraft including the Boeing Stearman, Lockheed Super Electra, Douglas DC-8 and DC-9, and CRJ, in addition to its modern Airbus and Boeing fleet.

Air Canada's primary hub is located at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) in Toronto, Ontario. The airline also has secondary hubs in Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), and Calgary (YYC). The airline operates a diverse fleet of aircraft, including narrow-body and wide-body jets. Its fleet includes Airbus and Boeing aircraft, serving an extensive network of domestic and international destinations.

Air Canada’s Fleet

Air Canada's fleet history has seen significant evolution and transformation over the years as the airline has adapted to changing market conditions, technological advancements, and customer preferences. As of September 2023, Air Canada's Airbus and Boeing fleet include

Airbus A319
Airbus A320
Airbus A321
Airbus A330
Boeing 737 NG
Boeing 767
Boeing 777
Boeing 787-8 and -9 Dreamliner
Airbus A220-300

On September 25, 2023, Air Canada ordered 18 Boeing 787-10 Dreamliner widebody jets, with the option to purchase 12 more. Deliveries of the new aircraft are scheduled to begin in Q4 2025 with the last aircraft scheduled for delivery in Q1 2027.

Photo courtesy of Air Canada

Air Canada's fleet history can be traced back to its predecessor, Trans-Canada Air Lines (TCA), which began operations in 1937 with aircraft such as the Lockheed Model 10 Electra and the Lockheed Model 14 Super Electra. After World War II, the airline introduced more advanced aircraft like the Douglas DC-3 and DC-4, which were workhorses of the airline industry during that period.

The advent of jet travel revolutionized the airline industry. Air Canada entered the jet age with the introduction of the Douglas DC-8 in the early 1960s. This was followed by the Boeing 727 and Boeing 747, which became iconic aircraft for the airline. During the 1970s, Air Canada expanded its international operations with the introduction of wide-body aircraft, including the Lockheed L-1011 Tristar and the McDonnell Douglas DC-10. These aircraft allowed the airline to offer long-haul services to destinations around the world.

Air Canada’s world route maps from June 1996 timetable, from Airline Maps

In the late 1980s, Air Canada became one of the launch customers for the Airbus A320, which includes the A318, A319, A320, and A321 variants, many of which continue to be part of Air Canada's fleet. Boeing 767 and 777 aircraft were added to its fleet in the 1990s and early 2000s, and have been used on long-haul routes.

In the 2010s, Air Canada embarked on a significant fleet modernization effort, introducing the fuel efficient and comfortable Boeing 787 Dreamliner. The airline also updated its narrow-body fleet with the Boeing 737 MAX and the Airbus A220, which also are more fuel efficient and have lower emissions compared to older models.

Air Canada continues to evaluate its fleet requirements to meet changing market demands. The airline has placed orders for additional Boeing 787 Dreamliners to support its long-term growth and sustainability goals.

C-FTJO

C-FTJO Air Canada Photo by cv880m, used with permission

C-FTJO, built as an Airbus A320-211, was delivered to Air Canada in June 1991 and operated solely with the airline for 29 years. Air Canada became the first Canadian airline to operate the A320 when it took delivery of the first one in January 1990. Retirement of the series began in 2019, with the delivery of the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A220-300. C-FTJO was retired in 2020 and stored at KGWO Greenwood–Leflore Airport.

C-FTJO Air Canada Airbus

Air Canada Airbus A320-211; C-FTJO, March 1992 flickr photo by Aero Icarus shared under a Creative Commons (BY-SA) license

MotoArt Gets An A320

Airbus A320

“We were tipped off about this location by our good friends in the industry,” recalls MotoArt PlaneTags owner Dave Hall. Hall flew out to Greenwood, Mississippi to find his next commercial aircraft for PlaneTags. “It was incredible to see a fleet of Air Canada aircraft in the middle of this small town, and to imagine what it’s like seeing these huge airliners in your backyard on a day to day basis.” The team traveled again to GWO airport in 2023 to obtain the skin for the Air Canada A320 PlaneTags. “So many folks have asked for an Air Canada release and we couldn’t be happier than to bring Air Canada A320 PlaneTags to life.”

C-FTJO Airbus A320

Air Canada A320

Cutting up an Airbus A320

Air Canada Airbus A320

PlaneTags Air Canada A320

C-FTJO PlaneTags

A320 vertical stabilizer

A320 cockpit

airbus a320 interior

Airbus A320

aircraft skin airbus a320

airbus a320 fuselage skin

Air Canada Airbus A320 PlaneTags

The Air Canada A320 PlaneTags will be released on Thursday, September 28, 2023 on planetags.com. They are numbered in a series of 7500 and will initially be available in the following colors: