FLEET - Air Transat looks to renew A330s in 2029-32

 Air Transat (TS, Montréal Trudeau) is approaching a pivotal moment in its fleet strategy, with the carrier expecting to decide within the next few years how to replace its ageing A330 fleet. While no formal decision has yet been taken, chief revenue officer Sebastián Ponce indicated that the timeframe for doing so is becoming increasingly clear.

The airline currently operates a fleet of A330-200s and A330-300s that remain well suited to its highly seasonal leisure business model. However, in an interview with ch-aviation during the IATA Annual General Meeting in Rio de Janeiro, Ponce stressed that the A330s will eventually need to be replaced.

"At a point in time, we will need to replace our A330s. So even though we are very happy about them because they're low-cost old aircraft that fit very well into our seasonality, at a certain point around 2029-2032, we will be in need of replacing them. So we're working on that, how to replace them," he said.

The company operates a fully dry-leased fleet of eight A321-200s, nineteen A321-200NX(LR)s, thirteen A330-200s, and two A330-300s. The widebody fleet averages 20.5 and 18.7 years of age, respectively.

Potential for the XLR

Air Transat's only outstanding order is for four A321-200NY(XLR)s, which are scheduled to enter the fleet in late 2027. Ponce believes the aircraft will enable the airline to deepen its presence in thinner transatlantic markets that cannot sustain widebody operations. He described it as the natural evolution of the A321LRs already in the fleet.

Several potential markets are already being evaluated, including Rome Fiumicino and destinations in northern Italy, Central Europe, and North Africa. The executive added that the XLR could also improve the economics of existing routes currently operated by the LR, such as Lima International, where payload restrictions reduce the number of seats that can be sold.

However, all of this remains theoretical, as the performance of the XLR within Air Transat's specific operating environment still needs to be validated.

CH Aviation

ROUTES - AIR TRANSAT RESUMES 3 ROUTES IN NS26

Air Transat yesterday (08OCT25) announced initial network expansions for Northern summer 2026 season, as the airline reintroduces 3 routes, previously served until mid-2010s. The “resumed” routes include Ottawa – London Gatwick, Ottawa – Montreal and Quebec City – Marseille. Selected routes will be extended into summer season.

Montreal – Cartagena – Medellin eff 07MAY26 Service extends into summer season, 1 weekly A321. Cartagena service will extend to Medellin
TS198 YUL0700 – 1125CTG1240 – 1350MDE 321 4
TS199 MDE1510 – 1620CTG1735 – 2350YUL 321 4

Montreal – Pointe-a-Pitre eff 02MAY26 Service extends into summer season, 2 weekly A321 (1 weekly 24MAY26 – 22JUN26)
TS894 YUL0705 – 1150PTP 321 26
TS895 PTP1305 – 1805YUL 321 26

Montreal – San Jose (Costa Rica) eff 01MAY26 Service extends into summer season, 2 weekly A321
TS196 YUL1850 – 2235SJO 321 15
TS197 SJO2355 – 0740+1YUL 321 15

Ottawa – London Gatwick eff 15MAY26 1 weekly A321neo (2 weekly from 24MAY26, 3 weekly from 02JUN26. Last served until August 2014)
TS382 YOW1940 – 0755+1LGW 32Q 257
TS383 LGW0940 – 1240YOW 32Q 146

Ottawa – Montreal eff 15MAY26 1 weekly A321neo (2 weekly from 24MAY26, 3 weekly from 02JUN26. Last served until September 2017)
TS156 YOW1415 – 1510YUL 32Q 257
TS157 YUL1640 – 1735YOW 32Q 257

Quebec City – Fort-de-France eff 04MAY26 Service extends into summer season, 1 weekly A321
TS696 YQB0710 – 1205FDF 321 1
TS697 FDF1325 – 1910YQB 321 1

Quebec City – Marseille 21MAY26 – 08OCT26 1 weekly A321neo (Last served until September 2013)
TS662 YQB2125 – 1025+1MRS 32Q 4
TS663 MRS1155 – 1415YQB 32Q 5

Toronto – Cartagena – Medellin eff 06MAY26 Service extends into summer season, 1 weekly A321
TS158 YYZ0705 – 1115CTG1230 – 1340MDE 321 3
TS159 MDE1500 – 1610CTG1725 – 2340YYZ 321 3
Photo: Flyingphotos

ROUTES - AIR TRANSAT 1Q26 MONTREAL – EUROPE SERVICE UPDATE

Air Transat recently filed service changes on selected European routes from Montreal, as the carrier plans to move forward the effective dates in 2026, including Bordeaux, Madrid and Valencia. 



Montreal – Bordeaux Seasonal service in 2026 begins on 21FEB26, 9 weeks earlier than planned (compared to 2025). A321neo operates 1 weekly, increasing to 3 weekly from 03MAY26, 6 from 19JUN26. Schedule below 21FEB26 – 07MAR26



TS510 YUL1920 – 0755+1BOD 32Q 6

TS511 BOD0925 – 1115YUL 32Q 7


Montreal – Madrid Seasonal service in 2026 begins on 18FEB26, 8 weeks earlier than planned (compared to 2025). A321neo operates 2 weekly, increasing to 3 weekly from 01MAY26. Schedule below 18FEB26 – 06MAR26 (Previously reported)


TS384 YUL2150 – 1050+1MAD 32Q 35

TS385 MAD1210 – 1405YUL 32Q 46


Montreal – Valencia Seasonal service in 2026 begins on 21FEB26, compared to June in 2025. 1 weekly A321neo. Schedule below 21FEB26 – 07MAR26


TS276 YUL1925 – 0825+1VLC 32Q 6

TS277 VLC0945 – 1220YUL 32Q 7

Photo: Flyingphotos

SPECIAL SCHEME / ROUTES - AIR TRANSAT - A321NEO - C-GOKE - Sporting the FC Montreal Logo,

Photo: Jose Ramon Valero 

AIR TRANSAT NS25 EUROPE SERVICE CHANGES – 17OCT24

Air Transat earlier this month filed initial service changes to Europe for Northern summer 2025 season. As of 17OCT24, planned changes include the following.

Montreal – Basel/Mulhouse 25JUN25 – 24SEP25 Increase from 2 to 3 weekly, A321neo
Montreal – Barcelona eff 01MAY25 Increase from 5 to 7 weekly, A321neo

Montreal – London Gatwick 21JUN25 – 13SEP25 Increase from 7 to 8 weekly, A321neo
Quebec City – Paris Charles de Gaulle 22JUN25 – 20SEP25 Increase from 4 to 5 weekly, A321neo

Toronto – Amsterdam eff 03JUN25 Increase from 4 to 6 weekly, A321neo (7 weekly 19JUN25 – 17SEP25, 5 from 19SEP25)

Toronto – Manchester eff 16MAY25 Reduce from 7 weekly in NS24 to 6 weekly, A321neo/330-200

Toronto – Paris Charles de Gaulle eff 20JUN25 Reduce from 7 weekly in NS24 to 6 weekly, A321neo


Following routes has been removed for Northern summer 2025 season:

Montreal – Amsterdam

Quebec City – London Gatwick

Toronto – Barcelona

NEW AIRCRAFT - Canada's Air Transat wet-leases two B737 MAX

Air Transat (TS, Montréal Trudeau) has wet-leased two B737-8s from SmartLynx Airlines Malta (LYX, Malta International) for flights to leisure destinations out of Halifax and Moncton, the ch-aviation schedules module shows.

9H-ETA (msn 60458) and 9H-CHI (msn 60459) were previously wet-leased to fellow Canadian operator Sunwing Airlines (WG, Toronto Pearson) for the New Year's peak. The former remained parked at Montréal Trudeau between January 6-22, 2023, Flightradar24 ADS-B data shows. Following a period of operations out of the Quebecois gateway, the aircraft was repositioned to Halifax on February 12, 2023. The latter was parked at Halifax between January 7 and February 12.

It will be deployed on the following routes starting on February 13:

Cancún (4x weekly),

Cayo Coco (weekly),

Fort Lauderdale International (weekly),

Holguin (weekly),

Montego Bay (weekly),

Orlando International (weekly),

Puerto Plata (weekly),

Punta Cana (4x weekly),

Santa Clara de Cuba (weekly), and

Varadero (weekly).

Starting on February 15, Air Transat will also deploy the aircraft on a limited number of routes from Moncton: to Cancun, Orlando, Punta Cana, and Varadero (weekly each).

The wet lease is currently scheduled to continue through mid-May 2023.

The ch-aviation fleets advanced module shows that Air Transat does not operate any in-house Boeing aircraft. Its fleet comprises seven A321-200s, twelve A321-200NX(LR)s, eleven A330-200s, and a single A330-300. SmartLynx Airlines Malta has four B737-8s - the other two operate group charter flights on behalf of SmartLynx Airlines and SmartLynx Airlines Estonia. Neither of these two airlines operates any B737 MAX.
CH Aviation

 

Air Transat new A321XLR-customer

Air Transat is the newest customer for the largest-range variant of the Airbus A321neo, the A321XLR. The airline has signed a lease-agreement with Air Lease Corporation for three A321XLRs with an option on a fourth aircraft. The three aircraft are planned to be delivered at the end of 2025 and in 2026. If taken-up, the fourth aircraft could be delivered in 2027.

With an increased range of 15% compared to the A321LR (A321-200NX), the addition of the A321XLR will give the airline new options to reach more destinations with its narrowbody-fleet as the aircraft can fly up to 8,700 kms.

The new aircraft will join a fleet of seven A321-200s, twelve A321-200NXs, eleven A330-200s and one A330-300. Air Transat also has orders for seven additional A321LRs.

On 15 June 2022, the Airbus A321XLR took to the skies for the first time, kicking-off its flight test programme and road to certification. Airbus expects to have this finalized next year, with entry into commercial service in 2024.

Photo:Air Transat. / Scramble

Air Canada and Air Transat call off merger

Air Canada and Air Transat have announced that they have cancelled their intended merger. The deal was still awaiting approval from the European Commission which voiced its concern about a lack of competition between the EU and Canada and needed more remedies from Air Canada and Air Transat. And even then it was unclear if the EC would give it the OK.

Due to this and also the slow recovery of air travel, both companies decided to walk away from the deal. Air Canada, however, will pay a one-time termination fee of 12,5 million CAD. With the deal off, Air Transat is now facing a bleak future. Cash is quickly running out as the airline is currently not operating any flights and has parked its 31 aircrafts due to the strict Canadian regulations on international air travel.

In February, the proposed merger got approval from the Canadian authorities. It was also shortly thereafter that news broke that a Canadian media CEO was trying to prevent the merger by offering his investment firm to buy Air Transat. If this option is now viable again is currently unknown.

Air Transat consolidates Portugal service in Nov/Dec 2020

Air Transat during the month of November and December is consolidating service to Portugal. From 01NOV20 to 07DEC20, the airline will operate Toronto – Porto – Lisbon – Toronto triangle routing, on board Airbus A321neo LR aircraft. The airline operates this route once weekly during this period.


TS732 YYZ2000 – 0755+1OPO0940+1 – 1045+1LIS 32Q 7

TS733 OPO0940 – 1045LIS1215 – 1550YYZ 32Q 1




From 08DEC20, the airline schedules 2 weekly each Toronto – Lisbon and Toronto – Porto flights, on board Airbus A321neo LR.


By Jim Liu

Airbus starts Hamburg deliveries with sustainable aviation fuel

Hamburg, 17 July 2020 - Airbus is expanding its sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) operations, now including aircraft deliveries from its site in Hamburg, Germany. Air Transat took delivery of two brand new A321LR on lease from AerCap. Both used a 10 per cent sustainable aviation fuel blend to fly the aircraft from Hamburg to Montreal, Canada, non-stop.

Airbus has already successfully established SAF flights out of Hamburg with its Beluga transport aircraft since December 2019. Today’s commercial delivery is another milestone that underlines Airbus’ continuing commitment to minimizing air transportation’s environmental impact – which includes becoming the first aircraft manufacturer offering customers the option of receiving new jetliners with sustainable fuel in their tanks. Such delivery flights have been available since 2016, starting from the Airbus headquarters production facility in Toulouse, France, followed by Mobile, Alabama, USA.

Airbus offers this option as part of its strategy to promote the more regular use of sustainable fuels within the aviation industry. The fuel for Air Transat’s A321LR aircraft delivered from Hamburg was supplied by Air bp and produced by Neste.

Airbus and Air Transat have a long history of cooperation on environmental affairs. Airbus supported the airline to launch its environmental programme 13 years ago and both have worked together on environmental projects such as fuel efficiency. Air Transat has been operating Airbus single-aisle and widebody aircraft since 1999.

"Sustainability and efficiency are essential for our customers and for Airbus. Sustainable aviation fuel developments will play a key role in reducing the environmental footprint of the aviation industry. By using sustainable aviation fuels on delivery flights with partners like AerCap and Air Transat, who are flying the aircraft from Hamburg to their Canadian homebase nonstop, we take concrete action to contribute to a more sustainable aviation future,” said Christian Scherer, Chief Commercial Officer Airbus.

“We are very pleased to be a part of this historic milestone, working together with our partners at Airbus and with our long-time customer, Air Transat, to help them meet their sustainable growth ambitions,” said Philip Scruggs, President and Chief Commercial Officer of AerCap. “AerCap is committed to facilitating the move towards more sustainable air travel underpinned by its target to transition its fleet to approximately two-thirds new technology aircraft by 2021.”

“It is an honor for us and a sign of confidence from Airbus to be its first customer to take advantage of this new delivery option at its Hamburg plant,” said Jean-François Lemay, President and General Manager, Air Transat. “This initiative is part of our commitment to reducing our own carbon footprint while contributing to the achievement of the airline industry’s ambitious decarbonization targets.”

Both today and tomorrow’s delivery flights will be carbon-neutral because the kerosene fossil fuel portion will be offset by the purchase of carbon credits.

“We are proud to be the first Canadian carrier to operate carbon-neutral flights, and we will continue to pursue our commitment to providing our passengers with a travel experience that takes account of our environmental footprint,” Mr. Lemay continued.

Air Transat July/August 2020 operations as of 21JUN20

Photo: KPB
Air Transat in the last few days further revised planned operation for summer 2020 season, as the airline completed schedule and aircraft update. Previously announced by the airline, the airline plans to resume scheduled passenger service from 23JUL20. Planned operation for the period of 23JUL20 – 31AUG20 as follows.

International

Montreal – Athens eff 27JUL20 1 weekly A330-200
Montreal – Bordeaux eff 02AUG20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Cancun eff 25JUL20 1 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Cayo Coco eff 07AUG20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Fort Lauderdale eff 23JUL20 5 weekly A321/321neo
Montreal – Lisbon eff 24JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Lyon eff 28JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Marseille eff 29JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Nantes eff 31JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Paris CDG eff 23JUL20 7 weekly A321neo/330-200
Montreal – Port-au-Prince eff 29JUL20 1 weekly A321
Montreal – Punta Cana eff 26JUL20 1 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Toulouse eff 23JUL20 2 weekly A321neo (2nd weekly scheduled from 16AUG20)
Toronto – Athens eff 26JUL20 1 weekly A330-200
Toronto – Cancun eff 25JUL20 1 weekly A321neo (A321ceo from 15AUG20)
Toronto – Cayo Coco eff 07AUG20 1 weekly A321
Toronto – Fort Lauderdale eff 31JUL20 1 weekly A321neo (2nd weekly with A321 from 09AUG20)
Toronto – Glasgow eff 25JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Toronto – London Gatwick eff 23JUL20 3 weekly A321neo (4 weekly from 17AUG20)
Toronto – Manchester eff 25JUL20 2 weekly A321neo
Toronto – Porto eff 26JUL20 1 weekly A321neo
Toronto – Punta Cana eff 25JUL20 1 weekly A321neo
Toronto – Rome eff 27JUL20 2 weekly A330-200

Domestic

Montreal – Calgary eff 26JUL20 2 weekly A321neo (3 weekly from 12AUG20)
Montreal – Toronto eff 23JUL20 6 weekly A321neo
Montreal – Vancouver eff 23JUL20 4 weekly A321neo
Toronto – Calgary eff 23JUL20 3 weekly A321neo (4 weekly A321/321neo from 12AUG20)
Toronto – Vancouver eff 23JUL20 3 weekly A321/321neo (4 weekly from 10AUG20, 5 weekly from 19AUG20)
Operational frequencies for domestic flights has been updated, with service reductions.
By Jim Liu

Routes Online

AIR TRANSAT - A321LR - C-GOIE

FPP - Lisboa

AIR TRANSAT - A321LR - G-GOIF

Ton Jochems - AMS

AIR TRANSAT - A321-200NEO - C-GOIE

Paul Bannwarth - BSL

Airbus delivers first A321LR to Canada’s Air Transat

Air Transat, a Canadian leisure and holiday travel airline, took delivery of its first Airbus A321LR aircraft. The A321LR is one of 15 the Montreal-based carrier is scheduled to receive. Air Transat leases the A321LR from AerCap.

The A321LR, with its unique Airbus Cabin Flex configuration allowing for installation of additional fuel tanks, will have a range of up to 4,000 nautical miles. Air Transat plans to use the A321LR for long-distance flights out of Canada, principally on more extended, thinner routes to European, Caribbean, Central and South American destinations. The A321LRs will replace older planes with an ultra-modern, highly cost-efficient aircraft equipped with state-of-the-art interior amenities for an enhanced and enjoyable passenger experience.

“The arrival of this new generation of aircraft is an important moment for our company and our passengers in many respects,” says Annick Guérard, Chief Operating Officer at Transat. “The Airbus A321LR represents what Air Transat stands for today and what we strive for in the coming years. It reinforces our position as a leader in sustainable tourism, while also offering our passengers a superior on-board experience.”

“We are proud to deliver the A321LR to Air Transat and to be associated with such a fine, innovative airline,” said Christian Scherer, Airbus Chief Commercial Officer. “The A321LR, with its increased range and low operating costs, enables Air Transat to increase flight frequencies, expand its network and strengthen its competitive position. Airbus will provide Air Transat with world-class support and work to ensure its ongoing success.”

The Air Transat A321LR is configured for 199 seats in two classes, including 12 premium Club Class seats in an exclusive cabin with personalized service and ergonomic seating. Economy Class seats are wider, provide more personal space and are equipped with a state-of-the-art entertainment system.

The A321LRs are part of a larger leasing deal Air Transat has with AerCap to convert to an all-Airbus fleet by 2022 as it phases out older widebody and narrowbody planes.



Air Transat is Canada’s number one holiday airline. It flies to some 60 destinations in more than 25 countries in the Americas and Europe, offers domestic and feeder flights within Canada, and carries some 5 million passengers every year. Based in Montreal, the company employs 3,000 people. Air Transat is a business unit of Transat A.T. Inc., a leading integrated international tourism company specializing in holiday travel and offering vacation packages, hotel stays and air travel.

Air Transat schedules new A321neo LR Trans-Atlantic routes in May 2020

Air Transat during the weekend of 21APR19’s OAG schedules update extended schedule listing to 21MAY20, which sees additional European routes to be served by the A321neo LR. Planned new A321neo LR European routes for the month of May 2020 as follows.

Montreal – Barcelona eff 01MAY20 3 weekly

Montreal – Brussels eff 03MAY20 2 weekly

Montreal – London Gatwick eff 01MAY20 2 weekly

Montreal – Madrid eff 03MAY20 1 weekly

Montreal – Malaga eff 04MAY20 2 weekly (1 weekly scheduled in Sep/Oct 2019, expanded service in S20)

Montreal – Marseille eff 04MAY20 2 weekly

Montreal – Prague One-flight on 11MAY20

Montreal – Toulouse eff 02MAY20 1 weekly

Quebec City – Paris CDG eff 01MAY20 2 weekly

Toronto – Dublin eff 01MAY20 3 weekly

Toronto – Glasgow eff 02MAY20 1 weekly (2 weekly from 12MAY20)

Toronto – Paris CDG eff 03MAY20 2 weekly

Separately, the A321neo LR is also scheduled to operate following domestic route:

Montreal – Quebec City eff 01MAY20 1 weekly

By Jim Liu

Canada's Air Transat to debut A321neo(LR) ops in 2Q19

Air Transat (TS, Montréal Trudeau) has outlined its proposed A321neo(LR) operational plans with flights set to commence from May 2019 onwards.

The Canadian leisure specialist is expecting to lease a total of fifteen A321neo(LR)s from AerCap all of which will be configured with 12 seats in premium economy and 187 in economy class.

ch-aviation analysis of schedule data shows Air Transat will deploy the longhaul-capable jets onto the following routes:

From Montréal Trudeau:
Basle/Mulhouse/Freiburg, CH (2x weekly starting June 17);
London Gatwick (weekly starting June 19);
Lisbon (weekly starting May 3);
Marseilles (weekly starting May 6);
Nice (3x weekly starting May 2);
Nantes (weekly starting May 6);
Porto (3x weekly starting May 4);
Québec (2x weekly starting May 3).

From Québec:
Paris CDG (3x weekly starting May 3);
Cancún (weekly starting May 4);
Punta Cana (weekly starting May 5).



Air Transat is also expecting to add two A321neo. Collectively, the seventeen A321neo variants will be used to replace Air Transat's outgoing A310-300 fleet as well as select A330s.

Air Transat expands Toronto A330-300 service in S19

Air Transat in summer 2019 season plans to introduce Airbus A330-300 aircraft on following Trans-Atlantic routes, reflected in recent schedule update. A330-300 will operate 1 weekly flight each on following routes.
Toronto – Glasgow 1 of 5 weekly
Toronto – Lamezia Terme 1 of 2 weekly
Toronto – Manchester 1 of 5 weekly
Toronto – Paris CDG 1 of 5 weekly

By Jim Liu
Photo:FPP - LPPT

Air Transat outlines A321 European network in S19

Air Transat in last week’s schedule update filed planned Airbus A321 Trans-Atlantic service, mainly operating from Montreal and Quebec City. The A321neo LR aircraft will gradually serving following markets from May 2019.

Montreal – Basel/Mulhouse eff 17JUN19 2 weekly

Montreal – Lisbon eff 03MAY19 1 weekly (Except 21JUN10 – 01OCT19)

Montreal – London Gatwick 19JUN19 – 18SEP19 1 weekly

Montreal – Marseille eff 06MAY19 1 weekly (Except 13JUN19 – 13OCT19)

Montreal – Nantes eff 06MAY19 1 weekly (Except 11JUN19 – 24SEP19)

Montreal – Nice eff 02MAY19 2 weekly (3 weekly from 14MAY19)

Montreal – Porto eff 04MAY19 2 weekly (3 weekly from 27MAY19)

Montreal – Toulouse 14OCT19

Quebec City – Paris CDG eff 03MAY19 2 weekly (3 weekly from 28MAY19)
By Jim Liu

AIR TRANSAT - A330-200 - G-GTSN - New Livery

FPP - Lisboa

AIR TRANSAT New Livery