Air Canada’s Jetz Airbus A320 is a unique aircraft in the airline’s fleet, with just 70 all-business seats. These jets are primarily used for charter flights but can also be booked by regular passengers in certain circumstances. Recent scheduling data from aviation industry data company Cirium shows that the Jetz A320 appears on nine different routes, mainly shuttling between major Canadian cities and leisure travel hubs.
The Purpose of the 70-Seat All-Business-Class Concept
Jetz is Air Canada’s in-house charter operation, catering to professional sports teams, touring acts, and corporate groups looking for a private jet experience. To meet these needs, the Airbus A320 is outfitted with a premium-heavy cabin, featuring only 70 seats instead of the usual 140-160. This makes the aircraft a valuable asset for the airline, as it can be used for charters one day and then seamlessly integrated into the public schedule to meet peak demand or cover for maintenance on other aircraft. This also provides regular passengers with a quiet and luxurious business-class experience on short-haul flights.
Routes Served by the Jetz A320
The data shows that the Jetz A320 operates on nine city pairs, connecting major Canadian cities and popular leisure destinations.
– Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
– Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ)
– Ottawa International Airport (YOW) to Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
– Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR)
– Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to LaGuardia Airport (LGA)
– Quebec City International Airport (YQB) to Montreal Trudeau International (YUL)
– Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Calgary International (YYC)
– Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Winnipeg International (YWG)
– Vancouver International Airport (YVR) to Palm Springs International (PSP)
It is worth noting that Toronto Pearson is a key hub for these flights, with four of the nine routes originating or ending there. This highlights the airport’s importance in Air Canada’s premium travel network. Additionally, flights to New York and Palm Springs are timed for easy same-day returns, making them attractive for business travelers.
Why These Routes?
The selection of these specific routes for the Jetz A320 is strategic. The 70-seat, all-business class configuration is financially viable when the airline can either sell premium seats or use the aircraft to solve operational challenges. The chosen routes achieve both of these goals. The flights to and from New York target high-end business travelers in industries such as government, legal, consulting, and finance. The flights also feed into Air Canada’s main hub at Toronto Pearson, without the need for a larger widebody aircraft.