Air Canada will become the launch operator of Airbus's updated A220 cabin interior in 2026 and has plans to upgrade other aircraft across its fleet. The Star Alliance carrier's managing director onboard product, John Moody, said at the Aircraft Interiors Expo in Hamburg on 8 April that the airline's 43rd A220-300, scheduled for delivery in March 2026, will be the first of its type to feature Airbus's Airspace cabin. The European airframer previously introduced that interior line on A350, A330neo and A320neo-family jets. Air Canada has received 34 A220-300s from the manufacturer and will shortly take delivery of the 35th. The airline ordered a total 65 A220-300s and has the option to purchase more, Moody notes. Fleet data shows that Air Canada has taken 15 A220 options. The new A220 interior update includes larger overhead luggage bins, redesigned passenger service units, new ceiling panels, and an optional lighting strip on the bins' underside. Airbus says the new bins – to be supplied by Diehl Aviation – will have 20% more volume while saving 10% weight versus the previous Safran-made equipment. Most of the weight savings are a result of switching from the aircraft's current, pivoted bins to a fixed design with doors opening toward the ceiling. Moody predicts that the new bin design will deliver a "major improvement" in on-time performance, as boarding and disembarkation will become faster and fewer cabin bags need transfer to the cargo hold. While it was an "easy decision" for Canada to switch to the Airspace interior, Moody says the airline has no "immediate plans" to refurbish A220s with the previous interior. "We are very proud on the aircraft that we have today," he says, adding that there is "always a balance of consistency and moving forward" when it comes to moving to new interior. Air Canada received its first A220 in late 2019. The airline has opted to install Panasonic Astrova inflight entertainment systems on its Airspace-equipped A220s. It used the IFE supplier's previous eX1 system on earlier aircraft. The incoming A220s will be the first to feature Air Canada’s new cabin interiors which, Moody says, will be "a lot warmer than it has been in the past". "What we want to deliver is that sort of warm, caring personality that Canadians are known for." He suggests that Air Canada's on-order A321XLRs will feature new interior too and says that existing A321s will be refurbished. The design will be rolled out across the airline’s fleet "right down to our turboprops", Moody says, without disclosing further detail. In addition to the A220s, Air Canada's narrowbody fleet includes 45 Boeing 737 Max 8s, 20 A321ceos, 18 A320ceos and four A319ceos. A further 18 A319ceos, five A320ceos and 14 A321ceos operate at low-cost division Rouge. Air Canada's widebody fleet comprises 40 787s, 25 777s, 20 A330ceos, and six 767 converted freighters. Two additional 767-300ERs are listed in storage. On order by the airline are 31 A220-300s, 30 A321XLRs, two Max-8s, 18 787-10s and 30 units of Heart Aerospace's in-development ES-30 hybrid aircraft. Air Canada partners Jazz and PAL Airlines operate regional aircraft for the mainline. Jazz has 35 MHI RJ CRJ900s, 25 Embraer 175s and 39 De Havilland Canada Dash 8-400 turboprops, while seven CRJ200s are listed in storage. PAL Airlines has 14 Dash 8-400s, three -300s and two -100s plus two Beech 1900s and a Citation business jet.

Gol has concluded what it says were "extensive" negotiations with Boeing in connection with the Chapter 11 proceedings initiated by the Brazilian carrier before the US Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York. The bankruptcy court on 7 April approved the execution by Gol and its subsidiaries of a series of agreements with Boeing. Gol – which filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection in January 2024, and has targeted May 2025 for emergence from the reorganisation process – has as of 7 April orders for 91 737 Max aircraft, it says. "The conclusion of the negotiations with Boeing represents another milestone in Gol's overall restructuring objectives," the carrier adds. "Together with the previously disclosed tax settlement and in line with the restructuring plan outlined in the Chapter 11 proceedings, the agreements and tax settlement will enable an increase to a minimum of $235 million (any further increase is dependent upon negotiations with other creditors) in capital distribution to general unsecured creditors."

US regional operators Mesa Air Group and Republic Airways Holdings have agreed to merge in an all-stock deal that will see the combined company operate a 310-strong fleet of Embraer 170 and 175 jets. Phoenix, Arizona-based Mesa and Indiana-based Republic will operate under the Republic Airways Holdings brand once the transaction has closed, which is expected to happen in the third or fourth quarter of 2025, subject to regulatory approvals. The combined airline will operate a "single fleet" of about 310 Embraer 170 and 175 regional jets. Fleet data shows that Republic Airways has 177 in-service E175s plus 40 on order, as well as 31 in-service E170s. Mesa's fleet includes 60 in-service E175s. It also has 100 battery-electric-powered Heart Aerospace ES-30s on order. Mesa and Republic intend to continue operating under their existing US Federal Aviation Administration operating certificates until a single operating certificate is secured. Republic will continue to operate regional flights on behalf of American Airlines, Delta Air Lines and United Airlines under its existing capacity purchase agreements (CPAs), while Mesa will support United under a new 10-year CPA. The merged company will be led by Republic's executive leadership team. Republic shareholders will own 88% of the company's common shares while Mesa's shareholders will own a minimum of 6% and up to 12% of the entity. "We're thrilled to combine the Republic and Mesa teams to create one of the world's leading Embraer jet operators," states Republic chief executive Bryan Bedford. "With this combination, we are establishing a single, well-capitalised, public company that will benefit from the deep expertise of Republic and Mesa associates, creating value for all stakeholders well into the future." Mesa chief executive Jonathan Ornstein adds that the deal "represents the best outcome for our shareholders, employees and all of our stakeholders". Mesa and Republic expect the combined company to produce revenues of $1.9 billion and adjusted EBITDA of more than $320 million. Mesa "will not contribute any debt" to the merged entity, according to the joint statement. Post-merger cash and debt balances are forecast to be $285 million and $1.1 billion, respectively.