How Fleet Assignments Work
Our fleet assignment system uses sophisticated rules to match aircraft types with appropriate routes based on multiple operational factors:Rule-Based Assignment
Each fleet group is assigned to routes based on two key criteria: Distance Range- Minimum and maximum nautical mile ranges define suitable route lengths for each aircraft type
- Ensures aircraft are only assigned to routes within their operational capabilities
- Primarily focuses on scheduled passenger and cargo operations
- Filters routes by service category to maintain operational consistency
FlightRadar24 Realistic Fleet Integration
Virtual Air Canada automatically enriches route data with real-world fleet assignments from FlightRadar24:- Real-world accuracy: Routes are automatically tagged with aircraft types that Air Canada actually operates on those flights
- Dynamic updates: Fleet assignments reflect current Air Canada operations
- Enhanced realism: Pilots can see which aircraft Air Canada typically uses for specific routes
Benefits of Flexible Fleet Assignment
Our fleet assignment system strikes an important balance between realism and pilot accessibility:More Aircraft Options for Virtual Pilots
Expanded Fleet Availability- Pilots have access to multiple aircraft types across Air Canada’s full fleet
- Regional aircraft (CRJ900, Dash 8-400, Embraer 175/190) are available for shorter routes
- Long-haul aircraft (777, 787, A350, A330) are assigned to appropriate international routes
- Narrowbody aircraft (A220, A320 family, 737 MAX) serve transcontinental and medium-haul operations
- Multiple aircraft choices on many routes allow pilots to fly their preferred aircraft
- Rule-based assignment ensures aircraft are only available where they make operational sense
- Pilots can explore different aircraft types while maintaining realistic operations
Realistic Air Canada Operation Patterns
Authentic Route Networks- Fleet assignments mirror real-world Air Canada operating patterns
- Regional carriers (Jazz) operate appropriate aircraft on shorter routes
- Mainline operations use appropriate narrowbody and widebody aircraft
- Short-haul regional routes (under 1,000nm) limited to turboprops and regional jets
- Medium-haul routes (1,000-3,000nm) served by narrowbody aircraft
- Long-haul international routes (3,000nm+) operated by widebody aircraft
Current Fleet Assignment Rules
The following table shows the active fleet assignments and their operating parameters:| Fleet Type | Distance Range (nm) | Routes |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Operations | ||
| DE Havilland Dash 8-Q400 | 0 - 1,000 | Short-haul regional |
| CRJ900 | 0 - 1,650 | Regional |
| Embraer E175 | 0 - 1,600 | Regional/short-haul |
| Embraer 190 | 200 - 1,500 | Regional/short-haul |
| Narrowbody Operations | ||
| A220 | 0 - 1,500 | Transcontinental/medium-haul |
| A319, A320 | 300 - 2,200 | Transcontinental/medium-haul |
| A321 | 500 - 2,200 | Transcontinental/medium-haul |
| Boeing 737 MAX 8 | 94 - 3,030 | Transcontinental/medium-haul |
| Widebody Operations | ||
| Boeing 767 Passenger | 1,000 - 5,600 | Long-haul |
| A330 | 3,200 - 3,800 | Long-haul international |
| A340 | 500 - 7,400 | Long-haul international |
| Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner | 1,500 - 7,300 | Long-haul international |
| Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner | 600 - 7,500 | Long-haul international |
| Boeing 777-200LR | 1,800 - 9,400 | Ultra-long-haul |
| Boeing 777-300ER | 1,100 - 7,300 | Long-haul international |
| A350 | 3,100 - 8,500 | Long-haul international |
Distance Range NotesAll assignments filter for scheduled route types to maintain operational consistency. Aircraft are assigned to routes within their specified distance ranges to ensure safe and realistic operations.
Route Booking and Aircraft Selection
When booking flights through the Pilot Portal:- Route Selection: Browse available routes that match your preferred aircraft or region
- Aircraft Availability: Only aircraft assigned to that route based on the rules above will be available
- FlightRadar24 Data: Routes may show which aircraft Air Canada typically operates on that flight
- SimBrief Integration: Select the appropriate aircraft profile in SimBrief for accurate flight planning
Multiple Aircraft OptionsMany routes, especially in the 1,000-3,000nm range, may have multiple aircraft types available. This provides pilots with choices while ensuring all options are operationally realistic for the route distance and type.