I boarded through door L1, where I was greeted by the service director and pointed to the far aisle, where my seat was located. My previous flight was operated by a Boeing 787-8 featuring just 20 business class seats, while this flight was operated by a Boeing 787-9, featuring 30 business class seats. The seats…
Continue reading: Review: Air Canada Business Class 787 Toronto To Frankfurt
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that "grain medley" looks suspiciously like trader joe's harvest grains blend. not exactly gourmet. but certainly tasty. 
Coincidence Lucky, when I booked I already selected seat 4K for my flight to Paris in July! But that's on an AC777-300 with 42 seats in business class. But it's the reverse herringbone new pods, nice to see that we are thinking the same way on seating strategy. Looking forward to the cod dinner if that's what they've got on offer when I travel. I also like the idea of maximizing sleep time with the single tray service. I had figured on getting only 3 hours horizontal but now it looks like I'll get more.
Nice reviews!
While I'm not much for airplane photos (I grew up next to JFK and had my ear splitting fill by age 7), you are right, that Sony takes great shots! I loved the clarity on the aerial view.
While I share your enthusiasm for Kit Kats, not when Lindt Excellence us on offer! A nice basket indeed!
Does Air Canada's 787/900 seats share the same shake issue as Americans? Are the preferred seats (to avoid shake) the same as on American?
Whoops, I see they are reverse herring ones on both flights! Ibviously a smarter group running this aspect of Air Canada then their AA counterparts.
"it’s kind of cool that there’s a window in there."
What's cool is that it has a real window shade. One major disadvantage of the 787 is that Boeing cut costs by building an extremely cheap airplane that doesn't even come with window shades. You'd think no one fancier than RyanAir would stand for it, but they appear to be able to sell the planes.
Still, it would be a nice upgrade to have those in every row.
Air Canada will install wifi on all their Mainline widebody aircraft over the next two years.
I believe all narrowbody Mainline and the CRA's have wifi now.
@Beachfan:
No shake issues with AC seats from what I can tell, have flown, and read.
That SQ A380 was in the same spot a few summers ago as we were deplaning from our LH 748, another cool plane.
@Lady Carnavon von villy | First, I'm annoyed I had to copy/paste your dumb username. Second, these reviews are actually very helpful for those of us who might be flying these airlines in the future and have options. Sorry if you're not entertained, but please just stop reading the blog if it "all" really makes you "yawn."
@Lucky: for that A330 night photo, consider adjusting the camera white balance to Night or Incandescent to help neutralize the orange color cast.
Otherwise good to hear you're enjoying the camera and the AC flights!
Small correction - AC serves prosecco on the ground and saves the Drappier for the air.
The frequencies used for transmitting the radio signals from the plane to the ground within Canada were used for other purposes until relatively recently, meaning that ground based in flight wifi system deployment was delayed. Aircraft used for primarily US longer haul routes (eg YYZ-LAX) have had wifi available for quite some time.
I'm sure the "lineup of plans" was "fairy nice" like the lavatory. You know what I mean
I get the fact that people want to sleep, but one more entree option would be nice.
I love how the flexible option is basically the same as the regular meal, just minus the chocolates and bread lol
If they had served the entire dinner service meal on one tray on AA, everyone would flip a ****. haha.
@Aaron: on long-haul flights, you are presented with a relatively elaborate menu consisting of 5 entrees (typically 4 western and 1 exotic based on the aircraft's destination and 3 non-veg and 2 veg). Also, the cheese, dessert and after dinner items are presented on a trolley to select from. During the entire flight, there are many snack options, including samosas, a medley of humus, felafel and baba ganoush with warm pita, fruits, chocolates, ice cream, etc on the long hauls. And of course, cappuccino and espresso on demand. Oddly, my understanding was that a single crew member designated as the "cook" is the one trained on using all of the heating/coffee preparation hardware. So, on my flight, when I wanted and espresso with ice cream 9 hours into a 14 hour flight, I had to wait a while until the FA on duty could figure out how to use the cappuccino maker (which is from Lavazza). The breakfast (or in some cases that "odd" meal) is typically the same trademark AC for as long as I have known.
Other than that, the seats, service and drinks selections are perfect. FYI, the lavatory just behind the biz class cabins are actually just a bit larger and are nicer to change into/out of pyajamas, etc.
787-8 and 9 are fantastic hard products, great IFE....the problem is the food and amenities
1.5 hrs from HND before a first beverage was served. The standard dried out filet option, with "world class wines by Ken Chase" which are in fact $15 mediocre reds and whites.
And as for the bubbly, Drappier is probably the lamest champers out there, even entry Moet is better.
So great hard product but for the Business Class price the dollar store amenity kit and low end sustenance and bev is really disappointing
It is amazing that AC gets away with that same egg dish on North American and long haul flights, and has for at least 5 years now. It isn't bad, but it is getting pretty trying. Also, hot cottage cheese is weird.
I'm actually shocked you were as into the fish as you were. I've had nothing but poor experiences with fish on AC, to the point that I actively avoid it.
I do find the AC cabin crews tend to be good at personalizing the service to each passenger. Those that want to sleep get left alone and those that want service get it.
The seat is top notch. Basically a version of the CX/AA seat, but with some interesting differences (weird tray, for example). Extremely comfortable.
Hi, first of all sorry for my english, I will try my best.
I really enjoy reading your and other trip reports since I fly a lot every year and even if for flights inside Europe it is not necessary I always fly business because I really enjoy flying with this little extras, for transatlantic flights and flights to Asia business is a must for me... so I answer here because I am not agree with your positive evaluation about air Canada's business class I think they lost a very good opportunity to make business class much better on the 787. The seats are to close together and the food is just standard, I also find that AC crews are not the most friendly one around there and your comment about AC is the best option to fly over the Atlantic makes me thinking that or AC pays you a lot or you never fly all the other airlines that offers flights over the Atlantic.
Having wistfully looked into that reverse herringbone cabin on both a new 787-8 out and a tired old A330 back to Europe, I'm glad to hear of passable product and service in business class.
In contrast, Air Canada sure makes no effort for the poor saps in steerage who get no manned check-ins at Heathrow, lousy food, cramped seats and indifferent crew.
Especially the dragon on the way back who showed no concern for my tight connection at Frankfurt (we were, of course, late) and kept barking 'two hour connection is the rule' at me. Thanks to another FA, and some helpful Germans, I was chucked off Air Canada first and through security very fast and just made my connector, marvelling at the clean Lufthansa 320 and immaculate friendly crew.
Crews like that might consider Those of us sometimes forced by company (or in this case, government) policy to fly economy also have discretionary points and dollars with which to buy our own recreational flights and Air Canada is the last with whom I would wish to fly on my own dime. A pity, as the AC standard I experienced is far short of the hospitable Canadians I have encountered in hotels and restaurants over there.
Love your reviews, Lucky, especially the multiple photos. My daily treat.
Very detailed and interesting review. I have to fly to Canada and now I'm calm
What a difference a class and crew makes.
Two years ago, government policy decreed my Air Canada round trip (Heathrow to Toronto then home to Birmingham UK from Montreal via Frankfurt) be in Economy and boy was it. All-machine check-in in London (delayed ages by tech-phobic infrequent travellers and faulty machines) but, eventually, a passable steerage trip over in a nice new 787-8 (crew dimmed all the sun-side window shades after complaints from pax about the glare).
Coming back, the scruffy A330 departed late and cabin crew could not have cared less about my consequent tight connection. Lousy food and poor entertainment didn't help. I made my FRA connection to an immaculate Lufthansa A320, staffed by a welcoming crew, vowing never to fly Air Canada again.
And I haven't.
In business class, it might be a different story.
Dear Lucky, here at this chart map - http://theflight.info/seat-map-boeing-787-9-dreamliner-air-canada-best-seats-in-plane/ we can see that 5row missing windows... Do you remember, is this true? Seems I have a place in this row 5K
How do you get business class seats with Air Canada Aeroplan miles? I never can.