World Traveller 73 
Review: Air Canada Express Business Class CRJ-900, Regina – Toronto
I ended up taking advantage of a cheaper connecting flight and routing myself through Regina international Airport on my most recent transcontinental flight from Vancouver to Toronto. I had the pleasure of experiencing to back to back Air Canada Express Business Class flights on their Canadair 900 series aircraft. This would be my second flight of the day. As a second flight, I’d pick up a second meal as I traveled towards Toronto.
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Review: Air Canada Express Business Class CRJ-900, Regina International Airport – Toronto Pearson International Airport
This flight was the continuation of a flight I had taken earlier in the day. In order to lower the cost for my employer, the cheapest available ticket in business class was on a connecting flight on Air Canada Express through Regina International Airport. I started the day in Vancouver, travelling on Air Canada Express Business Class: Vancouver – Regina, and continued onwards on this particular segment.
This trip also happened to coincide with Air Canadas’ potential strike notice. As the pilots and employer were in the middle of collective bargaining, the strike notice indicated that Air Canada may issue a seventy two hour slight notice. The publicly released statements suggested that Air Canada Express would continue to operate while mainline Air Canada might suffer a labour disruption. As it turned out, the parties were able to come to tentative agreement which avoided any labor disruption.
This trip was purchased and paid for through my employer’s corporate preferred traveler program. I credited these flights to Air Canada Aeroplan frequent flyer program.
Connecting through Regina International Airport:
I arrived into Regina international Airport on Air Canada Express Business Class: Vancouver – Regina. While there was an Air Canada Maple leaf Lounge – Regina, given the tight connection, I did not have the opportunity to visit it on this particular journey.
Immediately after disembarking, the priority boarding line for the upcoming flight to Toronto was already about 20 persons deep. As a result I ended up joining the queue right away.
The boarding call was announced at thirty minutes prior to flight departure. I boarded with Boarding Group One, which was consistent with a business class ticket. By virtue of line design, I ended up bypassing many in the line who were in Group 2 or lower.
Air Canada Express
AC 7904 – Business Class (Z)
YQR – YYZ (Regina International Airport – Toronto Pearson International Airport)
Sept 16, 2024
11:53 AM – 5:01 PM
Booked: Canadair 900
Flown: Canadair 900
On Board Air Canada Business Class:
I been fortunate to have reviewed the Air Canada Express CRJ-900 several times previously. Please see the following posts if you’d like a little more description of the cabin and the experience.
- Air Canada Express Business Class: Vancouver – Regina
- Air Canada Express Business Class: Regina – Vancouver
- Air Canada Express Business Class: Winnipeg – Vancouver
- Air Canada Express Business Class: Ottawa – Halifax
- Air Canada Express Business Class: Halifax – Ottawa
Getting back to today’s connecting flight, the aircraft was the same as on my flight to Regina. For those just joining us, the Air Canada Express Business Class cabin is set up in a slightly compact 1 – 2 configuration.
The snuggle seats on the right hand side of the aircraft offered a snug space for two travellers. I’d pick these seats if I were travelling together with a partner.
Instead, I ended up on the single side of the aircraft on the left hand side in the row of single seats. While some may find single seats exposed to aisle traffic, and offer less privacy, I didn’t mind the seating at all.
Unlike my flight from Vancouver to Regina which was 5 out of 12 occupied, this flight from Regina to Toronto was fully sold out at 12 / 12 occupied. I wasn’t able to get my same Seat 2A, settling for a seat assignment in Seat 3A; one row behind.
It’s also worth mentioning that CRJ-900 offers really limited cabin space for rolling suitcases with overhead bins on the right hand side of the cabin being large enough to hold suitcases. The bins on the left hand side of the cabin are small and only hold a jacket or small personal article. By the time I had gotten on board, the overhead bin space was already fully claimed. With a little negotiation with the flight attendant, my rolling Tumi ended up in the closet up front along with another travellers bags.
There are no television screens on most Air Canada Express Canada air CRJ 900 aircraft. As a result, you’ll probably end up “raw dogging” your flight, unless you happen to bring your own entertainment on your smart phone or other device.
Taking today’s flight into consideration, the cabin of the Canada air 900 series regional jet compact overhead bin space was a bit of a limitation. Despite being in the first boarding group I had to use the crew storage in order to store a rolling suitcase.
Pre Departure Services:
As is typically expected, Air Canada does not provide a whole lot when it comes to pre-departure beverages. The usual mini bottle of Naya water was located on the seat. Unlike my flight out, this one was not chilled and served at room temperature.
Air Canada has recently eliminated the printed menu and instead offers a menu within the Air Canada app. Today’s menu offered a lunch style meal, set against a flight that operated through the afternoon hours of noon to 5 PM.
The meal selection offered for the lunch was limited to two options, a meet and vegetarian option. While both options had some potential to be interesting, much like most other Air Canada catering, neither ended up being super exciting.
Departing Regina International Airport:
We departed Regina International Airport without any delay. As you might expect for a small airport, there was no weight on the taxiway, nor was there any wait for departure clearance.
I was able to take in some views of the Saskatchewan parliament buildings on the Wascana Lake on our climb to altitude.
The departure and boarding experience was prompt and I didn’t have any challenges or concerns with getting out of Regina.
The Meal: Lunch
After we climbed up to altitude, the in-flight service started. Like many Air Canada business class flights this started with an hot towel service.
Instead of getting into the meal right away, a beverage service was offered. I ended up sticking with water and Krispy Kernels Roasted Salted Almonds.
I was a little worried that I wasn’t going to get my first choice of meal as I was seated in the third row. Fortunately many people were going vegetarian so I was able to enjoy my first choice.
Lunch today consisted of Honey Ginger Sesame Chicken, Shandong flat noodles, carrots, bok choy and edamame. This was presented with Heritage mix salad, julienne apples, pomegranate seeds served with warm bread and served all at once.
While the meal itself had some potential. It was a pretty bland offering that was very light on spice. The chicken was exceptionally chewy and not in a favourably tasty way. As a result, much like my earlier parsley omelette on my earlier flight, I would chalk the enjoyment of this up to being full at the end of it, without much other meal time supper satisfaction.
After lunch, without any in flight entertainment, it was time to stare at the window.The flight attendants came around with a second drink service and I stuck again with water.
While I continue to be impressed at Air Canada for offering a full meal service on short haul business class flights, I wish they would make the food a little more exciting and tasty. While it’s pretty good for your first time. After you get served the same meals on a monthly basis it seems to get old fairly quickly.
Landing at Toronto International Airport:
Despite Toronto International Airport being one of Canada’s busiest airports, we didn’t have any arrival delay today.
We arrived straight in and taxied to the gate. On our taxi, I happen to see an Eithad Boeing 777-300ER. It was one of the cool Middle Eastern Three aircraft that I didn’t get the opportunity to see from my home base in Vancouver
We drove all the way around to gate D7 which allowed for us to disembark right onto the ramp. I can’t recall ever “arriving” to this part of Toronto International Airport. It was where my last connecting flight from Toronto to Thunder Bay departed from.
After heading up a flight of escalators, I ended up walking through the Toronto Pearson International Airport – Terminal One towards Hertz for a rental car for the week.
In some, my Air Canada express business class flight from Regina Toronto was smooth, comfortable but entertainment free. I would remember to bring my own entertainment next time.
The Bottom Line: Air Canada Express Business Class
Much like most of my other Air Canada Express Business Class flights, I was watered, fed, and enjoyed some priority services. While there was no entertainment on this particular flight, I would remember to bring an iPad loaded with content for my next regional jet journey. Well the food was pretty straightforward, I can see how it the food can get bland and repetitive. Otherwise I was perfectly happy travelling with Air Canada Express Business Class.
World Traveller 73 
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