World Traveller 73 
Review: Air Canada Signature Business Class B777-300ER, Vancouver – Montreal
Today’s travel would have me returning to Air Canada Signature Business Class on their Boeing 777–300 ER. It is always a treat to end up in Air Canada Signature Business Class, and today was no exception. I would experience a comfortable spacious seat, quiet surroundings, and a quick transcontinental trip across Canada from Vancouver to Montreal.
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Review: Air Canada Signature Business Class B777-300 ER, Vancouver International Airport – Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport
I had the usual work trip to Ottawa which involved me booking the cheapest available business class flight. On today’s date, that cheapest available flight meant that I was travelling from Vancouver to Ottawa with a short connection in Montreal. This was then followed by a short connecting flight Montreal to Ottawa.
In a stroke of good travel news, I would happen to be flying in Air Canada Signature Business Class with a fully flat bed. Today’s flight was on an Air Canada Boeing 777–300 ER. It’s always a treat to get a fully flat seat, even if you don’t actually plan on sleeping. The larger space and configuration meant that you get extra space and room to stretch out on your trip.
Checking into Air Canada Business Class:
I was travelling with carry-on only today; just a Tumi alpha to rolling suitcase and a laptop bag. As a result I was able to skip the formal check-in counter and use the app in order to receive a digital boarding card.
Given that I was flying Air Canada Business Class, I was also entitled to two free checked bags up to fifty pounds of weight each. If that allowance wasn’t enough, I was also covered as a result of having Air Canada Elite status which would allow for two checked bags. While it likely doesn’t apply for business class travellers, you may also be entitled to one free checked bag when travelling on Air Canada if you hold select credit co-branded credit cards, such as the Air Canada Aeroplan Visa Infinite Credit card.
I use the Nexus trusted traveller security screening and Made my way airside. I had a short visit to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Vancouver Domestic lounge. Since I’ve reviewed that lounge several times, and there hasn’t been any material change, I won’t do so again.
I eventually found my way over to gate C 47 at Vancouver international Airport. Strangely, the Vancouver International Airport authority tends to occasionally use gate C 47 for wide body aircraft departures. In a lack of design, this gate is located tucked away in a corner in a tightly constrained concourse area. As a result there’s always a fellow travellers surrounding the gate area, making for a crowded environment.
While I was waiting to board, I took the time to go into the Air Canada app to check the upgrade list. On today’s flight they were over 50 people waiting to upgrade to premium economy or business class. With this many people waiting to upgrade, it makes the Air Canada E upgrade credits a lot less useful than they used to be for trans continental flights.
Boarding started at 8:30 AM, about 50 minutes before departure. I would end up boarding with Zone Number One, consistent with the category offered by Air Canada Business Class.
Air Canada
AC 304 – Business Class (R)
YVR – YUL (Vancouver International Airport – Montreal Pierre Elliot Trudeau International Airport)
Feb 9, 2025
9:23 AM – 5:08 PM
Booked: Boeing 777-300ER
Flown: Boeing 777-300ER
On Board Air Canada Signature Business Class:
The Air Canada Boeing 777–300 ER is configured in a three class cabin; Signature Business Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. While you usually find it on international routes, occasionally you’ll find it servicing transcontinental routes across Canada such as this one.
The Air Canada Signature Business Class cabin is configured in a 1 – 2 – 1 configuration. The centre seats are ideal for travellers wishing to travel together. The seats are comfortable, with just the right amount of counter space room for wallets, laptops other accessories.
I found my way to seat 5K on the right hand side of the aircraft. By the time I booked this ticket, I ended up picking the closest aisle seat that was available towards the front of the aircraft.
After settling into the seat, there was a bottle of Naya water waiting for me that served as the pre-departure beverage. Unlike most American carriers, there was no separate beverage service. Shortly afterwards, a flight attendant came around to drop off a printed menu.
The Air Canada Signature Business class seat offers a small compartment that is perfect for charging phones, storing wallets along with anything else. It’s located under the counter immediately above the seat controls.
The seat is controlled by a touchscreen that offers light adjustments, a recline feature, along with a call button.
In a celebrity VIP moment, the (now past) coach for the National Hockey League Vancouver Canucks team Rick Tocchet happened to be on board heading to Montreal. He was a great sport about taking photographs with fans & giving shout outs for minor hockey league games going on that day.
As always, the Air Canada Signature Business Class cabin made a great first impression. While it’s come to be exceptionally familiar after a few years of service, it’s still awfully comfortable for a medium to long haul flight.
Departing Vancouver International Airport:
We had a slow departure from the Vancouver International Airport. Given that there was snow on the ground, we had to go over for deicing. We then had a departure on runway 08 right. Despite a 9 AM departure, it was well over 10 AM before we hit the runway hold line.
There was snow on the ground at Vancouver International Airport and we had a snowy West Coast departure.
The Meal: Breakfast
As we got underway, it was time for breakfast. Breakfast occurred at about 11 AM, or two hours after the scheduled departure time.
Air Canada now does a pre-order service allowing you to order your preferred meal in advance. Despite pre-ordering the meal the flight attendant didn’t seem to realize this. Fortunately I got my first choice.
The Air Canada breakfast offerings have been pretty static for quite some time. The choices come down to the usual parsley omelet or meatless pancakes. I ended up going with the usual parsley omelet.
For those wishing to indulge there were a number of wines also available. There was a sparkling wine from Bordeaux – France, along with a Pinot Blanc from Alsace – France along with a Chardonnay from Niagara – Canada. The Reds consisted of a Cinsault from Chile,a Balufrancish from Austria, along with a Shiraz from Australia.
There were also a reasonable number of cocktails along with Lavazza short or long espressos and cappuccinos.
The meal service started with the usual towel service. The starter plate, fruit and chia seed pudding were delivered all at once, along with a coffee.
The parsley omelette appeared to be it’s usual self. It was comfort food with a familiar taste and just the faintest hint of spice.
The service on board was the usual Air Canada politeness; pleasant but not super interactive. Breakfast was cleared very promptly given our short flight time.
Air Canada En Route Entertainment System
While I was enjoying the breakfast, I fooled around with the Air Canada En Route entertainment system. The entertainment system was presented on a large 18 inch screen. It features a moving flight map in addition to a number of movies.
The Second Service:
As a result of this being a five hour flight, there was a small second service prior to landing. While it wasn’t a full meal replacement, it was enough to hold you over until you got off the aircraft.
I was offered the ability to help myself to some thing out of the snack basket. Today’s snack was Miss Vickies and a small Ghirardelli chocolate. This was followed by a small assortment of nuts and cashews along with a beverage service.
Landing at Montreal International Airport:
Before long, my flight drew to a close. We did not have any delays on approach or landing at Montreal’s Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport.
Travelling in February, it was another snowy arrival into Montreal with snow as far as the eye could see.
I touched down at Montreal Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s international Airport. We had a short taxi over to our arrival gate passing by an Air France Boeing 777-300.
I was off the plane quite quickly and into the arrivals hall, passing by the upcoming Air Canada Café Montreal.
On arrival, I headed off for a short connection on Air Canada Express over to Ottawa.
The Bottom Line: Air Canada Business Class
The Air Canada Signature Business Class remains a treat and the most comfortable way to fly transcontinental within Canada.
While I will always hope for more on the food and beverage front, I was fed, watered and was comfortable throughout the whole flight. While the food and beverage is plentiful, it has gotten a bit bland when compared to it’s other competitors in North America.
World Traveller 73 
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