This special review would mark my first flight on Canadian North aircraft. The route today I was flying was a unique arctic hopper that would take me across the Canadian Territories consisting of starting in the Northwest Territories through Nunavut’s Territory with a stop in Rankin Inlet, finally ending over in Iqaluit. The flight was one of the most unique Aeroplan redemptions I’ve been able to complete. It formed part of a square, coming up through Yellowknife and then down through Ottawa. My Canadian North flying experience would certainly have a few learning opportunity moments, as I would identify a few quirks and nuances of flying this oddball airline.

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Review: Canadian North B737-7, Yellowknife International Airport – Rankin Inlet Airport – Iqaluit International Airport

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After departing The Explorer Hotel Yellowknife, it was time to get back to the Yellowknife Airport. I was excited for my flight across Canada’s northern territories, and hoped that I would get some good viewing out of the windows.

I took the complimentary hotel shuttle bus and I was at the Yellowknife airport in less than 10 minutes. The Yellowknife Airport is pretty plain and institutional appearance.

it’s worth mentioning that I had previously called into the Canadian North Call Centre and had seats assigned on my Aeroplan award ticket. I was able to happily get these on a complimentary basis.

I was initially assigned 24F by request; a window seat at the back of the plane free from wing obstructions for the purposes of photographs. However, there was an aircraft swap from a Boeing 737–400 to a Boeing 737 – 700. I had kept my window seat assignment, but got moved up to row 12 F. While I would keep the window assignment, I would end up having a wing intruding on many of my photographs.

Departing from Yellowknife Airport:

After arriving to the Yellowknife Airport, I went to go check in with Canadian North airlines. They are the only game in town, and command a substantial presence in the Yellowknife airport.

While, I already had electronic Air Canada branded Apple Wallet boarding passes as a result of checking in at the Vancouver International Airport on a “through” ticket, I stopped by the Canadian North counter in hopes of getting some Canadian North paper boarding cards for the personal boarding card collection. Canadian North offers a limited online check-in, and seemed to do everything the old-fashioned way.

At the Canadian North check in counter, I had a thorough baggage inspection. The agent took a strong look at my rolling suitcase and laptop bag and asked to weigh both of them. My carry-on suitcase was 27 pounds, given that it had a bunch of coffee beans for my hosts in Iqaluit.

The check-in agent tried to relieve me of my checked bag to be assigned as a checked baggage piece, claiming that it was overweight. It’s interesting to note that there’s no published weight limit on any published Canadian North websites.

I was told that the checked bag fee would be $36 CAD plus taxes. When I attempted to argue that there was no outward facing weight limits on the Canadian north website, I didn’t get anywhere. I then tried a secondary argument of saying that the bag fees should’ve been collected at the first point of departure on the ticket (given that I was on a through ticket) and that my bag should be complimentary as a result of having Air Canada Elite status. With that argument, I was granted a “one time exemption”.

Needless to say, Canadian North seems to pay close attention to its travellers checked and carry-on baggage. They’re either making up the rules as they go, or deliberately choosing not to publish them. If you’re travelling carry-on only like I was, expect to be fully weighed when you pass through any Canadian North checkpoints.

After that unpleasant conversation, I wandered into the Yellowknife airport. Canadian North flghts do not have a security screening check. I passed by the usual security screening checkpoint areas for flights into southern Canada, and into the general part of the airport.

There are a few displays containing Inuit artifacts. I was happy to see that there was also a Quizno’s sandwich Restaurant.

There were quite a few flights to bizarre and far away places, including my flight Canadian North 118 to Rankin Inlet, with onward service to Iqaluit.

I had approximately 75 minutes prior to departing on my northern tundra flight. Since there’s no lounge at the Yellowknife Airport, I ended up hanging around in the terminal. There are some great plane spotting opportunities. I was able to spot Canadian north B737 and a Canadian North ATR 72.

Eventually, it came time to board. I boarded at Gate 4 with a boarding process that was pretty much a free-for-all.

Along with my earlier flight in on Air Canada Express Business Class, Vancouver – Yellowknife, the Yellowknife Airport did not have any jet bridges. As a result, we walked outside to an air ramp onto the aircraft.

Canadian North
5T 118 – Economy Class
YZF – YRT – YFB (Yellowknife Airport – Rankin Inlet Airport – Iqaluit International Airport)
June 6, 2025
Scheduled: [11:25 AM – 2:30 PM] [3:25 PM – 6:30 PM]
Booked: Boeing 737-400
Flown: Boeing 737-700

On Board Canadian North:

Canadian North runs an all Boeing 737 fleet for its narrow body aircraft. I was originally booked in their Boeing 737–200 series aircraft. However, there was an aircraft swap and I ended up in a Boeing 737–700 series aircraft.

Despite this, I kept my seat assignment I had self selected a seat well towards the back of the aircraft, with the intention getting some good ground photographs free from wing obstructions.

The Canadian North aircraft operates a single cabin of service aircraft. There is no business class seating on the plane. Boarding was a friendly process with many of the flight attendants, saying hello to regular travellers that they recognized.

The Canadian North Boeing 737–700 that I flew on was one of their newest aircraft. I located my seat in 12 F, which was just behind the emergency exit row.

The Canadian North economy seats featured modern slim line seats. I ended up having the whole row to myself. The seats offered a reasonable amount of leg room. Although, they would not have as much leg room as you might expect in economy plus configured aircraft.

Each individual seat featured USB – A charging, which I was surprised to see. I was partially expecting to have no power throughout this flight and had prepared accordingly by bringing a power bank with me.

Beneath the seat, there was limited leg as a result of an electronics box. This was located on both the aisle and centre seats. Accordingly, I wouldn’t expect to store any rolling suitcases underneath your seat.

The Canadian North Boeing 737–700 series also had individual air vents located above each passenger seat. I appreciated having a personal air vent as it made for a more comfortable flight.

I browsed the safety card, which was published in three official languages; English French and Inuktitut.

I also had a look at the Canadian North airline magazine called “Up Here”. It contained a few interesting articles and provided enough entertainment to pass the time.

In summary, the Canadian north economy class cabin seat was mostly comfortable for a transcontinental flight. This Canadian north Boeing 737–700 aircraft offered in seat charging, which made the flight a lot easier.

Departing Yellowknife Airport:

As we are waiting to depart, we had a captain’s public address announcement. Our flight time was scheduled to be one hour and thirty one minutes at an planned altitude of 37,000 feet. Our arrival temperature in Rankin Inlet was supposed to be eight degrees Celsius. We were encouraged to relax and enjoy the flight over from Yellowknife to Rankin Inlet.

We had a departure from Yellowknife Airport on runway 34. Before I knew it we were on our climb heading eastward on Canada’s most northern aircraft corridor.

The Meal: Lunch

After we got to altitude, the in-flight service started. Canadian North does things the old-school way, meaning that every single passenger gets a full meal on a complimentary basis.

Today’s lunch was a choice between lasagna or shepherds pie.

Since it’s been a while since I’ve had shepherds pie on a plane (if ever), I ended up choosing the shepherds pie.

The meal was served with a Greek salad that was pre-seasoned with dressing, and a small chocolate cake. There was also complimentary wine and beer available. However, I just stuck with soft drinks.

The food was pretty tasty. It was a marked improvement compared to the usual bland Air Canada menus I’m often flying. I had no complaints about the food served on board.

In Flight Entertainment:

Canadian North doesn’t offer any in flight entertainment. There are no seat monitors in the seats. Instead, most of your entertainment comes from looking out of the window.

I found the views out of the window, absolutely fascinating. With most of the views occurring during ascent or descent, there were great views of the Arctic tundra.

During my June trip, there was still quite a bit of snow on the ground. The summer melt had not completely occurred. I spent most of the flight looking out the window looking at vast nothingness.

Stopover – Arriving to Rankin Inlet Airport:

After about an hour and a half, it was time for our first stop over on this multi leg journey. Our flight started the descent into Rankin Inlet. Rankin Inlet is located in the territory of Nunavut, Canada. However, it is completely separated from other parts of Nunavut by the body of water that is Hudson Bay.

The descent into Rankin Inlet was like arriving to an airport that I’ve never seen. The Arctic tundra was everywhere, marking one of the most picturesque descents I’ve had an aircraft.

Our aircraft touchdown on the runway at Rankin Inlet airport. Rankin Inlet Airport is located at latitude 62.48, and shared with the Canadian NORAD Region Forward Operating Location Rankin Inlet, which currently operates on the south side of the airport.

We had a U-turn at the end of the runway, and our plane came back towards the general airport apron.

There was a public address announcement after we landed. We were encouraged to disembark the plane with photo identification and our boarding cards. We were permitted to leave all our carry-on luggage behind on the aircraft.

I disembarked the plane using air stairs, and had a long apron walk to the terminal building. The Rankin inlet airport was quite dated. The current structure is at the end of its useful life. There is a brand new $85 million dollar facility located next door, which was behind schedule and hadn’t yet opened, when I arrived.

During the stop over, the only other aircraft that was here was a Calm Air ATR 72 that was being loaded up with cargo.

Stopping Over at Rankin Inlet:

I arrived into the Rankin inlet international airport terminal. Like many rural and remote destinations, the airport is the lifeblood of the town when the flight is in. Everyone in town is at the airport. Rankin Airport was no exception. The place was packed with travellers waiting to leave, and by other people waiting to pick up.

With no security screening, there was one common area room for arrivals and departures.

Looking for souvenirs, I found the one Northern Mart food outlet. Unfortunately, aside from some overpriced Pringles potatoes chips, I didn’t find anything really worthy to purchase.

It was a bright and sunny day so I hopped outside for a quick self photograph. It’s doubtful that I’ll ever be back at Rankin Airport so I figured I would remember the moment by taking a picture next to the sign.

Departing Rankin Inlet Airport:

After a 55 minute stop over, it was time to leave Rankin Inlet. Boarding was called approximately 20 minutes prior to departure. Like the earlier flight, the boarding call was “all at once” and not broken down into zones. Our photo identification was validated. I returned to the plane with the same long walk across the apron.

The aircraft was surprisingly a bit fuller between Rankin and Iqualit. We had a smooth and picturesque departure, with great views, thanks to the sunshine that was cooperating.

Since Rankin Inlet is located right on Hudsons Bay, it was minutes before we were out over the water. The ice hadn’t completely melted, and there were some great arctic views from the window.

The Second Service: Lunch Snack

The next leg of the flight between Rankin Inlet and Iqaluit was one hour and 55 minutes. I was a bit surprised to see that I was going to get a second serving of food for the second leg.

I was offered a turkey sandwich or a chick pea wrap. This was served with a macaroni salad with ranch dressing on the side. There was also a small light coconut pastry for dessert. I ended up enjoying this with a coffee to wake up a little.

At about this time, after a day of flying, I decided to go for a glass of wine. The wine was complimentary. However, no sooner after I got my first serving I was advised that the bar was “closed shortly after sandwiches were handed out”. There were still about an hour of flying left at this time. This dashed any hope for seconds.

I ended up looking out the window, but the weather started to turn overcast. As a result, I had limited views of the ground. I entertained myself with a tablet iPad that I brought with me with some preloaded Netflix movies.

Arriving to Iqaluit International Airport:

We started our descent, approximately one hour prior to landing at Iqaluit. Since the skies were now overcast, the landscape was looking decidedly wintery on our descent.

The Iqaluit International Airport is located at latitude 63′ 45. The airport has had an interesting history. In addition to a site for cold weather testing for the Airbus A380, an acting as a diversion airport on many international routes, it is also a forward operating base for the Royal Canadian Air Force.

Our Canadian North Boeing 737 700 landed without much incident. I arrived to my first airport today with jet bridges. I was left off into Iqaluit International Airport which was a modern terminal that was clean and comfortable.

Many of the airport signs were in the Nunavut’s official language of Inuktitut. I would get to see Inuktitut throughout most of Iqaluit during my stay.

Overall, Canadian North provided a pleasant second leg between Rankin Inlet – Iqaluit. I was picked up by some friends and headed over to their place for the evening.

The Bottom Line: Canadian North

Canadian North provided a comfortable way to skip across the northern Canadian arctic tundra. For the most part, the flight was exceptionally comfortable for an economy class flight.

However, Canadian North does seem to have some pretty unfriendly policies, that will likely catch you by surprise. The fact that they don’t publish baggage fees, then try and extort cash out of their customers, is problematic. It’s terrific that they offer in flight catering, along with beer and wine. However, it’s surprising that beer and wine are only offered for a certain portion of the flight. Despite this, I was kept well fed, considering the remoteness of where the flight served.

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If you’ve flown Canadian North, what do you do to address their strict baggage policies ?

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