World Traveller 73 
Review: Air Canada “Newer” Business Class A320-2, Vancouver – Regina
A recent trip to Regina, Saskatchewan had me loaded onto one of Air Canada’s newest additions to their fleet; an aircraft that they had recently leased from Alaska Airlines. The new plane offered a “newer” business class, as compared to the older Extreme XM makeover models of years past. The newer business class offered something to look forward to when the carrier retrofits all of it’s aircraft. Read on to see a sample of what might be in store as Air Canada replaces its business class cabins.
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Review: Air Canada “Newer” Business Class Airbus 320-200, Vancouver International Airport – Regina International Airport
As it sometimes happens, I end up travelling on a flight where I’ve previously done a review. In this case, I had a series of meetings in land of living skies Saskatchewan with a multi day visit to the province’s capital of Regina. I had previously flown this segment last month on Air Canada Express Business Class Vancouver – Regina on a Canadair Regional Jet.
This flight would involve travelling in Air Canada is “newer” business class, on an aircraft they inherited from Alaska airlines on a recent lease acquisition. While it wasn’t the new business class being retrofit across all of Air Canada’s Airbus 320 lines, it was a marked direction towards the new product.
My trip was booked in business class courtesy of my company’s travel policy. The premium for business class was not that much more above the price of a regular economy class ticket.
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.
Pre Ordering Business Class Meal:
This flight provided the opportunity to pre-order a business class meal. Air Canada has introduced pre-ordering on flights from select Air Canada hub cities. Pre-ordering is available 30 days in advance and up to 72 hours before your flight.
I was given an invitation and email link to pre-order from the email that was on the reservation account. I signed in and in a very straightforward method, I was able to pick one of two entrées.
While the system is still new hopefully Air Canada will expand this to offer more than just two entrées to choose from.
Checking into Air Canada Business Class:
I self drove to the airport and parked at the valet of Park and Fly – Vancouver. I stopped by the Air Canada Priority Check in Area in the domestic zone of the Vancouver International Airport.
I wandered through the recently updated and upgraded security screening check point at Vancouver International Airport “C” Gates. The Canadian Air Security Transport Authority had recently upgraded this security screening check point with was recently upgraded with computed tomography (CT) technology, allowing all liquids and computers to remain within bags. There was minimal wait for screening and I was through to the secure in minutes.
Finding time to catch up on some work emails, I headed directly to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Vancouver Domestic. Since I’ve visited before, please feel free to see the other post in the event you’d like to see more about this lounge.
After a short lounge visit, it was off to Gate C47; located in a dark corner of the Vancouver International Airport. It has a very small holding area with a space that is mostly used for less exciting Air Canada destinations.
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.
Air Canada Express
AC 654 – Business Class (Z)
YVR – YQR (Vancouver International Airport – Regina International Airport)
Oct 21, 2024
2:00 PM – 5:05 PM
Booked: Airbus 320-200
Flown: Airbus 320-200
On Board Air Canada “Newer” Business Class:
I hopped on board Air Canada’s Business Class. I was surprised to see that I was gonig to be treated to a “new to Air Canada” plane, Air Canada’s FIN 418 – legally flying as C-FCQX, which the airline has recently leased into Air Canada’s Airbus 320 series fleet.
Air Canada’s FIN 418 was previously flying for Alaska Airlines before it joined the Air Canada fleet. As a result, it’s got Alaska Airlines New First Class cabin, which has since been removed of any Alaska Airlines branding.
Air Canada has plans to retrofit all of the Airbus 320 interiors into the “Dream Cabin” standard. The modifications will include Airspace XL overhead bins allowing roll – a -board luggage to be stored on their side, improved in flight entertainment with exterior tail and belly cameras and Bluetooth-enabled monitors, Intelsat 2Ku Wi-Fi (upgraded, satellite-based), LED mood lighting, power outlets, USB-A and USB-C at every seat. While these are all welcome upgrades, today’s flight didn’t have all of these features.
The temporary cabin is sleek and contemporary, a long way from the glacier blue of the usual Air Canada traditional A320-2 product. While I can’t call this a full review of the new Air Canada Dream Cabin product, it was a definite change from their usual Extreme XM cabin glacier colored business class.
The temporary cabin colours set a nicer and more modern looking interior. I was happy to be settling into this cabin as a refreshing change of pace.
The temporary business class cabin still offers a lot of leg room for a narrow body aircraft. The cabin would meet expectations for a short to medium haul flight, with a reasonable amount of leg room for a recliner styled business / first class seat.
Unlike most of the Air Canada Airbus 320 fleet, these newly leased aircraft do not yet have any in flight entertainment monitors installed. As a result, you’ll have to bring your own entertainment devices if you end up travelling on these aircraft.
The aircraft offer more modern touches, which include better storage pockets. Netted pockets easily store smart phones, along with netted storage space that can easily store tablets. Smart netted pockets allow travellers to see inside the pockets, lessening the liklihood that devices get left behind.
The under seat storage is plentiful. Along with a small retractable footrest, the seat is absent of any entertainment boxes which would intrude into precious seat room.
I was able to sling my iPad over the back seat to allow for some entertainment on the flight. While it wasn’t exactly ‘eye level’, it did the trick for the two hour flight.
The cabin featured USB B and Empower plug in’s at each seat. These were conveniently angled inwards towards each passenger. This was a great design feature so that travellers didn’t have to fumble against a hidden ninety degree console.
The centre console offered two cupholder cut outs for individual glasses or bottles of water. The containers also offered storage space for cell phones, in a pinch.
While this isn’t the final version of the Air Canada Dream Cabin, it’s a welcome addition to what the newer cabin is apt to offer. While we don’t know if Air Canada will take the discounted route by partially modifying existing cabins, or will take the fuller route by keeping all cabins consistent to maintain a brand standard, they are easily off to a great start with these aircraft they have inherited from Alaska Airlines.
Pre Departure Services:
I had the typically light Air Canada pre-departure beverage service. This consisted of a bottle of Naya Water that was presented chilled.
While it would be nicer to have a more comprehensive pre-departure beverage, this is about “as expected” from within the Canadian domestic environment.
Air Canada has eliminated the printed menus on board it’s aircraft. The menus are not available within the Air Canada app after check in.
Today’s menu featured two choices that did not include the “pre-order” menu option.
Departing Vancouver International Airport:
We departed Vancouver international Airport on runway 26L. We had an immediate left turn headed away from our westerly track, headed eastward towards Central Canada.
We had a brief in flight announcement of our cruising altitude and anticipated good weather all the way to Regina.
The Meal: Breakfast
After a smooth climb up to cruising altitude, the in flight service started.
The first part of service involved a towel service. As I have mentioned many times, the Air Canada towels aren’t too fancy, and they seem to be pretty worn.
Along with my flight on Alaska Airlines, the tray table has a tablet holder which I discovered well after the fact. The meal service started with drinks.
I enjoyed a Canada Dry Ginger Ale. This was served with ice, along with the remaining can on the side. I was also offered mixed nuts in a small ramekin.
For lunch service, as I had done the pre-order, I enjoyed a Garlic Chicken presented with mesculin salad.
While the chicken wasn’t all that exciting or spicy, it was enough to hit the spot and fill the flight time. The meal was about “as expected” for a flight of two hours, despite there being not a whole lot of variety.
I later discovered that this wasn’t what I had pre-ordered, not that I remembered my pre-ordered selection at the time. I’m not sure whether that was a well intentioned mistake, or a simple mix up at the time. I did confirm that I did get my pre-ordered item; it’s just that the item wasn’t what was expected.
Despite being a new addition to the Air Canada fleet, the airline had managed to equip the flight with in flight wifi. Connecting was very easy, and allowed me to send a few messages while I was still on board.
Landing at Regina International Airport:
It’s always a stark contrast landing in the Canadian Prairies after coming from the mountains of the Pacific Northwest from my home town of Vancouver, Canada. Today was no exception.
With fall colours turning the landscape brown, I had a dark arrival into Regina, Saskatchewan.
I arrived to the Regina International Airport. It wasn’t long before I was off the plane and into the Regina International Airport baggage claim area. The baggage was put out promptly, given that it was such as small airport.
This flight marked the end of my travel day. Without further commitments, I ended up collecting my checked bag and traveling to my hotel.
The Bottom Line: Air Canada Business Class
While I don’t come to expect too much on a two hour business class flight, Air Canada express offers more than United Airlines offers on its short haul services. The newer cabin was much brighter than the previous generation, marking promise and excitement for the future of the airline.
World Traveller 73 
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