Air Canada
International Business Class
YVR-SYD (Vancouver International Airport – Sydney Kingford Smith International)
AC 33 – Business Class (standby)
11:40 PM – 10:10 AM + 2
November 2014
Booked: NIL
Scheduled: Boeing 777-200
Flown: Boeing 777-300

My sister and MrsWT73 were fortunate enough to gain last minute access to seats in the business class cabin based on “once in a while” certificate upgrades. This isn’t a commentary on flight attendant compensation, or flight attendants blocking up the business class cabin instead of revenue passengers. Rather, their seats were also assigned at the T-20 minute level along with mine, after all the upgrades, last minute upgrades and revenue passengers were given an opportunity for access. Needless to say, there certainly wasn’t enough to go around so that all of us could enjoy. While my sister and MrsWT73 enjoyed 15 hours in international business class, I enjoyed sitting in the back next to the ruckus 4 kids seated around me.

Air Canada Executive Business Class is configured in a 1-2-1 configuration on the Boeing 777-200/300. The load upfront on this flight was 42 out of 42. Some recycled photos from a previous revenue flight of the Boeing 767 & Airbus 330 configuration which is 1-1-1.



















A pre-departure beverage was offered. Mrs WT73 went for the champagne / sparkling. This was followed by the usual warmed nuts, which is accompanied with a cocktail beverage. Some photos from her portable camera. . .



The menus were passed out with dinner orders were taken on the ground in Vancouver. The menu has been dressed up a bit lately, having had the same format for the last 5+ years. Despite the newer design, the menu items are similar to as in past. This means that the beef tenderloin favourite remains a fixture on "le menu".







The wine list is included with the menu. The New Zealand Sauvingon Blanc was popular with MrsWT73.





Out of four entrée items, by the time the last of the orders came around, MrsWT73 was left with either the Risotto or the beef. It’s worth also noting that her order was intentionally taken last behind all of the other status and paid passengers. If you are on a fully paid fare, you’re likely to have greater selection.

MrsWT73 didn’t have rave reviews about the catering; calling it the usual Air Canada fare. Based on prior experiece, the catering is typically predictable. I would describe it as "traditional" with an attempt at being contemporary.





MrsWT73 skipped dessert and went with some port to finish off the meal.

Air Canada has upgraded the amenity kit compared to the last flight that we took with them. This one was branded in the new colors of the Air Canada Boeing 787 aircraft with striking red and grey cloth. It also had a magnetic clasp that closed the kit, containing the usual amenities. It was definitely a “keeper”. The photographs of this one are taken on my economy class table at the back of the plane. It helped pass the time.





MrsWT73 skipped the usual mid flight snack, opting for 9 hours of comfortable, horizontal sleeping. She commented that the sleeping blanket felt like it had been upgraded to a thicker, more comfortable variety. Despite that, she finds the pods a little firm for her liking, being a side sleeper. She also alleged that she returned to visit me in economy on several occasions, but I only saw her the once about 45 minutes before landing.

Prior to landing, a breakfast service was provided. MrsWT73 went with Greco yoghurt and fruit. She passed on the main.

One major advantage to flying business class are the fast track cards that are made available to business class passengers. These cards were distributed, branded with the Air Canada logo (all carriers use the same styled card, branded with their logo). They were of tremendous use as they applied for both the immigration line and the customs / quarantine line which were both really long. I waited around while the women were kind enough to stock up on duty free on arrival before we hit the immigration checkpoint.



Overall, MrsWT73 enjoyed the crew on this particular flight, noting their personable service. She reported sleeping for most of the flight, which is probably a good sign. Amid all the AC long haul flights over the years, there was nothing that stood out about this particular one, other than it’s longer than usual length.

It's worth noting that Air Canada offers the only non stop direct aisle business class in Star Alliance to Australia. Air New Zealand offers similar pods, however their Australia service involves a stop in Auckland. The United Business Class pods operate in a 2-4-2 configuration (Boeing 777 ex Sydney) or a 2-2-2 configuration (Boeing 787 ex Melbourne), meaning that single travellers will have to step over someone if they want the window seats. Unwittingly, Air Canada appears to have a strong competitive advantage for single travellers if aisle access is a priority for you.