I had gotten my upgrade the previous Thursday and was given 4D. I checked in as usual and asked if a single seat was available in J on the 767 to LHR and was told I had been allocated a single seat (6A), but agent at SE desk at YYZ said he didn't understand what was going on because they were all single seats in J. He even turned the computer screen around to show me. I was as confused as him and decided to drop by the concierge's office to clear up the confusion - then the "light came on". The concierge informed me that I would be on the inaugural flight of the new refurbished 767 to LHR. There were even 2 concierges checking us in at the gate, who also reminded me that this was the inaugural flight.

The aircraft looked good but open space in J appears less that the original configuration because of the room required for the new seating. The rows are configured as A, F and K. The row A where I sat/slept has it's own aisle and faces on to the back of row F. F shares a common aisle with row K. There are 24 J seats in all. If 2 people are travelling together it's probably best to try and get seats in rows F and K with the same number (6F/6K). It would then be easier talk to each other.

There were a few problems with seats/beds operating properly for one or two passengers and Air Canada had that thought of that possibility and had a mechanic in 8F attending to the problems and keeping a log.

What did I like ? The larger video screen and audio selection, the lie flat seat/bed with it's duvet etc (but I didn't sleep too well), good size table (although it was difficult to extract at first), 120 volt power supply. The seat was comfortable and the controls were self explanatory.

What was strange ? Taking off and landing when sitting at an angle! Being enclosed in my own "pod" and facing the "wall" at the back of row "F".

What didn't I like ? The akward location of the power and audio connection (now a single pin jack compared to the dual pin) on the lower left hand side of the seat, Really had to be careful that the cables didn't get caught in the seat when changing it's position. Also I found that the single pin jack on personal NR earphones was a little loose in the receptacle.

It will take some getting used to, because it's a little more confined and not as "open" as the old seat configuration.

I had been wondering if I would have the opportunity to be on one of the refurbished 767's before I retired - and I retire at the end of this month. So I guess I was fortunate