Air Canada 787-9: catch me if you can YVR-YYZ
Sep 7, 2015, 6:12 pm
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG/Marriott Plat, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 159
Air Canada 787-9: catch me if you can YVR-YYZ
This will be my first trip report on Flyertalk. Been getting tons of helping info from this site, including the two booked mini RTWs with Aeroplan, so hopefully I can make some contribution back to the community. Please excuse any imperfection in writing and photos
I had a trip coming up from YVR-YYZ, and I see that the brand new 787-9 would be delivered to AC in July, and scheduled as AC100 and AC169 during the month of August.
http://airlineroute.net/2015/02/08/ac-789-s15update1/
With excitements, I booked a one way on Aeroplan J seat on AC100 in early March for traveling on Aug 31, YVR-YYZ. Had not given it much of a thought until about a few weeks out, then I found out the 789 got swapped to AC102 instead! AC100 is now a A321. Totally did not want to get on the big recliner instead of the lie-flat 789 seats, I searched for availabilities to change my ticket, but nothing good came up.
Ok, I'll just arrive an hour early and hope for a standby.
Then about 2 days out, I checked the schedule and found out it was actually AC1173 that's going to take me back to Toronto, and it was departing at 10AM! Determined to get on it, I arrived at airport just before 9 and asked to be put on the standby list.
Didn't take any pictures of the lounge as I'm sure there have been enough of that, it was semi crowded as well.
Here's a pic of the new plane, viewing from the lounge
I headed to the gate C52 at about T-40, and luckily the standby request was cleared! With a brand new boarding pass. I hopped on the jetbridge and took the left turn after entering the brand new aircraft.
The cabin felt pretty spacious, mostly due to it being brighter and bigger windows. Though there are overhead bins in the middle
The cabin is arranged in 8 rows of 4, though there is no 8D/G, so this makes it total of 30 seats in J. Load was full 30/30, with one seat taken by who appeared to be a crew member
Unfortunately no PDB were offered for either myself or my travel companion... not sure if this was because we got onboard a bit late. Not a big deal for me though
Menu was distributed prior to takeoff and we had our meal choices
Noise cancelling headphones were handed out after take off (they were collected just prior to landing)
At about 90 minutes after take off, meal service started with beverages and warm nuts
Salad
Salmon
Fruits and ice cream
View of the cabin from my seat
View of the seat in flat position, I don't think it actually goes 180 though, the head part is in a slight recline, not sure if you can tell from this photo. I observed the same on the 788 as well.
Massage function is same as the 788
Don't think I saw the ambient lighting in the footwell and privacy screen on 788, is this new on the 789?
The seats have excellent privacy, you will not see the person next to you. Though this could be an issue if you are traveling in pairs, you have to stand up a bit to see and talk to each other. Funny how when I boarded, the FA told me this is a new aircraft, and we could lower the privacy screen if we wanted. I knew this is not possible on the 788. But later on, I found out that the FA was wrong, and there's no way to lower this
The remote is slightly different than what's on the 788, but I didn't notice anything different functionality-wise
Another noticeable difference is that 1A and 1K now have 2 windows instead of 3, as you can see from this photo
Some more shots of the cabin
We had an early arrival into YYZ, my bag was one of the first to came out thanks to the priority tag.
Random tip if you are looking for a Rimowa luggage. I got mine in France at this place called La Baggagerie, and I thought it was a pretty good deal. This is a 30inch topas, and it was originally 850 Euro, but they offered a 10% discount, along with a 12% VAT refund, it came out to around 1000CAD all in. Compared to $1250 plus tax for what you will pay if you buy in Canada, I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Hope you enjoyed it, let me know for any questions!
I had a trip coming up from YVR-YYZ, and I see that the brand new 787-9 would be delivered to AC in July, and scheduled as AC100 and AC169 during the month of August.
http://airlineroute.net/2015/02/08/ac-789-s15update1/
With excitements, I booked a one way on Aeroplan J seat on AC100 in early March for traveling on Aug 31, YVR-YYZ. Had not given it much of a thought until about a few weeks out, then I found out the 789 got swapped to AC102 instead! AC100 is now a A321. Totally did not want to get on the big recliner instead of the lie-flat 789 seats, I searched for availabilities to change my ticket, but nothing good came up.
Ok, I'll just arrive an hour early and hope for a standby.
Then about 2 days out, I checked the schedule and found out it was actually AC1173 that's going to take me back to Toronto, and it was departing at 10AM! Determined to get on it, I arrived at airport just before 9 and asked to be put on the standby list.
Didn't take any pictures of the lounge as I'm sure there have been enough of that, it was semi crowded as well.
Here's a pic of the new plane, viewing from the lounge
I headed to the gate C52 at about T-40, and luckily the standby request was cleared! With a brand new boarding pass. I hopped on the jetbridge and took the left turn after entering the brand new aircraft.
The cabin felt pretty spacious, mostly due to it being brighter and bigger windows. Though there are overhead bins in the middle
The cabin is arranged in 8 rows of 4, though there is no 8D/G, so this makes it total of 30 seats in J. Load was full 30/30, with one seat taken by who appeared to be a crew member
Unfortunately no PDB were offered for either myself or my travel companion... not sure if this was because we got onboard a bit late. Not a big deal for me though
Menu was distributed prior to takeoff and we had our meal choices
Noise cancelling headphones were handed out after take off (they were collected just prior to landing)
At about 90 minutes after take off, meal service started with beverages and warm nuts
Salad
Salmon
Fruits and ice cream
View of the cabin from my seat
View of the seat in flat position, I don't think it actually goes 180 though, the head part is in a slight recline, not sure if you can tell from this photo. I observed the same on the 788 as well.
Massage function is same as the 788
Don't think I saw the ambient lighting in the footwell and privacy screen on 788, is this new on the 789?
The seats have excellent privacy, you will not see the person next to you. Though this could be an issue if you are traveling in pairs, you have to stand up a bit to see and talk to each other. Funny how when I boarded, the FA told me this is a new aircraft, and we could lower the privacy screen if we wanted. I knew this is not possible on the 788. But later on, I found out that the FA was wrong, and there's no way to lower this
The remote is slightly different than what's on the 788, but I didn't notice anything different functionality-wise
Another noticeable difference is that 1A and 1K now have 2 windows instead of 3, as you can see from this photo
Some more shots of the cabin
We had an early arrival into YYZ, my bag was one of the first to came out thanks to the priority tag.
Random tip if you are looking for a Rimowa luggage. I got mine in France at this place called La Baggagerie, and I thought it was a pretty good deal. This is a 30inch topas, and it was originally 850 Euro, but they offered a 10% discount, along with a 12% VAT refund, it came out to around 1000CAD all in. Compared to $1250 plus tax for what you will pay if you buy in Canada, I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Hope you enjoyed it, let me know for any questions!
Last edited by mattc2; Sep 8, 2015 at 6:41 am
Sep 9, 2015, 10:33 am
#7
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: YTO/DEL/BOM/GAU
Programs: A few airlines, hotel programs and car rentals
Posts: 1,238
Nice report! And good tip about the RIMOWA luggage. I have to get a check-in luggage, and have been contemplating on getting a RIMOWA from the States! I could very well fly to Europe to get the Rimowa (in a true FT'er style)...because, why not?! 
Sep 9, 2015, 11:12 am
#8
Suspended
Join Date: Mar 2013
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE*2MM. SPG Plat life
Posts: 4,644
This will be my first trip report on Flyertalk. Been getting tons of helping info from this site, including the two booked mini RTWs with Aeroplan, so hopefully I can make some contribution back to the community. Please excuse any imperfection in writing and photos
I had a trip coming up from YVR-YYZ, and I see that the brand new 787-9 would be delivered to AC in July, and scheduled as AC100 and AC169 during the month of August.
http://airlineroute.net/2015/02/08/ac-789-s15update1/
With excitements, I booked a one way on Aeroplan J seat on AC100 in early March for traveling on Aug 31, YVR-YYZ. Had not given it much of a thought until about a few weeks out, then I found out the 789 got swapped to AC102 instead! AC100 is now a A321. Totally did not want to get on the big recliner instead of the lie-flat 789 seats, I searched for availabilities to change my ticket, but nothing good came up.
Ok, I'll just arrive an hour early and hope for a standby.
Then about 2 days out, I checked the schedule and found out it was actually AC1173 that's going to take me back to Toronto, and it was departing at 10AM! Determined to get on it, I arrived at airport just before 9 and asked to be put on the standby list.
Didn't take any pictures of the lounge as I'm sure there have been enough of that, it was semi crowded as well.
Here's a pic of the new plane, viewing from the lounge
I headed to the gate C52 at about T-40, and luckily the standby request was cleared! With a brand new boarding pass. I hopped on the jetbridge and took the left turn after entering the brand new aircraft.
The cabin felt pretty spacious, mostly due to it being brighter and bigger windows. Though there are overhead bins in the middle
The cabin is arranged in 8 rows of 4, though there is no 8D/G, so this makes it total of 30 seats in J. Load was full 30/30, with one seat taken by who appeared to be a crew member
Unfortunately no PDB were offered for either myself or my travel companion... not sure if this was because we got onboard a bit late. Not a big deal for me though
Menu was distributed prior to takeoff and we had our meal choices
Noise cancelling headphones were handed out after take off (they were collected just prior to landing)
At about 90 minutes after take off, meal service started with beverages and warm nuts
Salad
Salmon
Fruits and ice cream
View of the cabin from my seat
View of the seat in flat position, I don't think it actually goes 180 though, the head part is in a slight recline, not sure if you can tell from this photo. I observed the same on the 788 as well.
Massage function is same as the 788
Don't think I saw the ambient lighting in the footwell and privacy screen on 788, is this new on the 789?
The seats have excellent privacy, you will not see the person next to you. Though this could be an issue if you are traveling in pairs, you have to stand up a bit to see and talk to each other. Funny how when I boarded, the FA told me this is a new aircraft, and we could lower the privacy screen if we wanted. I knew this is not possible on the 788. But later on, I found out that the FA was wrong, and there's no way to lower this
The remote is slightly different than what's on the 788, but I didn't notice anything different functionality-wise
Another noticeable difference is that 1A and 1K now have 2 windows instead of 3, as you can see from this photo
Some more shots of the cabin
We had an early arrival into YYZ, my bag was one of the first to came out thanks to the priority tag.
Random tip if you are looking for a Rimowa luggage. I got mine in France at this place called La Baggagerie, and I thought it was a pretty good deal. This is a 30inch topas, and it was originally 850 Euro, but they offered a 10% discount, along with a 12% VAT refund, it came out to around 1000CAD all in. Compared to $1250 plus tax for what you will pay if you buy in Canada, I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Hope you enjoyed it, let me know for any questions!
I had a trip coming up from YVR-YYZ, and I see that the brand new 787-9 would be delivered to AC in July, and scheduled as AC100 and AC169 during the month of August.
http://airlineroute.net/2015/02/08/ac-789-s15update1/
With excitements, I booked a one way on Aeroplan J seat on AC100 in early March for traveling on Aug 31, YVR-YYZ. Had not given it much of a thought until about a few weeks out, then I found out the 789 got swapped to AC102 instead! AC100 is now a A321. Totally did not want to get on the big recliner instead of the lie-flat 789 seats, I searched for availabilities to change my ticket, but nothing good came up.
Ok, I'll just arrive an hour early and hope for a standby.
Then about 2 days out, I checked the schedule and found out it was actually AC1173 that's going to take me back to Toronto, and it was departing at 10AM! Determined to get on it, I arrived at airport just before 9 and asked to be put on the standby list.
Didn't take any pictures of the lounge as I'm sure there have been enough of that, it was semi crowded as well.
Here's a pic of the new plane, viewing from the lounge
I headed to the gate C52 at about T-40, and luckily the standby request was cleared! With a brand new boarding pass. I hopped on the jetbridge and took the left turn after entering the brand new aircraft.
The cabin felt pretty spacious, mostly due to it being brighter and bigger windows. Though there are overhead bins in the middle
The cabin is arranged in 8 rows of 4, though there is no 8D/G, so this makes it total of 30 seats in J. Load was full 30/30, with one seat taken by who appeared to be a crew member
Unfortunately no PDB were offered for either myself or my travel companion... not sure if this was because we got onboard a bit late. Not a big deal for me though
Menu was distributed prior to takeoff and we had our meal choices
Noise cancelling headphones were handed out after take off (they were collected just prior to landing)
At about 90 minutes after take off, meal service started with beverages and warm nuts
Salad
Salmon
Fruits and ice cream
View of the cabin from my seat
View of the seat in flat position, I don't think it actually goes 180 though, the head part is in a slight recline, not sure if you can tell from this photo. I observed the same on the 788 as well.
Massage function is same as the 788
Don't think I saw the ambient lighting in the footwell and privacy screen on 788, is this new on the 789?
The seats have excellent privacy, you will not see the person next to you. Though this could be an issue if you are traveling in pairs, you have to stand up a bit to see and talk to each other. Funny how when I boarded, the FA told me this is a new aircraft, and we could lower the privacy screen if we wanted. I knew this is not possible on the 788. But later on, I found out that the FA was wrong, and there's no way to lower this
The remote is slightly different than what's on the 788, but I didn't notice anything different functionality-wise
Another noticeable difference is that 1A and 1K now have 2 windows instead of 3, as you can see from this photo
Some more shots of the cabin
We had an early arrival into YYZ, my bag was one of the first to came out thanks to the priority tag.
Random tip if you are looking for a Rimowa luggage. I got mine in France at this place called La Baggagerie, and I thought it was a pretty good deal. This is a 30inch topas, and it was originally 850 Euro, but they offered a 10% discount, along with a 12% VAT refund, it came out to around 1000CAD all in. Compared to $1250 plus tax for what you will pay if you buy in Canada, I thought it was a pretty good deal.
Hope you enjoyed it, let me know for any questions!
Sep 9, 2015, 11:48 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2014
Location: sqrt(-united states of apologist)
Programs: *$ Green
Posts: 5,403
Nice report!
Two questions:
1. How is the remote different? I can't get my head around what is different on it.
2. The middle bins. I know on the 788 there are NO middle bins, but the crew rest appears to stop right after row 3. Does the 789 have middle bins that start on row 4?
Side note: dat a$$ looks in tip top shape
Two questions:
1. How is the remote different? I can't get my head around what is different on it.
2. The middle bins. I know on the 788 there are NO middle bins, but the crew rest appears to stop right after row 3. Does the 789 have middle bins that start on row 4?
Side note: dat a$$ looks in tip top shape
Sep 9, 2015, 2:07 pm
#10
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG/Marriott Plat, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 159
Nice report!
Two questions:
1. How is the remote different? I can't get my head around what is different on it.
2. The middle bins. I know on the 788 there are NO middle bins, but the crew rest appears to stop right after row 3. Does the 789 have middle bins that start on row 4?
Side note: dat a$$ looks in tip top shape
Two questions:
1. How is the remote different? I can't get my head around what is different on it.
2. The middle bins. I know on the 788 there are NO middle bins, but the crew rest appears to stop right after row 3. Does the 789 have middle bins that start on row 4?
Side note: dat a$$ looks in tip top shape
It is only slightly different.
This is the one I found online, for 788
This is the one one 789
A few differences:
There is now a power button (on top of the XYAB buttons) that you can turn off the screen, I remember trying very hard to turn off the screen on 788 but couldn't do so
There's a button on top of the directional keys, i didn't get a chance to test what it does
When you hold the remote upright, there are 2 buttons where your index finger would be, for the L and R buttons, like playstation or xbox remote. On the 789, there is only one on the right. This is good because I find whenever I'm putting the remote back to its holder, i could accidentally press either the L key by accident.
You can now adjust volume on the remote, instead of reaching over to the screen
I actually didn't pay attention to the middle bins in front of row 4. Now that I look through the pics, you may be right. The bins probably start somewhere after row 4, I was seated in 5D, and I was sure the pax in 4D stored her bag in the bin on top of the seat.
Sep 9, 2015, 2:11 pm
#11
Original Poster
Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: YYZ
Programs: SPG/Marriott Plat, Fairmont Plat
Posts: 159
Jun 1, 2016, 11:49 pm
#13
Join Date: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,224
I'm seated in 4K for my DXB-YYZ flight in March. Would you happen to know if this seat has 2 windows, or only 1?
I've noticed from the outside of the plane that there is a missing window somewhere around row 5 or 4.
I've noticed from the outside of the plane that there is a missing window somewhere around row 5 or 4.
Last edited by joer1212; Jun 2, 2016 at 11:04 am