Airline review: Premium economy for 14 hours across the Pacific

Air Canada premium economy seats.

ROUTE

Flight AC34 Sydney to Vancouver

AIRCRAFT

Boeing 777-200LR

LOYALTY SCHEME

Aeroplan, with points also earned from other Star Alliance airline programs.

CLASS

Premium economy seat, 14K

DURATION

14 hours, 30 minutes

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CARBON EMISSIONS

2.42 tons. Air Canada provides carbon offsetting facilities for passengers in partnership with Canadian company Less Emissions (see www.less.ca)

FREQUENCY

Air Canada flies daily from Sydney to Vancouver.

HEALTH

Passengers are required to wear masks. We were given a kit containing sanitiser and spare masks, along with the amenities. Please note that some arriving passengers may be selected for a random COVID-19 test upon arrival, and will be notified by email of the procedure.

CHECK

At the entrance to the check-in desk there is a preliminary check of passengers’ COVID era documents – so have a printout/screenshot of your International Vaccine Certificate, Canadian-issued ETA and ArriveCAN app ready. Beyond this point there is a special counter for premium economy class passengers. The staff are efficient and cheerful, so impressive that I arrived at 5.30am, four hours before the flight departure time.

SEAT

Premium economy seats are arranged in a 2-4-2 formation on this Boeing 777. This class has only three rows, with bulkheads in front and behind. My chair is 51cm (20 inches) wide and 94cm (37 inches) high. Due to the improved armrests, the seat feels a little comfortable, although there is plenty of shoulder room. It’s also very firm. In comparison, the economy seats on this aircraft are arranged 10-cross with a seat width of 43cm (17 inches) and a height of 79cm (31 inches), so premium economy class offers more personal space; although my area still feels limited when the front passenger reclines their seat completely.

LUGGAGE

Checked baggage is up to two bags weighing 23kg each. For cabin baggage, you can bring one carry-on bag and one personal item.

ENTERTAINMENT

Good onboard entertainment options, with latest releases like Pizza Licorice and Belfastand TV shows ranging from science fiction series Eleven Station to costume drama Golden Age (I watched recently Matrix film sequels and regretted it, but passed the time). Audio entertainment covers a wide variety of music genres, along with audiobooks and podcasts. In-flight Wi-Fi is available for a fee, at various speeds and durations, from $C8.75 for an hour of light browsing, to $C30.75 for an all-flight ticket at speeds that support streaming. There is also an option that lasts all day, and is extended to other Air Canada flights.

SERVE

The service is similar to business class, efficient and attentive. The crew quickly introduced themselves at the start of the flight and offered a welcome drink. Throughout the flight, they deliver food and answer questions quickly and positively.

FOOD

The first meal of the flight is an early lunch, with a choice of stir-fried chicken with hokkien noodles or hickory pork soup with mashed potatoes. The chicken is impressive, hot and flavorful. Dessert was caramel slush slices. Food is served on cutlery with metal cutlery, which is always appreciated, and with glasses for drinks. I ordered a glass of bubbly and toasted quietly the return of long-distance travel after the lean years of the pandemic. Mid-flight we had a chicken caesar wrap and cake. Prior to our early morning arrival in Vancouver, we enjoyed the breakfast options (though we went back to plastic utensils and utensils for some reason): savory options with eggs and sausage, or waffles with strawberry compote.

ONE MORE THING

The main advantage of taking Air Canada to Vancouver is the one-stop-shop nature of the trip, avoiding having to go through customs at a US airport before boarding a flight to Canada. Onward transfers from Vancouver to other Canadian cities are very easy.

INdictment

A relatively convenient way to cross the Pacific and boost the economy.

OUR RANKING OF FIVE

★★★ ½

Tim Richards traveled on Destination Canada clearance and received an upgrade from Air Canada.

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