Flight Review: Air Canada Business Class Review, LHR to YYZ
Introduction
Oh Canada! I’ve been keen on flying with Air Canada for a while now, and got the chance to fly with them on my way to Boston to give a talk at Harvard and MIT University for work. Leaving from London Heathrow has a ton of choices for business class, and while impressive with choices, the prices are sadly not. However, I was fortunate to lock in a rate that made for a great booking from London to Boston, and thus I booked Air Canada Business Class flight from London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) on a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.
Air Canada operates long-haul service from London Heathrow (LHR) to Toronto Pearson (YYZ) using the Boeing 787‑9 Dreamliner on select schedules. The route connects a major European gateway to Canada’s largest hub, offering daily or near-daily frequencies with a flight time typically around 7 to 8 hours depending on winds. Overall, Air Canada’s 787‑9 Business Class on LHR–YYZ aims to combine private, restful seating with business‑class dining and service suited to transatlantic travel.
Check-in and Lounge
Check-in at Heathrow Terminal 2 was efficient in the early morning, with a dedicated counter for Business Class passengers that made the process smooth and straightforward. The whole procedure took about ten minutes, after which I was directed to the Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge — only to find it closed at that time. I instead made my way to the Singapore Airlines SilverKris Lounge, which I felt offered a superior experience and seemed the better choice between the two.
If you do have a chance to visit the Air Canada lounge, it is located near gate B34 and provides a variety of seating options, from dining tables to comfortable armchairs suited to both work and relaxation. Food choices include hot buffet items such as pasta and roasted vegetables, alongside cold selections like salads and sandwiches. The beverage selection is similarly broad, featuring a range of alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks to suit different tastes.
Hopefully I’ll get an opportunity to review the Air Canada lounge in the future. Boarding began approximately forty-five minutes before the scheduled departure time; Business Class passengers and Air Canada elite status holders were invited to board first. The boarding process was orderly, and I was welcomed at the aircraft door by a flight attendant who courteously escorted me to my seat.
Business Class Seat
Air Canada's 787-9 features a 1-2-1 reverse herringbone configuration in Business Class, marketed as their Signature Class. There are 30 seats in total, spread across 8 rows (there is no row 1). Onboard amenities emphasize comfort for transatlantic travel: advanced cabin pressurization and humidity, reduced noise, larger windows, and improved lighting for better rest and jet‑lag mitigation.
My seat, 11K was a window seat on the right side of the aircraft. The seat converts into a fully-flat bed measuring 80 inches in length and 21 inches in width. The seat controls are intuitive, with preset positions for takeoff/landing, lounging, and sleeping. Storage options include a small cubby near the floor suitable for shoes, a literature pocket, and a larger compartment next to the seat that can accommodate a laptop or tablet. A universal power outlet and USB port are conveniently located next to the seat.
The 18-inch touchscreen in-flight entertainment system is fixed, meaning it's viewable even during takeoff and landing. However, its distance from the seat means it can be a stretch to operate by touch, especially when in bed mode. The entertainment system offers a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music, and games. The interface is responsive and easy to navigate. Noise-cancelling headphones are provided, though their quality is average – frequent flyers might prefer to bring their own.
Wi-Fi is available on board, with various packages offered. I opted for the full-flight package, priced at CAD 21.50. Speeds were sufficient for email and light browsing, but not ideal for streaming or large downloads.
Amenity Kit
The amenity kit is provided in a hard-case Acqua Di Parma branded bag in their signature yellow color. The products are of high quality, as expected from a luxury brand like Acqua Di Parma. Contents include:
Acqua Di Parma body lotion (40ml)
Acqua Di Parma lip balm
Toothbrush and toothpaste
Eyemask
Socks
Earplugs
Food and Beverages
Food and beverage on the Air Canada business-class flight from LHR to YYZ was solidly serviceable but nothing special. Compared to its Asian and Middle East counterparts, it is hard to give this a high score when compared to the amazing set features that its competitors provide. Nevertheless, food was still decent, and the drinks were great.
Because I was in a rush from working during the flight, I totally forgot to take pictures. Breakfast consisted of pancakes and scrambled eggs with chicken sausage, accompanied by Canadian maple syrup — comforting and straightforward, if not particularly inspired or adventurous. Closer to landing, lunch featured a roasted chicken thigh with chermoula; well‑cooked and pleasantly seasoned in a restrained way, though it didn’t push any culinary boundaries or leave a lasting impression. Overall the offerings were decent and satisfying for travel, reliably filling but not especially memorable.
Cabin Service
The cabin crew comprised four attendants serving the 30 Business Class seats. Service was generally attentive and professional, though it tended to be more efficient than warmly personalized. Pre-departure beverages — a choice of water, orange juice, or champagne — were offered promptly after boarding. The purser made a point of coming through the cabin to introduce herself and to explain the menu in clear detail. During the meal service, drinks were refilled without prompting and plates were cleared promptly and efficiently. Between meal services, however, the crew's presence in the cabin was limited and relatively unobtrusive. When the call button was used, it was answered within a reasonable timeframe. Overall, I’d describe the service as solidly professional, if not particularly remarkable.
Curated for Class?
Air Canada's Business Class offers a solid product for transatlantic travel. The hard product (seat, IFE) is competitive, while the soft product (food and service) is good but leaves room for improvement. For the price point,I would definitely fly with Air Canada given how comfortable and relaxing their hard product is, along with the fact they keep the temperature cold, which is greatly appreciated. Perhaps areas for improvement could include more attentive and personalized service, and perhaps an upgrade to the quality of the main course offerings. In short, Air Canada business class is a comfortable way to cross the Atlantic with direct aisle access and a fully-flat bed, but nothing that would warrant a memorable or exciting moment.
Curated for Class Final Score | 28.5/40
Air Canada Business Class is similar to a Lexus ES300, it gets the job done remarkably boring. Great for the price, but compared to its counterparts, I’m okay with it.
Ambiance: 7/10
Seating: 7.5/10
Food & Beverage: 7/10
Cabin Service: 7/10