Air Canada has jumped on the North America lie-flat seat band wagon and introduced lie-flat seats on select transcontinental flights as of March 1, 2015. Instead of reconfiguring select aircraft, Air Canada is increasing the utilization of their international configured aircraft and placing them on North American routes during typical downtime. Using their internationally equipped aircraft, passengers will enjoy the luxuries that are usually reserved for long-haul flights on select routes between Toronto and Vancouver, Calgary, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, along with Montreal and Vancouver. Depending on the route and time, the routes will be operated by A330s, B787s, B777s or B767.
The new service incurs a ~ $300 premium over typical Business class service, but offers not only lie-flat seats with all aisle access*, but a semi improved flying experience along with the spaciousness of a widebody aircraft. All transcontinental business class service includes:
*Some Air canada Boeing 777 feature forward facing seats configured in alternating 2x2x2/1x2x1
X – This is a unique feature to transcontinental business class and is not available on regular North American Business class flights.
Although the new service is great way to travel from coast to coast, notice that Air Canada isn’t adding anything special to these flights. Unlike carriers in the United States flying from the West Coast to New York, Air Canada is not enhancing meal services or offering amenity kits. In fact, all Air Canada is doing is utilizing their aircrafts during times when the planes would otherwise sit in the apron and then charging consumers an additional $300 for the lie-flat seat. This is no different than what Delta does when they fly their Boeing 777 from Atlanta to Los Angeles, or American Airlines when they fly their 767 from Miami to Dallas.
Some B777 business class seats (above)
Air Canada’s most common Business Class Pod (above & below)
Air Canada B787 Dreamliner Business class (abover and below)
Air Canada Business Class- Transcontinental Schedule
The current Air Canada Business Class Transcontinental schedule depends on the city. Remember that not all frequencies are operated by an internationally equipped aircraft and schedules may change. Here are the current flights that are operating with such aircraft
Vancouver- Toronto: 6 of 11 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 116 | Vancouver – Toronto | B787-800 |
| AC 142 | Vancouver – Toronto | B777-300 |
| AC 34 | Vancouver – Toronto | B777-300 |
| AC 180 | Vancouver – Toronto | B767-300 |
| AC 132 | Vancouver – Toronto | B787-800 |
| AC156 | Vancouver – Toronto | B777-300 |
Toronto – Vancouver: 6 of 11 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 103 | Toronto – Vancouver | B787-800 |
| AC 153 | Toronto – Vancouver | B777-300 |
| AC 161 | Toronto – Vancouver | B787-800 |
| AC 137 | Toronto – Vancouver | B777-300 |
| AC 149 | Toronto – Vancouver | B767-300/788-800 |
| AC 33 | Toronto – Vancouver | B777-300 |
Montreal – Vancouver: 1 of 4 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 195 | Montreal – Vancouver | A330-300 |
Vancouver – Montreal: 1 of 4 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 150 | Vancouver – Montreal | A330-300 |
Calgary – Toronto: 2 of 9 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 146 | Calgary – Toronto | B767-300 |
| AC 164 | Calgary – Toronto | B767-300 |
Toronto – Calgary: 2 of 9 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 117 | Toronto – Calgary | B767-300 |
| AC 145 | Toronto – Calgary | B767-300 |
San Francisco – Toronto: 1 of 3 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 756 | San Francisco – Toronto | B767-300 |
Toronto – San Francisco
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 757 | Toronto – San Francisco | B767-300 |
Los Angeles – Toronto: 1 of 4 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 792 | Los Angeles – Toronto | B767-300 |
Toronto – Los Angeles: 1 of 4 daily flights
| Flight Number | City Pair | Aircraft |
| AC 791 | Toronto – Los Angeles | B767-300 |
To ensure you are booking a flight operated by an internationally equipped aircraft, or Air Canada Business Class – Transcontinental service verses typical North American Business class, when booking, check the aircraft type and look for the wording “with lie-flat seats” when business class is selected.
Using Miles & Upgrades for Business Class Transcontinental
Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance and seats on these plans can be booked with any of Canada’s Star Alliance partners, including United. Although space is sparse, there is no premium or upcharge when booking Business Class Transcontinental with miles. Unlike when paying with cash, Air Canada is not charging additional miles for these business class seats. But traveler beware, space is extremely sparse and hard to find, as Air Canada is trying to sell these seats instead of offering them to frequent flyers. Also know, that if the aircraft is switched out or if a traveler voluntarily downgrades to a non-internationally equipped aircraft, Air Canada will refund the $300 upcharge when paid for in cash.
If using an eUpgrade to upgrade from a lower class of service, do note that Air Canada is not charging any additional certificates for Business Class Transcontinental. Travelers will be able to enjoy the extra room and lie-flat seats using eUpgrades with no additional penalties.
Overall, I am a huge fan of seeing more lie-flat seats being deployed across North America. There is nothing better then being able to completely stretch out and relax on long flights and arrive at your destination fresh and well rested. I have flown Delta’s BusinessElite Transcontinental service (now DeltaOne) and American Airlines A321T First Class from Los Angeles to New York. Although these are specially equipped aircraft instead of internationally equipped aircraft deployed on a domestic route, the service and experience beats the typical North America First/Business Class recliner seat any day! Hopefully Air Canada will continue to deploy internationally equipped aircraft on North American routes, and other carriers will follow suit! Now if only Air Canada could come up with a better name for this product!
