In today’s flight review, we return to Canada to try out Air Canada’s business class service on board their short flight from Alberta’s capital Edmonton, to Vancouver in British Columbia. This is often the sort of flight you’d make before connecting to the late night service back to Australia, however I opted to spend 24 hours in Vancouver before continuing back to Sydney. You can read more about that experience HERE. But for now, let’s board our flight…
Airline: Air Canada
Route: Edmonton to Vancouver
Seat: 1A (Window, 1-2 Layout, Business Class)
Aircraft: Embraer 190
Scheduled Flight Time: 1 hour 35 minute flight gate to gate, 1 hour 18 minutes in the air.
On Schedule? Yes
Frequent Flyer Program:
Air Canada’s Frequent Flyer Program is called Altitude. They are also part of the Star Alliance Network, meaning you can get points and status credits for most other airline rewards programs on the network, if you’re not an Altitude member.
Lounge Access:
Flying Business Class would normally get you access to the airport’s Maple Leaf Lounge, however as this was an upgrade confirmed at the gate, I wasn’t afforded such a luxury.
About your departure airport, Edmonton International Airport:
It’s a small airport in Edmonton, with a quick and easy process through security. From the time you depart your taxi, you’ll be at your gate within a half hour. With that in mind, this is a rare airport where they only recommend you arrive just 90 minutes before an international flight (you’ll rarely see below 2 hours, and many recommend 3). And in spite of their size, they surprisingly have a wide variety of international non-stops from Edmonton to destinations like London, Reykjavik, Amsterdam, Cancun and more. Just keep in mind it can take up to an hour to get to the airport from downtown Edmonton, so plan accordingly. Without traffic you can do it in 30. There’s free wi-fi at the airport, which easy to use and access.
Meal Service:
It’s a small flight in the middle of the afternoon, so they’re just serving a small meal. We enjoy a cheese and fruit plate with nuts and a drink service shortly after takeoff. The cheese seems freshly cut and it’s more than enough for the hour long flight.
In-Flight Entertainment:
There are TVs for every seat, though as I was sitting at the front of the plane, I had a bit of distance between myself and the TV – so the remote was in the seat’s armrest, rather than on the TV itself, as would often be the case. They have an impressive selection of TV and Film programming – though you won’t get through much on a short flight like this.
Comfort:
Seat pitch is limited, even in Business Class, but it’s a small plane and a very short flight. The seats are more than comfortable for the duration. I have no one seated next to me as it’s a 1-2 layout.
Service:
Air Canada are a great airline, and their service is always regarded pretty highly. I definitely had that experience on this flight, greeted with a hot towel and a drink not long after I sat down, with attentive staff both on ground at the airport and in the short time we were in the air.
To book yourself a flight with Air Canada, head to their official website.
The writer travelled as a guest of Destination Canada and Air Canada.
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