Flying Air Canada's FLAGSHIP! High Density 777-300ER Toronto to Calgary

The 777-300ER first joined Air Canada’s fleet in 2007, and they now fly 19 of Boeing’s largest twin-jet that’s currently in service.
Air Canada mainly uses these on their busier international routes out of Toronto, Vancouver and Montreal, but you can also find them on the occasional domestic flight too.
See what I thought of this domestic Triple Seven flight on one of Air Canada's high-density 450-seaters!
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FLIGHT INFORMATION
Airline: Air Canada (ACA/AC)
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (B77W)
Flight Number: AC135
Seat: 20K
Livery: New (2017)
Engines: 2x GE90-115B
Registration: C-FJZS
Route: Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) - Calgary (YYC)
Flight Time: 3 hours 50 minutes
Callsign: AIR CANADA 135 heavy
Runway used: 05 (YYZ) - 35R (YYC)
Date filmed: January 2020
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Outro song: "Take Flight" by Nyhtian: • Nyhtian - Take Flight ...
© Alex Praglowski Aviation 2020
This video is the property of Alex Praglowski Aviation and may not be used for any purpose without prior permission. Contact me at the email in the "About" section of my channel for usage.

[@singingbeaker]

It brings up a story I had flying AC's 777s. So in December of last year I was flying from YYZ to Shanghai on a 15 hour flight. It was all well and good until we were flying over Hudson's Bay when the captain went made a casual announcement "because our plane has a issue with the nav system that doesn't allow us to cross the north pole so we have to turn back." So that 15 hour trip turned into a 20 hour one not taking account of the waiting time. The only saving grace of this trip was that our replacement was a 773 instead of the usual 772lr used on the route so I had an empty preferred seat to stretch out in. Flying in the new cabin isn't as bad as some people make it, but I guess I'm just an average frame.

[@thatweirdguy21]

You got to love those GE-90's!!!

[@DJSbros]

It's even better outside on the ramp.

[@ChrisZoomER]

Definitely!

[@TyNovakAviation]

@@DJSbros YESSS!

[@ottawaemergencyvideography]

Yesssss!!!

[@ottawaemergencyvideography]

@@DJSbros yep!!

[@craigfed8883]

Not only is the GE90 startup an amazing sound, the reflection of the 777 off of it on takeoff is great too!

[@_mxrtiin]

Just noticed that you can see the gears retracting if you look at the engine cowling, to the right of the maple leaf at 4:19. Pretty cool!

[@jesse00pno]

MxrtiinWRLD Thanks for posting that! I enjoyed going back to see that!

[@laihongyan9304]

True

[@AdrenalineLegends]

where?

[@muscleandimports]

Air Canada's livery is hands-down the best in my opinion! The 777s & 737s in that scheme are absolutely beautiful.

[@johnoke1206]

Was supposed to fly on these in July and August from YYZ to LHR and FCO to YYZ

[@laihongyan9304]

I love the sound of the engine when landing and takeoff

[@anthonysheppard5116]

I despise the 10 abreast 777's. I've flown on the 9 abreast Singapore 773's, the old Air New Zealand 777-200ER before it was reconfigured to 10 abreast and the Air New Zealand 773 with 10 abreast. Much prefer 9 abreast as there is far more shoulder room and the service carts aren't always smashing into passengers shoulders and elbows in the aisle seats, and I'm only an average sized male!

[@davisbyer4791]

Yup the 3-4-3 for anything more than a couple hours is unconscionable. Brutal money grab by airlines worldwide. Same as the 787, it was actually designed for 2-4-2 and then every airline except JAL added the extra seat.

[@aseem7w9]

Air New Zealand never had 773, only 77W.

[@MileHigh_Aviation]

Those engines those 🤩

[@GermanKorb]

The sound of GE-90 is fantastic!

[@ngrqham]

OMG I love that GE90 startup and take off sounds. Oh how I love aviation!!

[@jonnyka9319]

Great flight report as always. The 777 looks marvelous in Air Canada colors.

[@msfsaddict9632]

I remember the days flying Air Canada’s 777-300ER from CYYZ-SBGR when they still used it. Since then it’s been replaced by the 787, so it was pretty cool to fly while I could.

[@nateleech3887]

I hope to see the max back soon! I really think that it is a wonderful aircraft and the test flights went well this past week. Great vid and happy flying Alex!

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Agreed! It just seems a touchy topic for KZbin monetization.

[@nenblom]

Gotta love the engine sound of that 777 taking off!! Thanks for the trip report!! I subscribed!!

[@DOMINICAAVIATION]

Simply amazing. Great video and a huge thumbs up for this report

[@AviatorGamer]

That landing was amazing

[@kevinblack16]

mentioning the max gets demonetized? crazy.

[@Matthew_B]

kevinblack16 Really?

[@lonistewart3405]

Listening to the run-up. I was driving by a 777 that had just been pushed back. I knew what was coming up next. Engine start! I love the sound so I sat there in my little car listening and I was safely off to the side and a bit back. While I was enjoying the sound my little car started rocking! Time to move on! Such fun!

[@nateye2450]

I know I’m a year late, but the automotive enthusiast in me can’t not ask, what was this little car?

[@lonistewart3405]

@@nateye2450 Oh, the little Ford Focus wagon we used for the library in YYZ many years ago.

[@nateye2450]

@@lonistewart3405 cool, My grandma had a ‘01 focus wagon for 16 years, she loved it

[@wongavery1698]

I used to fly the 777-300ER regularly between YVR and HKG, before the 787-9s replaced them on the route. While I normally fly Premium Economy for the miles, I did fly in their High Density Economy seats for quite a bit. The seats are a bit narrow, but being a relatively small 5'8 guy, it wasn't that big a difference for me, compared to Cathay's 9-abreast seats on the same route (Cathay has since also refitted 10-abreast seats on their 777s). I would note that AC seats while narrower were better cushioned and offered more support compared to Cathay. Considering how AC is usually a few hundred dollars cheaper than Cathay, I still pick AC over CX.

[@heyitsajmartinez]

Just don't pick delta o gosh no

[@nickkarvelas4082]

Your videos are the best around !!!!

[@robyoungquist5803]

Bless your heart Alex for flying economy. I’m 6’ and will only fly upfront. But that’s how I choose to spend my disposable income. If I were in your league (height), aviation enthusiast nor not, I wouldn’t contort my body into that sardine can. I do enjoy your presentations. Keep up the great work 👍🏻

[@carlhaluss]

I am with you here! As I'm retired, I don't have a lot of disposable income. Not a complaint, just an observation. Nevertheless, I will never travel international unless I have the funds for Economy+ or Business. Of course, as a child of the 50s and 60s I suppose I am very spoiled as far as travelling in comfort goes!:)

[@RJ-luci]

Throughly enjoyed this video! Smooth camera work with attention to detail.

[@donnayhz3568]

Love this view of Toronto. Back in November I flew from Halifax to Toronto and we were treated to this view coming in and I wasn't lucky enough to have the window seat so I couldn't get a photo!

[@press2701]

Love the quiet landing with 777, all brakes, no scream of reverse thrust in 737. United domestic flights have terrible legroom as well. I always pay 50-80$ for 'economy plus'. At least before the new world that awaits post-virus.... thanks for the vid!

[@aminushki]

Love your videos

[@katpis9121]

Oh yea great vid Alex!!! Shows my city on that map “North Bay” at 9:03 👍👍👍

[@FinnTheCanadian]

Awesome video

[@user-il2gm6md4y]

I remember all 777 were 3-3-3 configuration before. It was great !! not so much now.

[@iFlyTheWorld]

Hi Alex. Greetings from Sydney, Australia. Love your reports as I haven’t managed to fly on Air Canada 🇨🇦 as yet but is on my list (one day once we can fly again). Cheers. Stephen

[@SsiolisP]

My favorite plane!

[@m-foh]

I've flown the Air Canada 777 between Toronto and Vancouver multiple times, nice video btw!

[@StarTheAvgeek]

Me too back in 2016 I flew the 777 to Vancouver from toronto

[@NicholasStroudMusic]

Ive flown yul-yyz a333 a few times, its always nice when i fly on a 333

[@thuytran5982]

i love the ge90 twins enegine

[@owengallagher1770]

777 is one of my favorite planes

[@ELMS]

Thanks Alex. I had no idea that many pax were carried on a 777.

[@thegamingaviator13]

i'm doing the 777-300ER on Calgary to Toronto in less then a month!

[@rodrigue_charpentier]

Very enjoyable trip report as always ! Air France has always had a 3-4-3 configuration on their triple seven, both 200 and 300ER, since the beginning (they were one of the launch customers of the ER variant in 2004). And it’s the backbone of their long haul fleet, they operate as far as Santiago, Chile (15 hours flight) so that’s not an Air Canada speciality I guess... Anyway greetings from Paris !

[@josephwong5755]

Thanks for another excellent video. As long as you’re not in one of the high density 777 with 398 seats in economy, the 777 is ok with 10 abreast. The legroom at 32 inches is adequate for the regular AC33-34 (YYZ-YVR-SYD) that I regularly fly (not during covid of course). I do however much prefer premium economy/ business for transpacific flights.

[@brandonaviation6010]

You should fly the inaugural flight on Air-Canada from YVR-SNA. The inaugural flight is on September 8. Flight is operated by the A319-100 non-stop

[@_HecticZ]

Man those GE90s in person are actually deafening. I put on my headphones to block them out during taxi. One of the loudest/harshest vibration sounds I've ever heard in my life. I was behind the engine mind you, in row 55.

[@ItsBergey]

Great video Alex, I’ve flown on this high density many times between Vancouver and London Heathrow. This is brutal as you mentioned, myself being a larger individual and the seat width of being only 17inches makes a 9 hour flight to Europe hell. Word of warning the exit seat rows and those behind the galley have immovable arm rests with no gap between them and the seat base due to the table storage being in the arm. I miss when they used to fly A330s on that route about 10 years ago, so much more comfortable with a 3-3-3 configuration!

[@carlhaluss]

Ha! The aircraft I miss most is the 767-200. It was such a pleasure to fly in economy class. Of course, that is 20 years ago, so I doubt comfort like that will ever return.

[@dmitripogosian5084]

They used to have 777 with 3+3+3 no that long ago as well. But my favourite configuration was 2+4+2 (A340 ? )

[@cyriluebbing22]

Nice

[@liamhosking2947]

Epic

[@reddyt1d658]

Wow, literally posted just now!

[@homestreetboyz]

Love those GE90s!

[@Bluem00n7]

Great vid 777 is my fav but gotta agree the 3 4 3 is so tight and uncomfortable

[@BabyBytheBeach]

I haven’t been on too many planes but my favourite was an embraer plane the legroom was insane and the space under the seat could fit a carryon. It was a 2-2 configuration and 2-1 in first class. I also like the big airbus i think with 2-3-2.

[@jadengerber1165]

@@BabyBytheBeach 2-3-2 would have been the 767s, the A330s are 2-4-2

[@STONES624]

very good there goes my Joinha

[@facingthewind]

7 hours in a 3-4-3 config was pretty bad on AA's 772 in my experience. Can't imagine 14+ hours on one of these things in economy.

[@StarTheAvgeek]

Cool tripreport Alex Keep up the great work

[@steveray8056]

Hi Alex, I have flown in economy on a 777, over the Atlantic, and it was not comfortable. I stand 6' 5" tall and know a little about legroom. It was bearable but became terrible when the person in front of me reclined their seat and my knees were in the way - nothing worse than having someone continually trying to push back their seat and bumping into your knees. Also, the trays don't exactly fit over your legs. I don't like the difference in price but Premium Economy is the way to go.

[@aviationproductions2663]

vey cool subbed and liked

[@ChrisZoomER]

Though coach seats are small on all planes, it doesn't feel as cramped in the coach section of larger planes especially wide-bodies than in the coach section of smaller planes especially regional airliners. When it comes to flying and all other things being equal, the bigger, the better if you agree!

[@karlossargeant3872]

For Me I haven't been on A Boeing 777 but I'll get there God's Willing!!!!!

[@paulmathews6356]

Sometimes AC flt 15 flies overhead heading to Hong Kong.Nav Canada installed a tower and get traffic overhead flights coming from Europe heading southwestern U.S.Fort Severn Ontario Canada.

[@onunkwodumebi1211]

Do widebody aircraft fly to Winnipeg

[@amtrakharry]

That was a great video ! I personally would be getting the extra leg room seat for sure on and over seas flight or maybe cough up the money for premium economy seat... I would never fly economy with Air Canada over seas!!! :(:(:( I really like the 777's but when you turn them into "Sardine Cans " no thank you...

[@dmatt3425]

Man I miss flying.....

[@Lord.Kiltridge]

I'm going to be in one of these things for 8 1/2 hours Toronto to Rome. I picked a seat way at the back left where the configuration is 2-4-2 so I can have a window but still have only one person between me and the isle. At 6'2", 230 lbs and nearly 60 years, I'm expecting to arrive sore and sleep deprived.

[@you_want_some_gamer8553]

I think I remember @ing You on Twitter when I saw this little thing.

[@romualdojoven8992]

Those economy seats really look tight if Air Canada will use on their long haul flight.

[@yourtravelswithbruce]

I would choose that omelet ANY time over those truly disgusting pancakes with gravy that AC offers.

[@attilaaszalos9714]

Is the right side wing engen OK as it seemed to. be quite smokay as the plaingot pushed back frommthe gat at deparcher? The seener during take of on the runway & during the bigining of the flight was quite nice? Wonce again the seaner in to alberta's snowy airport was quite nice & you could get a good vew of the snowy ground out the window on approch to the airports runway & during taxying to the airport terminate gat.

[@evakater7283]

hey, i heard that theres a new canadian a320 operator called jets liness.

[@andreamendes8145]

The Air Canada 10 abreast high density configuration is absolute TORTURE!!! Much worse than a ULCC!!

[@Twotter54]

Problem is competition with LCC like Norwegian or Transat has forced AC to also use high density. All about supply and demand. I usally book a premium economy for a good price.

[@ahmedshakeel5112]

You can see the plane on the engine during takeoff.

[@aviationnovice]

0:24 butter

[@darksid356]

Flew on a high density 777 a few months back and it was the 10 across config and i absolutely hated it. No shoulder room and it’s very overcrowded

[@AviatorGamer]

Wish they clean the windows 😩. Especially for Avgeeks

[@carlhaluss]

"Fairly tight" 3-4-3. Man, I can't imagine what that must be like on a full flight, say 13 or so hours from YVR-SYD. Gotta say, the best part of the video is definitely hearing those GE-90 engines! As an aside, I really wish AC would get rid of those ridiculous "raccoon" eyes at the front. I guess they are trying for some kind of sophisticated or tailored look. It just looks ridiculous. Anyway, you did a great job on the video!

[@davidberryman9688]

There is no way, and I mean ... no way that I would do a long-haul flight in the Sardine Class of that aircraft. It would be up front or I wouldn't fly at all. You couldn't pay me enough to fly in the back with that kind of configuration. Thanks for the report, that was an eye opener.

[@carlhaluss]

Yes! It means I am flying a lot less. But the comfort up front would definitely be worth the bucks. I can imagine, at least for me, it would make the whole vacation more enjoyable. I might even look forward to the return flight instead of dreading it.

[@aviay]

wait, the 737 MAX video got demonized??!!

[@Matthew_B]

Jase Nantes Yeah

[@yycaviation]

I find that funny cuz yt dosent want to have its veiwers to see a max

[@hazza836]

This aircraft flew from Vancouver to Marana, is it being retired already?

[@cadelegg6439]

Hey Alex, what happened to the 777's with the studio seating.

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Those were a short-lived experiment only on the high-density 77Ws - I think there was some backlash from business travellers so they ended up replacing them with the normal 787 pods, going from 458 seats to 450.

[@ashathakore837]

when will you make a 787-9 air canada video?

[@samguilford7395]

wait why did KZbin demonize the 737 Max video

[@thebigdog360]

Samantha Guilford Beacause it is a very sensitive topic, with the many lives lost, and KZbin knows that advertisers would not want to seem connected to the infamous aircraft. It’s quite stupid in this case though, as Alex is just making and educational and informative video about the plane, in no way promoting it. Just the way that YT’s AI works, hope that made sense.

[@Matthew_B]

thebigdog360 right

[@SalomonAviationTravel]

I have great memories watching this from a flight I took last year from YYZ-CDG! Awesome report as always :) is there a way I could ask you something through direct messaging? Thanks!

[@AlexPraglowskiAviation]

Sure, you can also find my email in the About section of my channel.

[@yiselvega759]

Please open to cuba .i need to flight to my country

[@davisbyer4791]

3-4-3 on the 777 is pretty brutal.

[@Matthew_B]

Davis Byer Yes

[@doneckford1189]

you should fly air canadas 787 from calgary to toronto

[@marcusdamberger]

I once flew a Norwegian from Gatwick to L.A., 13+ hrs, those are setup with 3-3-3 on the Dreamliner, I'm guessing high density for the Dreamliner and man was it crammed. I immediately could tell the difference in seat width form my previous flight a month earlier on a Thomas Cook Airlines A330.2-4-2 layout. That Thomas Cook flight felt so comfortable, almost luxury compared to Norwegian Dreamliner.. After discovering how comfortable I was with Thomas Cook standard economy, I wanted to fly them again to Europe, but sadly they are no more, and I guess Norwegian may face the same fate.. But I would upgrade to their premium if I ever fly with Norwegian again, those economy seats are just too narrow!

[@supertyfon1736]

Good gear view on the engine it's self.

[@sahibbolina4338]

I use noom

[@28add11]

What?

[@Matthew_B]

Game Time What

[@chromebomb]

i flew this from LAX-YYZ

[@Token_Nerd]

I'm 6' and I'll honestly gladly take this high density configured 777 over any narrow body aircraft, simply for headspace and overhead bin reasons. It's admittedly quite tight, but I genuinely cannot tell a difference between standard a321s, 737s or maxes, they're all very bad.

[@sylviaelse5086]

The runway layout is really confusing. I had to replay the take-off several times to convince myself they'd not veered away from the runway heading immediately the wheels left the ground.

[@user-xm5ty8pu1e]

Flying Air Canada!? Sorry aboit your luck..i hopelife gets better for you...

[@chunheilaw123]

Do these 450 seats 777 also used in trans-pacific flights? If do, then maybe is a hell for Economy passengers lol 😂

[@kennethbader7573]

Can someone explain why the engine open at 10:33

[@danhsail]

Reverse Thrust

[@aoqe]

what does high density mean? edit: nevermind

[@jjouney]

I flew the AC 777 from YYZ - LHR and CDG - YYZ.. The 10 abreast layout is truly horrible.. I will never fly that aircraft long haul again. It's a miserable experience, unless you're a petit frame

[@VinniChannel]

Seatguru says that seats in row 20 doesn’t have a window, but you’re in 20K… idk which seat should I take 🤯

[@NeebingEast]

Are Westjets 767’s still flying?

[@airwipe1639]

Head over to planespotters.com to see current, historical, and live fleet status for almost all airlines.

[@MGAviationNZAircraftVideos]

No

[@N0616JCProductions]

Um... is it just me thinking that Air Canada is obsessed with the A350 shade thing and is painting it across almost their entire fleet?

[@Odontomango]

Giving a 3-4-3 config on a 777 is almost inhumane. It's not wide as 747. 3-3-3 is perfect for the 777.

[@jfmezei]

Air Canada's move from the standard 9 across to 10 across on its 777s that are use for long haul makes me want to avoid Air Canada for any long haul. (the 787 is equallly narrow seats, having been designed as 8 across but when sales didn't pickup, Boeing pitched it as 9 across and sales went through the roof. Airlines want to make the coach journey as uncomfrotable as possible to push people to pay for premium economy. But the end result is that people won't want to fly unless they really have to. Would you want to do YVR-SYD on a 15 hour flight on those narrow seats with no seat pitch? BTW, I would not call it Air Canada's flagship aircraft. I'd say the 330s are now their flagship because they are still confortable in coach.

[@Patrickair4444]

Have you flown on Air Canada 747-400

[@romer1816]

They don't have any now....

[@darranhirose8153]

This airframe just went to Arizona's MZJ for storage yesterday. Sad.

[@grantmitton6346]

Alex,..What did this ticket cost you for a 4.5 Hr flight?..In Europe, a flight of that length, would serve a Meal AND Drinks,...so WHY,.. do we Canadians get charged so Much, for SO LITTLE?

[@andreforcier97]

Well, Canada has almost 40mil people, the EU had 10x plus some at 445,834,883+ million. That’s excluding the non-EU countries that are also part of Europe. I don’t think one should expect to get the same level of competition with our level of population. Also, have even flown with Ryanair or EasyJet? Ryanair has played with the idea of charging pax to use the lav! I agree with you Alex about the “High density” seating! Worst move AC has made in age (IMHO). When I’m fly with AC, I always try to get on a B767, B787 or even A330. Just a transatlantic YYZ-LHR in a full 777 is too much. I use too do the daytripper to LHR. Always a B767, then a B787. Always a better flight. 🤷‍♂️ Anyway, great work Alex! Cheers 🍻

[@JC-tb1qx]

Is this the same aircraft (Boeing )whose nose dips suddenly and goes out of control? Few flights crashed in the past and got banned? 🤔

[@saleemahmed692]

India to Canada