Trip Report: Air Canada Premium Economy 787 Vancouver to Sydney

Full review at lux-traveller.com/2022/aircan...
Join me as I take Air Canada Premium Economy on the Boeing 787 from Vancouver to Sydney.
You might think that Premium is the best way of flying on one of the longest of long routes, from Canada to Australia.
However, there is little Premium about Premium Economy on Air Canada. Food is basic, wine is the same as you get in economy, and effectively you are just paying more, for a slightly bigger seat.
A full review including the Air Canada Lounge at Vancouver.
Vancouver Steam Clock 0:34
AC Lounge Vancouver 2:16
Seat Premium Economy 4:35
Takeoff 5:48
Dinner 7:46
Snacks 9:35
Breakfast 11:35
Landing 14:40

[@rjhatch]

I do love your reviews, so entertaining!

[@cincinatti_matt21]

Great review - always fun to watch🙌

[@Tellyawhat4]

Love your presentation style and bits of humour. I'm flying AC Sydney to YVR in Premium in August and was told today by an AC rep whom I was finally able reach after months of trying..my God, that in itself was an achievement...that the food in Premium is the same as that served in Business. We shall see, and I'll remind the crew of this conversation if need be. Not holding my breath. The reviews I've read across the board are harrowing at best. Such a shame for a national air carrier you'd think would be world class and a noble ambassador for a beautiful country like Canada!

[@pritamkoli]

Nice coverage

[@peteranson4021]

Flew Melbourne to Vancouver on Air Canada premium economy a few years ago and this review covered it pretty well. It was nice to have a bit more space but my biggest grumble was the lack of any sort of footrest. We ended up using my back pack as a footrest, hardly ideal. Some sort of leg or foot rest, which I think Emirates premium economy does have, would have made seating more comfortable and sleeping possible. I also was very disappointed with the lack of a choice of wine.

[@riffgroove]

The vast majority of reviews I've seen state that you should be expecting a step up from economy, not a step down from business class.

[@tjk6220]

For trips under 6 hours its definitely not worth the extra money over economy. I took Y class from YUL to LHR last year on AC (787) and yes the seats were narrow but I paid extra for the bulkhead. The food was decent and the wine was free for the taking up in the galley but was limited to lower price point reds couple reds and whites.

[@dianepayne480]

Flying to Sydney from Ottawa to Vancouver mid-January. Hoping for better service than what has been experienced you and others here.

[@lindseyrea9237]

We had 3 flights on Air Canada in September/October. Very disappointing. We had flown Heathrow to Vancouver on Air Canada Economy Class 4 years ago and enjoyed the flight. This time we flew 1 domestic flight and 2 international flights, including a repeat of the Heathrow to YVR and were not impressed. The boarding system is chaotic, one of the flights was delayed 2 hours, the food was lackluster and the crew were noticeable mainly by their absence. The inflight entertainment was mediocre, and on one flight - even though we had booked together, my partner and I were seated in different rows.

[@gunvaldsandhaland7757]

I Have not fly Air Canada Premium .I Have fly allot Primium Economy Comfort whit KLM.Great work

[@elsahelgason6609]

My husband’s last flight was one ways to Canada for me in business and first class.

[@alisoncaswell4152]

Hmmm. After watching this, it’s making me feel a bit of trepidation at the flight I’ll be taking in August. Flying premium economy with AC from BNE to YVR to Toronto, to Edinburgh. Hopefully AC are taking note of these semi-negative reviews and will make some changes for the better. Won’t hold my breath though. As long as I get to my final destination safely, can’t cask for more.

[@ricardosam8050]

Great viewing I never flew on such long long flight before, I love to try it out , tell how u heard about these flight?

[@elsahelgason6609]

If my husband’s that I’m not worrying about him to fly; because he will enjoy all those fly; until he missing me to not good health; then he will wants to be back with me. He always left me the message where’s he is and how he feels; but he couldn’t did it to muse him nit comfortable; plus I without the sleeping medication made him worry as well.

[@jmaklary]

How did you like bulkhead vs other rows in premium economy? I am solo and like a window and usually go for bulk head as it easier to get out of the seat and over the other person on a long-haul flight for the bathroom? But it seems to be suggested to not do bulkhead on Air Canada 787.

[@loungeindex]

I much prefer them, and I can't understand why some people dislike the bulkheads. Sure, you don't have a leg rest, but you do have the advantage of being able to get out of the seat whenever you need to.

[@kevinclark2864]

It would be nice to get premium food, snacks, etc., but to be honest, I'm paying the extra $$$ to wedge my more-than-ample backside into a wider seat and have a couple more inches of legroom.

[@seastheday956]

Taking this to Brisbane, bulkhead PC. How was foot rest? Did the pullout screen take up more seat space?

[@loungeindex]

The pullout screen takes up a tiny bit more space - but it is vastly better as you don't have someone reclining their seat into you, and you can just about get out of the window seat without disturbing the person next to you.

[@marilynjune8084]

Interesting that gold Velocity didnt get you into the Maple lounge. Has that changed in the last year? I was reading that Velocity gold and platinum do have access to the Maple lounge

[@loungeindex]

Sadly many staff at Air Canada don't know about Velocity, and it's easier to just give a blank no than look it up!

[@michaelmoonitz8211]

Well, after all that, no opinion if it is worth the money? 16:52

[@scottyhillistravels]

Another good review, it certainly looks like I won't be flying with these guys!

[@elsahelgason6609]

It’s not you wanted me to found him that I wouldn’t do it, because h will found me as normal.

[@brucecanmore3788]

Most Air New Zealand reviews look like a better quality product and meals. ANZ are also pricier.

[@Mona_Liso]

No choice for me they’re the only nonstop flight from Toronto to Tokyo 😢

[@user-ur2jy8fh8n]

my last ac business class flight to tokyo was disappointing. the food was mediocre at best and the service was shit at best

[@ht3737]

few explanation about seat! comfortable or not? sleep well or not? why don’t you point out ?

[@loungeindex]

It's OK, but really not the best. Far better than economy, but the seat is quite dated, and really just offers you a little more space. Full details, and many more images of the seat, in the written review: lux-traveller.com/2022/aircanada-787-vancouver-sydney-premiumeconomy.htm

[@ht3737]

@@loungeindex very thanks!

[@TheVaughan5]

Thanks for the upload. What a difference from Canadian Airlines (now defunct) that I used from Vancouver to Sydney some years ago. The service and food was excellent, couldn’t praise them enough. Ok I was in Business class, no premium economy in those days, It seems Air Canada seldom gets a good review so they are obviously one to avoid if possible.

[@101514106]

Really miss CP Air / Canadian Airlines Intl - their inflight service was terrific esp in First and Business. They should have survived instead of AC.

[@beverleyreid6587]

North America Air Canada Jazz

[@mdmattmann]

Seems to me you boarded the aircraft knowing you were going to dislike the flight!

[@elsahelgason6609]

Because you are not with me and I don’t know when I can leave Canada until you comes.

[@thebalmaintigers]

You have a good sense of humour lol

[@elsahelgason6609]

No. That’s he is.

[@ryanlister4722]

I would like to fly with JAL or ANA from Sydney to Athens soon. I know both have full seat beds. Are you squeezed in here? On the think ANA is moving to Reverse Herringbones in business. Are there amusing order Sydney Europe travellers who a re want tired of being treated

[@elsahelgason6609]

Me is tired and without sleep right now and my shower’s! I had to found you first.

[@Scope951]

Thanks for sharing. Air Canada is a joke compared to other carriers... I will be saving my money!

[@Eliminater_the_robot]

If you got an issue use a tiusse

[@jamessayers4046]

have to say air canada's offering looks quite dated, much better premium economy offering on air new zealand, business class food, noise cancelling headsets, all with great crew

[@elsahelgason6609]

He will looking after all that before me.

[@evansbezil7450]

I’d demand a partial refund for such a dreadful flight. Just the difference of what’s paid for premium economy and what would have been paid for economy. Because you might as well have flown in economy

[@kiz5562]

is the extra legroom worth it? Im thinking of doing this syd-yvr in a few months. Or i might just use qantas instead

[@clonSanG]

Has to be one of the worst airlines I’ve ever flown with you were lucky with what you got looks dated like all their aircraft set ups .staff need retraining as a whole and start with the top down wouldn’t be pushed to us then again tbh

[@under_score0]

this aircraft is not anything near dated. if you expect airlines to refresh their entire cabin every year, you’d need the entire united states defense budget 😂 this aircraft in particular is still fairly new and not even a decade old. sydney or brisbane are trips where many flight attendants tend to be more seniors (more hours flown) as the layover is alot longer at 4 days. This could probably explain anything relating to how staff treat you because from what ive seen, younger flight attendants nowadays do alot better at taking care of you.

[@lilianedasilveira6374]

You said all!

[@joe_peth2538]

Not worth it if it's Air Canada. The worst service.

[@elsahelgason6609]

As long as with my husband that I don’t care where’s I’m going.

[@kiz5562]

if you want to fly around Canadian cities, they are usually the only option to take. Im probably gonna do qantas, when I go syd-yvr later this yr

[@123malichi]

Horrible airline Horrible Crew.I avoid.