Air Canada Business Class Boeing 777-300ER to London – Review with seat recommendation, service and food

Thanks to a lucky error fare, we flew Air Canada Business Class on a Boeing 777-300ER from Toronto to London Heathrow in January 2017. After our last flight in the older Air Canada A330 Business Class, I was particularly curious to see how the newer cabin compared. Even during boarding, I noticed that everything seemed more modern, tidy, and of higher quality. Whether the new Executive Pod seats were truly as comfortable as Air Canada promised would be revealed that night.

Boarding in Toronto – a somewhat chaotic start

Flight AC848 was called for boarding on time, and as business class passengers, we were allowed to board first. However, the crew didn't seem quite ready for us – there was a brief moment of confusion in the cabin. They were even making repairs to the table at my seat, 1A. I took it in stride – at least it gave me enough time to photograph the empty cabin area before the rest of the passengers arrived.

The business class cabin of the Boeing 777-300ER

The cabin was divided into two sections and offered a total of 40 seats. There were seven rows at the front and three at the back – behind which lay Premium Economy. I immediately liked the tidy, quiet atmosphere.

The new Executive Pod seats are mounted in a 1-2-1 configuration, a reverse herringbone shape where passengers sit slightly turned away from the aisle. This creates significantly more privacy, and, most importantly, every passenger has direct aisle access – a real improvement over the old Classic Pod design.Our trip report from the Air Canada Airbus A330).

I like this setup: If you lean slightly towards the window, you have your own little world – ideal for a night flight across the Atlantic.

Which seat is the best in Air Canada Business Class?

We were seated in seats 1A and 2A in the forward cabin. The advantage: we were served dinner first. The disadvantage: proximity to the galley and the toilet – meaning a bit more movement and noise. For anyone who values peace and quiet, I would definitely recommend row 11 in the rear, smaller cabin. It's away from the service area and perfect for a restful sleep.

The Executive Pod in detail – long-distance comfort

Compared to the previous Classic Pod concept (Trip Report: Air Canada Airbus A330) in 2008, the new Executive Pod seating in Air Canada's international business class was a true quantum leap for us as customers. The new seats, based on the Rockwell Collins Diamond Seat, were introduced to Air Canada along with the Boeing 787.

Once the repairs to my desk were finished, I was able to set up my workspace. The shelf under the window with its power outlet, USB port, headphone jack, and remote control was practically ingenious – no more fumbling for connections in the dark.

The seat could be intuitively controlled via the touchscreen on the side. In addition to various adjustment options, the seat offered a massage function and pneumatic firmness adjustment in seven levels. Quick-select buttons for the seating position (e.g., sleeping) were also located to the right of the simple display.

The large table could be moved freely for eating and working, and a personal reading lamp provided focused light. After dinner, I reclined the seat – flat, 2.03 meters long, and comfortably wide. With the padded blanket and pillow, I slept better than expected. A mattress topper would have made it even more perfect.

Entertainment – large screen, no Wi-Fi

The Air Canada Business Class entertainment system is among the best I've experienced. The screen measures 45.7 cm and offers crystal-clear picture quality. It can be controlled via touchscreen as well as the hand controller, which can even be used as a second screen.

The selection of films and series was large, many with German audio tracks – I was pleasantly surprised by the interactive flight map with cockpit view. The sound quality of the distributed noise-canceling headphones was fine. However, they were only handed out after takeoff. This could also have been due to the chaos during boarding.

My only disappointment was the lack of Wi-Fi. Especially on transatlantic flights, I'm used to at least being able to check my emails. Air Canada could definitely improve this.

Service on board – from bumpy to warm

Once the initial boarding chaos subsided, the service ran smoothly. Passengers were welcomed with champagne, orange juice, or water. I naturally opted for the champagne – a night flight couldn't begin in a more stylish way.

Shortly after, the menu, amenity kit, and Fast Track voucher for London were distributed. I was particularly impressed that the flight attendant took the time to personally take our dinner and breakfast orders. From then on, the crew was attentive, friendly, and relaxed – typical Air Canada service: professional, yet pleasantly unhurried.

Food and drinks – Canadian cuisine across the Atlantic

The service began with warm nuts and a Johnnie Walker Black Label – a classic.

The starter was smoked duck breast on Waldorf salad, refined with an apple and mustard purée – a harmonious beginning. I paired it with a Chardonnay from the Niagara region, which was a wonderful match.

For my main course, I chose the grilled beef fillet with peppercorn sauce, mashed potatoes, and green asparagus. The meat was tender, the sauce rich, and the portion was just right.

To finish, there was a small selection of cheeses, followed by a dark chocolate fondant with hazelnut nougat and berry compote – a visual and gustatory highlight.

The Breakfast A classic American breakfast with scrambled eggs, bacon, and a warm blueberry muffin was served about 90 minutes before landing. Not a culinary masterpiece, but a solid start to the day. Unfortunately, the peaceful breakfast was somewhat disturbed by turbulence, making it difficult to enjoy caffeinated hot drinks.

Arrival at London Heathrow

Despite a slightly delayed departure, we landed at London Heathrow almost on time. Thanks to the Fast Track voucher, immigration was surprisingly quick, and we were soon standing in the terminal – tired, but satisfied.

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