Experience Air Canada’s Premium Economy on the Dreamliner 787

It seemed that half the people sitting in the Air Canada Lounge at Toronto Pearson were heading on the 787-Dreamliner from Toronto to Dubai.

Dubai is a hot destination right now. It seems that everyone wants to visit the city that houses some of the tallest, most over-the-top skyscrapers on earth.

Toronto to Dubai in Premium Economy

With flights offered by Air Canada direct from Toronto to Dubai, we escaped the dreaded connection through Heathrow or New York. For our flight on the Dreamliner, we were flying premium economy to Dubai and Business Class home. This post explains what the experience is like from Toronto Pearson on Premium Economy to Dubai.

The Air Canada Lounge Toronto

If you are flying Air Canada Premium Economy, lounge access is not included unless you are a member of Star Alliance Gold. However, if you are frequent flyers, we recommend considering a Priority Pass, which provides access to lounge facilities worldwide without the need for airline status. With Priority Pass, you’ll gain entry to over 1300 airport lounges globally, aiding in locating them within different terminals. We’ve noticed that Priority Pass lounges are often superior to standard airline lounges.

We have status with Air Canada, so we went directly to the Air Canada Lounge. While waiting for our flight, we enjoyed the peace and comfort of the Air Canada International Lounge in Terminal 1. It’s our favorite lounge at Toronto Pearson Airport, featuring an excellent selection of food and beverages.

Dedicated Wifi

One of the advantages we appreciated was the dedicated Wifi available for Air Canada and Star Alliance status members. This ensured we didn’t have to share bandwidth with the rest of the airport, which can be quite slow.

We arrived early and were productive, as airport lounges often provide a conducive environment for work. Time flew by, and with 15 minutes remaining to boarding, we decided to walk to the gate early.

Premium Economy Air Canada Dreamliner

While we’ve flown business class several times with Air Canada, it was our first experience in premium economy, and it was unexpectedly pleasant. The 787 Dreamliner is vast and offers enhanced features like larger windows that adjust tint, bigger TV screens with entertainment options, and spacious bathrooms.

Our premium economy seats had considerable room, reminiscent of business class seats available on shorter flights. We were delighted to receive amenity kits featuring toothbrushes, chapstick, moisturizers, and eye masks.

Premium Economy Dinner Menu

We were treated similarly to business class and received a choice of beverages, headphones, blankets, and large pillows for the flight. Just as in business class, we had a thoughtfully designed dinner menu. What I particularly love about Air Canada is the ability to start using the entertainment system immediately upon boarding.

Thanks to our Elite Status, we enjoyed early boarding, eliminating the hassle of crowding or overhead bin shortages, allowing us to settle into our seats comfortably.

Legroom

Premium Economy passengers gain automatic priority boarding, allowing us to dive into our movies before most passengers have boarded. The Dreamliner allowed for easier navigation of the entertainment system, making it seamless to bypass initial ads and dive straight into programming.

While I usually prefer to relax with movies rather than work during flights, the USB and power plugs provided were conducive for those needing to utilize their devices.

Premium Economy Food

However, before resting, let me touch on the meal. The food, influenced by Canadian celebrity chef David Hawksworth, was delightful gourmet cuisine that truly elevated the in-flight dining experience. Just before our meal, we were served hot towels, adding a luxurious touch.

Meals served on Premium Economy are comparable to those in Business Class, presented on china plates with diverse options and complimentary wine and spirits. We were thoroughly satisfied with our choices, including beef and pasta, amid warm roasted mixed nuts and dessert, leaving us pleasantly full!

Premium Economy Feels like Business Class

The most significant difference between business and premium economy lies in seat recline. While business class offers pods for full recline, premium economy provides more space than standard coach, with comfortable wide seats and larger pillows.

Although there are luxurious perks associated with business class that I can explore in a later overview, my experience in premium economy was notably comfortable and enjoyable.

How is the Premium Economy Experience?

Both Dave and I were well-rested upon arrival, feeling relaxed and rejuvenated.

Higher Humidity Rate

The advanced technology in the 787-9 includes a higher humidity level, which significantly contributes to a more comfortable flying experience.

This aspect helps passengers feel more rested on arrival, and we genuinely noticed a difference. The improved air quality prevented the usual stuffiness that typically accompanies long flights.

If we ever lose our elite status and our travels slow down, I will undoubtedly choose premium economy for long-haul flights. Trust me when I say, as a seasoned traveler, the extra investment in comfort is worth it—enabling a clearer head for the start of your trip!

For more information on direct flights from Toronto to Dubai, visit AirCanada.com.