Air Canada's Boeing 787 Dreamliners feature premium Business Class seats in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout with direct aisle access and fully flat beds. With 79-inch beds and 21-inch width, these are among the most comfortable long-haul seats available.
Business Class offers reverse-herringbone seating with direct aisle access and 79-inch fully flat beds. The 787-9 provides more Business seats (30 vs 20) and better rear window options. Best seats are 8A/8K on 787-9 for privacy, or 6A/6K for quiet rear locations. Avoid Row 1 due to galley noise and seats 5A/5K which lack windows.
Air Canada's Business Class features a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone configuration with direct aisle access from every seat. All seats convert to 79-inch fully flat beds measuring 21 inches wide between armrests. The 787-8 has 5 rows (20 seats) while the 787-9 offers 8 rows (30 seats). Passengers enjoy direct-aisle access and center seats (D/G) are ideal for couples traveling together. Note that there are no privacy doors between suites.
Air Canada offers Premium Economy on the 787, providing enhanced comfort between Economy and Business Class with improved seat pitch and width.
Economy Class utilizes a 3-3-3 seating configuration. While specific pitch and width measurements are not published, the 787's cabin design provides a modern flying experience with better humidity and cabin pressure than older aircraft types.
Seat | Aircraft | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
8A, 8K | 787-9 | Business | Maximum privacy as rear window seats with minimal foot traffic |
6A, 6K | 787-9 | Business | Quiet rear window positions away from galley and entry areas |
5D, 5G | 787-8 | Business | Best rear privacy options with window access on smaller aircraft |
D/G seats (any row) | Both | Business | Center pairs ideal for couples, offering shared armrest access |
Seat | Aircraft | Cabin | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
Row 1 | Both | Business | Proximity to galley and entry door causes noise and service disruption |
5A, 5K | Both | Business | Window seats without actual windows, limiting natural light and views |
Air Canada operates both 787-8 and 787-9 aircraft on this route with identical Business Class products, but seat generation matters: older 787-8s feature manual seat controls and dated IFE systems, while newer 787-9s come with touchscreen controls and next-gen entertainment. Check your booking confirmation for aircraft type (listed as "789" vs "788") or call Air Canada to confirm which bird is assigned to your specific flight date. The 787-9's newer cabin is worth routing through if you're flexible by a day, though the 787-8 remains comfortable - just expect slightly more manual fumbling with seat adjustments.
Air Canada's 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout decisively beats competing carriers on North American long-haul routes: every seat has direct aisle access (no climbing over partners), the 79-inch beds are genuinely flat, and the 21-inch width accommodates two people without shoulder-touching. United's 787 Business uses a 2-3-2 configuration that locks middle seats as couples-only, forcing solo travelers into narrow seats with middle-seat neighbors; Delta's 767 Business on similar routes offers shorter beds and narrower cabins overall. Air Canada wins for solo travelers seeking solitude, couples needing genuine privacy, and anyone over 6'2" who needs the full-length bed without compromise.
Air Canada's home hub lounge is the Maple Leaf Lounge at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), which offers hot showers, a casual dining area, and premium bar service - but notably lacks the spa facilities or fine-dining restaurants found in competitors' flagship lounges. Business Class passengers access the lounge automatically; Premium Economy and Elite frequent flyers are excluded unless holding specific status tiers. The shower facilities are genuinely useful for overnight connections, but the lounge's modest size means crowds during peak departure hours (6 - 9 AM), so arriving early is essential; routing through YYZ is justified only if you need the shower or have a 2+ hour layover, otherwise direct flights save time.
Book seats on the left cabin wall (A or D/E for couples) in rows 2 - 4 on the 787-9 to avoid galley noise and crew movement; row 1 feels exposed near the door. Skip the dinner service entirely if departing evening - order water and melatonin instead, then sleep immediately as the cabin darkens. Bring your own neck pillow (the airline's is thin), a compression eye mask, and noise-canceling headphones; the cabin air is dry, so use the provided moisturizer aggressively. Aim to sleep for 6+ uninterrupted hours, then decline breakfast service 90 minutes before arrival, shower in the lav during the final descent prep, and land refreshed rather than groggy from a rushed morning meal.
The 787-9 is a stretched version with 50% more Business Class seats (30 vs 20 in 5 additional rows), making it better for premium cabin comfort on longer routes. Both aircraft share the same 1-2-1 Business Class layout and seat specifications.
No, Air Canada's 787 Business Class suites do not have closing privacy doors between individual seats. However, the reverse-herringbone layout provides good privacy and direct aisle access.
The D and G seats (center column) in Business Class are ideal for couples as they sit together with a shared armrest, unlike the herringbone configuration where most pairs are diagonal.
Premium Economy offers improved comfort over Economy with better seat pitch and amenities at a lower price point than Business Class, making it a good middle-ground option for long-haul flights.
Window seats in rows 6+ offer good views and natural light. Avoid Row 5 windows (5A, 5K) which have no actual windows. Rear window seats (6A/6K on 787-9) are particularly desirable.
