After spending a relaxing week in Fiji and an amazing 2 weeks in Australia, it was sadly time to head to Sydney Airport for my flight back home to Canada. I took an Uber from the Sheraton to the Airport. Sydney Airport was insanely busy! In fact, it’s the busiest airport I have ever seen, busier than New York’s JFK! Our Uber driver had to drop us off far away at the arrivals section and we walked back through the parking lot to the departures section. Otherwise the line up of cars backed up onto the main road leading to the airport and it looked like at least an hour wait. Once inside though, things were much calmer!
Check-in and security was a breeze due to the dedicated business class line at Sydney Airport. Our suitcases were labeled with the priority tags and we would see them again on arrival in Montreal.
Air New Zealand Lounge (complimentary access)
When flying Air Canada Business Class from Sydney Airport, you have a several lounges to choose from. I chose the Air New Zealand Lounge because it seemed to have the best reviews of all the available lounges. They have a barista and an omelet station for breakfast!
The Lounge entrance featured luxurious wood paneling layered with Air New Zealand’s logo.
The lounge was very spacious inside, with several seating areas separated by these elegant hanging decorations that acted like curtains. The edges of the lounge featured seats looking out with a view of the runways.
Breakfast choices included an omelet station where you can place your order of eggs.
There was also a bar but being breakfast time, I skipped it and instead ordered a cappuccino from the barista. I read about ordering from the iPads but it felt somewhat unnecessary. The lounge was not very crowded.
The Flight
Boarding was not as fast as Fiji Airways Business Class since this plane has 40 business class seats however the seats on this Boeing 777 are way more spacious. These are Air Canada’s Signature Business Class pods and the seats are staggered in a 4 across layout, split between 2 business class cabins. Each passenger gets their own private pod and everyone has direct aisle access. The middle seats are great for couples travelling together but the window seats offer a view. Before boarding, it’s a good idea to check on your luggage location using an Airtag (Airtags only work with iPhones but you can also use a Samsung SmartTag or a Tile). I always keep one in my suitcase so I can track its location while travelling and in case it gets lost.
Felix in his middle seat. All seats on Air Canada’s Boeing 777 business class have direct aisle access.
Air Canada’s Signature Business Class Seat
The TVs were large modern touch-screens. We were served champagne and a bowl of warm nuts right after boarding. I know it’s morning but I never say no to champagne.
The seat was very comfortable and included a massage function! The mattress firmness was adjustable via the seat controls.
The seat controls were accessible through this mini side screen.
The seat featured independent adjustments for the headrest, lumbar support and mattress. A single button press turned the seat into a bed.
The amenity kit included a toothbrush, toothpaste, socks, lip balm and hand lotion.
Also provided was a mattress pad, blanket and a pair of noise cancelling headphones.
Complimentary Noise Cancelling Headphones
The complimentary noise cancelling headphones did a good job at tuning out the engine rumble and cabin noise however I have since bought my own Sony Noise Cancelling Headphones that I never travel without because I find they do a better job and it’s also more sanitary.
Complimentary slippers were also provided. This was great for wearing only socks during the flight and using the slippers when you have to go to the bathroom.
All settled in. The seat controls are just above my right hand.
The service on this flight was not as good as Fiji Airways but the overall hard product was significantly better.
The entertainment unit included a myriad collection of movies and tv shows. It kept me entertained throughout the flight.
Food
Breakfast starter
This was a bit of an odd flight given that we took off from Sydney at 10 am, flew for 14 hours then landed in Vancouver at 7 am, 3 hours before we left. Thus the meals included breakfast and lunches. Unfortunately, I did not take photos of the menu and full meals on this flight but rest assured there was plenty of options and the flight attendant came by multiple times throughout the flight to ask if I was hungry.
Light lunch with a gin and tonic.
For lunch appetizer, I had white fish, warm garlic bread and a salad.
You could set the TV to notify the attendants to wake you whenever meals were being served. Additionally you could also order food whenever you were hungry throughout the flight,
Although this is a 14 hour flight, you’d barely notice the time fly by in such comfort and with delicious accompanying meals and the selection of drinks (wines, champagne and spirits). I used the massage chair option multiple times and napped. I arrived in Vancouver feeling refreshed! The service was forgettable but the seat and comfort on this flight will definitely leave you wanting to fly Air Canada’s business class again.
Unfortunately I did not realize that this daytime flight meant I would be arriving before I left and having spent the day on the plane, landing in Vancouver at 7 am meant it was bed time back in Australia. I was planning to visit Vancouver on my layover but it was incredibly difficult without any sleep. I ended up coming back to the airport early and sleeping at the Plaza Premium Lounge.
If you are planning to visit Vancouver, check out my post on snorkeling with baby seals!
Alternately, if you are visiting eastern Australia, make sure not to miss the gorgeous Great Barrier Reef. Bring a mask, a pair of fins (I use this one) and a waterproof camera to capture your underwater adventures!
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