The Ultimate Guide to Air Canada Signature Class

There’s nothing like flying in the comfort of first class, especially when you’re facing a gruelling 10+ hours in the air, and Air Canada has set the standard for luxury travel with their exclusive Air Canada Signature Class. 

Known previously as ‘International Business Class’, what sets Air Canada Signature Class apart from business class isn’t just the lie-flat seat but also the top-shelf food and drink options and the ultra-luxurious, personalized service offered to Air Canada passengers from check-in to arrival. Air Canada Signature Class launched in 2018 and offers travellers a more comfortable and arguably better way to travel. 

What is Air Canada Signature Class?

As much as we love to travel, flying can be stressful and is hard on the body, especially if you’re crossing multiple time zones or travelling overnight. Starting a holiday deprived of sleep can really end up costing you a full day of your vacation as your body needs time to adjust and recover. Not only that but if you’re travelling for business, being tired is going to negatively affect your performance. 

Eligible flights

Air Canada kept this in mind when they chose to revamp their International Business Class seats and now offer passengers a way to arrive at their destination fresh and well-rested instead of groggy and stressed. Now, Air Canada Signature Class passengers travelling transcontinentally to or from Europe, Australia, Asia, South America or Africa can enjoy luxury services and a seat that fully reclines to make a lie-flat bed. 

Air Canada Signature Class is an upscale and luxurious class of travel offered to passengers travelling on long-haul international flights out of Air Canada’s major hubs, specifically Toronto, Montreal, Calgary and Vancouver. Signature Class is also available for transcontinental overnight flights within Canada and the U.S., the most popular routes being: 

• Honolulu – Toronto 
• Honolulu – Vancouver 
• Kahului – Toronto 
• Los Angeles – Toronto 
• Newark – Vancouver 
• San Francisco – Toronto

Within Canada, flights between Vancouver and Montreal and Vancouver and Toronto also regularly offer Signature Class seats on specific aircraft, which we’ll get to in a bit. 

This ultra-luxurious class costs a pretty penny (most tickets cost upwards of $1000 if you’re paying cash) but comes with plenty of amenities including lie-flat beds, delicious food options, an entire entertainment library, personal, expedited services at the gate and more, plus plenty of other amenities to make your experience just a little bit more enjoyable.

Read on to learn all that Air Canada Signature Class has to offer, plus how you can levy your credit card points to score Signature Class seats on your next long-haul flight for next to nothing. 

Ground Service

Your Air Canada Signature Class experience begins at check-in. Ticket holders can make their way to a separate priority check-in line in a private room or walled-off area for a faster and more streamlined check-in experience.

In Vancouver, Montreal and Toronto, check-in is done in a private concierge office. Security screenings are expedited as well, although this feature is usually only available at major hubs that are equipped to offer it. Concierge services are also available to offer assistance with tight connections so you don’t need to worry about missing your next flight. 

Maple Leaf Lounge

A Signature Class ticket also entitles holders access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounge, a quiet and relaxing space where you can get some work done, recharge your devices, have something to eat or just relax before take-off. Some Maple Leaf Lounges even have showers available, so you can freshen up in between those exceptionally long layovers. 

As nice as the Maple Leaf Lounge is, it pales in comparison to Air Canada’s most exclusive lounge, the Signature Suite. Access to this lounge is reserved for international travellers travelling with a Signature Class boarding pass and is only available at Toronto’s Pearson Airport or Vancouver International Airport. 

The Air Canada Signature Suite provides passengers with an especially upscale experience. The restaurant features a prepared a la carte menu created by Air Canada’s world-class chefs. Meals are made to order with the freshest ingredients. They offer premium spirits and champagne at the bar, along with wine pairings created by a world-renowned sommelier.

Priority Boarding

When it comes time to board, Signature Class ticket holders are given Zone 1 priority boarding. Immigration and customs lines are separated by designated lanes upon arrival, and Signature Class passengers can also take advantage of priority baggage delivery as an added bonus.

Chauffered Porsche

Last but not least, Air Canada sometimes provides passengers with a chauffeured Porsche, delivering them straight to the gate, a service that no other airline offers. This is a relatively new amenity and is reserved for passengers flying from Canada to Asia, South America or Europe.

For the time being, this special perk is only available at Toronto’s Pearson Airport, although Air Canada has announced plans to launch a similar service at Vancouver’s International Airport. Unfortunately, due to the nature of this service, it can’t be prearranged, since it involves driving on the tarmac which isn’t always practical, but if you’re flying out of Pearson and happen to hold a Signature Class ticket, it doesn’t hurt to ask.  

In the Air with Air Canada Signature Class

Signature Class cabins are set up very differently than economy or even first-class cabins. This is, after all, essentially luxury business class, and the seating is set up to allow space for passengers to set up their work station. Seats are arranged in their own little pods separated by partitions for privacy and come with ample desk and storage space, USB and power outlets, and reading lights. 

In-flight Amenities

As boarding commences, each passenger will find an amenity kit, pillow, mattress pad and duvet waiting for them, wrapped and sealed for individual use. Each of the pods also comes with its own touchscreen where passengers can track the flight's progress or browse Air Canada’s extensive library of music, movies, podcasts and audiobooks. Readers can take their pick of over 7000 magazines and newspapers that can be linked to their personal devices through the Pressreader app. 

Meals

On-board meals have been curated by Air Canada’s 4-star chefs. Meals are chosen by passengers from a menu. Each menu includes two 4-course meal options consisting of an appetizer followed by an individually wrapped hot casserole dish, served along with a bread roll, salad, and cheese and crackers. Passengers will also get a dessert choice, usually a fruit cup or a baked good like a Nanaimo bar.

Any dietary restrictions can be accommodated, but you’ll have to request a special menu item when you book your ticket. Additionally, a hot snack is served midflight and a snack tray is available throughout the duration of the flight. 

Alcohol

The onboard wine list has been created by a world-renowned sommelier, and other drink options include champagne, premium spirits, and a range of beers. Nonalcoholic drink options include soft drinks, fruit juice, and flat or sparkling water. Additionally, the flight staff will be able to provide fresh coffee or tea on request. You can even ask for a specialty coffee drink like a latte or cappuccino. 

Which Aircrafts Offer Air Canada Signature Class Seats?

Not all Air Canada aircrafts offer Signature Class cabins since the pod seats wouldn’t fit on their smaller planes. Signature Class cabins are available on 5 of Air Canada’s aircraft: the Boeing 777-300ER and the Boeing 777-200LR, both of which offer 40 seats across 10 rows in a 1-2-1 arrangement; the Boeing Dreamliner 787-9, which comes equipped with 30 Signature Class seats across 8 rows arranged in the same 1-2-1 fashion as the 777s; the Boeing Dreamliner 787-8, which has slightly fewer seats, only 20 in a single cabin across 5 rows; and the Airbus A330-300, which has 32 Signature Class seats spread out across 8 rows in the same configuration.

Seat Layout & Location

Since the seats are designed to fully recline, the pods are arranged in a somewhat zig-zag pattern. What this means is that some seats don’t face the window, which is fine if you’re flying overnight but can be a major bummer if you’re flying over the Rocky Mountains or the Swiss Alps, for example. However, you can be assured a reasonable level of privacy, even if your seat faces the aisle or another seat, because of the partition. If you do want a window seat, make sure to choose a seat marked with either an ‘A’ or a ‘K’.

Some seats, particularly towards the back and front of the plane, are stand-alone seats, meaning that there are no seats behind you, so if you’re after a bit more privacy and quiet time, it’s best to try and select those ones. 

If you're travelling with someone

The seat arrangement can also make it somewhat tricky to book seats together if you’re not travelling alone. If you’re travelling in pairs, it’s best to go with seats ‘D’ and ‘G’, which are the middle seats. However, since the partition that separates the seats can’t come down all the way, some travel companions might prefer to go with the window seats and sit across from each other instead of side by side. 

Signature Class vs Business Class: What's the difference?

It’s important not to confuse Signature Class with Business class when booking your flight. If the flight is showing 3 class cabins, (economy, premium economy and business class) then that means your flight includes a Signature Class cabin.

If your flight only has two class options available (economy and business class) then a Signature Class cabin is not aboard the aircraft. Knowing which aircraft you’re flying can also help you determine whether or not your flight will have a Signature Class cabin, or you can narrow your search results when booking by using the filters to only show aircraft that have a Signature Class cabin.

With the notable exception of Air Canada Red, which does not operate long-haul flights, Air Canada Signature Class is generally offered on most of the company's international flight paths.

How To Get Air Canada Signature Class Tickets

If you want a better experience for your next long-haul flight (and who wouldn’t?) there are a few different ways you can get yourself an Air Canada Signature Class ticket.

Obviously, you could pay cash, but Signature Class tickets typically start at around $1000, which is well out of range for budget travellers, so let’s explore some ways to score a Signature Class ticket for a fraction of the price, or even for free. 

Bid for an upgrade

One way is to make a bid to upgrade your seat. Air Canada lets their passengers make bids to upgrade their seats to a higher class cabin up to 48 hours before the flight. In addition to the seat change, if your bid is accepted, you'll receive all the perks of a higher-class ticket, including extra baggage allowance and priority boarding. Note that not all flights are eligible for upgrades, and you’ll have to enter your flight information on Air Canada’s website to find out if you can upgrade your seat before making a bid. 

You will receive an email from Air Canada around 48 hours before your flight letting you know if your bid has been accepted and your credit card will be charged the amount you bid. You can cancel your bid at any time, provided it hasn’t been accepted yet. Aeroplan members can even use their Aeroplan points to make a bid instead of paying cash. 

Make a last-minute upgrade

Another way to get a discounted Signature Class ticket is to make a last-minute upgrade. Each Air Canada flight has a certain number of upgrades permitted and you can request upgrades from an Air Canada agent at the check-in kiosk at the airport or when you check in online. Alternatively, you can even request one at the departure gate. If your flight path has multiple stops, you can request an upgrade for the entire journey or just for one segment. 

You will need to use your upgrade credits to upgrade your seat and whether or not you qualify for an upgrade will depend on the number of credits required, which varies depending on a few different factors such as the distance you’re travelling and which cabin you want to upgrade to. In some cases, you might be required to pay a supplemental fee along with your upgrade credits. This will largely depend on the fare you originally paid. 

Earn Aeroplan Elite Status

Upgrade eligibility is also influenced by Aeroplan Elite Status. Aeroplan Elite Members get a certain amount of e-upgrade credits per year that can be exchanged for Air Canada products, including upgrades on eligible flights. Members can earn extra credits by making qualifying purchases at one of the eligible retail locations or restaurants, using one of several Aeroplan credit cards or by earning miles travelling with Air Canada. 

Redeem Aeroplan Points

Finally, one of the simplest ways to get yourself a seat in Air Canada’s Signature Class cabins is by cashing in your Aeroplan points to purchase your seats, but that can be a bit tricky and there are a few catches. 

If you want to use your points to buy your seat, it's best that try and do it as early as possible, ideally at least 3 months in advance of your desired departure date. The only way to book a Signature Class flight using reward points is to book a ‘Business Class Flexible Reward’ ticket.

Tip: The Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart

Be sure to refer to the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart to determine if the price your seeing is a good deal or not. The Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart essentially divides the map into 4 separate zones, North American, Atlantic, Pacific and South America.

You can use the chart to help determine when to book to get a deal or points-to-cash ratio. In some cases, you might be better off paying cash, or a combination of cash and points, for your flight, and then using your points to upgrade. This works to your benefit especially if you’re paying with an Aeroplan credit card because you’re essentially ‘rolling over’ your Aeroplan points, or buying them back at a discounted rate. 

The chart can also tell you how many points you would need to book with Air Canada, which is based on the dynamic pricing model, compared to how many points you would need if you were booking with a partner airline, which is priced at a fixed level. It’s also worth noting that Air Canada doesn’t offer many reward seats to its partner airlines. If you do manage to find one, consider yourself lucky and jump on the opportunity right away. 

Earn Aeroplan Points

Luckily, earning Aeroplan points with qualifying purchases is easy enough, since there are several Aeroplan credit cards to choose from as well as participating retail locations that reward you with points just for spending money, even if you’re not using an Aeroplan credit card. 

To start collecting Aeroplan points through credit card purchases, Aeroplan has partnered with TD and CIBC to offer Visa and American Express credit cards that earn Aeroplan points on everyday purchases, plus extra points for eligible purchases like groceries and gas.

Aeroplan has also partnered with several stores and restaurants, so you can earn points by shopping at certain locations like Starbucks and LCBO or by using Uber even if you don’t have an Aeroplan credit card. All you need to do is present your Aeroplan member card to earn points. 

What's more, American Express credit card holders can exchange their Amex Membership Rewards for Aeroplan points at a ratio of 1:1. Points earned through Marriot Bonvoy can also be transferred to Aeroplan, but a less-than-ideal ratio of 3:1.

You can also earn Aeroplan points directly from Air Canada itself. If you are an Elite Status member, you earn points from purchasing any Air Canada product, from flights to extra baggage allowance to in-flight entertainment and food or beverages. Signing into the Aeroplan eStore through the online portal can earn you points before you’ve even spent any money, plus you’ll earn points for any purchases made from the Aeroplan store. You can even buy Aeroplan points directly from Air Canada, either at a discount or with a bonus. 

Should you fly Air Canada Signature Class?

As airlines all over the world continue along their road to recovery from the pandemic, we can only expect services to improve across the board, and since Signature Class was still relatively new at the onset of the pandemic, it's safe to say that it’s really only getting started. 

Air Canada offers flights to more destinations around the world than any other Canadian airline. If you want to experience your next flight in comfort and style, Air Canada Signature Class is the way to go. 

FAQs About Air Canada Signature Class