Air Canada’s Signature Class has been one of North America’s business class cabins since the product was launched on the Boeing 777 and as the carrier continues to spread its wings globally, the offering keeps excelling, as James Wilkinson discovers.

With fantastic Canadian hospitality, great food and wine, spacious sleeper seats, thousands of hours of entertainment and stylish amenity kits, Air Canada’s Signature Class has been one of North America’s best business class cabins for years.

As the carrier continues to open-up new routes like Hong Kong recently, the business class product has never been so popular.

The journey in British Columbia starts in style, because Air Canada’s airport experience is highlighted by the Signature Suite lounge in Vancouver and what’s on offer is exceptional.

The Air Canada Signature Suite lounge offers the best the nation has to offer in terms of food, design and comfort, alongside fantastic views of the airfield.

Ideal before a long-haul flight, particularly Australia and Asia, guests can sit down for an à la carte meal courtesy of a brilliant menu from renowned chef David Hawksworth, which is loaded up with local produce aplenty.

You’ll find a range of appetisers and mains and the starters include Soup Dumpling (Xiaolongbao), Beet and Chicory Salad, Mushroom Bisque, Hamachi Crudo, Roasted Squash Agnolotti and the headline order, the pan seared Hudson Valley Farm Foie Gras from Quebec.

When it comes to the mains, expect Beef Tenderloin, English Pea Falafel, the signature Hawksworth Beef Burger and our favourite, Poached British Columbia Halibut with maitake, peas, lardon and vermouth sauce.

Make sure you save room for dessert, which includes a Chocolate Pot de Crème, Earl Grey Panna Cotta, an Affogato and a daily selection of house-made ice cream.

On the wine front, the Air Canada Signature Suite lounge absolutely excels, with a line-up worthy of a leading Vancouver restaurant.

Expect several wines from British Columbia’s leading and emerging wine regions, like the 2020 Clos du Soleil Chardonnay from the Similkameen Valley, the from the Okanagan Valley, the 2019 Mission Hills Reserve Cabernet Sauvignon, the 2020 JoieFarm PTG which is a blend of Gamay and Pinot Noir, and for dessert the 2018 Sperling Late Harvest Vidal.

There’s also a range of excellent cocktails on offer, including the Air Canada Signature concoction, a take on an Old Fashioned, made with Bulleit Rye, Averna amaro, sweet maple syrup and vanilla bitters.

Also expect an Espresso Martini, a New York Sour, Hemingway Daiquiri, a Classic Poloma and a tasty original drink, the Gate E77, made with Don Julio Blanco, Chartreuse, agave, lime, cucumber, mint and jalapeño salt.

With such an impressive food and drink list, you do genuinely feel like you’re dining in one of Vancouver’s best restaurants that would be more than worthy of a Michelin star.

Alongside the food and wine, the Signature Suite also offers areas to relax in pre-flight and the interiors are courtesy of acclaimed Montreal-based Heekyung Duquette, who brought in loads of natural light to the lounge alongside Canadian style aplenty.

The lounge features floor-to-ceiling bronze panelling, bar tops made from local stone and a custom chandelier, while design is complemented by art from some of Canada’s greatest talents, with contemporary furnishings “representing the pinnacle of craftsmanship and quality”, according to the airline.

When it comes time to freshen up, expect an array of premium products, including luxury skincare amenities from Molton Brown.

It all adds-up to an excellent pre-flight experience highlighted by some of the best airline lounge food you’ll ever try.

After a fantastic meal, it’s time to hop on board and you’ll find the Signature Class experience onboard the Boeing 777 and Boeing 787 fleet that operate Air Canada’s long-haul routes.

The widebody aircraft feature an ‘Executive Pod’ in Signature Class, which feature lumbar support and a massage function and convert to a fully flatbed up to 203.2 cm (6′ 7″) long.

When it comes to sleeping, expect a pillow, duvet and mattress topper, while for eating and working, expect a large tray table and ample storage.

On the entertainment front, Air Canada’s inflight system has thousands’ of hours of movies, TV shows, podcasts, music, audio books and games on demand and featuring some of the latest Hollywood blockbusters and Emmy Award-winning TV shows.

Tune in with noise-cancelling headphones or bring your own cans, plug in easily and you’re away.

Air Canada also provides amenity kits for Business Class passengers that feature beauty products as well as socks, a toothbrush, toothpaste, eye cover, glass cloth, and earplugs.

Canada is known for its amazing array of produce and when you step aboard Air Canada, that’s exactly what you can expect like in the Vancouver Signature Suite lounge.

When it comes to the dining experience, you won’t be disappointed thanks to the meals once again being curated by Chef Hawksworth.

You’ll find an excellent menu with an appetiser, several mains and desserts, alongside delicious options for breakfast before landing.

On my flight to Sydney, the appetiser was a Mediterranean Mezze loaded-up with Hummus, roasted eggplant salad, Muhammara and Za’atar seasoned feta.

There were then four options for the mains, including a braised chicken thigh, roasted mushroom ravioli, tamari roasted sablefish and a true North American classic, barbecue pork baby back ribs with truffle mac and cheese topped and with a toasted breadcrumb garnish.

For dessert, there was cheesecake with streusel and raspberry compote and the cheese options were oka, cheddar and brie with grapes and crackers.

A number of inflight snacks are also available and these include delights like a chicken pot pie with potato wedges or a plate of tomatoes, bocconcini, basil and olive oil.

On the wine front, the onboard list is curated by award-winning Sommelier Véronique Rivest, one of most respected sommeliers in Canada and abroad. Her lists feature both Canadian and international wines, headlined by the small-production Jean-Noël Haton Champagne Brut Cuvee Classic from France, the Weinhaus Ress Dry Riesling from Rheingau, Germany and the Henry of Pelham Pinot Noir from Canada’s Niagara Peninsula.

Impressively, Air Canada also has several onboard cocktails on offer in Signature Class, including an Aperol Spritz, Classic Caesar, Rye and Ginger and our favourite, the Garibaldi with Campari and orange juice.
With fantastic onboard hospitality, top food and wine, comfortable seats and brilliant lounges, Air Canada offers one of the best experiences in the sky.

If you are looking at heading to their home nation of Canada or beyond to the United States, Europe, South America and more, you can expect a hospitable journey that truly showcases the best the nation has to offer.

EXPRESS TRANSIT TO THE USA IN VANCOUVER

One of the best things about flying Air Canada to North America is the express transit for onwards connections to the USA at Vancouver Airport.

After landing, you take a special path that leads to security and then US immigration, where you are processed before heading to the gate for your next flight without having to leave the terminal.

Then once you land in the United States, you simply collect your luggage and leave the terminal.

Air Canada offers fantastic connections to many top US destinations – including New York (Newark), Los Angles, San Francisco and more – and the express transit makes for a very simple journey.