Air Canada’s Signature Class has been a leading North America business class cabins since it was launched one of the best parts of the journey is a fantastic meal at the Vancouver Signature Suite lounge experience before you take off, where you’ll find a restaurant that should have a Michelin star, as James Wilkinson discovers.

With fantastic Canadian hospitality, great food and wine, spacious sleeper seats, hundreds 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.