Air China Business: YUL to NRT

How many times have you walked right past the First and Business sections on the way to your seat when boarding the plane? Most often, I find myself longing for the comfy seat that allows you to stretch out your legs or even lie flat for a good night’s sleep while on a long Trans-Pacific flight to Asia. Instead, I settle myself in my tiny aisle seat in row 32H and in the following connecting flight, in the middle seat between two snoring passengers in row 26B.

This past November, I got lucky and was able to book a sale on an AirChina’s Business ticket to Tokyo. The flight involved an overnight layover in Beijing, which is annoying, but I decided that the discount was still worth it (see layover hotel review in this post).

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Comfortable automated lie-flat seat

 

Boarding 

As it’s a 787 Dreamliner, the seating configuration resembles the Air Canada flight I took to Seoul last year (see flight review in this post). However, the amenities including seat fabric, tray tables seemed a little outdated. Either the plane is older, or has just seen more usage. The seats are also a little narrower but comfy all the same to me. Service is very courteous. The flight attendant is always attentive towards the passenger’s needs, whether it’s to help you fit your luggage into the overhead cabin or hanging your jacket away so it doesn’t wrinkle.

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Dimming window shade

In-flight

The entertainment system offers a wide variety of western and asian movies and drama, as well as music. The one thing that bugged me most is that the usage of your mobile device is strictly prohibited, even if it is on airplane mode! According to the aircrew, even when the transmitting functions are off, the device could still interfere with the plane’s systems. Never heard this on any other airline, but it is the policy on all of AirChina’s flights. So now you know, and I do too. Many hours of downloaded Netflix series and Spotify wasted (yes, even listening to music was off-limits).

The menu has decent choices, including a serious list of different teas and liquors! The 13h flight included two full meals and snacks and drinks were always available upon request.

The restrooms are obviously small but always very clean. I was surprised to see the attendant clean up quickly before each passenger came to use the lavatories. As the air inside the plane is always terribly dry, hydrating your body is crucial. I usually always tend to limit my water intake so to minimize the visits to the washroom, but when they’re clean like this, I was even able to enjoy a few teas!

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Decent sized entertainment screen
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Chinese fried rice
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Goodies bag
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Earglug, eye shade, moisturizing cream, toothbrush and paste
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Second leg bright and early the next morning: Beijing to Tokyo

Obviously a huge splurge for the wallet, travelling in Business class really changes the experience completely. Although I always look forward to the start of a new adventure, I dread the long, uncomfortable journey in the airplane. When flying in Business class, the vacation already starts the moment you head to the airport, not twelve or more hours after.

 

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