Review: Air Canada Economy from Dublin to Toronto

Booking: Air Canada Economy Boeing 787-9

In March, I spontaneously decided to visit Ireland. With only 11 days’ notice and a departure date on the Friday of St. Patrick’s Day weekend, flight prices were higher than usual. I booked directly through the Air Canada website, using my TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite credit card. The round-trip Air Canada Economy Standard fare from Ottawa to Dublin came to $1,709.95 CAD.

Air Canada Economy Cabin

On my return journey, I flew on AC801 from Dublin to Toronto – the first of two legs to get me back home to Ottawa. I chose not to bid for an upgrade, as Premium Economy would have cost over $300 extra. For a 7-hour daytime flight, it just didn’t feel worth it.

Dublin Airport Terminal 1 Entrance

Airport & Boarding: Air Canada Economy

I arrived at Dublin Airport early in the morning for my 7:15 a.m. departure. The terminal was bustling, but fortunately, the Air Canada priority baggage check line was nearly empty. As a 35K status holder, I took full advantage of this, making the baggage check process quick and effortless. I was travelling with my mom, who doesn’t have status, but the check-in agent kindly let her board with me in Zone 2 – a gesture we both appreciated, especially since her boarding pass indicated Zone 5.

Air Canada Priority Check-In Line

The security line, however, was long and slow, resulting in a 30-minute wait. Once we cleared security, we made our way to Gate 303, where our flight would be departing. The gate area was crowded, as passengers were already gathering for boarding. We boarded in Zone 2, allowing us to bypass the crowd and settle into our seats in the nearly empty Economy cabin.

Dublin Airport Gate 303

Cabin & Seat: Air Canada Economy

I was seated in 24K, a window seat, which had a small pillow and a blanket on it when I arrived. I always opt for a window seat because like many, I find it difficult to get comfortable on long flights, due to unique ergonomic challenges for shorter passengers. Having a window seat allows me to adjust my seating positions every so often with the extra support on one side.

Air Canada Economy Seats

That said, there’s only so much comfort you can get in an economy seat. Limited recline and tight legroom made it tough to truly relax. Having flown in Premium Economy several times before, I’ve had a taste of the extra space and comfort – and that makes returning to a standard Economy seat even harder. It’s tough not to think about the wider seats, better legroom, and footrests I was missing out on, especially during a somewhat long flight! Still, the in-flight entertainment helped pass the time with a solid selection of movies, shows, and the flight map, which I always like to check in on.

In-Flight Entertainment System

Meals & Service: Air Canada Economy

The flight experience itself was exactly what you’d expect from Air Canada in the Economy cabin – smooth and without any major issues, though nothing particularly stood out as exceptional. We departed on time, and meal service began roughly an hour after takeoff. I chose the chicken option, which included:

• Appetizer: Mexican vegetable salad
• Main course: chicken teriyaki with rice and mixed vegetables
• Dessert: chocolate brownie
• Beverages: red and white wine, beer, spirits, a selection of soft drinks and juices, coffee and tea

Economy Cabin Meal

Maybe it’s a hot take, but I actually enjoyed the meal. It wasn’t amazing, but it was far from terrible. In fact, the chicken teriyaki is probably my favourite among Air Canada’s international economy offerings. About 5 hours into the flight, a light snack was served: a choice between a chicken or vegetarian savoury pastry. Again, I went with the chicken option, but it was bland and forgettable – not surprising for a mid-flight snack. The cabin crew were friendly and made a few beverage offerings throughout the flight.

Air Canada Economy Cabin Boeing 787-9

Takeaway: Air Canada Economy

Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 Economy cabin delivered a fairly average experience on my flight from Dublin to Toronto. The first meal was decent, the crew were pleasant, and everything ran smoothly. The biggest downside, as always, was the seat – tight space and minimal flexibility made it hard to get comfortable. But, in the end, I was happy with my decision to stick with Economy, given the circumstances: a 7-hour daytime flight, high prices, only one short connection afterward, and the fact that I was paying out of pocket. For what it was, it did the job.

Economy Window Seat

Pro tip: If you want to visit a country during its biggest national holiday, you won’t regret it. But book your flights more than two weeks in advance – unless your wallet is in the mood for a challenge!

Air Canada Flight AC801