Review: Air Canada Economy from Tokyo to Montreal

Booking: Air Canada Economy Tokyo – Montreal

This summer, I spent two weeks exploring Japan, kicking things off with a Premium Economy upgrade on Air Canada’s Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner from Vancouver to Osaka. I booked the entire trip using Aeroplan points and, as a still-learning points enthusiast, I ended up redeeming 124,300 points for a series of long-haul Economy flights: Vancouver (YVR) → Osaka (KIX) and Tokyo (NRT) → Montreal (YUL) → Ottawa (YOW).

If you’re a seasoned points collector, you’re probably wondering why I burned so many points on Economy redemptions. Fair question – and yes, with what I’ve learned since, I’d approach this booking very differently today.

This review focuses on my homebound flight from Tokyo (NRT) to Montreal (YUL), which, unfortunately, was one of the most unpleasant experiences I’ve had with Air Canada.

Credit: Air Canada – International Economy Cabin

The Failed Attempt to Change My Flight

A few days before going to Japan, I decided I wanted to fly from Tokyo to Toronto instead of Montreal due to changed post-trip plans. I first tried modifying the itinerary online, but was met with an error message telling me to contact Air Canada.

So I did. Repeatedly.

As an Aeroplan 35K status holder, I used the priority contacts and called both Air Canada and Aeroplan multiple times. I never got through to an agent, not once. While in Japan, I tried again. Still nothing. I even asked family members to call from home. Same result.

When I arrived at Narita Airport, I asked an Air Canada agent if they could switch me to the Toronto flight, leaving only 20 minutes earlier than my Montreal flight. They told me I’d need to contact Aeroplan… which, of course, I had been trying to do for days with no success.

Gate 43 at NRT

Flight Boarding Entrance

At that point, I had no choice but to board the Montreal flight – already irritated, exhausted, and frustrated.

Boarding the Aircraft

Cabin & Seat: Air Canada Economy

Air Canada’s Economy cabin on the 787-9 is configured 3-4-3, and I was seated in 54K (ouch), a window seat that ended up being the only redeeming part of the cabin experience. (Learn why I prefer a window seat).

Window Seat – 54K

The rest was rough:

• Extremely narrow seats with minimal recline
• No footrest
• Very limited personal storage
• A small pillow offering almost no support

Seat 54K

This was a 12.5-hour flight, and as someone who rarely sleeps on planes, I was uncomfortable and wide awake the entire time. It made for a very long and very miserable journey.

Meals & Service: Air Canada Economy

The cabin crew delivered standard Economy-level service – friendly, polite, and efficient, but nothing memorable.

Meal 1 – Dinner (1 hour after departure)

I chose the chicken dish, which came with:

• Mixed bean and pasta salad
• Chicken with Nanban sauce, white rice, black sesame, hiratake mushroom, broccoli, carrot
• Dark chocolate pound cake
• A beverage (beer, wine, or non-alcoholic options)

It was fine, typical Air Canada Economy fare.

Economy Cabin Dinner

Mid-Flight Snack (8 hours in)

Crew offered a choice of tuna salad or cheese and cucumber sandwiches. They also left a cart in the galley stocked with sandwiches and cookies, which I made use of. The food wasn’t great, but hunger won.

Meal 2 – Breakfast (90 minutes before landing)

Fried grilled chicken with ginger sauce, sautéed red bell pepper and edamame. I couldn’t finish it. It was gross. In my experience, Air Canada’s meals tend to decline in quality as long-haul flights go on, and this meal was no exception.

Economy Cabin Breakfast

The crew did, however, offer beverages several times throughout the flight.

Arrival & Lounge Access: Air Canada Economy

After a sleepless and uncomfortable 12.5 hours, I was looking forward to decompressing in the Maple Leaf Lounge in Montreal before my short connector to Ottawa. I attempted to use one of my one-time lounge passes, only to be denied entry.

YUL Maple Leaf Lounge

When I asked when they would begin accepting passes again, the lounge attendant simply said: “I don’t know – maybe after 6 pm.” Needless to say, I didn’t get into the lounge.

Takeaway: Air Canada Economy

I’ve usually had good experiences with Air Canada, but this flight was an exception. Days of being unable to reach an agent, an uncomfortable 12.5-hour Economy cabin, and being denied lounge access after a long journey made the entire experience frustrating from start to finish.

As a 35K status holder, I expected better support, especially when trying to make a simple itinerary change. This trip left me questioning the value of flying Air Canada long-haul, particularly when redeeming a large number of Aeroplan points. I would opt for a different airline next time.