The Guide to Air Canada Premium Economy
In the world of air travel, extra amenities can make a difference, especially on long-haul flights. Air Canada’s premium economy offers larger seats, priority airport services and free food and drink, but it also comes with a heftier price tag than standard economy. Are the benefits worth the cost? That depends on the traveller.
Air Canada premium economy features
An Air Canada premium economy ticket comes with upgraded amenities that span the travel experience from airport check-in to baggage collection.
Seats
The seats in Air Canada premium economy are larger and offer more legroom and recline than those in standard Air Canada economy.
Seat width
Depending on the plane, premium economy seat widths range from 45.7 cm (18 inches) to 50.8 cm (20 inches), compared to standard economy seat widths which range from 43.2 cm (17 inches) to 48.01 cm (19 inches).
Legroom
Seat pitch is the distance from any point on one seat to the same point on the seat in front or behind it — essentially, a measure of legroom. The premium economy seat pitch on Air Canada flights is 96.5 cm (38 inches), while the standard economy seat pitch ranges from 73.6 cm (29 inches) to 81.3 cm (32 inches).
Source: Air CanadaRecline
The seats in Air Canada’s premium economy cabin offer 17.8 cm (7 inches) of recline, compared to the 7.6 cm (3 inches) to 15.2 cm (6 inches) of recline available on standard economy seats.
Food and drink
Passengers receive complimentary food and beverages when they fly premium economy with Air Canada. Special meals, including vegetarian, vegan, kosher, halal, children’s meals and more are available upon request.
Flights within North America
Premium economy airfare on flights within North America includes a complimentary meal box with a preselected meal and snack item from the Air Canada Bistro. Water bottles are given before departure, and complimentary wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks are available.
Flights departing North America
For international flights travelling beyond North America, premium economy flyers receive a pre-packaged cold meal box that includes a main course, side salad, bread roll and dessert. Additionally, a light meal is served prior to landing. Some flights may serve a mid-flight cold sandwich.
Passengers may be able to check the menu for their flight on the Air Canada website within one week of departure. As an example, premium economy passengers on the Air Canada flight from Toronto to London in May 2024 got celeriac salad, a chicken or beef entree, a carrot cake dessert and a chicken salad sandwich.
As with domestic flights, complimentary water bottles and bar service, including wine, coffee, tea and soft drinks, are offered.
Flights under two hours
Bar service and a bar snack are offered to Air Canada premium economy passengers on flights under two hours.
Priority airport services
A premium economy ticket with Air Canada includes priority airport services to enhance your travel experience.
Priority check-in is available via a dedicated counter to help expedite the flight check-in process. Priority boarding in zones 1 or 2 offer dedicated lanes for quicker boarding. Priority baggage handling includes special tags for checked bags to ensure they are among the first to arrive on the baggage carousel at the destination airport.
Free checked bags
An Air Canada premium economy ticket includes two free checked bags — a potential value of up to $175 per one way of travel.
In-flight amenities
A seat in Air Canada’s premium economy comes with several in-flight amenities:
A larger touch-screen TV with on-demand entertainment.
A complimentary earbud headset.
An adjustable headrest.
A pillow and blanket.
A CleanCare+ kit, which includes a mask, hand sanitizer and antiseptic wipes.
An amenity kit (only available on international flights).
Does Air Canada premium economy come with airport lounge access?
Air Canada premium economy does not offer complimentary airport lounge access. Many airlines require flyers to hold business or first-class tickets to access airport lounges, though there are a few exceptions. Some airlines, including Japan Airlines and Air Astana, offer airport lounge access for premium economy flyers.
Air Canada economy vs premium economy
Air Canada’s premium economy offers several benefits over its standard fare.
ECONOMY | PREMIUM ECONOMY | |
|---|---|---|
Seat width | 43.2 to 48.01 cm. | 45.7 to 50.8 cm. |
Seat recline | 7.6 to 15.2 cm. | 17.8 cm. |
Legroom | 73.6 to 81.3 cm. | 96.5 cm. |
Food and drink | Complimentary water, coffee, tea, soft drinks and bar snacks. Meals available for a fee. | Complimentary snacks, meals, water, coffee, tea, soft drinks and wine. |
In-flight amenities |
|
|
Airport services | N/A. |
|
*Complimentary on international flights.
Is Air Canada’s premium economy worth it?
The perks of premium economy come at a higher cost. Whether or not springing for premium fare is worthwhile will depend on your lifestyle and budget.
NerdWallet Canada investigated one-way domestic and international Air Canada flights departing August 2024. Here are the price differences between economy and premium economy:
For the Air Canada flights we researched, premium economy fares were, on average, 68% more expensive than standard economy.
How to book Air Canada premium economy with Aeroplan points
Air Canada’s rewards program, Aeroplan, lets collectors earn points on eligible purchases. Aeroplan points can be redeemed for a bevy of rewards, including airfare, hotel stays, car rentals and more through the Air Canada website and mobile app.
An Aeroplan credit card may come in handy for those who want to accelerate their point accumulation. These credit cards allow cardholders to double down on points earned when they transact at Aeroplan program partners like Uber Eats, the LCBO and Starbucks.
There’s no shortage of Aeroplan credit cards on the market, from no- and low-fee options like the CIBC Aeroplan® Visa* Card and TD® Aeroplan® Visa Platinum* Card to premium-tier options like the American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card and TD® Aeroplan® Visa Infinite Privilege* Credit Card. The ideal credit card for your finances will depend on your budget, spending habits and lifestyle.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®).
Points for every $1 spent on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases.
Points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThis card offers premium travel perks at top dollar. You get comprehensive travel insurance, annual $99 companion passes, unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges, six annual lounge passes via the Visa Airport Companion Program, priority airport services, NEXUS rebates and more. But not everyone will be able to afford the annual fee, nor meet the steep income requirement. Best for: Frequent Air Canada travellers with a big budget looking for premium perks at the airport.
Pros
- Unlimited Maple Leaf Lounge visits, plus six complimentary Visa Airport Companion Program passes annually.
- Priority airport services.
- Annual $99 companion pass.
Cons
- Steep $599 annual fee.
- High $150,000 minimum income requirement.
Card details
Card details- Up to $3,000 in value† including up to 85,000 Aeroplan points† could be yours. Conditions Apply.
- Earn a welcome bonus of 20,000 Aeroplan points when you make your first purchase with your new card†.
- Earn an additional 35,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $12,000 within 180 days of Account opening†.
- Plus, earn a one-time anniversary bonus of 30,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $24,000 within 12 months of Account opening†.
- Offer may be changed, withdrawn, or extended at any time and cannot be combined with any other offer unless otherwise indicated.
- Earn 2 points† for every $1 spent on eligible purchases made direct through Air Canada® purchases (including Air Canada Vacations®).
- Earn 1.5 points† for every $1 you charge to your Card on eligible gas, electric vehicle charging, groceries, travel & transit and dining purchases.
- Earn 1.25 points† for every $1 spent on all other purchases made with your Card.
- Earn points twice when you pay with your Card and provide your Aeroplan number at over 150 Aeroplan partner brands and at 200+ online retailers via the Aeroplan eStore (www.aeroplan.com/estore).
- Earn more at Starbucks: Link your eligible Card to earn 50% more Aeroplan points plus more Starbucks Stars. Redeem points for even more Stars. Conditions apply.
- Apply for the NEXUS program membership and once every 48 months get a partial application fee rebate (up to $100 CAD)†.
- Share first free checked bags with up to 8 travel companions†, and get unlimited access to Maple Leaf Lounges† including complementary access for one guest.
- Plus, primary cardholders get 6 complimentary worldwide select airport lounge visits annually through the Visa Airport Companion Program†.
- Get an annual round-trip companion pass from $99 (plus taxes, fees, charges and surcharges)†.
- Get access to Priority Airport Services† like Priority Boarding, Priority Baggage Handling, and Priority Airport Standby & Priority Airport Upgrades†.
- Travel Medical Insurance†: Up to $5 million of coverage for the first 31 days. If you or your spouse is aged 65 or older, you are covered for the first 4 days of your trip. Additional top-up coverage is available.
- To be eligible, $150,000 annual personal income or $200,000 household annual income is required. Also, you must have a Canadian credit file and be a Canadian resident of the age of majority in the province or territory where you live.
- †Terms and conditions apply.
- This offer is not available for residents of Quebec.
- The Toronto-Dominion Bank (TD) is not responsible for the contents of this site including any editorials or reviews that may appear on this site. For complete and current information on any TD product, please click the Apply Now button.
Rewards breakdown
Rewards breakdownPoints on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada and Air Canada Vacations.
Points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada.
Points on on everything else.
NerdWallet's take
NerdWallet's takeThis top-shelf Aeroplan card offers 3x points on purchases made with Air Canada — the highest Aeroplan earn rate on the market. Comprehensive insurance coverage, annual companion passes and priority airport services add to the luxe factor, but the hefty $599 annual fee may be more than some cardholders are willing to spend. Best for: Air Canada enthusiasts who want to maximize their Aeroplan point accumulation.
Pros
- Up to 3x points on eligible dollars spent.
- Free Maple Leaf Lounge access, plus a complimentary Priority Pass membership.
- Free checked bags.
- Priority check-in, boarding and baggage handling.
Cons
- Steep $599 annual fee.
- Priority airport services only apply to Air Canada itineraries.
- Pay-per use rates apply to Priority Pass lounges.
Card details
Card details- New American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Cardmembers can earn up to 85,000 Aeroplan points.
- Earn 60,000 Aeroplan points after spending $7,500 in purchases on your Card within the first 3 months.
- Plus, earn an additional 25,000 Aeroplan points when you spend $2,500 in purchases in month 13
- You could earn up to $4,400 in value within your first 13 months. When you combine the Welcome Bonus offer of up to $1,700 in value, your earn potential in accelerated and everyday spend earn rate categories with approximately $1,760 in value, and the $1,000 in value you get from exceptional benefits, you can earn up to $4,400 or more in value within your first 13 months. Terms and usage assumptions apply.
- Cardmembers can now get an extra night free for every 3 hotel nights redeemed with Aeroplan points. Enjoy even more at over 300,000 hotel properties worldwide
- Receive up to $100 CAD in statement credits every four years when a NEXUS application or renewal fee is charged to your American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card
- Highest Air Canada earn rate on an Aeroplan payment card in Canada: Earn 3X the points on eligible purchases made directly with Air Canada®* and Air Canada Vacations®*.
- Standard Earn Rate: Earn 2X the points on eligible Dining and Food Delivery purchases in Canada and earn 1.25X the points on everything else.
- Get through the airport quicker with Air Canada Priority Check-In, Air Canada Priority Boarding and Air Canada Priority Baggage Handling.
- Receive one Annual Worldwide Companion Pass when you spend $25,000 in net purchases prior to your Card anniversary date; your Pass entitles you to buy an accompanying Air Canada economy class ticket for a companion at a fixed base fare from $99 to a maximum of $599 CAD (plus taxes, fees, charges, and surcharges)
- Enjoy access to select Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges™* and Air Canada Café™ in North America for you and a guest, with a same day ticket on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight.
- Enjoy your eligible first checked bag free for up to 9 people travelling on the same reservation on Air Canada flights.
- Get a 10% Head Start. Starting in 2027, eligible Basic Cardmembers with Aeroplan Elite™* Status will receive a 10% head start toward qualification, based on Status Qualifying Credits (SQC) accumulated the year before. Roll over any unallocated unused eUpgrade Credits to the following year to enjoy during your travels
- Get access to more than 1,200 Priority Pass™ airport lounges and enjoy an oasis of comfort before your flight, regardless of your airline or cabin class.
- Amex Experiences™ opens doors for you to access a number of special events, including special dining experiences, VIP parties, advance film screenings and more
- Get more from your travel experience at Toronto Pearson International Airport with:
- Access to Pearson Priority Security Lane
- Complimentary valet service at the Express Park and Daily Park
- 15% discount on parking rates at the Express Park and Daily Park
- 15% discount on Car Care Services
- Insurance Coverage: whether you’re shopping nearby or travelling abroad, you can feel confident knowing you can be taken care of.
- American Express® Aeroplan®* Reserve Card is made from precision cut and engraved 13g metal – it’s the perfect companion on your next exceptional journey
- American Express is not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details and current product information click the Apply now link. If you apply and get approved for an American Express Card, (I/we) may receive compensation from American Express, which can be in the form of monetary payment.
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Shannon Terrell
Shannon Terrell