Air Canada bumps Brisbane-Vancouver flights up to a Boeing 787-9
![Air Canada bumps Brisbane-Vancouver flights up to a Boeing 787-9](https://www.executivetraveller.com/photos/view/size:1200,675/559d2259ddb4430896c93575767f2254-air-canada-boeing-787.jpg)
Air Canada is getting bullish on Brisbane as the launch of its Brisbane-Vancouver service draws near.
First up: the Star Alliance member airline is upgrading the new route to a Boeing 787-9 to boost capacity over the originally-slated Boeing 787-8.
This larger version of the Dreamliner adds 10 more of the lie-flat business class seats (a confident 30% boost over the 787-8's 20-seat cabin), along with 37 more seats in economy. The premium economy count remains the same, with 21 seats with a 7 inch recline.
The 787-9 is slated to start from October 30 for the northern winter season.
Air Canada will also kick off the Vancouver-Brisbane route from June 3, with three flights a week, before moving to the more desirable daily schedule from June 19.
PREVIOUS | Air Canada will begin daily direct Boeing 787 flights between Vancouver and Brisbane from June 2016.
The non-stop service, initially slated to run three days a week, is being upgraded to a daily schedule.
Beginning on June 17 2016, flight AC35 will leave Vancouver at 11.45pm to reach Brisbane at 7.15am two days later.
The AC36 return leg will be wheels up from Brisbane at 10.40am, arriving into Vancouver at 7.15am the same day.
Air Canada says the timetable fits neatly into onwards flights from Vancouver to other Canadian and US destinations.
"The new route increases our presence in the Asia-Pacific market at a time when trade and travel in the region and between North America is growing, with a further boost expected from the Trans-Pacific Partnership now under negotiation" observed Air Canada President and CEO Calin Rovinescu.
"Canadian travellers are at an all-time high to Queensland" added Brisbane Airport CEO Julieanne Alroe, citing strong corporate links between Queensland and Canada "due to the resource sector."
Inside Air Canada's Boeing 787
Air Canada's Boeing 787-8 is fitted out in a three-class layout led by 20 business class seats, which Air Canada tags as 'executive pods'.
These are arranged in a 1-2-1 layout to provides direct aisle access for every traveller, with the solo seats angled towards the window while the two centre seats are angled slightly towards each other.
Each seat extends extends to an 80 inch fully flat bed dressed with a 100% cotton duvet and, for that extra touch of indulgence, an espresso and cappuccino service featuring Lavazza coffee.
For travellers who're more budget than business, Air Canada’s premium economy cabin offers 21 seats in a 2-3-2 pattern.
Passengers get a 19.5 inch wide seat with 38 inch pitch and a 7 inch recline.
Each set has its own 11 inch touchscreen panel, USB and AC power socket.
The rest of the 787 is given over to 210 economy seats ranked 3-3-3.
The 17.3 inch wide seats have a 5 inch recline and 31 inch pitch, although their slimline design should afford a bit of extra room around the knees.
To take your mind off the squeeze there’s a 9 inch touchscreen with a USB port and shared AC sockets.
Also read: Air New Zealand opens new Star Alliance lounge at Sydney Airport
Follow Australian Business Traveller on Twitter: we're @AusBT
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
04 Mar 2014
Total posts 38
Good news! The product looks fairly average though. This flight could take a hit on NZs AKL-YVR which sees a lot of connecting passengers from BNE
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 111
NZ will definately get alot of competition with all the new Nth American services coming online from QF, AA, AC within the next 12 Months. It seems like MEL will be quite more valuble for NZ now in feeding its Nth American services.
But more flights should hopefully pull down fares and increase redemption rates!
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 270
Yes there's seems to be hesitancy in recent North American routes from MEL, I wonder if it's that extra distance that puts them off direct routes and they would rather feed through BNE, SYD or AKL.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 111
If the 788's had the legs to do MEL-YVR, you would see AC hop onto the route in a heart beat, trust me. AC really did hope for a MEL route to eventuate.
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
"Average" as in "current standard"?
I remind readers that EY has 4-abreast F on their 787 fleet, and JL is running 6-abreast J to BOS and JFK on their 788 fleet, so 4-abreast J on AC seems like a decent offering to me.
The W and Y seats are also typical width and pitch. This is a product of Jack and Chloe Public wanting a good fare over comfort.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
<"Average" as in "current standard"?>
Absolutely agree. I don't know what else in a 787 cabin, in service or planned upcoming, can be considered better than this so-called "average" cabin config+seat std across all 3-classes in AC 787 fleet....
<"JL is running 6-abreast J to BOS and JFK on their 788 fleet">
I don't consider this set-up(A.k.a. SkySuite) as inferior to the 1-2-1 layout. It still retains direct aisle access for every seat & of course flat bed thru a pretty neat staggered layout.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
30 Mar 2015
Total posts 54
Now lets see YVR - AKL and YVR - MEL to rival Air NZ
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
I doubt that they'll go head-to-head with NZ on the AKL route, and if MEL was such a juicy plum they would have announced that instead of BNE.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
Agree. I see this new move by AC re YVR-BNE as 1 part of a larger battle plan by Star Alliance(i.e. AC+UA+NZ) to thicken frequency+network coverage in the wider N.America-Oceania Trans-Pcf war against OneWorld(i.e. QF+AA). Instead of <"to rival Air NZ>", we may see NZ code on the YVR-BNE service operated by AC.....reinforcing/bulking-up to sell more triangular itin across YVR, BNE and AKL.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
21 Aug 2014
Total posts 502
I remember someone was saying they can only fly to two airports to Australia so I guess now not a chance for Melbourne to get flights to Vancouver on AC, from memory I think Qantas still can but time will tell.
Lufthansa - Miles & More
29 Jul 2014
Total posts 182
Good news now I can do non stop Vancouver to Brisbane will save a hellish transit in Sydney or LAX.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 459
It's been a long time coming.It has been a while since I was last in Canada(1990)but do remember the days of the Brisbane to Vancouver QF25 747's of which one if starting from Sydney transferred from the QF3 IN Honolulu but a welcome return.How one longs for the days of NOT HAVING TO DO A SYDNEY transit like back then.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1026
If you didn't like transits in SYD or LAX, why didn't you head north and transfer somewhere in Asia?
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
15 Jan 2013
Total posts 459
I would like to answer the people of Brisbane the same thing in the years since the QF25 which either went Brisbane-Cairns-Honolulu-Vancouver or started the other way around ended the same thing.What did you lot do from 1991 to the present day when Qantas switched for the final sector to sharing with Canadian up to 2000 that is if not into the going via LA thing and prior to Air New Zealand offering such services via Auckland.Did any of you consider Flying Cathay PACIFIC To Hong Kong then continue onwards as another option.Just my thoughts.
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
Hear hear. Given that Brisbane is both quite a bit closer to Vancouver than Sydney, and considerably closer than the other place, it is as usual the foreign carrier which shows the way, as Hawaiian Airlines has done, it is another deserved kick in the face to the airline which still has the hide to have a Q in its name.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 148
If your city isn't big enough to viably support direct services, there's no reason why airlines would be dumb enough to open routes just for your convenience. Your argument is the epitome of first world problem - you aren't entitled to direct services, if you have to connect well suck it up.
24 Apr 2012
Total posts 2435
No need for that tone tm_smile – certainly non-stop flights aren't an entitlement, although Air Canada upgrading this route to a daily service before it has even commenced demonstrates that there is indeed demand between Brisbane and Vancouver.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 148
I have a tone? Have you seen his/her comments on this story? Talk about condescending and pious...
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
30 Sep 2015
Total posts 12
Not sure why people think Sydney is "Hellish" (LAX, I definitely agree). Sydney is an Average airport, nothing that is absolutely terrible. For a country's largest International Gateway, it sits just shy of Average. I guess we've been too spoilt by the likes on Changi, Hong Kong and Incheon. Sydney is perfectly fine for an airport, it's nt good, but NOWHERE near hellish.
LAX is still a different story
24 Apr 2014
Total posts 270
It's pretty bad
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Sep 2013
Total posts 188
Jimmy - you're obviously from Sydney, and if you want to fly out internationally, you just go to the international terminal - easy. However, the rest of us who don't live in Sydney need to transit thru the domestic terminal, catch a bus, re-do security, and if lucky, make our connection. Trust me, hellish may be a bit harsh, but it aint easy, and adds no pleasure to the beginning of a long international flight, expecially if you've just come in on the red-eye from Perth. Try it some time.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
Agree. Each terminal @ SYD by itself is actually decent. Collectively as a terminal system, they fall short especially for connection between them which doesn't bother local OD pax(i.e. those heading to/fm around Sydney region) but adversely affect those connecting between flights @ SYD.
It's fundamentally an airport layout problem due to legacy issues possibly dating back to when SYD was born(e.g. planners did not envisioned SYD as a hub to facilitate large volume of domestic-int'l connections). MEL doesn't hv this problem possibly thx to later birth & more modern planning concept but PER and BNE also have this layout issue. Interestingly though, both have been actively trying to address the issue by relocating /consolidating terminals(PER) or building rapid inter-terminal shuttle facility(BNE) while SYD, despite being the largest hub, continues to prefer sitting on its hands.....go figure.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jun 2011
Total posts 148
The changes at Sydney airport have been happening, albeit slowly. I personally dont find changing terminals a major issue, it's just the fact that you have to pay to do it which is a pain. If not eligible for the free qantas or Virgin transfer, then the train comes regularly and is no different than other airports which require terminal to terminal transfer. It's just that you need to pay $5.80 for the transfer - a rort.
There is the master plan to co-locate domestic and international, though that is up to a decade away. The speed of Sydney major developments when it comes to large projects developers can't immediately profit off...
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
"I personally dont find changing terminals a major issue.."
Probably because unlike most foreign visitors/non-locals, you're familiar with navigating thru all 3 pax terminals @ SYD?
For int'l-domestic(or vice-versa) transfer even accounting for the occassional extra-long immigration+custom+security queues, 90min MCT is doable @ hubs such as SFO, YVR, NRT, KIX, ICN, etc. but will be a pretty risky scheduling adventure @ SYD.....especially when U're a foreigner visiting SYD less than once every 5yrs....
"If not eligible for the free qantas or Virgin transfer..."
Even if eligible, I estimate the avg 1-way total transfer time fm pick-up point to drop-off point including waiting time between shuttle departures is @ least 20mins. I vividly recall one time when I was on such shuttle and my ride was held-up by ATC & stuck on the tarmac for 5-10mins only to wait for a taxiing jumbo to pass thru...actually one 744 plus one 763ER...my mandatory 'free tour' of the entire SYD airfield took nearly 30mins.
"the train comes regularly and is no different than other airports....just that you need to pay $5.80..."
And just that now you've gone thru all the hoops @ Australian immigration & custom and made it to the arrival exit, your schedule still has extra time built-in to:
1. Locate that local currency exchange counter.
2. Remind the counter staff that U need denomination small enough to cover $5.80....fare info which you've magically found out in advance fm some inflight magazines or mobile apps despite the fact that you've only learnt 72hrs ago @ your home country office in Texas or Ontario that you need to be @ a meeting in Queensland tomorrow morning.
3. Locate that subway station under the terminal while hauling all your bags along.
4. Despite managing only 5-6hrs of sleep inflight in your Y seat for the past 16-17hrs, still somehow quickly learnt how to buy the correct subway ticket to the domestic terminal fm a machine U've never used before.
5. Get on the right train instead of ending-up @ Wolli Creek.
Of course, none of the above is a "major issue" for locals but then again, I believe about half of all int'l traffic to/fm Australia goes thru SYD....not hard to guess the volume of foreigner visitors with domestic connecting flights @ SYD.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
08 Nov 2011
Total posts 121
Compared to other airports I have been unfamiliar with, I don't find it any more difficult (taking cost out of the equation) than changing terminals at LAX, LHR, CDG, JFK, SIN, DFW, BNE etc.
Is it as easy as single terminal airports like HKG, DOH, KIX or ICN? Of course not, but that is a fact of life when working with a legacy airport and also when you have large, separate international and domestic operations.
Things are changing, however slowly, so improvements are coming. Changing terminals is unfortunately unavoidable when it comes to travelling.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 May 2011
Total posts 362
Great news for Brisbane!
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 468
17.3 inch in Y ? Many of us need a lot more than that for our shoulders, let alone what might be needed lower down. Another airline that I won't be flying unless it is further forward.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 733
Yes, it's a mild pet peeve of mine when people talk about narrow seats as a fat-person problem.
Unless you're very fat indeed or a double amputee, your shoulders are the broadest part of you, not your waist (by more than the width of the armrest). And yeah, narrow seats equals thirteen hours of uncomfortable arm-to-arm contact with a stranger.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Aug 2014
Total posts 167
Yep 17.3 inch in Y is a deal breaker. I agree with GregXL - can't do that on such a long flight.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
<"Another airline that I won't be flying...">
And may I know which alternative carrier you'll be flying on in Y for the BNE-YVR nonstop route? Even if you ignore the time-savings of nonstop, I think some folks will be more than happy to trade 1 inch of seat width for the ability to by-pass the dreaded connecting experience @ the OneWorld hub in SYD or LAX(Star's AKL and SFO are decent though and YVR is actually an award-winner re pax experience).
Most importantly, many folks have forgotten that for decades since 747 debut, seat width specs for 10 abreast Y on almost all 747s that flew 8-12 hours long-haul sectors hv always been more or less 17.3in.(Or equal to a typical Y on 737). Apparently, vast majority of 747 Y pax managed to survive such long trips repeatedly....for decades.
Or it could be that we've just gotten larger on avg or more pampered than the last generation of longhaul Y travelers.....
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
09 Dec 2014
Total posts 25
Go BNE!! - Air Canada made the right choice heading to this beautiful state... and while I have the mic - QUEENSLANDER!!!!!!!!
24 Oct 2011
Total posts 159
I welcome more direct aus-canada flights, saves transiting through lax.
although ive heard that tom bradley has improved a lot recently. any experiences.
12 Jun 2013
Total posts 733
Tom Bradley, the terminal, is enormously improved.
Tom Bradley, the international arrivals hall, is somewhat improved. They have a little computer kiosk system now... but you still have to take your printed kiosk slip to an actual person so it just means there's now two lines to stand in instead of just one. Still, it keeps you busy and I think I got through in about ten to fifteen minutes last time, not really bad.
You'll probably still have to connect to a flight at a different dreary terminal though.
I'd definitely try hard to avoid it if I were actually going to Canada though, no point in going through US immigration unnecessarily.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
Totally agree. Current TBIT @ LAX is actually world-class and IMHO, on-par with T3 @ DXB(Actually, T3 is becoming unpleasant during daily peaks when well over a dozen of 380 unload/load all their pax @ the same time).
The 2 major problems of connecting @ LAX are:
1) The other 8 operational terminals which a connecting pax, even if arriving @ TBIT, can't avoid.
2) U.S. immigration policy insist on <inviting> all connecting pax, regardless of destination country, to <experience> the super-long immigration queue to legally enter the U.S. 1st before catching their onward flights.
Air NZ Airpoints
12 Mar 2014
Total posts 36
Nice call FLX, even with the TBIT improvements LAX still has a long way to go. Let's not forget
3) Transfer between terminals generally involves (despite the terminal buildings between contiguous) going outside and walking some way, or catching the shuttle bus. Stepping outside into the heat, noise and stink, while looking for a shuttle bus among the cars and vans whizzing around with only a multi-storey concrete carpark for scenery is a terrible 'welcome to LA'/'welcome to America' moment.
A real shame for that first impression, as the city has so much to recommend it...
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
<3) Transfer between terminals.....is a terrible 'welcome to LA'/'welcome to America' moment.>
And the above has always been a big mystery to me re connecting between LAX terminals. It really doesn't have to be this terrible for a top U.S. city like L.A. I mean just take a casual look across the top U.S. intercon gateways such as SFO, SEA, DFW, IAH, ORD, ATL, DTW, IAD, JFK, etc., ALL of them have some kinda automated & frequent inter-terminal shuttle service to facilitate connections...except LAX.
May be California state is simply too deep in red to organize /underwrite financing to build this type of shuttle system for LAX.....
Qantas
13 Jun 2015
Total posts 140
The distance between these destinations is approximately 11800km which would be more than enough to fly from BNE to YVR by a B788.
Air Canada - Aeroplan
28 Apr 2015
Total posts 11
The AC 787 has a well sorted business class (I confess to being a 100K Super Elite with AC). The product is competent & the Lavazza is a welcome change. Two things could do with a tweak - I still reckon long haul travel is an event so a glass of champagne (rather than sparkling something or other) on boarding would be a nice change & it won't break the bank. Food could do with an update - bit predictable and variable in quality. A welcome addition to the run.
10 Sep 2012
Total posts 149
The first rule of business class is that business class is not first class.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1026
Without a change to the Australia-Canada air services agreement or a downgrade to the SYD flight, they can only do 4 flights/week on this BNE flight with the 788.
If both flights were 788s, they might be able to do 12 flights a week to Australia (12x788 would be 12 seats above the allowed max 3000 seats/week of the current air services agreement)
If they later want to do MEL as well as BNE, that would requre a change to the agreement as it only allows for flights between SYD + one other Australian port and YVR + one other Canadian port.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
12 Jul 2015
Total posts 1
VERY GOOD NEWS FOR BRIBANE INDEED. I DONT THINK AIR CANADA CAN COMPETE WITH CATHAY OR AIRNZ OR QANTAS IN TERMS OF MEAL QUALITY AND SERVICES .. REASONS BELOW:-
1. FLEW AIR CANADA FROM VANCOUVER TO HK [B777]
-PACKED LIKE SARDINES IN ECONOMY CLASS, CONFIGURATION 3-4-3
- IMAGINE THE ENTIRE PASSENGERS ON A QANTAS A380 BEING PACKED INTO THAT HIDEOUS AIR CANADA B777!!!!
- I ASKED THE FLIGHT STEWARDESS SERVING ME HOW MANY OF THEM ON THIS VANC TO HK FLIGHT .. SHE SAID ONLY 12 .. REALLY? 12 CREWS TO SERVE 450+ PASSENGERS ???!!!! NO WONDER THE ONBOARD SERVICES ARE SO TERRIBLE
2. HK TO SYD ON CATHAY B777
- SIMILAR AIRCRAFT TO AIR CANADA BUT ECONOMY CONFIGURATION IS 3-3-3 .. WHAT A HUGH DIFFERENCE IN COMFORT
- THE FOOD WAS WAY WAY BETTER QUALITY
- CABIN CREWS WERE NICER AND FREINDLIER
3. GOOD LUCK TO AIR CANADA FLYING HEAD ON WITH AIRNZ TO AKL .. ITS LIKE COMPARING ORANGES TO APPLES ..
4. QANTAS NEEDS TO RAMP UP THEIR FLIGHTS TO VANCOUVER .. USE JETSTAR ON A DAILY BASIS FROM SYD, BUILD UP THE MARKET THEN SWITCH TO QF BRAND !!! COMPETITION IS NEEDED TO LOWER THE AIRFARE AS AIR CANADA RIGHT NOW HAS THE MONOPOLY.....
5. THE ONLY GOOD THING ABOUT DIRECT FLIGHTS FROM AUST TO CANADA IS NO GOING THRU LOS ANGELES OR SF, HENCE CLEARING US CUSTOM .. HAVING SAID THAT, TOM BRADLEY INTL AIRPORT HAS IMPROVED
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
Sorry, was unable to read most of that owing to the capital letters (shouting), but did catch sight of a rather unbelievable suggestion that Qantas should have more flights to Vancouver from Sin City!
Sport, this is about an airline providing a service to another Australian city, in fact the capital of its home state.
The arrogance and sense of privilege of cockroaches is unbelievable.
Virgin Australia - Velocity Rewards
19 Feb 2014
Total posts 441
We all knew this would happen. Nice one Brisbane. Melbourne next?
11 Dec 2014
Total posts 33
Flights are to daily begin on the 1st June 2015 not the 17th as previously reported, Air Canada has moved it forward.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
10 Apr 2012
Total posts 318
Might be a little bit off topic, but does anyone know how the seasonal QF flights to Vancouver went? Is there anything in the pipe line for QF to start permanent flights there?
20 May 2015
Total posts 579
I wonder if they'll partner with Virgin Australia for domestic connections? And VA could codeshare with AC on the Vancouver route (presuming the Delta partnership permits that).
This will put pressure on QF to some degree. I presume QF will consider making the Vancouver-Sydney route a daily 787-9 service rather than the current seasonal 747 service in order to compete to some degree, but that gives AC quite a bit of time.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
<...QF will consider making the Vancouver-Sydney route a daily 787-9 service rather than the current seasonal 747 service in order to compete to some degree...>
Which is practically impossible for QF to turn such plan into reality until late 2017 when its 1st 789 arrive. Even then, QF will face tough competition because AC has already been in SYD-YVR daily nonstop mkt for nearly a decade.....in addition to BNE-YVR nex yr.
<...but that gives AC quite a bit of time.>
At least a 18 mths head start assuming QF has no other network priority for its 1st 789(Frankly, I doubt it) higher than SYD-YVR. In any case, I believe leveraging QF's inability to react in the short-term is precisely why AC seems to be moving launch schedule+frequency of BNE-YVR a bit forward.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
26 May 2014
Total posts 468
The post by Himeno (10/7/15) suggested a change to the air services agrrement was requried for AC to extend beyond 4 flights a week from BNE. Is this still the case ?
07 Oct 2012
Total posts 1251
The change happened last week.
Thai Airways International - Royal Orchid Plus
16 May 2011
Total posts 111
The change now sees Canadian carriers allowed to fly up to 6,000 seats weekly, going up to 9,000 seats by the end of next year. The cap of 2 destinations per country has also been revoked, Canadian carriers can fly to as many destinations it wants too, although the 4 main gateway airports (SYD, MEL, PER & BNE) are restricted by the seat count, but all other airports are effectively open skies.
The new agreement is effective immediately.
12 Dec 2012
Total posts 1026
The Australian listing of Available Capacity was updated on the 17th (Thursday last week).
It's now showing 4908 seats/week (this doesn't inculde what QF has assigned currently) between the 4 Australian gateway ports (SYD/MEL/BNE/PER) and anywhere in Canada. Adds another 3000 seats on 1 Dec 2016.
A new 5th freedom allowance is to be added. Before the updated agreement, 5th freedom was allowed via HNL, PPT, NAN and SFO. It's now listing those 4 plus "and a point to be agreed".
13 Nov 2015
Total posts 49
Very good news! Aust.-N. America travel demand has exploded and the air routes/capacity has lagged way behind. I hope more flights are added, incl. from Seattle. While one can fly via Asia to Aust. the route can easily be arduously double the flight time. Hopefully too the added flights will imporve J award availability on both Star Alliance and One World.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
<...one can fly via Asia to Aust. the route can easily be arduously double the flight time.>
If we remain on topic re the city pair YVR & BNE, the theoretical fastest route "via Asia" will be YVR-NRT-BNE which may be possible thru JL/QF codeshare(Will require realignment of arr/dep timings of either BNE->NRT or NRT->YVR to allow same day connnection @ NRT though). Relative to this new YVR-BNE nonstop route by AC, a 1-stop JL/QF codeshare will add about 4hrs total block time(Or over 2,800km) excluding transit time @ NRT.
So unlikely "double the flight time" but more like 50% longer total journey time if "fly via Asia to Aust".
13 Nov 2015
Total posts 49
To clarify, the double time was directed at finding award space to Aust. Many routings via Asia, either on OW/SA, can, repeat can, be double the time over a direct route, certainly with long layovers and 2 stops enroute. SEA/YVR-Tokyo area airports with a minimum connect time is a viable routing. But I would still prefer a direct, even it were to closer-in Cairns. I look at it as the glass half full - getting over the Pacific to the Aust. continent is the main effort. After that a connection to points elsewhere in Aust. is the least of the hassles.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
I don't think the financial justications for AC to launch YVR-BNE is to improve "...finding award space to Aust." for FFP members. If it is, this flight is doomed and will be terminated pretty quickly...
I'm guessing AC projects the overwhelming majority of all pax on this flight will be Rev$-paying pax rather than non-Rev$ ones.
24 Apr 2015
Total posts 128
YVR/NRT/BNE will add about 5 hours + over 5 hours at NRT. Total transit ~ 24 hours. No thanks.
Via TPE longer
Via HKG same
Via BKK much longer
Via SIN much longer
YVR/BNE nonstop timetabled at 14 hours 30 mins & probably about hour less flying time most of the time.
10 Dec 2015
Total posts 177
Not to mention a routing via BKK or SIN will involve a minimum of @ least 2-stops regardless of which carrier(s) /alliance.
In today's Trans-Pacific mkt environment, viturally no pax will pay to fly a route with more than 1-stop between 2 cities in the mkt size category of Brisbane and Vancouver or larger......unless an airline practically give the seat away for free(e.g. FFP mileage redemption).
IMHO, the only real competition to YVR-BNE by AC are these 1-stop options(All of them much faster than any routing via Asia):
1) YVR-AKL-BNE by NZ
2) BNE-SYD-YVR by QF
3) BNE-LAX-YVR by QF+AA
09 Sep 2012
Total posts 139
FLX,
There is no competition at all.
AC is providing a non-stop service. No one else is.
Certainly not the Australian airline.
United Airlines - Mileage Plus
13 Mar 2015
Total posts 79
BE AWARE that AC is not what you think… they charge you PE prices when in reality they offer Economy Plus service. They have great people but very bad quality product...especially on 787's and 773's they try to sell Premium Economy as a great product but no...is not. The bulkhead seats do not have foot rest like other airlines with not that great legroom. Welcome drinks are water and orange juice…not champagne and not even Sparkling wine. The first main course is different from economy... after that is ALL THE SAME as economy... at the point that Flight attendants keep the curtains open between PE and Economy... and if there are empty seats in PE people from Economy move there to sleep or be more comfortable during the flight... because their seats in new configuration 773’s are very narrow in 3-4-3 configuration… Premium Economy is 2-4-2 the crew said that is Economy Plus but not Premium Economy.
Selection of wines is not that great, not even in Business Class, where I was in shock when I saw the “champagne” they had from PEK-YYZ...not very good flavor and not even the right temperature. Food was not great in PE, nor in Business. This airline is going down… deep down with very bad products… not sure to understand why… because they have good people on board but horrible product and customer service on the phone.
Its beyond my comprehension why airlines invest so much money in something that they “thought” it will be good… it seems that they never review the competition…
Premium Economy and Business in CX, QF, SQ and NZ are fantastic... AC is not close at all... not even close to the AA Business product that I have found it great... can't wait for AA PE product.
17 Jun 2011
Total posts 64
Having just flown AC across the Atlantic LHR-YYZ-LHR in Y on the 787 I was very suprised how comfortable I was. Luckily both ways my partner and I had a centre row of 3 seats to ourselves but the horror stories I had been reading about 9 abreast had no substance. There is an issue if you're large and seated next to someone who is also large but this is the same for most Y cabins I would imagine.
The service on AC was also top notch and they loved handing out extra bottles of spirits if you felt the need to ask. Even though I am OW Plat this was an enjoyable experience (also a third of the fare that OW airlines were asking)
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
29 Mar 2015
Total posts 94
As i have said elsewhere, i used to be super elite with AC. 1st, there is simply no comparison between super elite and qff platinum. The service given to platinum members far outshines anything AC ever offered. 2nd AC was great in J, bloody awful in Y. I have never flown PE on AC, so can't comment.
While i applaud the addition of BNE as an alternative to the horrendous (for transiting passengers) SYD, i do wish qantas would beef up its canada flights. I notice that the syd-sfo 747 sits on the ground all day between segments, couldnt it do a quick 4 hours to Toronto and 4.5 return?
One day i may get back on an AC flight, but they lost me when because of a missed connection in HK, I was offered a shared hotel room for the 14 hours overnight betwen my flights.
Qantas - Qantas Frequent Flyer
20 Feb 2016
Total posts 25
Recently flew AC 35 Yvr-Bne 787-9 in PE seat. 13H.
Comfortable seat. Nice recline. Foot stand was ok. Service was very good. Pleasant & helpful. Food was tasty. Loved the 11inch touchscreen panel. Looking forward to the return journey.
The Dreamliner was a nice experience and noticed less effects from dehydration.
I have flown QF 75 in PE as well. both are good.
Hi Guest, join in the discussion on Air Canada bumps Brisbane-Vancouver flights up to a Boeing 787-9