Locals think this airline is a joke. I laughed only at the dad jokes

The airline: Air Canada

• Route Sydney to Vancouver, flight AC34
• Frequency Daily
• Aircraft Boeing 777-200LR
• Class Economy, seat 37K (window).
• Flight time 14 hours, 35 minutes

Checking In

Nice and orderly with plenty of staff to assist with the self-service kiosks. Jonathan on the check-in desk strikes the perfect balance of professionalism, efficiency and friendliness. He ensures everything is in order with both my boarding passes to facilitate a smooth transfer from Vancouver to Seattle, my final destination.

Loyalty scheme

Aeroplan is part of the Star Alliance network, of which Air Canada was a founding member. Virgin Australia Velocity members can also earn and spend points on Air Canada flights.

Baggage

In economy, up to 23 kilograms of checked luggage. There’s no limit on the weight of your carry-on bag, but it must be light enough for you to stow in the overhead compartment and fit the dimensions, 23 x 40 x 55 centimetres. Plus one smaller personal item like a handbag or laptop.

The seat

Mine is a window seat towards the rear of the aircraft but well clear of the galley and toilets. The cabin’s 3-4-3 configuration feels roomy and the twin aisles are generous. Economy passengers score only a blanket and a pillow. The space is fairly standard at 17 inches (43.2 centimetres) wide and 31 inches (78.7 centimetres) of pitch (legroom). The average age of Air Canada’s 777-200 LR aircraft is about 19 years old, and this plane definitely feels on the dated side. The economy cabin’s palette is a pleasingly minimalist navy with the distinctive large red maple leaf proudly displayed at the back of the aircraft; it has me considering applying for Canadian citizenship after nearly 15 hours of admiring it throughout the flight.

Entertainment + tech

I’ve rarely seen so many great new releases queued up – the entertainment selection is top-notch. I later learn that Air Canada has the largest in-flight entertainment offering of any North American airline with more than 1000 films and 3500 TV episodes. Given it’s Canadian, there’s a wealth of zen-life content, from health tips to ambient calming sounds. You’ll also grow fond (or not) of Canadian indie music. Take your own headset with Bluetooth if you have one, as the small plastic earbuds provided are as woeful as any other carrier. A number of Wi-Fi packages are available, including $C30.75 ($31.12) for the whole flight.

Service

Canadian nice with plenty of dad jokes – including from the other passengers. I have two Canadian-Australian friends who call the Air Canada to Vancouver and Toronto routes “the bus”, and the plane feels like a pleasingly even mix of Australians and Canadians with a few other brave nationalities thrown in. The crew thankfully keep the toilets clean throughout the marathon flight.

Food

Hmm, don’t get excited. The main meal (lunch/dinner) is served not too long after take-off, and it leans into the genre of Canadian lumberjack diet. I go for the penne pasta with bolognese and parmesan cheese over the chicken and veg. Both come with a side salad, slab of tasty cheddar cheese, bread roll and a Tim Tam. There’s beer, French white and red wine alongside the usual soft drinks. Throughout the flight, it’s more carbs for midnight snackers like me in the form of turkey and cucumber on a white bread roll. Vegetarian and gluten-free options are available.

Sustainability

Air Canada aims to reach net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. It has ordered electric-hybrid aircraft for use on regional flights in Canada, and has invested $C50 million in developing sustainable aviation fuel and carbon-reduction/removal techniques.*

One more thing

Air Canada can deliver Australians into the United States via Vancouver without the need to recheck your bags or change terminals, making it one of the quickest, most painless ways to access the northern US. Australians disembark with their carry-on and pre-clear US customs. Then board your connecting Air Canada flight into the US, arriving there as a domestic, not international passenger.

The price

From about $2400 return in economy, Sydney to Vancouver.**

The verdict

Air Canada often cops a beating: the long-standing Canadian joke pertaining to the airline’s unofficial motto goes: “We’re not happy until you’re not happy”. But the joke didn’t apply on this flight. Sure, it was no-frills – but it got me to Seattle on time, in a perfectly acceptable level of comfort.

Our rating out of five

★★★★

The writer flew courtesy of Princess Cruises.

*For more information about air travel and sustainability, see iata.org

**Fares are based on those available for travel three months from the time of publication and subject to change.