The Boeing 787 has long served as the backbone of Air Canada’s long-haul operations. A next-generation narrowbody equipped with two engines, the Boeing 787, more commonly referred to by industry analysts as the Dreamliner, is capable of operating services to destinations all across the globe from Air Canada’s principal intercontinental gateway hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and secondary hub at Montreal Trudeau International Airport (YUL). Not only is the aircraft capable of serving these kinds of destinations, but it does so with relatively few seats compared to most longer-range models. The Boeing 777 and the Airbus A350 can serve almost all the same routes, but doing so economically is a completely different question.
The smaller number of seats on the Boeing 787 makes the aircraft easier for airlines to fill, limiting the risk that during long-haul operations, there will be empty seats on the model. As a result, the jet provides operators with some exceptional long-range capabilities, making it the unique model that can economically access most ultra-long-haul destinations from cities like Toronto or Montreal. We analyze the Boeing 787 and its unique capabilities. We further discuss the purpose the model serves for Air Canada and what passengers can expect from the model.
A Brief Overview Of The Boeing 787
The Boeing 787 Dreamliner is a composite-intensive, twin-engine widebody aircraft designed for fuel efficiency and long point-to-point services. Originally announced as the 7E7 in 2003 and later launched in 2004 with an order for 50 jets from the Japanese flag carrier and legacy Boeing customer ANA, the program quickly took off. However, the Boeing 787’s development suffered from delays, with a non-functional rollout taking place in 2007 before the model first took to the skies in 2009. The aircraft was later certified in 2011, and the first Boeing 787-8 delivery to ANA took place that September.
The airline targeted a roughly 20% lower fuel burn than the Boeing 767, and the Boeing 787 uses GEnx or Trent 1000 engines, extensive electric systems, and features like raked wingtips to make it a more appealing model for operators. Final assembly of the type was eventually moved to Boeing South Carolina in 2021, demonstrating the manufacturer’s interest and willingness to diversify its overall footprint. The aircraft comes in three different variants, with some specifications for the model available in the table below:
|
Aircraft Variant: |
Capacity: |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 787-8 |
248 seats |
|
Boeing 787-9 |
296 seats |
|
Boeing 787-10 |
336 seats |
Early Boeing 787 service was marred by lithium-ion battery fire problems, which prompted a global grounding of the type in 2013 until redesigned batteries were approved by regulators. Starting in 2019, quality control findings again triggered investigations and a delivery halt. The first fatal hull loss occurred on June 12, 2025, with the crash of Air India Flight 171, although the preliminary report did not indicate any fault on the part of Boeing.
A History Of The Boeing 787 At Air Canada
Air Canada elected to launch its Boeing 787 program in the mid-2000s in order to modernize its long-haul fleet and ultimately replace decades-old Boeing 767-300ER jets, while expanding its operational network into long and thin markets. The first Boeing 787-8 model arrived at the airline in May 2014 and quickly entered initial service on some transborder routes for crew familiarization before the aircraft was debuted on long-haul routes. The aircraft type entered service as Air Canada’s new international standard, with Signature Class lie-flat seating joined by Premium Economy and a refreshed Economy cabin. This template mirrored Boeing 777s and Airbus A330s.
The larger Boeing 787-9 joined the fleet in 2015, and it quickly became a key network growth tool for the airline. The aircraft was behind the launch of new nonstop flights from Toronto to India, and even some seasonal services from Vancouver to India. The aircraft even opened up new links across the South Pacific and added secondary services to some destinations in Europe and Asia. From an operational standpoint, the Boeing 787’s fuel efficiency and range improved its operating economics and reliability, enabling year-round service on some routes that saw marginal service from older aircraft.
During the pandemic, Air Canada used the Boeing 787 extensively for repatriation services and cargo-heavy flying. By the early 2020s, the airline operated a balanced subfleet of Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 models, totaling a fleet of around 37 aircraft that anchored its long-haul schedule from Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The Boeing 787 remains a central asset for Air Canada, supporting premium revenue growth, flexible capacity deployment, and lower overall unit costs, all while underpinning sustained international expansion across the Atlantic, Pacific, and South Pacific.
A Brief Look At Air Canada’s Signature Class
Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Signature Class is a consistent long-haul product that was built around the Collins Aerospace Super Diamond pods, which the airline configures in a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout. 20 of these seats are on the Boeing 787-8 and 30 are on the Boeing 787-9, giving travelers exceptional optionality across the two models. Every passenger can enjoy a fully flat bed and direct aisle access. The hard product in this cabin is uniquely modern and uniform across the Boeing 787 fleet, with large touchscreen inflight entertainment (IFE) and AC power/USB power on each seat, enabling fleet-wide WiFi.
The seat’s bedding and amenities provide exceptional passenger comfort and elevated sleep comfort on longer routes. Service in this cabin is positioned as “Signature,” reflecting a higher quality of premium service on routes to destinations in Europe, Asia, and South America. This cabin is core to the airline’s Aeroplan upgrade strategy. Across the board, seats offer good privacy and excellent bed length, with passengers able to enjoy gate-to-gate entertainment.
There are some downsides to the model, however, as the seats are not equipped with the industry-standard sliding doors. This differentiates them from some of the newest competitors in the market. However, the combination of direct-aisle pods, reliable soft-product touches, and ubiquitous availability across both of the airline’s Boeing 787 variants makes the Dreamliner a competitive, high-value business class experience for all travelers.
A Look At Premium Economy On Air Canada’s Boeing 787
Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Premium Economy cabin is a dedicated 2-3-2 configuration with 21 seats on both the Boeing 787-8 and Boeing 787-9 models. These cabins feature Recaro-built PL3510 recliners, which offer approximately 38 inches of pitch, 19 inches of width, and around 5 inches of recline, along with a movable legrest that provides exceptional comfort. Seats are also equipped with an 11-inch high-definition touchscreen TV, with power and USB connectivity available at each seat.
You will also have access to WiFi and the same entertainment platform as Signature Class passengers. Service upgrades will likely include a premium meal and complimentary drinks, as well as access to priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling. Passengers are also offered a larger baggage allowance depending on the fare they pay and their status.
This product is primarily designed to offer long-haul comfort at a lower fare than Signature Class, with more space available, offering easier sleep for customers. Faster airport flow and better mileage accrual are also key benefits. However, passengers will have to forgo lie-flat seating that is available in the front of the aircraft.
A Look At Economy Class On Air Canada’s Boeing 787
Air Canada’s Boeing 787 Economy is a modern high-density 3-3-3 cabin that offers personal in-flight entertainment, power, and WiFi connectivity. Seats typically offer around 31 inches of legroom on the Boeing 787-9, which is certainly around average for long-haul economy seating. Passengers looking for additional space should seek out exit rows.
Every seat offers a personal touchscreen, USB charging, and in-seat power. The Boeing 787-9’s layout offers 247 economy seats behind a hefty premium stack in the front of the aircraft. This gives Air Canada the flexibility to price its products aggressively while still keeping economy within reach at the back of the plane. Here are some specifications for the Air Canada Boeing 787 economy cabin, according to the carrier:
|
Aircraft Variant: |
Number Of Air Canada Economy Seats: |
|---|---|
|
Boeing 787-8: |
214 |
|
Boeing 787-9: |
247 |
Service in economy includes complimentary meals on long-haul flights. Air Canada also offers free beer and wine in economy across its fleet, offering additional value to customers in the transoceanic sector. There are some trade-offs. A 3-3-3 width can make passengers feel claustrophobic on some long-haul flights, with storage being typical for relatively slim seats.
What Is Our Bottom Line?
The Boeing 787 has become the core workhorse for Air Canada’s long-haul fleet, supporting the airline’s expansion into a number of ultra-long-haul markets. The dynamic model offers point-to-point connectivity between far-flung business and leisure travel hubs, both of which are necessary for the carrier at any given time. An airline looking to monetize premium capacity, the aircraft certainly does its job for Air Canada, especially on many ultra-long-haul sectors.
Relatively few operators have as much of a weapon at their disposal as Air Canada. This intercontinental workhorse offers top-of-the-market efficiency, while also being a passenger favorite. In the premium cabins, the aircraft offers some of the most comfortable products of any long-haul aircraft globally. Lie-flat seats, mood lighting, low-altitude pressurization, and exceptional flagship service all make this cabin stand out.
Even in economy, the benefits to passengers are truly numerous. Standard amenities like in-seat power and inflight entertainment are joined by exceptional service at a level of comfort that only the Boeing 787 Dreamliner can offer. It is certainly not surprising that Air Canada has elected to deploy their dynamic fleet.
