Air Canada Sydney To Vancouver

Flying from Sydney to Vancouver on Air Canada’s flagship B-777 service (flight AC34) was a smooth and comfortable experience.

Here’s how the journey unfolded from check-in to touchdown.

Pre-flight check-in and security

Air Canada operates from Area J at Sydney Airport. Self-service check-in machines were plentiful, making it quick and easy to print bag tags and boarding passes. From kerb to bag drop took just three minutes.

Frequent flyers through Sydney Airport know to expect constant change – this time, security screening had been moved ahead of passport control and there were noticeably fewer SmartGates. Despite that, the process was remarkably efficient.

Thanks to the new Smiths detection machines, I breezed through security even with a moon boot and passport control was just as swift.

Seat 31K – worth the extra cost
Economy seats on Air Canada’s B-777 offer a standard pitch of 31 inches, which is tighter than Qantas and Emirates’ 32 inches.

To ensure a more comfortable ride, I paid $147.70 to reserve an emergency exit seat (31K) and it was money well spent.

In fact, this particular exit row was reconfigured as a bulkhead seat – offering not just ample legroom but also a solid wall to rest my feet against. Positioned just behind the wing, it delivered decent views and a peaceful ride. Highly recommended for tall travellers or anyone looking for extra space on a long-haul.

Seat 31K

Inflight service and catering

Boarding was by zone and commenced 45 minutes before departure. We left on time and the cabin crew got to work quickly after take-off.

Lunch choices were beef pasta or chicken with rice, accompanied by a salad, roll with butter, a small cheese portion and a Tim Tam.

A sandwich and biscuits followed mid-flight, with breakfast served an hour before landing. The omelette was still available but unfortunately pancakes had already run out by the time the trolley reached my row.

As is often the case on long daytime flights, I found the meal service a bit light – so I was glad I had packed snacks. Frequent flyers might want to do the same.

Entertainment and Wi-Fi

Although I mostly relied on my own entertainment, Air Canada’s offering was good. The 13-inch touchscreen was responsive and easy to use, supported by a remote control.

There was a wide selection of movies, TV shows, music and games – enough to keep most passengers entertained through the 14-hour journey.

Wi-Fi is generally free for Aeroplan members, but I didn’t test the connectivity on this trip.

Final thoughts

Overall, Air Canada’s Sydney–Vancouver service delivers a solid long-haul experience. While the catering could be more generous, the punctuality, comfort of the bulkhead seat and efficient airport experience made for a pleasant journey.

If you can, invest in extra legroom – it makes all the difference on a flight of this length.

# Writer was travelling with Destination Canada