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Travelling in Air Canada Business Class is much more than just an upgrade. It’s a premium experience designed for discerning travellers seeking comfort, exceptional service, and efficiency.
Air Canada’s Signature Class stands out for its high level of comfort and consistency, along with convenient connectivity through an extensive network of direct flights to North America, South America, Europe, Asia, and the Caribbean.
Whether you’re travelling for business or leisure, Air Canada Business Class, known as Signature Class, transforms every flight into a relaxing, enjoyable, and productive experience.
Here is a detailed guide to everything you need to know, including privileged access to the exclusive Air Canada Signature Suite Lounge.
Air Canada Business Class, also known as Air Canada Signature Class on select flights, is recognized for its enhanced comfort, attentive service, and exclusive privileges both on the ground and in the air. It is designed for travellers seeking a premium flight experience, whether flying for business or leisure.
It’s important to note that not all Air Canada business classes are created equal. The Signature Class is the airline’s most premium business class product. It is offered only on wide-body aircraft (Boeing 777, 787 Dreamliner, Airbus A330), mainly on long-haul international flights. In contrast, some domestic or transborder flights use narrow-body aircraft (A220 or 737 MAX) which offer a more limited business class experience without lie-flat seats.
Air Canada Signature Class is available on international routes to Europe, Asia, South America, and Australia. You’ll also find it on select busy transcontinental routes in North America, such as Toronto–Vancouver or Montreal–Los Angeles, and even on some Caribbean routes like Montreal–Punta Cana during the peak all-inclusive season. This ensures premium travellers enjoy a consistent business class experience, even within Canada or the United States.
On board, every detail has been designed to maximize passenger comfort and peace of mind. The seats recline completely to become true flat beds, allowing passengers to sleep comfortably throughout the flight. Each seat has direct access to the aisle in a 1-2-1 configuration, ensuring greater privacy and freedom of movement.
Key benefits include:
In-flight dining is another highlight. The menu is created by renowned Canadian chefs and features dishes inspired by both local and international cuisine. Porcelain dishware, wine glasses, and metal cutlery add a touch of elegance to every meal. A selection of wines, champagnes, and spirits is also available.
Menus change regularly and adapt to the seasons, with vegetarian and diet-friendly options. In fact, Signature Class passengers can request special meals (kosher, halal, vegetarian, etc.) and assistance services in advance through their booking.
In terms of entertainment, each seat is equipped with a high-definition touch screen, with a vast library of films, series, music and games. Wi-Fi is available on most flights, but is subject to a fee, except for Aeroplan Super Elite members or on North American routes.
Even before boarding, Air Canada Signature Class passengers enjoy expedited and priority treatment. This starts with dedicated check-in counters, followed by access to priority security screening. Signature Class passengers board in Zone 1 and receive priority baggage delivery upon arrival.
Another notable benefit is access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges, where travellers can relax, work, or dine in a comfortable space away from the hustle and bustle of the airport. In airports without a Maple Leaf Lounge, Air Canada offers access to select partner lounges.
Finally, for eligible travellers, access to the prestigious Air Canada Signature Suite represents the ultimate in luxury.
The Air Canada Signature Suite is an exclusive airport lounge reserved for a select group of travellers. Unlike traditional Maple Leaf Lounges, the Signature Suite offers a premium restaurant-style dining experience and a refined place to relax, with a level of service and cuisine rarely found in the world of air travel.
Air Canada currently operates two Signature Suite lounges:
Access to the Air Canada Signature Suite is strictly reserved for certain passengers, depending on their ticket type, fare class, and destination.
Here are the eligibility requirements:
Passengers who have upgraded to business class through an upgrade (eUpgrade, last-minute offer, bid, or operational upgrade) are not eligible for access to the Signature Suite, even if they are flying in Signature Class.
Access to the Air Canada Signature Suite is strictly individual, with no authorized guests, except in the following cases:
Although no formal dress code is imposed, smart attire is strongly recommended for access to the Signature Suite.
Once inside, passengers have access to:
The staff are attentive, the service fast and discreet, all in a hushed, calm atmosphere. It’s the ideal place to start a business trip or a luxurious getaway abroad.
Thanks to the Aeroplan program, you can reserve Air Canada Signature Class seats by redeeming your points. You can also bid for an upgrade (in cash or points), or use your eUpgrade credits (on tickets paid for in cash or points) to access this business class without breaking the bank.
Awards are dynamic on Air Canada flights, meaning that the number of points required varies according to flight distance, demand and availability.
Here are some general guidelines for a one-way ticket:
It’s not uncommon to see particularly high Aeroplan awards, sometimes in excess of 300,000 points for a one-way ticket between Montreal and London. But the reverse is also true: thanks to dynamic pricing, some surprising bargains can emerge.
Recently, a member of our Facebook community got his hands on an itinerary between Toulouse and Quebec (with the transatlantic segment in Air Canada Signature Class) for just 45,000 points, a real gem well below the usual threshold for this type of route.
For flexible business class tickets, which provide access to the highly sought-after Air Canada Signature Suite, pricing also fluctuates. In a recent search, one itinerary offered the full Signature Class experience for 64,500 points, while access to the Signature Suite required 78,500 points. This presents an excellent opportunity to enjoy premium service without depleting your entire Aeroplan points balance.
Finding a good points fare can seem complicated, but certain tools make the task much easier. For example, Roame lets you quickly search for the best Aeroplan rewards: simply enter your departure city and a broad destination, over a period of up to two months. In our case, a simple search for direct flights from Toronto to Europe during the summer brought up several interesting options… in just a few seconds.
In general, to maximize your chances of getting a good points rate, it is recommended to:
Having some flexibility with your travel dates and airports can help you find better rewards, especially during peak season.
To quickly earn Aeroplan points, consider using Aeroplan co-branded credit cards such as those offered by American Express, TD, or CIBC. By combining welcome bonuses with points earned on your everyday purchases, you can reach your business class travel goals faster.
Use our Aeroplan credit card comparison tool to find the card that best suits your needs and spending habits.
Air Canada Business Class, and especially its Signature Class, sets a new standard for premium travel. It stands out for its consistent quality both on board and on the ground, offering comfort, reliability, and convenience from several Canadian airports.
Thanks to the Aeroplan program, this experience is within reach for travellers who make the most of their points. For those who qualify, access to the Air Canada Signature Suite is a true benefit, offering a space of tranquility, elegance, and fine dining before you even board your flight.
Signature Class is Air Canada’s premium business class, available on select international flights aboard wide-body aircraft, offering exceptional comfort and service.
On board, it features lie-flat seats, gourmet dining, modern entertainment options, and personalized service, ensuring a relaxing travel experience.
Access is reserved for passengers travelling in Signature Class with a specific ticket on international flights departing from Toronto or Vancouver.
Travellers enjoy priority check-in, expedited security screening, access to Maple Leaf Lounges, and, for those who meet the eligibility requirements, entry to the Signature Suite.
Points can be redeemed for business class seats through the Aeroplan program. Points requirements vary depending on demand, distance, and availability.
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