Air Canada Express CRJ-900 Business Class (YYZ to LGA)
by Krish Patel
A recent visit to Toronto in October was the perfect time for me to test out Air Canada’s short haul Business Class. I flew out from LaGuardia to Toronto Pearson onboard the airline’s A220 and decided to book a return flight on one of the regional jets. The airline’s mainline and regional jets offer vastly different Business Class experiences. Is Air Canada Express worth it? Or, should you try to seek flying one of the mainline Air Canada jets instead?
On the Ground
Air Canada departs from Terminal 1 at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ). The check-in area for U.S. bound flights can be found to the far left of the check-in hall and is shared by United Airlines.
Business Class passengers and those with Aeroplan status can use the priority check-in queue. Check-in wasn’t that packed on my day of departure, and I was able to make my way through security and customs. In Canada, all passengers on U.S. bound flights are required to go through pre-clearance immigration, which means that flights will land in the U.S. as a domestic arrival.
After clearing customs, I visited the Maple Leaf Lounge. Air Canada has two Maple Leaf Lounges accessible to Business Class passengers traveling to the U.S. The lounge right after immigration is the better one of the two, so I spent all of my time there prior to boarding.
The lounge felt busy, with most of the seats occupied during my visit. It was difficult to find and open seat, but I managed to get one after searching around.
The Maple Leaf Lounge is outdated and could use a refresh. It doesn’t have any special amenities aside from showers, and the buffet isn’t the most impressive. There’s one buffet station found towards the center of the space, with a salad bar, hot soups, and warm entrees. You’ll also find a few desserts, coffee machine, and soda dispenser.
After relaxing for just over an hour, it was time to go board. My New York-bound flight was scheduled to depart from the F Gates, which involved a long walk.
Business Class passengers receive priority boarding in Zones1 of 6. As boarding neared, the gate area became crowded. Our flight was delayed, and we departed nearly 35 minutes late.
Air Canada Express Business Class Cabin and Seat
The CRJ-900 has 12 Business Class seats up front laid out in a 1-2 pattern. Solo travelers would appreciate the single seats on the left side of the aircraft, which offer direct aisle access. The seats are comfortable for the standards of a regional jet, but feel quite outdated and lack a modern appearance.
The seats lack individual entertainment screens, but offer universal power outlets to charge a personal device. There’s also a seatback pocket and foot rest at the bottom of the seat in front of you. Note that the universal outlet only works properly once in the air.
The tray table pops out from the inner armrest. It offers a decent surface area for food and drinks, but nothing too impressive or noteworthy.
At the front of the cabin is one lavatory reserved for Business Class passengers. It’s a typical regional jet bathroom, with not much room to stretch out and limited counter space. The gray walls feel bland, old, and uninspiring.
Air Canada Business Class Food and Drink
Immediately once I boarded, a bottle of water was waiting for me at the seat as a pre-departure drink. No actual beverage was handed out until we were in the air.
The usual hot towel and complimentary drink was offered after reaching cruising altitude. I went for a refreshing ginger ale, which was served in an Air Canada-branded glass.
In Business Class, flight attendants offered a complimentary cheese plate. It was well-presented for a short haul flight and tasted great. A substantial food offering on a Business Class flight less than an hour was impressive to see. The brie, cheddar, and Swiss cheeses were all great, as were the apricots and strawberry jam.
Light snack options included pretzel twists or a milk chocolate bar.
Amenities and Service in Air Canada Express Business Class
Air Canada’s CRJ-900 is equipped with free Wi-Fi and streaming entertainment for Aeroplan members. Entertainment included audiobooks, movies, TV shows, and live television on my flight. There are plenty of new releases to keep you occupied as well.
The crew were friendly and maintained a professional attitude despite our significant delay. They seemed happy and were always able to assist passengers.
Booking and Pricing for Air Canada Business Class
One-way Business Class flights on Air Canada from Toronto to New York start at $330 and fluctuate throughout the day. Some of the best credit cards for booking airfare include the Chase Sapphire Reserve ($795 annual fee) and Amex Platinum Card ($895 annual fee). Both have solid earning rates for travel purchases and allow you to earn credit card points.
A similar price exists for mainline Air Canada flights between the two cities. Air Canada also operates the A220-300 on this route, so if you’re looking for a more luxurious passenger experience, it’s worth booking a flight on the A220 if the pricing is similar.
Overall Thoughts
Air Canada’s CRJ-900 feels super old. Its Business Class cabin really shows its age, with outdated seats and a bland color palette. The soft product was impressive, but you can have a better experience on a mainline jet with actual seatback entertainment. I wouldn’t seek to fly Air Canada Express Business Class again, especially if you’re going to get similar service with a better seat on the A220 instead.