Air Canada's Boeing 787-8 and 787-9 form the backbone of the airline's long-haul network from Canada to Europe, Asia and South America. Both types share a common three-cabin layout — Signature Class, Premium Economy and Economy — but differ in size, row count and a few key seat quirks.
This combined guide covers both aircraft types, showing you how to tell them apart and which seats to pick (or avoid) in each cabin.
Aircraft & Cabin Overview
787-8 vs 787-9
| Type |
Configuration |
Notes |
| 787-8 |
20J + 21W + 214M = 255 seats |
Smaller airframe with 5 rows of Signature Class and a 3-row Premium Economy cabin. |
| 787-9 |
30J + 21W + 247M = 298 seats |
Longer fuselage with 8 rows of Signature Class and more Economy seats. |
Common Products and Features
| Item |
Details |
| Signature Class |
Collins Aerospace Super Diamond reverse-herringbone, fully flat with all-aisle access. |
| Premium Economy |
Recaro PL3510 recliner seats in 2-3-2 layout. |
| Economy |
Collins Pinnacle slimline seats in 3-3-3 layout. |
| IFE |
Panasonic eX3 with HD touchscreens in all cabins. |
| Connectivity |
Intelsat 2Ku satellite Wi-Fi. |
| 787 advantages |
Lower cabin altitude (~6,000 ft), higher humidity and larger windows with electronic dimming, improving comfort on long-haul flights. |
Best Seats in Air Canada 787 Signature Class (Business)
Signature Class is identical in concept on both the 787-8 and 787-9, using a 1-2-1 reverse-herringbone layout.
Signature Class Overview
| Attribute |
Value |
| Layout |
1-2-1 reverse-herringbone |
| Seat width |
21" between armrests |
| Bed length |
79" fully flat |
| IFE |
18" HD touchscreen |
| Power |
110V AC + USB-A + USB-C |
| Features |
Direct aisle access, enclosed footwell, mattress pad and secure storage at each seat |
Best Signature Class Seats
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Best privacy (787-9) |
8A, 8K |
Last row of the cabin with no one behind, good for light sleepers and those who dislike foot traffic. |
| Quiet rear window (787-9) |
6A, 6K |
Rear window seats with strong privacy and reduced aisle exposure. |
| Best rear privacy (787-8) |
5D, 5G |
Last-row centre seats on the 787-8, with fewer people walking past. |
| Best for couples |
Any D/G centre seats |
Centre pairs with a lowerable divider for couples who want to sit together while retaining some privacy. |
Signature Class Seats to Avoid
| Seats / Rows |
Why |
| 787-8: 5A, 5K |
Missing a window due to the fuselage join; poor for passengers who value views. |
| 787-9: 5A, 5K |
One window missing, reducing the view and natural light. |
| Row 1 (both types) |
Closest to the galley, with more service noise and light, particularly on overnight flights. |
Signature Class Seat Strategy
| Traveller Type |
Recommendation |
| Solo travellers |
Window seats A/K offer the best privacy and views; avoid rows with missing windows (notably some row 5 positions). |
| Couples |
Centre D/G seats are ideal; they allow conversation when the divider is lowered without the isolation of separate windows. |
| 787-8 vs 787-9 |
The 787-9 adds three extra rows, including highly private rear-row window seats (8A, 8K) that do not exist on the 787-8. |
Best Seats in Air Canada 787 Premium Economy
Premium Economy is identical across both aircraft types: a small, 3-row cabin in 2-3-2 layout.
Premium Economy Overview
| Attribute |
Value |
| Layout |
2-3-2, rows 18–20 on both 787-8 and 787-9 |
| Seat width |
19.5" |
| Pitch |
38" |
| Recline |
Approx. 5" |
| IFE |
11" HD touchscreen |
| Power |
110V AC + USB-A |
| Features |
Recaro recliner seats with leg and footrests, 4-way headrests and bi-fold tray tables |
Best Premium Economy Seats
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Best overall |
18A/B, 18J/K |
Bulkhead window pairs with extra legroom and only one neighbour. |
| Best bulkhead centre |
18D/E/F |
Maximum legroom across the cabin, especially good for taller travellers and families. |
| Best for couples |
Any A/B or J/K window pairs |
Two-seat blocks at the cabin sides with one neighbour only. |
| Best for solo travellers |
Window seats in rows 18–19 |
Extra privacy plus a clear view without sitting in the centre 3. |
Premium Economy Seats to Avoid
| Seats / Rows |
Why |
| 20D/E/F |
Last-row centre seats, close to the rear bulkhead and lavatories, more noise and potential recline restriction. |
| Row 20 generally |
Proximity to Economy cabin and increased foot traffic from behind. |
| Centre seat E for solo travellers |
Middle of the 3-seat block, making it the least comfortable for those travelling alone. |
Premium Economy Cabin Notes
- With only 21 seats, Premium Economy is a very compact and quiet cabin compared with Economy.
- The 2-3-2 layout means most passengers sit in pairs, making it ideal for couples and small groups.
- The layout and seat hardware are identical on both the 787-8 and 787-9.
Best Seats in Air Canada 787 Economy Class
Economy on both 787 variants uses a 3-3-3 layout with modest pitch and standard slimline seats.
Economy Overview
| Attribute |
Value |
| Layout |
3-3-3 |
| Seat width |
17.1" between armrests |
| Pitch |
31" |
| Recline |
Around 5" |
| IFE |
9" pivoting HD touchscreen |
| Power |
Shared 110V AC + individual USB-A |
| Features |
Collins Pinnacle seats with hammock-style headrests and bi-fold tray tables |
Best Economy Seats
| Category |
Recommended Seats |
Why |
| Best legroom |
Exit row seats (fees apply) |
Substantial extra legroom compared with standard rows. |
| Best bulkhead |
Bulkhead rows where legroom is not obstructed by bassinets |
Extra stretch space for taller passengers, with the trade-off of no under-seat storage for take-off and landing. |
| Best for quick service |
Forward rows of the first Economy cabin |
Served earlier and closer to the doors, meaning a faster exit and better choice of meals. |
Economy Seats to Avoid
| Seats / Rows |
Why |
| Last few rows |
Increased noise from galley and lavatories, plus a higher chance of limited recline. |
| Middle seats E |
Least desirable position in the 3-3-3 configuration, especially on full flights. |
| Rows adjacent to mid-cabin galley / lavatories |
More foot traffic, noise and light from service and passenger movement. |
Economy Cabin Notes
- The 787's 3-3-3 layout is more comfortable than 10-abreast 777s, but seats are still relatively narrow; window or aisle seats are strongly preferred.
- All seats benefit from the 787's lower cabin altitude and larger dimmable windows.
Known Quirks & Cabin Notes
| Quirk / Note |
Details |
| Missing windows in Business |
Certain rear Signature Class seats (notably 5A/5K on the 787-8 and partial window at 5A/5K on the 787-9) have missing windows; avoid if you care about views. |
| Small Premium Economy cabin |
Only 21 seats in 3 rows; feels much more private than Economy and is a worthwhile upgrade on overnight flights. |
| Identical PE layout on both types |
Premium Economy is effectively the same on the 787-8 and 787-9, simplifying seat selection. |
| 787 comfort features |
Lower cabin altitude, higher humidity and large dimming windows improve comfort versus older aircraft on long sectors. |
Summary — Best Seats Overall (Air Canada 787-8 & 787-9)
| Cabin |
Best Seats |
| Signature Class |
Window seats A/K away from the galley, especially 8A/8K and 6A/6K on the 787-9 and 5D/5G on the 787-8 for rear-cabin privacy. |
| Premium Economy |
Bulkhead seats 18A/B, 18J/K and 18D/E/F; then any A/B or J/K window pair for couples. |
| Economy |
Exit-row and bulkhead seats with clear legroom, plus forward rows of the first Economy cabin for quick service and disembarkation. |
Air Canada 787 — Frequently Asked Questions
How can I tell if I am on a 787-8 or 787-9?
Check the seat map or your booking details. A 5-row Signature Class cabin usually indicates a 787-8, while 8 rows of Business and a higher total seat count indicate the 787-9.
Is Premium Economy worth it on Air Canada's 787s?
Yes, especially for overnight flights. The wider seats, extra legroom, leg/footrests and quieter cabin represent a clear upgrade over 3-3-3 Economy.
Which Business Class seats have missing windows?
On the 787-8, 5A and 5K lack windows. On the 787-9, some row 5 window seats have reduced or partial window views. Avoid these if you care about looking outside.
Are there any 2-4-2 Economy rows on the 787?
No. All Air Canada 787s use a 3-3-3 Economy layout; two-seat pairs are only available in Premium Economy (2-3-2).
Where should families sit?
Families with infants should consider bulkhead rows (with bassinets where available). For older children, forward rows of Economy near the lavatories but not directly adjacent are a good compromise.
Comparable Aircraft
