How many people can you cram into a Boeing 777-300ER aircraft? Air Canada have found a new answer – 458 people.
Air Canada will have 5 of these units – which will feature the following
- 36 Executive First Seats configured in a staggered configuration
- 24 Premium Economy Seats (a new feature for Air Canada) in 2-4-2
- 398 Economy seats in the squeezing 3-4-3 configuration
This compares to Air Canada’s current 777-300ER’s which operate in
- 42 Executive First Suites configured in 1-2-1
- 307 Economy Seats configured in 3-3-3
The first route for this squeeze on an aircraft has been confirmed to be operating on the Montreal to Paris CDG run
AC870 DEPART YUL 20:55 ARRIVE CDG 09:45+1 AC871 DEPART CDG 13:30 ARRIVE YUL 14:50 Operates Daily from 11/06/2013 - Maybe shortswapped to a two class777-300ER at ashort notice
For those of a nervous disposition, head to http://www.aircanada.com/en/about/fleet/77W.html and click the 3 Class configuration to see the seatmap.
Other operators who use the 777-300ER in an ultra-dense 3-4-3 down the back include:
- Air France/KLM
- Air New Zealand
- Alitalia
- American Airlines (new 777-300ER product)
- Emirates
- Etihad
- TAM
Lets hope Air Canada doesn’t choose to reconfigure all its 777-300 fleet into this 3 class configuration – 3-3-3 is just about bearable in the air. 3-4-3 is… not pleasant.
Thank you for writing the truth!!! I just wrote them an email explaining how it is a big concern their new seating choice….this is what I just wrote them before reading your GREAT article…(maybe the more who contact the, will make a difference,doubt it but who knows!)
“Hello,
Good Morning! I just wanted to start off by saying I really like Air Canada and almost always choose to book with Air Canada as I think you provide pretty good service most of the time.
I was interested to see your new premium cabin for rollout on 777-300 from YUL – CDG and am VERY CONCERNED about what you have done to economy seating.
You now have changed regular economy seating from 9 across (which was fine) to 10 across, making the seats narrower like a charter airline such as Air Transat!
I wanted to give you some feedback that if you choose this layout for your other routes, especially from YYZ to NRT, LHR etc. I will be choosing another airline such as British Airways who does not have that layout, and they have premium economy on their 777 with 9 across for economy!
My brother mentioned he would especially NOT take that seating configuration to Tokyo Narita, for 13 hours!
I know you may not make the decisions on these things but PLEASE pass this feedback to someone who cares/can do something, because I can tell you that as frequent aeroplan traveler, this does not make me want to fly Air Canada at all for business or leisure.
Sincerely,
Good for redemptions in front cabin (I absolutely love the throne seat), really sux for those stuck in the back … but at least they have a true Y+.
wonder what other routes would they deploy this to other than YUL-CDG ?
Would they consider updating existing 763/77W with the new J but keeping 9-abreast Y for higher yielding destinations like NRT ?
10-abreast in a 777? This is possible with small seats, similar to those used on buses. The 747 originally was developed for an 8-abreast seating (2-4-2) in economy, later changed to 9-abreast (2-4-3) after the October 1973 oil crisis, and eventually to the 10-abreast (3-4-3) after the January 1979 oil crisis. With small seats as those used on buses, it is possible to go 11-abreast (3-5-3) on the Boeing 747 or the Airbus A380.