B777: UA vs AC smackdown, I mean, comparison

Last week I flew AC1 YYZ-NRT and UA803 NRT-SIN (and vice versa on UA804 and AC2)
Flights on each airline were on similar 777 aircraft.
All my notes below (except the obvious) are for Economy/Plus.

Air Canada

  • 777-300ER, 2 class config: a double Excecutive First lie-flat, then Economy
  • Economy is 3-3-3 seating
  • 18AB and 18JK are great seats because there is no 3rd seat and the bulkhead gives lots of leg room
  • Tight legroom in economy
  • Power ports at 2 out of 3 seats, inc. a USB port
  • Personal TV/IFE
  • All alcohol free
  • Food was better than expected
  • Friendly flight attendants

United Airlines

  • 777-200 premium, 3 class config: lie flat in Global First, lie flat in Business First, then Economy Plus and Economy
  • Economy is 3-3-3 seating
  • 20AB and 20JK are great seats because there is no 3rd seat and the bulkhead gives lots of leg room
  • Good legroom in Economy Plus (but tight in regular Economy, also known as E-Minus :-)
  • Power ports, but no USB port
  • Personal TV/IFE
  • Beer/wine free, but not hard liquor/liqueur
  • So-so food
  • Pleasant flight attendants

Overall, the experience on Air Canada was better, though if I didn’t have the bulkhead row, I’d prefer Economy Plus on United for the extra legroom.

Let the insanity begin: 2 day mileage run YYZ-NRT-SIN-NRT-YYZ

Won’t even be leaving the airport, as I have a 6 hour room booked inside SIN airport (S$47/US$38 for budget single, i.e. shared bathroom)

19,448 miles round trip.

Interestingly, YYZ now has a Nexus security lane even at the international (non-US) departures, at least in T1 from where AC flies.
The Maple Leaf lounge puts out lunch (and alcohol) at 11am, so I’ll have 15-30 minutes to enjoy that before heading to the gate.

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