If it’s your first time booking with Air Canada, figuring out which class you want to fly in can be a bit confusing. There are five Economy classes, but what’s the difference between them? Is it worth spending a little bit extra to fly Business class? 

You don’t have to figure it out on your own, as we’ll break down every Air Canada fare class and tell you just what the difference is between each of them–and if flying business class really is worth it. Hint: It’s always worth it.

Throughout this article, we’ll take a look at a one-way flight from Toronto (YYZ) to Vancouver (YVR) and how much a ticket would cost for each class. Here’s an overview of Economy, Premium Economy, and Business Class. As you can see, there’s quite a price difference. 

Economy Class

Air Canada has five fare options for Economy class, ranging from the most basic, non-refundable, to the Latitude class, which allows refunds and ticket changes. Here are the differences between the five Economy class tickets:

Basic 

Basic Economy costs $384 from YYZ to YVR. 

With Basic Economy, you’re really only paying for a seat on the plane–nothing else. This is usually always the cheapest option, so it's perfect if you’re on a budget and don’t care about a first-class experience.  

Fare Features:

• Non-refundable 

• You cannot modify dates or any other details after purchasing a ticket 

• You cannot change flights at the airport 

• You are not eligible for same-day airport standby

Travel Experience:

• Priority check-in and baggage handling are not available

• No access to Maple Leaf Lounges (unless you have a credit card with lounge access!) 

• Your first checked bag costs $35, and the second is $50

• Get complimentary meals on international flights

• Purchase a meal box for just over $10 on domestic, cross-border, and Sun destination flights

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 10% Aeroplan points on domestic flights 

• Earn 25% Aeroplan points on flights to the US, International, and Sun destinations 

• You don’t earn any SQM, SQS, or SQD towards Aeroplan Elite Status

Standard 

Air Canada’s Standard fare in Economy is a little more pricey at $418 for a seat from YYZ to YVR. 

Fare Features:

• Non-refundable

• Make changes to your flight for $100

• Same-day airport standby is free on select flights only

Travel Experience:

• The cost for checked bags, meals, and everything else is the same as Basic Economy

• You still don’t get access to airport lounges and priority airport services

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 25% Aeroplan points on flights within Canada and 50% on all other routes

• Earn SQM, SQS, and SQD towards Aeroplan Elite Status

Flex

Economy Flex (or Econoflex) fares include a few more benefits than Basic and Standard. It costs $480 from YYZ to YVR. 

Fare Features:

• No Air Canada Flex fare change fee, meaning you can change flights at no cost except for the fare difference

• Your fare is not refundable on domestic, cross-border, and Sun destination flights; however, you can get a refund for international flights with a fee

• Same-day airport standby is free on select routes within North America

Travel Experience:

• Priority check-in and baggage handling are still not available

• Access Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges for $79 

• Free advance seat selection and one free checked bag on all flights

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 100% Aeroplan points on all bookings

Comfort 

It costs $565 for a seat in Comfort Economy from Toronto to Vancouver. 

Fare Features:

• Fully refundable fares on flights to all destinations

• You can change your flight and pay only the fare difference

• Same-day airport change and standby are included

Travel Experience:

• Priority check-in and baggage handling are still not included, but you get one free checked bag, and the second costs only $50

• Access the Maple Leaf Lounges for $59

• Get a little more space with Preferred seats for free on flights to Sun destinations, within Canada, and to the US

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 115% Aeroplan points on all flights

Latitude 

Latitude fares are the most expensive but least restrictive Economy tickets. It’s a big jump at $1,401 for a flight from Toronto to Vancouver. 

Fare Features:

• Your flight is fully refundable

• You can make changes to your booking by paying only the fare difference

• Same-day airport changes and standby are included

Travel Experience:

• Priority check-in and baggage handling are included

• Free advanced seat selection

• Free Preferred seats

• Two checked bags are included 

• No handling fee if you’re travelling with sports equipment

• Get a free Air Canada Bistro meal box on all flights

• Complimentary meals on international flights

• Pay $49 to access the Maple Leaf Lounge

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 125% Aeroplan points on all flights

Premium Economy 

Premium Economy is a step above all Economy fares in its own category. It includes Lowest and most Flexible tickets: Flexible is fully modifiable and refundable, whereas you’ll need to pay for flight changes with the Lowest fare. 

For flexibility, you’ll pay $266 more on this flight from YYZ > YVR. 

Note that Premium Economy is not available on flights to Sun destinations. 

Travel Experience:

• Larger seats with extra legroom

• Priority check-in and baggage handling

• Two free checked bags

• Advance seat selection

• No fees on sports equipment handling 

• Access Maple Leaf Lounges for $49 

• Complimentary meals on all flights 

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 125% Aeroplan points on your booking 

Business Class

Air Canada’s Signature Class is the most expensive of all fares but comes with the most benefits. Just like Premium Economy, Business Class has Lowest and Flexible fares. There’s quite a big difference of $339 between the two on this flight. 

Travel Experience:

• Lie-flat seats on some flights 

• Free access to Maple Leaf airport lounges

• Priority airport check-in and baggage handling

• Two checked bags included 

• Advanced seat selection

• No fees for sports equipment handling 

Aeroplan Rewards:

• Earn 150% Aeroplan points on your booking

Where Does Air Canada Fly?

Air Canada flies to almost every continent. Countries include:

• Africa

• Asia Pacific

• Canada

• Europe

• Middle East 

• South America 

• Sun destinations 

• United States 

You can see a full list of countries where Air Canada flies at the bottom of this page. 

If you’re redeeming Aeroplan points for a flight, take a look at the flight reward chart for an estimate of how many points you’ll need. To learn more about how to redeem points for free flights, check out our article on the Aeroplan rewards program. 

Keep in mind that Premium Economy fares are not available for flights to Sun destinations. 

Best Credit Cards to Book Air Canada Flights With 

If you’re a savvy traveller (which you should be if you’ve read a few of our blog posts!), you’ll know that the best way to book flights is using a travel rewards credit card that earns you accelerated points and gives you airport benefits. 

Using the right credit card unlocks perks like travel insurance, priority airport services, free checked bags, and lounge access, on top of earning points you can eventually redeem for free flights. 

Here are three of our favourite credit cards to book flights with:

American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card

Although this credit card comes with a hefty $599 annual fee, we think it’s more than worth it. You’ll earn 3x the Aeroplan points on Air Canada bookings, plus exceptional Air Canada benefits, including:

• Access to Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges 

• Priority check-in, boarding, and baggage handling

• Free first checked bags 

• Priority access to the standby list and upgrades 

• Toronto Pearson Airport benefits 

• Shopping and travel insurance 

Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite Card

The Scotiabank Passport Visa Infinite ranks high on our list of the best no FX fee credit cards, as you won’t be charged foreign transaction fees of up to 3% when making purchases abroad. On top of earning Scene+ points on all purchases, travel benefits include:

• Six complimentary airport lounge passes

• Access to the Visa Infinite program 

• Complimentary Avis Preferred Plus membership

• Travel insurance 

TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card 

Like the American Express Aeroplan Reserve Card, the TD Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege Card has a $599 annual fee. We think it's worth it, as you can earn up to 2 Aeroplan points for every dollar spent. Travel benefits include:

• Priority check-in, boarding, baggage handling, airport standby, and upgrades

• Reach Aeroplan Elite Status faster and maintain it more easily 

• Get 12 extra months of eUpgrades 

• Upgrade to Avis President’s Club

• Get six free airport lounge passes 

• Visa Infinite benefits 

• Travel insurance  

How to Choose Which Credit Card to Book Flights With

There’s no straight answer as to which credit card is the best. However, you’ll need to consider what’s most important to you and if the annual fee is worth it. If you value travel insurance, lounge access, and earning lots of Aeroplan points (or points that can be converted to Aeroplan, like American Express Membership Rewards points), we recommend one of the cards above. 

You can also go with a credit card with a lower annual fee, but still earns you lots of points, like the American Express Cobalt card. 

Welcome bonuses are another factor to consider, too. If you need to spend a certain amount of money within a few months of card membership to earn a lot of points, consider using that card to book your flight to reach the minimum spend. 

Ultimately, choosing the right credit card depends on how much you’re willing to spend for premium airport and travel perks. 

How to Redeem Credit Card Points for Free Flights

If you have an Aeroplan or American Express credit card, it’s really easy to redeem your points for free Air Canada flights or upgrades. American Express MR points can be transferred to Aeroplan at a 1:1 ratio–which you can do in your American Express account. 

To redeem Aeroplan points, simply go to this page and select “Book with Aeroplan points.”

You’ll see how many points you’ll need for each fare class, plus if you’ll need to spend any of your own money. For example, a flight from Toronto to Vancouver will cost you 23.6k points for Economy Class vs 81.9k points for a Business Class flight. 

Now you know all about the different Air Canada fare types and what they include. Whether you’re on a long flight looking for a business-class experience or don’t care about all the extra bells and whistles, you can choose the best fare and get the most value for your money. 

Want to earn points that you can trade in for free flights, upgrades, and more? With Chexy, you can pay rent with your travel, points, or cash-back credit card and earn rewards on one of your biggest monthly expenses. 

Get started with Chexy today. 

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FAQs

Is Air Canada business class worth it? 

Air Canada’s Business class is widely known as one of the best in North America. It is quite a bit more expensive than Economy Class, but well worth it if you book with Aeroplan points and value airport lounge access, priority airport services, and earning tons of points on your booking. 

What is the difference between Economy Comfort and Premium Economy on Air Canada?

Premium Economy is a decent upgrade from Economy Comfort. Premium Economy includes larger seats with extra legroom, priority airport services, two free checked bags, and free meals on all flights, whereas Economy Comfort does not include any of that. 

Does Air Canada Basic Economy include carry-on?

Yes, it includes one personal item (that fits under the seat in front of you) and one carry-on (that you put in the overhead compartment). This is a great benefit of flying with Air Canada, as most low-cost airlines do not include a carry-on. 

What is the Air Canada companion fare?

If you have a premium Aeroplan credit card, you can bring someone along with the Annual Worldwide Companion Pass. Ranging from $99 to $599, a close friend or family member can join you on your flight anywhere in the world.