Intro
Is Air Canada’s economy class worth it, and will you get fed or have to pay?
Depends entirely on which route you’re flying – and there’s a difference.
I tested both flight options: Paris to Montreal with complimentary service, then Montreal to LA on their North American Bistro programme, where you buy most food.
Same airline, different approaches to keeping you fed.
Here’s what you’re actually getting on each.
The Paris Lounge
My journey started at the Maple Leaf Lounge at Paris CDG, which shows serious wear.
The space felt dated and tired, though they managed decent food and drinks at various stations.
Standard lounge fare – sandwiches, salads, hot items that kept you fed without any excitement.
Did the job as a quiet space away from terminal chaos, but nothing to write home about.
Paris to Montreal
The 7-hour transatlantic flight began with complimentary headphones and special meal deliveries, but the meal service was slow.
About 90 minutes after takeoff, my chicken dinner finally showed up.
The chicken was tender enough, but it was swimming in a sauce that tasted like nothing at all.
Mashed potatoes were fluffy but bland; the vegetables were steamed into complete submission.
Everything was edible but forgettable.
The wooden cutlery was a nice sustainability touch – Air Canada ditched plastic for wood.
The side salad looked tired, so I stuck to the main bits.
Between services, the crew wandered through offering sparkling water and pretzels without being asked.
About 90 minutes before landing, a second service brought Sweet Pepper Chicken pastry that was surprisingly decent.
Flaky pastry, filling with actual flavour, chicken pieces and sweet peppers that provided texture and taste.
Montreal to LA
The 5-hour domestic flight operates under Air Canada’s bistro programme.
Instead of complimentary meals for everyone, what you get depends on your fare type.
Most passengers buy food ร la carte, but here’s the smart move: pre-purchase meal vouchers online for 35% savings compared to onboard prices.
The bistro menu actually impressed. Pizza, wraps, breakfast items, mac and cheese, plus you can buy business class meals in economy.
When the service started 20 minutes after takeoff, I asked about premium options and chose chicken tagine with pearl couscous.
Air Canada nailed this oneโtender chicken with spices, including cinnamon, ginger, and preserved lemons, giving it an authentic tagine character.
The pearl couscous was spot on, with individual grains that retained their texture while soaking up the rich sauce.
I also used my voucher for a cheese and fruit platter plus hummus. The cheese selection was thoughtful rather than random varieties thrown together.
Hummus was creamy with good tahini flavour, not the grainy, oversalted versions most airlines serve.
Conclusion
Air Canada operates two distinct food programmes, and the domestic bistro system undermines the international service.
Being able to purchase premium cabin meals in economy gives you a real choice, while the voucher system saves 35% if you plan.
The international service needs work – adequate but uninspiring food served way too slowly.
The domestic approach shows what Air Canada can do when they focus on passenger choice instead of generic airline food.
For North American routes, the bistro programme offers solid value and reflects Canada’s food culture properly.
Worth booking? Yes for domestic routes with the bistro system – pre-buy those vouchers for the savings.
International routes are fine but nothing special. The sustainability efforts are a genuine bonus.
