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When flying one of the largest widebody aircraft in the fleet at 
Air Canada, seat selection plays a far bigger role than many travelers initially realize. On the Boeing 777, differences between seats can be substantial even within the same cabin, shaped by layout choices, proximity to galleys and lavatories, and the specific configuration assigned to a route. For long-haul flights in particular, where passengers may spend eight hours or more onboard, choosing the right seat can significantly affect comfort, rest, and the overall quality of the journey.
This guide takes a closer look at the best seats in each class on Air Canada’s Boeing 777 in 2026, breaking down where passengers will find the most space, privacy, and convenience. From business class pods with optimal window alignment to premium economy rows with extra legroom to economy seats that offer subtle advantages over their neighbors, each cabin has clear standouts as well as seats that are better avoided. Understanding these differences ahead of time allows travelers to make more informed decisions before check-in, rather than leaving comfort to chance.
Overview Of Air Canada’s Fleet
Air Canada operates a relatively diverse fleet made up of both Airbus and 
Boeing aircraft, though its widebody operations are firmly centered around Boeing. The airline currently operates two variants of the Boeing 777 and two variants of the Boeing 787, which together account for most of its long-haul international flying. These aircraft are also complemented by the Airbus A330-300. On the narrowbody side, Air Canada’s fleet includes the Boeing 737 MAX 8, along with several Airbus types, including the A220, A320, and A321.
Beyond its mainline operation, Air Canada also operates two additional brands, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express, each serving a distinct role within the broader network. Air Canada Express handles regional flying and operates aircraft such as the CRJ900, Embraer E175, and De Havilland Canada Q400, primarily feeding passengers into the mainline network.
Air Canada Rouge, which focuses on leisure-oriented routes, operates Airbus A319, A320, and A321 aircraft. At the end of 2025, the airline announced a major fleet shift: all Rouge Airbus aircraft will receive cabin upgrades before transitioning into the Air Canada mainline fleet, while the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft will move in the opposite direction. The first Air Canada Rouge-operated 737 MAX 8 flight is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2026.
Across all Air Canada operating units, the total fleet size is roughly 350 aircraft. Among these, the Boeing 737 MAX 8 stands out as the single largest subfleet, with approximately 47 aircraft in service.
Overview Of Air Canada’s 777 Fleet
Air Canada’s Boeing 777 fleet is split between two variants, the 777-200LR and the 777-300ER. The 777-200LR is notable for having the longest range of any Boeing 777 variant, making it particularly well-suited for ultra-long-haul routes. In contrast, the 777-300ER is significantly larger, measuring approximately 33 feet longer than the 777-200LR. In very dense two-class configurations, Boeing has stated that the 777-200 series can accommodate up to roughly 400 passengers, while the larger 777-300 series can seat as many as 480.
Air Canada currently operates six 777-200LRs and nine 777-300ERs. There is a single cabin layout used on the 777-200LR, while the 777-300ER fleet features two different seating configurations.
Another meaningful difference across Air Canada’s Boeing 777 fleet is the inflight entertainment system installed onboard. The 777-200LR aircraft are equipped with the newer Panasonic ex3 system, which offers a wider range of features, including movies, television, music, interactive maps, games, shopping, food and drink menus, passenger feedback, learning content, and accessibility options.
By comparison, the 777-300ER aircraft uses the older Panasonic ex2 system, which provides a more limited selection, such as audio, movies, television programming, kids’ content, flight maps, and surveys.
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Cabin Deep Dive: 777-200LR
As noted earlier, there is only one cabin layout used across Air Canada’s 777-200LR fleet. The aircraft is divided into three service classes: Air Canada Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. Business class is arranged in a 1x2x1 layout with direct aisle access for every seat, Premium Economy follows a 2x4x2 configuration, and Economy is laid out in a standard 3x4x3 arrangement.
In total, the 777-200LR features 40 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and 236 economy seats, for a total capacity of 300 passengers. In terms of comfort, business class offers fully lie-flat beds, while premium economy seats recline up to 8 inches (20.3 centimeters), and economy seats recline up to 6 inches (15.2 centimeters). Seat width measures approximately 21 inches (53 centimeters) in business class, 20 inches (50 centimeters) in Premium Economy, and 17 inches (43 centimeters) in Economy. Seat pitch, which determines legroom, is 37 inches (94 centimeters) in Premium Economy and 31 inches (78 centimeters) in Economy.
When selecting the best business class seats, all suites on the 777-200LR are arranged identically, unlike some business class cabins, where seat angles and privacy vary by row. There are two separate business class cabins on the aircraft. The forward cabin, between the first and second sets of doors, has 26 seats, while the smaller, more secluded cabin behind the second set of doors has just 14 seats.
Because of its smaller size and reduced foot traffic, the aft cabin generally feels quieter and more private. These seats are located in rows 8 through 11 when booking. Since every seat offers direct aisle access, the choice between a window or center suite largely comes down to personal preference. Travelers flying together may prefer the paired center seats, which allow easier conversation and interaction during the flight without sacrificing privacy.
Premium Economy on the 777-200LR consists of just three rows, making seat selection particularly important. The bulkhead row, row 12, is generally the best choice because it offers the most legroom and eliminates the issue of the seat in front reclining into the passenger space. This can be especially valuable given the generous recline offered in Premium Economy. Only seats C, D, G, and H provide direct aisle access, which may matter for passengers who prefer easier movement during the flight. For couples traveling together, the window-aisle pairings in seats A and C or H and K provide a comfortable balance of privacy and accessibility.
In Economy class, the most desirable seats are typically bulkhead rows, which offer additional legroom for passengers willing to pay a small premium. For travelers seeking a standard seat, rows 19 through 28 are generally the best option, as they are located toward the front of the Economy cabin and experience less traffic than seats farther aft. However, rows 26 through 28 are positioned close to lavatories, which can increase noise and foot traffic during the flight. There are also a small number of 2x4x2 seating rows near the rear of the aircraft, created by the narrowing fuselage toward the tail. While these pairs can be appealing to couples, they are located very far aft and close to the rear lavatories, which may offset their appeal for some travelers.
Cabin Deep Dive: 777-300ER Layout One
The first layout of Air Canada’s 777-300ER is noticeably more premium-focused, with an additional business class cabin located behind the second set of doors. Like the 777-200LR, this aircraft features three cabin classes: Air Canada Signature Class, Premium Economy, and Economy. The fundamental seating characteristics, such as legroom, recline, and seat width, are consistent with the 777-200LR across each cabin, which helps simplify comparisons between the two aircraft types.
In this configuration, the 777-300ER is fitted with 40 business class seats, 24 premium economy seats, and a significantly larger economy cabin with 336 seats, bringing total capacity to 400 passengers.
As with the 777-200LR, the best business class seats are generally found in the smaller, aft business class cabin located behind the second set of doors. This section tends to feel quieter and more private due to reduced foot traffic compared to the larger forward cabin. Premium Economy is again limited to three rows, and the bulkhead row is typically the most desirable option thanks to increased legroom and the absence of seat recline from passengers in front.
The most notable difference in this layout appears in the Economy cabin, which is divided into three separate sections. The forward Economy cabin, spanning rows 18 through 23, is by far the smallest and often feels the most private, making it one of the best choices for travelers seeking a quieter experience. Bulkhead rows remain the top choice for legroom, but aside from location, most Economy seats are very similar in terms of comfort. Near the rear of the aircraft, rows 61 through 64 feature pairs of two seats along the sides due to the narrowing fuselage. These seats can be appealing for couples willing to trade a far aft location for the benefit of sitting together without a third seatmate.
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Cabin Deep Dive: 777-300ER Layout Two
The second layout of the 777-300ER is a noticeably denser configuration, with a clear shift toward maximizing economy seating at the expense of business class. In this version, the aircraft features 28 business class seats compared to 40 in Layout One, alongside 24 premium economy seats and a much larger economy cabin with 388 seats. That brings the total capacity to 440 passengers, or roughly 40 more seats than the first layout. In practical terms, Air Canada has effectively replaced 12 business class seats with an additional 40 economy seats. One important comfort difference in this configuration is that economy seats offer one inch less recline than in the other 777 layouts.
When it comes to seat selection, business class is simpler on this aircraft because there is only a single business cabin, and all seats are arranged in the same orientation. As a result, privacy and access are consistent across the cabin. Travelers flying together may prefer the paired center seats in rows D and G, which allow for easier interaction during the flight. Premium Economy once again spans three rows in a 2x4x2 configuration, with the bulkhead row 12 standing out as the best option due to additional legroom and the absence of seat recline in front.
Economy class on this layout is divided into three roughly equal-sized sections, which makes location more important than seat design. Rows 27 through 32, 43 through 51, and 60 through 63 are located near lavatories and galleys, which can lead to increased foot traffic and noise during the flight. Passengers who are sensitive to movement may want to avoid these areas if possible.
As with the other 777-300ER layout, this configuration also includes pairs of two economy seats on the left and right sides of the cabin due to the narrowing fuselage near the tail. These seats are in the final three rows of the aircraft and may appeal to couples who value sitting together without a third seatmate. However, they are positioned at the very back of the plane, near rear lavatories, which may be a tradeoff depending on passenger preference.
How Does This Compare To Other 777 Operators?
When viewed in a global context, Air Canada’s Boeing 777 cabins are fairly standard for a modern long-haul widebody aircraft. In economy class in particular, the amount of recline offered is actually relatively generous by today’s standards. With roughly five to six inches of recline depending on layout, Air Canada provides more rearward movement than some competitors, though that additional recline can feel intrusive when the passenger in front leans back. For comparison, United Airlines outfits its economy class seats on many Boeing 777 aircraft with closer to three inches of recline, prioritizing slimline seat design over seat movement.
There are, however, notable exceptions among airlines that have opted for highly non-standard Boeing 777 configurations. All Nippon Airways operates one of the most spacious 777-300ER layouts in the world, with just 212 seats installed onboard. That is more than 200 fewer seats than Air Canada’s densest 777-300ER Layout Two. ANA achieves this by offering four separate classes of service, with economy class not beginning until behind the fourth set of exit doors. The result is an unusually premium-focused aircraft that prioritizes space and comfort over maximum capacity.
Another Japanese carrier also stands out for its approach to economy class seating. Japan Airlines configures its 777-300ER economy cabin with nine seats across rather than the more common ten-seat arrangement. This results in a 3x3x3 layout instead of 3x4x3, giving each passenger slightly more personal space. While Japan Airlines does not publish exact seat width figures on its website, the reduced density almost certainly results in wider, more comfortable seats compared to any ten-abreast configuration.
