The flight was part of a press trip hosted by Visit Lauderdale and Air Canada , but as always, all thoughts and opinions are my own.
When embarking on a long journey, the plane and the airline becomes more than just a mode of transport—it’s an essential part of the experience. Choosing the right airline can be a tough decision, especially when flying to North America. Traditionally, travelers have had to choose between American or European carriers, but now there’s a new alternative: Air Canada. Offering easy access to all of North America via Canada, with direct flights from Arlanda starting in the summer of 2025.
I have recently flown the route Copenhagen - Toronto back and forth in Air Canada's fresh Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner on its way to Fort Lauderdale. So what was it really like to fly Economy with Air Canada across the Atlantic to Toronto?
About Air Canada
Air Canada was founded in 1937 and is Canada's largest airline. The airline is a full-service airline company with a fleet of 400 aircraft and flights to more than 180 destinations. A large airline, both in terms of fleet size and turnover. The airport in Toronto is one of the airline's 3 hubs.
Air Canada is considered one of the world's safest airlines according to AirlineRatings.com and is the only airline in North America to have been rated four stars (out of a possible five) by Skytrax.
Air Canada established itself this year (2024) at Arlanda during the summer season with two direct routes to Toronto and Montréal. The plan is to continue with the direct line between Arlanda and Toronto also during the summer of 2025.
The benefit of flying Air Canada to the US
One of the great advantages of flying Air Canada to the US is the seamless experience in Toronto, where you pass through US passport control and customs. Once you’ve arrived at your final destination in the US, you can simply slip into your sandals and walk straight out into the warmth, without the hassle of waiting in long immigration lines. Your luggage is checked all the way through to your final destination, and there’s no need to change terminals.
It didn't take many minutes to pass through US customs and passport control in Toronto. A very flexible solution that saved a lot of time.
Check-in and luggage
On this trip, I was traveling with just hand luggage, which made check-in a breeze, even though I was connecting to Fort Lauderdale from Toronto. However, the ESTA system was down when we checked in at Copenhagen, so we had to pick up our boarding passes for the Toronto to Fort Lauderdale flight at the transfer desk in Toronto. It was a quick and easy process, though—the boarding pass was ready in just 5 minutes.
A big advantage of traveling with Air Canada is that you can bring a carry-on bag with maximum dimensions of 55x40x23 centimeters (typical cabin bag) and a personal item (for example a purse) with maximum dimensions of 43x33x16 cm.
The important detail is that hand luggage does not have any weight limit. The rule is that you must be able to lift the luggage up to the hat rack yourself without help. This is a big advantage, both because you don't have to count grams and because the luggage always has the ability to put on some weight before the journey home.
Checked luggage is included depending on the route and which travel class. Between Copenhagen and Toronto, at least one piece of checked baggage is included in all classes except the very cheapest Economy Basic.
The cabin and inflight entertainment
The Dreamliner (Boeing 787) offered a comfortable journey across the Atlantic with a 3+3+3 seat configuration. On both flights I had an aisle seat, to Toronto in the middle section and on the way home in the side section. The seats felt tidy and each passenger was greeted at their seat by a pillow and a blanket.
I had (with my 168 centimetres) plenty of room for both my legs and my handbag. The width of the seat (17 inches) felt comparable to long-haul on European airlines, but slightly narrower than, for example, Emirates' long-haul flights. However, the neat armrest gave the feeling of more space.
The entertainment system offered a wide range of movies, podcasts, flight maps and music – but also loads of entire seasons of TV series. Free headphones are distributed to those who wish, but you can also use your own headphones without needing an airplane adapter. Charging sockets (USB) were found at each seat. The only downside to the entertainment system was that the screen didn't recline, which made it a bit difficult to watch movies when the person in front reclined the chair all the way back to sleep.
An exciting feature on the Dreamliner is the tinted windows. Right after we finished eating our lunch on the plane, the windows were darkened, so that the passengers could easily sleep despite the bright sunshine outside. A big plus that helps you land much more rested.
Food on board
Unlike several American airlines where neither food nor drinks are included in the cheapest economy ticket across the Atlantic, food and drinks are included with Air Canada. The flight between Copenhagen and Toronto takes only 7 hours, during which a main destination is served in economy shortly after take-off and a minor destination just before landing. Drinks (including wine and beer) are also included in economy.
There are two menu options for the main meal. On the way to Toronto, I chose chicken teriyaki with rice, and on the return flight, I opted for chicken with mashed potatoes. Both portions were generously sized and surprisingly tasty. A salad and a brownie were also included with the meal.
Before landing, a hot pie (minced meat/chicken/vegetarian) was served one way and a small breakfast (yoghurt and sponge cake). Snacks were also distributed during the flight, where the little crispy sticks with crème fraiche and garlic were really good.
Service
I appreciate an experienced crew with a strong sense of professionalism, which Air Canada certainly delivered. The staff on both flights were incredibly friendly and attentive. If you were in the restroom, they made sure to leave snacks at your seat as they passed by. If you asked for a drink, they quickly took care of it. They also frequently checked the restrooms, which may have been one of the reasons they remained so clean throughout the flight.
On the way back to Europe, we had an exceptional crew, and the pilot even announced over the intercom that we had an extra experienced team on board for this flight. I love how airlines highlight, acknowledge, and praise their experienced flight attendants. It always feels especially reassuring to fly with such skilled staff. A gold star to Air Canada!
Bottom line, how was the overall experience with Air Canada?
Air Canada is a breath of fresh air for anyone planning a trip to North America – whether you're staying in Canada or continuing on to the US or the Caribbean. Imagine the feeling of a full-service European company, with everything from smooth service to comfortable seats and a wide range of entertainment. Add to that a healthy dose of Canadian friendliness, and you have Air Canada in a nutshell!
On my trip, the flights were on time, boarding was smooth and the Toronto airport proved to be a nice place for a layover. At Toronto Airport, you'll find a generous selection of restaurants, shopping opportunities and pleasant lounges – perfect for while away a few hours between flights.
A small but important detail: don't forget to apply for an eTA to stopover in Canada, and if you're going on to the US, an ESTA is also needed. But with that fixed, you're ready for a really smooth journey.
Would I choose Air Canada again for my next North America trip? Absolutely – and preferably as soon as possible!
Didn't know Air Canada flies from Stockholm! Thanks for the tip!
Go ahead! You have to keep an eye out for when they release tickets in 2025 from Arlanda :) But otherwise you can always fly from Kastrup if you live in the southern parts of the country.
They're fun by plane :) :)