Is Air Canada Worth It in 2025? A Real Traveler’s Experience

Let me start with this: I wasn’t planning to fly Air Canada this year. I usually stick with budget carriers unless I find a really good deal. But in early 2025, I had a last-minute trip from Toronto to Vancouver and, surprisingly, Air Canada had one of the better options. Not the cheapest, sure — but the timing and comfort were worth considering.

So… is Air Canada actually worth it in 2025?

Here’s my honest, totally unfiltered experience — the good, the meh, and the “ugh, really?”

🛒 Booking Felt Easy… Until the Add-ons Kicked In

Their website was smooth — no complaints there. I booked an Economy Standard ticket, which came with one checked bag and free seat selection (yay). But man, they really try to sell you everything: more legroom, lounge passes, insurance, upgrades — even Wi-Fi. It felt like being at a used car dealership.

I ended up paying around $465 round-trip. Not cheap, but not crazy expensive either for a cross-country flight.

✈️ The Flight: Actually Better Than Expected

The aircraft was a Dreamliner (fancy, right?), and you could tell. Clean, quiet, and I loved the soft lighting. It didn’t feel like one of those old, noisy planes that makes you want to cry by hour three.

My seat? Decent. I’m average height (5’10”) and had enough legroom to not feel boxed in. The seat padding, though, was clearly well-loved — like, it had seen things. Still, I survived both legs without a sore back, so that’s a win.

🎬 Entertainment was top-tier. Touchscreen was quick, and there were loads of recent movies. I finally watched Oppenheimer — which is not light airplane viewing, FYI.

🥪 Food was meh. I got a wrap and a cookie. It was edible, but definitely not something you’d post on Instagram unless you were trying to be ironic.

📶 Wi-Fi + Crew Vibes

I splurged on Wi-Fi for an hour (around $6 CAD), and it actually worked! I could check emails and scroll through Instagram without losing my mind waiting for things to load.

Now let’s talk about the crew — probably the best part. They weren’t overly formal or robotic. One of the flight attendants cracked a few jokes over the PA, and another one actually helped an older gentleman re-pack his bag so it’d fit in the overhead bin. That kind of genuine care is rare nowadays, and it really stuck with me.

🧳 Baggage, Delays & All That Jazz

Luckily, no delays on either flight. My suitcase arrived in one piece (and on time), which in today’s travel world is… impressive?

But full transparency — a friend of mine flew Air Canada a few weeks before me and had a 4-hour delay flying out of Montreal. So yeah, reliability seems to vary. I just happened to win the travel lottery this time.

❤️ What I Loved:

Super friendly cabin crew
Easy-to-use app and booking system
Great in-flight entertainment (legit binge-worthy)
Modern, comfortable aircraft (especially the Dreamliner)

😬 What I Didn’t Love:

Constant upselling during booking
Food is still just… food
Wi-Fi isn’t free on most fares (and it’s 2025?? Come on.)

💭 So… Would I Fly Air Canada Again?

Honestly? Yeah. I would.

It’s not perfect — no airline is. But Air Canada in 2025 gave me a comfortable, stress-free experience, and that’s saying a lot. I didn’t feel like cattle being herded through an airport. I got where I needed to go, on time, with decent service and a little humor sprinkled in.

If you’re debating between a $150 budget flight with zero legroom and $100 in hidden fees… or a $450 Air Canada ticket that lets you breathe and stream Ted Lasso mid-air, I’d go with the latter. Sometimes, peace of mind is worth the extra bucks.

✈️ Pro Tip:

If you’re flying with Air Canada:

Download their app — it’s actually helpful.
Avoid Mondays — delays seem more common then.
Bring your own snacks unless you’re a fan of dry wraps.

🔗 Helpful Links

🧳 Safe travels, friends — and if you end up flying Air Canada this year, I hope your experience is as smooth as mine. But keep snacks handy… just in case.

Is Air Canada Worth It in 2025? A Traveler’s Honest Review (No Fluff)