Is Air Canada Bulkhead Seat worth an $80 upgrade
I took a flight from Ottawa to Vancouver. I could see from the seating map that the flight was fully booked. I usually pay to book a window seat and then try and get a seat with no one beside me at the last minute it works 50% of the time and the planes that I have been on leaving from Ottawa are not usually full. This time was different the airport was busier than I have ever seen it. I could tell from the seating map the plane was full. It cost $40 to book a window seat. I saw a last minute opening for a bulkhead window seat and decided to try it. It cost $80 to upgrade to the bulkhead seat but the $40 I already paid would get credited. I liked the idea of having a wall in front of me on such a packed flight.
I have free check in luggage with my credit card so I usually only take a backpack to leave under my seat on the plane. If I was in the back of the plane I wait until the last minute to board. I knew I would have no storage at my seat but this seat comes with early zone 3 boarding. There was no issue getting bin space. I’m not sure if people just think the front bin is for premium economy or it’s because Air Canada offered free carry on check in on this flight due to capacity issues. There is a lot of legroom in the seat but I’m short so that doesn’t matter much to me. I found the actual seats are a bit narrower than the economy class ones. There is nowhere to keep your stuff during take off and landing so you can’t have your bag in front of you. There is a tiny seat back pocket that fits a water bottle but it’s far to get to with the seatbelt on.
Having two windows at the seat is incredible especially when flying at 7 pm in October. I’m writing this on the plane and still can’t stop looking out the window it’s been a few hours.
There is a tray that comes out of the armrest but you have to wait until after take off to use it. There is also a tv screen that comes out of the arm rest I don’t know how to get it out one of my neighbours asked the flight attendant how to get his out I probably should have also asked then. I’m just going to use my time to catch up blog posts and look at the beautiful view out the window. I also have a good view of premium economy seats.
This seat is so close to premium economy the front bathroom is very close. It was easy for me to get up and pass my neighbours to go to the bathroom. I usually sit at the back of the plane and there is always a line and a struggle to get in and out of the aisles for the bathroom. There are no issues here at the front. I found the bathroom was more spacious than the ones in the back. The bathroom is a major perk of this seat although you could sit at any of the front economy seats and get the same perk.
Another perk of the seat is you get food service first. Air Canada now gives free snacks like Porter but their options are crackers with milk in them or cookies covered in milk chocolate. Neither of these options are good for vegans or people with dairy allergies. Because the space is so tight in the seat I dropped my phone and bag of treats I brought with me. The people behind me thankfully were able to retrieve my phone but I have no idea where my treat bag went. I didn’t eat much today and got stuck in traffic on the way to the airport so didn’t have time to get food. I usually don’t buy food on the plane because I’m scared of having to use the bathroom too much but now I know it’s easy to get to. I was able to see the menu on my phone and see the hummus wrap is vegan and it’s 25% off for aeroplan credit card holders which I am. There are menus in the seat back pocket but it’s too far for me my leg doesn’t even touch the wall plus I prefer looking at my phone. During the second drink service I asked the flight attendant if she could fill my water bottle up she said she didn’t have enough but then she went to the front and filled it up. I don’t think that would have happened if I wasn’t at the front although I am a little worried of where this magic water came from.
My neighbour got up to use the bathroom and I was able to get up and stand in this corner without my head hitting anything. I also tried to figure out how to get the TV out but no luck it’s okay I’m perfectly entertained without it. There is 2 hours left in the flight and I don’t want to ask now.
Is an extra $40 worth it for this seat? There are definitely some perks the view, the space, getting served first and being able to easily get to the bathroom. The drawbacks are nowhere to put your stuff while adjust your seatbelt, bags need to be stored overhead, and you may have to ask to be able to watch the entertainment system. If you have long legs it’s definitely worth it. If you are short like me it’s a nice perk for a little extra just plan to keep things in your pocket. The only class I haven’t tried yet on Air Canada is premium so maybe in a future flight.
You can read the other blog posts here
Business class vs economy Westjet Economy vs Air Canada Business Class
Lie flat business class seats. Air Canada Signature Class
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