Travel test

WHAT: Air Canada International Economy.

WHERE: Flight AC823 from Heathrow to St John’s, Newfoundland. www.aircanada.com/uk.

EXPERIENCE: St John’s is the capital of Canada’s remote island of Newfoundland, and is the most eastern city in North America.

It’s so far east it’s a lot closer to Europe than the West Coast. It only takes five hours and 40 minutes from London, and five hours back – one of the quickest routes across the Atlantic.

Air Canada, the only carrier that flies direct, has opted for the new Boeing 737 MAX 8, the more ‘personalised’ version of the 787 Dreamliner. By that, they mean mini. I found myself on a narrow, single-aisle plane with only 169 seats. It seemed too small for long-haul but, that said, everything was new and good quality, with a great cabin crew.

The comfortable seats had a good enough headrest for a decent snooze, but the legroom wasn’t the greatest. The jet didn’t have the funky dimming windows of the Dreamliner, but it did have the same quiet engine technology.

The complimentary meal was small and simple, yet surprisingly tasty, and the alcohol was free.

The in-seat entertainment system had a wide selection of movies and programmes. Earphones are free and there’s a USB power point, but wi-fi comes at a premium.

The prices stated when searching on Air Canada’s website are for the Economy Basic fare. No changes can be made to bookings and checked-in luggage is extra.

Economy Standard fare flights cost around €70 extra return, yet come with one free checked-in bag, and work out a little cheaper overall. QUIBBLES: For both Basic and Standard fares, the website prompts you twice to pay for seat reservation, without mentioning free seating selection is available at check-in.

VERDICT: No frills, but decent for a not so long-haul flight. 7/10