MONTREAL — Flying business class really comes into its own when you have to spend more than 14 hours sitting – or in this case, lying down.

On Air Canada’s Montreal-Seoul route, as on many other ultra-long-haul flights, Signature Class makes the journey between two cities a much more comfortable experience, with opportunities to dine well, sleep, work or simply forget that you’re travelling in a confined space, 10,000 metres above the ground.

LATE ARRIVAL, SPEEDY TRANSFER

As soon as I arrive at the airport, a little later than usual thanks to priority check-in, I make my way quickly through security using a dedicated priority lane. 

With Signature Class, airport formalities become much less of a chore, and even my checked baggage will arrive faster on the carousel at my destination, thanks to its special priority tag.

Once through security, I head straight to the Maple Leaf Lounge. The atmosphere is a world away from the terminal: subdued lighting, comfortable armchairs, stylish workspaces, modern decor, artwork displayed here and there, WiFi and a generous buffet of local and international dishes. I settle on a smoked meat sandwich and an Italian non-alcoholic beer. Korea is still a long way off.

A WINDOW SEAT – MAKE THAT TWO WINDOWS

After breezing through priority boarding, I settle into my seat, the very first one at the front of the aircraft. This gives me an opportunity to strike up a conversation with the bilingual flight attendant looking after my row aboard the Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner.

The cabin features 30 seats arranged across eight rows in a 1-2-1 configuration, giving every passenger direct aisle access.

As for me, I have a window seat. Actually, make that two windows, thanks to the seat’s diagonal positioning. Besides providing greater privacy, the arrangement of my lie-flat seat makes it almost impossible to resist looking outside. Every so often, I feel compelled to gaze at the sky and clouds, which only adds to my sense of relaxation.

That said, the large personal screen and extensive movie selection soon tempt me to darken the windows, a feature that can be activated at the touch of a button on the Dreamliner. I settle in for a movie marathon.

I’ll get around to working on my laptop and reading up on Korea later. After all, I have more than half a day ahead of me.

DINING AT 35,000 FEET

Speaking of reading, I decide to start with the menu, where I discover that the dishes have been created by Jérôme Ferrer, Michelin-starred chef of Montreal’s Jérôme Ferrer Europea restaurant.

I hesitate between the braised lamb shank with pomegranate demi-glace and the hoisin-glazed chicken thigh, but eventually opt for the Korean chicken dak-galbi. I might as well start getting into the Seoul spirit.

To accompany the meal, the wine list has been put together by Véronique Rivest, owner of Soif wine bar in Gatineau, who was named the world’s second-best sommelier in 2013, finishing just behind Paolo Basso.

Her selections take passengers on a journey from the Niagara Peninsula to New Zealand, with stops in Greece and Champagne along the way. That suits me just fine while I wait to enjoy some Korean soju once I reach my destination.

TIME FOR BED

With dinner behind me and two Korean feature films under my belt (there are plenty more in the entertainment library), I slip on the eye mask provided in the amenity kit and activate the seat’s massage function.

After putting the mattress pad in place, I recline my lie-flat seat to a full 180 degrees and prepare to drift off into the arms of Morpheus, my head nestled into the pillow and my hands tucked beneath the cosy duvet.

Designed to improve onboard comfort, the 787 features a cabin pressure equivalent to a lower altitude and generally higher humidity levels than many older aircraft.

These features don’t guarantee a good night’s sleep, of course, but the conditions are certainly favourable, especially with a fully extended lie-flat seat measuring more than two metres long.

The result? As someone who normally sleeps terribly on airplanes, I manage more than five hours of shut-eye. For me, that’s practically a record.

When I wake up, I check the interactive flight map on my screen. We’re flying over the Arctic, taking a shortcut that saves us several additional hours in the air.

I take the opportunity to check my emails using the complimentary WiFi available to Aeroplan members, then order a little snack while waiting for breakfast.

“A chicken skewer and a seaweed and edamame salad, please,” I ask the flight attendant.

Throughout the journey, the service has been particularly attentive and responsive. In fact, I haven’t had to wear out my index finger pressing the call button to get what I need.

ALMOST THERE

As the flight approaches South Korea, the crew gradually brightens the cabin lighting and prepares for the final meal service.

For breakfast, there’s no question about my choice: I go for the Asian option, Korean pork japchae with glass noodles.

Through the window, the Korean coastline comes into view, followed by the city of Incheon and the enormous facilities of its international airport, one of the most highly regarded in the world.

After touching down at 6:14 p.m., I head to baggage claim to collect my suitcase. No waiting around: the priority tag has done its job.

Feeling surprisingly fresh and rested, I board the train that will take me downtown.

The sun is beginning to set, the light is captivating and the evening promises to be lovely.

More information about Air Canada Signature Class can be found here.