Finding the Best Aircraft for a Redemption

There are a lot of factors to consider when making a flight redemption. An aspect like the aircraft type may often go overlooked, yet this can have a significant impact on your overall travel experience. 

Different aircraft offer varying levels of comfort, amenities, and seating configurations, particularly in premium cabins like business or first class. Some planes feature lie-flat seats, more advanced in-flight entertainment systems, while others may have older, and far less comfortable interiors. 

Additionally, modern aircraft are equipped with enhanced features like quieter cabins or larger windows, making long-haul flights more enjoyable. 

In this article, we’ll cover all the key elements travelers should consider to ensure the most comfortable journey possible, along with maximizing the value and experience from your points redemptions.

Why to Choose a Specific Aircraft

Among the many reasons to choose a specific aircraft for your points redemption, the primary factor for most people is usually the onboard product and amenities. However, other considerations might include personal preferences, the desire to try a new airline or aircraft type, or experiencing a different variation of an existing product.

Before we get too much further, it’s important to first understand the most common aircraft in operation today and the key differences between them. Then, we’ll get into why it’s worth taking some time to research your potential redemption options and each airline’s current fleet and cabin configurations.

Narrowbody vs. Widebody

You might have come across the terms “narrowbody” and “widebody” when people talk about different types of aircraft, and it’s completely understandable if you’re not familiar with this aviation jargon. Let’s clarify the differences between narrowbody and widebody aircraft.

The differences between narrowbody and widebody aircraft are primarily in size, range, and usage scenarios. The easiest way to tell a widebody from a narrowbody aircraft is by how many passenger aisles it has; a widebody has two (or more) passenger aisles, while a narrowbody has just one.

Narrowbody planes, like the Boeing 737 or Airbus A320, have a single passenger aisle and are typically used for short to medium-haul flights. They can accommodate up to 200 passengers, have less overhead space in the cabin, and have significantly less range compared to a widebody aircraft. Narrowbody aircraft are by far the most common aircraft used in commercial aviation, with there being nearly four times as many narrowbody aircraft as widebody aircraft. 

A typical narrowbody will have between 4 and 6 seats across in each row in economy. More often than not, airlines will choose to install recliner-style armchair seats in business class over more premium lie-flat suites and pods found on widebody aircraft. 

Below is the typical cabin layout of an Air Canada 737 MAX 8.

Widebody aircraft, such as the Boeing 777 or Airbus A350, have two passenger aisles and are designed for long-haul flights. They offer much more seating, longer range, and often feature enhanced comfort options like more spacious seats and improved in-flight entertainment systems. The largest of the widebody variants can accommodate up to 600 passengers. 

Related: How to Find the Best Seat on the Plane

Most carriers configure their widebody aircraft to accommodate up to 10 seats abreast in economy class. Due to the increased cabin space, nearly all airlines reserve their flagship business and first class products exclusively for widebody aircraft. This allows for more spacious and luxurious configurations that aren’t feasible on smaller planes.

Below is the typical cabin configuration of an Air Canada 777-300ER.

Both of these aircraft types have their own advantages and disadvantages. Widebody aircraft offer a more spacious cabin for passengers and crew, along with larger amenities like bigger lavatories and dedicated crew rest areas. They also typically have nearly twice the range of narrowbody planes, allowing for longer non-stop flights without the need for connections—reaching destinations that narrowbody aircraft may not be able to serve in a single flight.

The advantage of a narrowbody aircraft is that it consumes less fuel per passenger due to requiring much smaller engines to operate, and have quicker boarding and deplaning times. With recent advancements in airplane engine technology, manufacturers are now producing narrowbody aircraft capable of serving long-haul routes more efficiently. These planes are designed to operate on routes that don’t require the larger capacity of widebody aircraft, offering a more economical solution for airlines.

Modern Aircraft Offer Greater Passenger Comfort

When researching long-haul flights, you’ll find that most airlines primarily operate one of four aircraft models from Boeing or Airbus. The Boeing 777, Boeing 787, Airbus A330, and Airbus A350 dominate the majority of long-haul routes in service today.

Among these four aircraft, the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 stand out as the most advanced commercial passenger planes currently in service. Both feature cutting-edge technology and innovative manufacturing processes such as with the use of composite materials designed to enhance passenger comfort, and lower the cost of operating the aircraft. These advancements lead to smoother flights, quieter cabins, and improved air quality, making the overall onboard experience far more pleasant.

These new aircraft are not only popular with passengers but also offer airlines greater fuel efficiency, longer range, and lower operating costs compared to older quad-jet models. While some four-engine planes like the Boeing 747 and Airbus A340 are still in service, their poor economics make them likely candidates to be phased out in the near future.

Here are some of the key advancements available on the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 to provide a more pleasant cabin experience:

• Both aircraft are much quieter than their previous-generation counterparts, thanks to more advanced engines and improved soundproofing. The lower noise level helps passengers and crew feel more refreshed after an overnight flight by reducing fatigue and minimizing disturbances, making it easier to rest and sleep throughout the journey.

• The 787 and A350 feature a lower cabin altitude (6,000 feet), which can reduce passenger fatigue on long flights. For comparison, an older generation Boeing 777 aircraft has a pressure altitude of around 8,000 feet.

• Both aircraft have advanced air filtration systems to remove odors and contaminants. The cabin air in a modern commercial jet is replaced every 3 minutes. Additionally, the humidity in the cabin is less dry, which contributes to more overall comfort.

• Both the Boeing 787 and Airbus A350 feature larger windows that allow more natural light into the cabin, contributing to a more open and spacious feel. These windows can also be electronically dimmed, offering passengers the ability to see outside without disturbing other passengers. Initially, this feature was exclusive to the 787, but Airbus has recently started incorporating dimmable windows into its newer A350 models as well.

• Many airlines are incorporating the latest generation aircraft with advanced LED lighting systems designed to align with passengers’ natural day-and-night biorhythms. These lighting effects help create a more relaxing and pleasant atmosphere, replacing the harsh white lights typically found on older planes.

Newer or Better Business and First Class Product

When an airline introduces a new business or first class product, the airline will usually opt to install it on a newly delivered aircraft rather than retrofitting it into an existing aircraft from its fleet. As a result, if you have the flexibility to choose your route that operates with a newer aircraft and cabin layout, you’ll likely have a much better experience. 

For years, Lufthansa was often the subject of ridicule due to the state of its business class product, which was considered one of the most outdated among premium full-service airlines. With the introduction of its new business class product, the airline is initially equipping only its newly delivered Airbus A350 aircraft with the updated cabins. Retrofit upgrades for existing planes will be implemented over the next few years.

Lufthansa’s new Allegris business class offers a significant upgrade over the existing business class cabin, featuring multiple seating options, direct aisle access from every seat, and enhanced privacy along with ample storage.

Additionally, here in Canada, Air Canada operates many transcontinental flights between the East and West Coast using a wide variety of aircraft types. When searching on the Air Canada website, you’ll want to pay particular attention to the operating aircraft and you may even want to filter by aircraft type to only include widebody aircraft, as you’ll likely have a much better experience, especially when flying in a premium cabin. 

The same can be said for many different airlines, as some have wildly different cabins across their fleet. We’ll have a look at some more examples later on.

A Preferred Aircraft Manufacturer

Choosing between aircraft manufacturers is mostly a matter of personal preference, but minor differences between each manufacturer may influence your preference based on your individual comfort and tolerances. Depending on what you value most—whether it’s cabin design, seating density, or in-flight technology—these distinctions might steer you toward one manufacturer over another.

Boeing has made headlines for the wrong reasons in recent years, with its reputation suffering significantly due to multiple crashes and safety incidents involving its 737 MAX aircraft. If you’re someone who prefers to avoid certain manufacturers or aircraft altogether, this is completely understandable. However, this choice may limit your ability to redeem points efficiently, as you’ll need to be more flexible—potentially flying out of different airports or excluding certain airlines from your options entirely. This can make finding optimal redemptions more challenging.

That said, both Boeing and Airbus’ latest widebody aircraft are the safest ever built. Since their introduction, neither has experienced a hull loss despite over a decade of service and millions of flight hours.

Additionally, regulators in the USA and Europe have been tightening standards for passenger aircraft since these incidents to make flying even safer than it already was.

Outside of safety, there are some small differences between each of the aircraft manufacturers. For instance, you may, like me, be a huge fan of the tail camera, a feature typically only found on Airbus aircraft.

If you prefer electronically dimmable windows over traditional manual window shades, the Boeing 787 might be a better choice for your flight. Either way, both manufacturers have their merits and there isn’t much to distinguish between them anymore.

Aviation Enthusiasts: A Special Aircraft or Unique Experience

For those who don’t know, I obtained my pilot’s license in 2006, and I’m fascinated by all things related to aviation. To me, flying is much more than simply traveling from point A to point B—it’s about the entire experience and the love of being in the air. When traveling, I’ll often route my itinerary through specific cities for a chance to fly on a new product or if the opportunity arises to fly on a specific aircraft. 

For some, this may involve the desire to fly on the iconic Boeing 747 or Airbus A380, or enjoying the unique experience of a first-class cabin featuring an onboard bar and lounge. I believe these examples highlight the importance of considering more than just the most direct or efficient route to your destination.

As the days of four-engine aircraft dwindle, there may be limited chances left to experience one of the most thrilling redemption opportunities on either of the superjumbos. Every travel enthusiast should make it a priority to experience this at least once before these modern marvels of engineering disappear for good.

Beyond just the aircraft itself, some of the most aspirational flight experiences are only available on select aircraft. For instance, Emirates’ first-class shower spa and Singapore Airlines’ spacious first-class Suites can only be found on the Airbus A380.

Factoring the Hard and Soft Product into Your Decision

In aviation, “hard product” and “soft product” refer to different aspects of the passenger experience:

• Hard Product: This includes the physical, tangible elements of the flight experience, such as aircraft seats, cabin layout, in-flight entertainment systems, and onboard areas such as social spaces.

• Soft Product: This refers to the service-related aspects and amenities that are not permanent fixtures of the aircraft, including cabin crew hospitality, the quality of onboard meals, and extras like pillows, blankets, and mattress pads.

Together, they shape a passenger’s overall journey, with premium airlines excelling in both areas to create a memorable experience. Understanding the strengths of each airline, along with considering which of these two aspects you prioritize or find most important, will be key factors when deciding on a redemption.

However, many airlines excel in one aspect, either the hard product or the soft product, but struggle to deliver both consistently. 

Many travelers praise United Airlines for its hard product, particularly the Polaris business class seat and its exceptional Polaris lounges, which offer à la carte dining and private shower facilities. However, when it comes to the soft product, United has a reputation for serving some of the worst food in the industry.

In contrast, Turkish Airlines features an outdated 2-3-2 business class layout throughout much of its fleet. However, the airline is well regarded for its exceptional cabin crew and outstanding in-flight catering.

Thankfully, there are many airlines that excel at both their hard and soft products. For example, Starlux Airlines stands out as one of the most memorable flights I’ve experienced recently. From the brand-new Airbus A350s and the latest-generation lie-flat seats to the exceptional meals, bedding, and fantastic service, everything contributed to an almost flawless journey.

One of the primary benefits of redeeming points and miles is the chance to fly with airlines other than your usual “home” carrier. For instance, many travelers choose to redeem their miles for business class on Japan Airlines when heading to Japan. This allows you to experience something new and exciting, such as enjoying authentic Japanese cuisine before even stepping foot in the country, or benefiting from the elevated service standards that many Asian airlines prioritize.

Beyond just the hard and soft product, some airlines only have certain special amenities onboard specific aircraft. One of the most prominent examples of this is the Emirates first and business class bar and lounge located at the rear of the upper deck on the A380.

The final point to keep in mind is that if you can only fly one-way with a foreign carrier, it may be beneficial to depart from the airline’s hub airport. One could argue that airlines typically offer superior catering services at their hub airports compared to foreign airports. This often results in enhanced dining options, including the ability to pre-order meals and access a broader selection of food and drink choices.

How to Choose a Specific Aircraft

The search results on every airline’s website or app will display the aircraft scheduled to operate a specific flight at the time of booking. While this provides an indication of which aircraft will be used, airlines are frequently adjusting and optimizing their schedules. Equipment changes can happen anywhere from months ahead of time to the day of departure.

Using an example flight from Vancouver to Toronto on Air Canada in business class, we can select a filter from the top of the search results to show the aircraft currently scheduled to operate each flight, which are circled in red.

If you happen to find a day when Aeroplan’s dynamic pricing is favorable and you’re flexible with your travel times, you can choose your preferred aircraft type. If the prices for all of the flights are quite similar, you can opt for flights on a Boeing 737 MAX 8, Airbus A321, Boeing 777, or Boeing 787. 

However, Air Canada offers its premium Signature Class lie-flat seats on all its widebody aircraft, unlike the armchair-style recliners found on its narrowbody fleet. This gives you the chance to select a superior product for the same price, highlighting the importance of checking the aircraft type when booking.

This can apply to many airlines, as some airlines offer wildly differing seating configurations and cabins across its fleet.

Targeting Specific Routes Known to Fly a Particular Aircraft

If you’re looking to fly on a particular aircraft or experience a new product, there are several tools we can use to narrow down what routes a specific aircraft typically operates. We can use a free tool such as Flightradar24.com to search the entire fleet of every airline and filter and sort by aircraft to view its flight history.

Say for example you want to plan a Qatar Airways Privilege Club redemption and would like to include a flight on Qatar Airways A380 aircraft, which feature the airline’s exclusive first class cabin. We can easily find out which routes Qatar Airways A380 aircraft operate on using Flightradar24.com.

From the Flightradar24.com homepage, search for Qatar Airways and then select “show fleet” from the search results.

On the following page, every aircraft registered to Qatar Airways fleet will be displayed and sorted by aircraft type. We’re specifically looking for flights that are operated by the Airbus A380, so we would then expand the A380 section (displayed as “A388”, which is shorthand for A380-800) to see all of the A380 aircraft currently operating for Qatar Airways.

Clicking on each aircraft registration will take you to that aircraft’s flight history, which should give you an idea of which routes the airline is currently deploying the aircraft on. 

For example, if we click on aircraft A7-APD we see that this specific aircraft has been operating on routes from Doha (DOH) to London (LHR), Sydney (SYD), Perth (PER), and Bangkok (BKK). This page will also show what routes this aircraft is currently scheduled to operate a few days in advance.

By using this information, you can more accurately predict the specific route an aircraft will operate on a given day, making it easier to plan and secure the redemption you’re aiming for. This is just one example, but the same approach can be applied to any airline or aircraft you’re focusing on.

Another handy feature on Flightradar24.com is the option to search for a specific route operated by an airline. For example, if you’re tracking an Air Canada flight from Vancouver (YVR) to Frankfurt (FRA) and want to review its flight history, this tool can help you identify which aircraft is typically used on that route.

Enter YVR-FRA in the search box and then select the scheduled flight AC838.

On the search results page, you’ll find the recent flight history for this Air Canada route, along with the aircraft currently scheduled to operate it. In this case, the data shows that Air Canada regularly uses a Boeing 787-9 for the route. Although operational needs may occasionally require an aircraft swap, it’s reasonable to expect this route to be consistently served by this aircraft type.

Receiving Notifications of Equipment Changes

What happens if the aircraft for your flight is swapped for a different type? This largely depends on the airline and the cabin class you’re booked in.  

If you’re flying in economy, the impact is usually minimal. Most airlines maintain consistent layouts across their economy cabins, with similar seating configurations. However, as we’ve already touched on, business class seating can vary significantly depending on the aircraft type, which may result in noticeable differences in your experience.

Most airlines don’t notify passengers in advance about equipment changes. To stay informed, you’ll need to use external tools. One easy option is to use a website like ExpertFlyer, which lets you set up alerts for aircraft changes on specific flights, notifying you in the event of an equipment swap.

Some airlines, such as Qatar Airways, understand that many passengers specifically book its flights to experience the excellent QSuite product. Given the airline’s reputation for frequent last-minute equipment changes, Qatar Airways proactively inform passengers via email if their flight is switched to an aircraft without the QSuite configuration. In such cases, the airline also offers the option of a complimentary rebooking on an alternate flight at a later date.

Qatar Airways is one of the few exceptions in these types of cases, and you probably won’t realize that your flight has been changed to a different aircraft unless you have set up an alert. This is particularly true if you book your flight well in advance, as aircraft changes can happen several times between the time of booking and departure date.

In most cases, airlines provide minimal notification about equipment swaps unless the change dramatically affects your seating situation—such as being downgraded to a lower cabin class.

Keys and Tips to Getting the Airline and Aircraft You Want

We frequently discuss the importance of flexibility in maximizing your chances of success with any redemption. This principle plays a large role when trying to secure your preferred airline and aircraft for your flights.

This will typically require taking a positioning flight to an alternate airport to catch your flight. As those of us in Canada know all too well, the Canadian market isn’t a major draw for high-demand business and first-class products offered by the world’s airlines, making it harder to access some of the most coveted redemptions in the points and miles community.

Another facet of the flexibility we so often espouse is having access to a wide range of loyalty programs, which enhances your chances of securing award availability. Oftentimes, the loyalty program of the operating airline allocates extra award space for its own members. 

Having the majority of your points balances in flexible points currencies will allow you to shop around to all the various loyalty programs we have access to in Canada, providing you with the greatest range of options for specific redemptions.

This is even further enhanced if you have access to U.S.-issued credit cards. Expanding your credit card portfolio to include banks such as Chase and Citibank will greatly increase the number of loyalty programs you have access to that are otherwise inaccessible in Canada.

Examples of Differences in Products Between Aircraft

We’ve already covered product differences across several airlines, and now we’ll shift our focus to some of the more prominent carriers and their business class configurations, highlighting any key differences worth noting.

Air Canada

One of the most popular Air Canada business class redemptions is for a transcontinental flight between the East and West coast of Canada. However, as I pointed out earlier, Air Canada uses a wide mix of aircraft on its transcontinental routes, including narrowbody and widebody airplanes. 

On widebody aircraft, Air Canada provides its lie-flat Signature Class seats, while narrowbody planes only feature armchair-style recliner seats in the premium cabin. 

From the search results on the Air Canada website, you can easily see at a glance which aircraft have the lie-flat Signature Class seat and which do not. 

Air Canada provides premium economy seating on its widebody aircraft, which closely resembles the business class seats found on its narrowbody planes. Premium Economy features slightly wider seats and additional legroom for enhanced comfort.

On certain shorter international routes, like Halifax (YHZ) to London (LHR), Air Canada utilizes the Boeing 737 MAX 8 and markets its business class seat as a premium economy fare.

WestJet

WestJet has nine Boeing 787-9 aircraft, which it uses to operate long-haul international and high-demand sun destination flights from its Calgary (YYC) hub. 

These are the only aircraft in WestJet’s fleet where you’ll find lie-flat business class seats. These seats should look familiar, as they’re the exact same seat Air Canada uses for its Signature Class. 

The rest of WestJet’s fleet consists of only narrowbody aircraft, mostly Boeing 737 variants and De Havilland Dash 8’s. Some of these will be configured in an all-economy configuration, and the 737s will feature a larger armchair-style recliner seat as its premium offering. 

Typically, you’ll see this seat marketed as “Premium” on the WestJet website.

The economy cabin on WestJet’s Boeing 737 fleet has a standard 3-3 seating arrangement, which is common throughout the industry.

Qatar Airways

Qatar Airways is a bucket-list redemption for many, as its QSuites business class is regarded as the best business class in the industry. However, the airline has five non-QSuite business class configurations and cabins across its widebody fleet. Furthermore, the airline also has a proclivity of last-minute aircraft changes to and from different aircraft with different seating configurations.

The best way to guarantee yourself a flight on a QSuites-equipped flight is to book on a route that is always operated by an Airbus A350-1000. All of Qatar Airways A350-1000 feature a QSuites configuration. 

You’ll also find QSuites on most Boeing 777-300 and Boeing 777-200 and some Airbus A350-900, but not all. Once again, we can utilize flightradar24.com to examine specific routes and access historical data, which will help us identify the aircraft used for each route.

For example, pulling up the flight history for Doha (DOH) – San Francisco (SFO) shows us that this route is consistently operated by an Airbus A350-1000, making this an excellent candidate for a redemption as you’ll be virtually guaranteed the QSuites cabin, barring a truly unforeseen circumstance.

Aside from the aircraft mentioned above, Qatar Airways’ widebody fleet includes a combination of Boeing 787s, Airbus A330s, and Airbus A380s. However, none of these planes are equipped with QSuites cabins. Instead, they offer a variety of seating options, including reverse herringbone seats laid out in a 1-2-1 configuration, and some aircraft even feature the dreaded 2-2-2 business class seating arrangement.

Keep in mind that aircraft swaps can also work in your favor; occasionally you’ll find yourself in the circumstance of having your flight changed from a non-QSuite aircraft to an aircraft that is equipped with QSuites.

When searching on the Qatar Airways website, the results will state if the flight is scheduled to be operated by a QSuites-equipped aircraft. This should give you an idea of what to expect for each specific route.

In summary, to maximize your chances of flying in Qatar Airways Qsuites, look for the A350-1000 first, followed by the 777-200, then the 777-300, and lastly the A350-900. No other aircraft in Qatar Airways fleet features QSuites. 

Conclusion

When making a redemption, it’s essential to consider various factors beyond just the airline and route. Different aircraft provide varying levels of passenger comfort and amenities, and some seating configurations are only available on specific aircraft types.

While the differences between economy seating are usually minor, the variation in business and first-class products can be significant.

Airlines often charge the same award pricing for a flight, irrespective of whether it’s on an older aircraft with outdated seating or a brand-new plane equipped with a swanky business class suite. Paying attention to the aircraft you choose for a redemption can significantly enhance your overall comfort and enjoyment during a flight. Not to mention, maximizing your points for the best possible experience should always be top-of-mind.

Be aware that last-minute aircraft or equipment changes can happen, and there’s often little you can do to avoid them. However, using alert tools and periodically checking which aircraft is scheduled to operate your flight can help you avoid any unexpected surprises when it comes time to board.