international · 2h 20m · 1,254 km
San Francisco to Vancouver
2 airlines · 2 aircraft ranked
Air Canada is the only carrier offering business class on this route, scoring 3.2/10.In economy, Air Canada's Economy (A220-300) edges out the field with a 4.4/10.
Quick pick
Fly Air Canada. It has a wider seat (18.5" vs 17").
If prices are similar, go with this one.
Select two airlines to compare head-to-head
Data verified June 2026
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Airlines on this route
Route insights
- Air Canada is the only carrier offering business class on this route, scoring 3.2/10.
- In economy, Air Canada's Economy (A220-300) edges out the field with a 4.4/10.
- United is the only carrier offering first class on this route, scoring 2.8/10.
Frequently asked
Which is better in economy: United or Air Canada on SFO-YVR?
Economy (United Airlines, 737-900ER) and Economy (Air Canada, A220-300) score virtually the same in economy: 4.2 vs 4.4/10. The biggest gap is seat width — 18.5"-wide seats vs 17" — but neither carrier pulls ahead overall.
What are the best seats in United United First on SFO-YVR?
Best: Row 1 has the most legroom as a bulkhead. 1A and 1F offer the most privacy with the wall on one side. Row 2 is the sweet spot between legroom and storage (bulkhead rows lack under-seat storage). Avoid: Row 5 seats 5A/5B do not recline; 5E/5F have roughly half the recline of other First rows. This is the biggest seat trap on the 737-900ER. Signature Interior with Collins Aerospace Pinnacle seats, 13-inch HD seatback touchscreens with Bluetooth audio, USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus AC outlet. Complimentary meal service on flights over 800 miles; snack basket on shorter flights. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. Starlink awaiting FAA certification for 737-900ER, expected during 2026. Majority of fleet retrofitted to Signature Interior; some older aircraft remain.
What are the best seats in United Economy on SFO-YVR?
Best: Exit row 21 has 38.8 inches of pitch — more than First Class. The 2-seat side rows 20-21 are the best economy seats on the plane. Rows 7-14 are Economy Plus with 33-34-inch pitch. Avoid: Last row (row 33) has severely limited or no recline due to the rear lavatory wall. Rows 32-33 experience galley noise and lavatory traffic. Middle seats (B, E) in any row are the tightest at 30-inch pitch. Signature Interior with 10-inch HD seatback touchscreens and Bluetooth audio. USB-A and USB-C at every seat plus shared AC outlets. ViaSat Ka-band WiFi free for MileagePlus members. 42 Economy Plus seats in rows 7-14 have 33-34-inch pitch; 117 standard Economy seats have 30-inch pitch. Three sub-variants exist (39/42/45 Economy Plus seats); Version 2 with 42 E+ is most common (~84 of ~99 aircraft).
What are the best seats in Air Canada Business Class on SFO-YVR?
Best: Row 1A and 1D for maximum legroom at the bulkhead. Window seats (A and D) for privacy. Avoid: Row 3 is closest to the economy curtain divider. Recliner seats with legrest and footrest (not lie-flat). Collins Aerospace MiQ seats with 4 inches of recline. 15-inch Panasonic eX1 IFE screens with 1000+ hours of entertainment in 15 languages. USB-A, USB-C, and AC power at every seat. Satellite-based high-speed wifi (paid). Complimentary multi-course meal service. Amenity kit with socks, eye mask, earplugs, toothbrush. Star Alliance lounge access.
What are the best seats in Air Canada Economy on SFO-YVR?
Best: A220 has wider-than-average economy seats at 19 inches. The 2-seat side (A-B) avoids the middle seat entirely. Row 4 has extra legroom. Avoid: Middle seat C in the 3-seat section. Last rows near rear lavatories. The A220-300 is known for its spacious cabin with 2-3 layout (no middle seat on one side). 19-inch seat width is wider than most single-aisle economy products. Seatback IFE screens at every seat. USB-A, USB-C, and AC power at every seat. Satellite wifi available for purchase. Large windows that are 40% bigger than on a 737. Exit row seats on the A220 offer extra legroom but do not recline.