China Southern and Japan Airlines have both deployed Boeing 787s on routes to Vancouver.
CSN added the Dreamliner to its Guangzhou to Vancouver service yesterday, while JAL began operating a B787 on its Tokyo Narita to Vancouver route earlier this month.
China Southern had previously flown a 284-seat B777-200ER from Guangzhou to Vancouver, so the 228-seat B787 represents a marked decrease in the number of seats, especially in first class, which has fallen from 24 to four seats, and business, from 53 to 24.
But Tan Wan Geng, president and chief executive of China Southern, said: "Since introducing our Guangzhou to Vancouver service, we have been expanding our presence with more flights on this important route.
"Our 787 Dreamliner provides an even better experience for business travellers and indicates our confidence in the growing Vancouver aviation marketplace."
JAL's 187-seat B787 is operating on the airline's Tokyo Narita to Vancouver alongside a 232-seat B767. From March 30, the Dreamliner will take over the daily route.
When asked about the significant reduction in the number of seats by using the Dreamliner, a JAL spokesperson said the airline had reviewed various factors such as "profit potential" before deciding on the switch and the purpose was to offer a quality product and comfort.
Graham Smith and Valerian Ho
