This is almost as much square footage as I live in at home.

This is for all of you Air Canada haters out there. My hope is that it gives you hope.

I’m always astounded by the kindness of airline passengers in those rare occasions when it occurs,  amid cramped seating, insufficient overhead storage and jam-packed planes. The kind of conditions that usually trigger the worst of human nature.

A recent flight between Vancouver and Toronto on Air Canada served up an array of good people and things. So much so I thought I was dreaming.

First, a seat with more leg room than I needed. Yes, I paid to select my economy seat in advance as I always do, but didn’t expect this.

My row of seats was directly behind the last row of premium economy.

BOOYAH.

Plenty of room for a short leg or even a long one. The Gods of Travel looked favourably on me for once.

• This is what a jerk looks like  (my most popular ever blog posting on Tank’s Travels about a jerk on a Westjet flight)

It got even better.

The folks in premium economy got a choice of free snacks, unlike those of us in economy who had to pay for everything.

• Nice folks you meet on airplanes (if you’re lucky)

For whatever reason, the passenger and her daughter in the row ahead asked for Lindt chocolate bars and then passed them back to me. “We don’t eat chocolate,” the older woman said. “Would you like these?”  “YES PLEASE and THANK YOU.”

Free chocolate. OMG.

Free chocolate. Best day ever on an airplane.

This may have been my best flight ever on Air Canada for space and human kindness.

Better than the few first and business class seats I’ve managed to score during my years as a traveller. (Although I’m always game for a free upgrade to business or first.)

Was kinda like winning the lottery. On Air Canada, no less.