Air Canada Positive Experience

[antycbr]

YOW is defo CBR. Very quiet, and feels very oversized.

As for Halifax, I must have said "this is Hobart" to myself a hundred times during my time there.

Perhaps the Canadians build infrastructure in advance unlike the Australian experience?

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Perhaps the Canadians build infrastructure in advance unlike the Australian experience?

Having lived in several places in both countries, yes and no, as these things usually tend to be.

 

[RooFlyer]

As for Halifax, I must have said "this is Hobart" to myself a hundred times during my time there.

... except YHZ has some airbridges and extendable shelters things to reach craft parked out on the apron. Unlike HBA where it can be up to 350m walking in the wind and rain to get from terminal to plane and VV . Sorry for the O/T.

 

[antycbr]

This is what you get in J on YOW-YHZ (plus a second drinks round, cashews and choice from a snack basket of chocolates, chips etc.) Not bad all things considered. 12/12 in J on a CRJ900.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Follow-up: my flight back from YVR-SYD was much better than the outbound thanks to a far, far more pleasant crew. What a difference that makes. Food was also better ex-YVR than SYD, though by Row 5, I heard a lot of people (including myself) be told their first (and in one case, second) options were out. I slept a solid 8 hours straight. The purser kindly went through the cabin shortly before arrival and made polite conversation to thank everyone, and when he got to me he noted that it looked like I'd slept well. I said I had, to which he then added, "Yeah, I noticed you were sleeping without a mask at one point but you seemed too comfortable to wake up." My mask had indeed come undone and gotten tangled up in the blanket, and I wasn't sure what else to say other than, "Oh, sorry... well, thanks."

That's a good way to lead into my overall comment about AC on this trip: AC still feels very much locked in the Covid mindset. I've flown 6 long-haul return trips on different airlines since February, and despite being the most recent, AC (and Canada, in general, I'd add) has been by far the strictest in their Covid protocols onboard (even ANA felt laxer). Mandatory mask use is repeatedly announced and enforced (unless you fall asleep on your side in J, perhaps, in which case you might only cop an awkward comment after you wake up), meal service in J felt abbreviated (everything served on one tray, crew that was already quite dressed up in PPE then added even more for meals), etc.

Some may prefer to seek AC out because of this; others may find it a bit much at this point.

Setting aside a few hit-and-miss aspects of crew and service level, the upgrade amounts I paid into J made for a very good deal (all said and done ~$5,000 return with 3 of 4 sectors in J including both trans-pac flights), so I was happy with the overall value proposition and my experience. I can't see myself specifically seeking out AC's product in J, but for those booking PY, it's a very interesting option that provides upgrade opportunity that isn't available on many competitors.

 

[luxury-lizard]

just to add my 2cents worth - mr LL recently had 2 J flights on AC: ZRH-YVR (a day flight) and YVR-SYD (just walked in the door yesterday) - both were award flights booked with the very last of our Lifemiles points (Yeah!).

The ZRH -YVR was about a 5 out of 10 - crew quite brisk, dressed in full hazmat (no face shields) - but we arrived on time. Food was boring but Champagne was icy cold. It was a full flight in all classes.

The YVR-SYD flight was much better (due to a very friendly and attentive crew) in spite of flight being delayed from 11:15pm to 1AM. Can't say much about the food as I skipped dinner but breakfast was OK in fact much better than a recent SQ flight SYD-SIN-MUC.

To our surprise we were invited to the AC Signature Suite lounge in YVR (in spite of having LM award tickets) - the lounge is new and amazing - table service, a la carte dining and premium beverages. It could challenge a QF F lounge.

Anyway - as a regular traveller to Canada (pre-Covid anyway) AC suits me due to the non-stop flight and no need to transit the USA. Due to award availability I've done the trip via Asia (Japan and Korea) a few times but it's a long trip.

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

To our surprise we were invited to the AC Signature Suite lounge in YVR (in spite of having LM award tickets) - the lounge is new and amazing - table service, a la carte dining and premium beverages. It could challenge a QF F lounge.

That's a nice surprise! Not least because when I was on the same flight a few weeks ago, the Signature Suite lounge was closed entirely!

 

[fewings85]

Intresting read. I am flying AC for the first time in Late December. LAX-VYR. Not the long haul from AUS like a lot here though, i have J flying up and just Y coming back to experience both ends. on their 737-Max. I still have my velocity gold status from 3 years ago due to all the extensions i have been getting so i'll be able to use the lounge and other benefits on the way back also.

Like all other airlines in the americas seem to be no frills at the base end of tickets and heavily customisbale. Maybe i will report back my experiences. Looking forward to it.

I did use the old Maple leaf lounge once when i was flying with Avianca when it was at T3 or wherever it was at LAX but i know its T6 now will check it.

 

[albatross710]

I still have my velocity gold status from 3 years ago due to all the extensions i have been getting so i'll be able to use the lounge and other benefits on the way back also.

Does VA Gold give access to AC Lounges? I didn't think so

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Does VA Gold give access to AC Lounges? I didn't think so

It does as of a few weeks ago, or so VA claims: International lounge access | Virgin Australia.

As is becoming a bit of a pattern, however, what VA claims is offered isn't necessarily mirrored on the partner's website (if it's referenced at all), or granted in practice. Sadly a "ymmv" situation with agent-roulette.

 

[albatross710]

It does as of a few weeks ago, or so VA claims: International lounge access | Virgin Australia.

that wasn't there last time I looked. good news as I depart on AC in a few days time. I'll start a new thread when I have some data points.

 

[antycbr]

that wasn't there last time I looked. good news as I depart on AC in a few days time. I'll start a new thread when I have some data points.

Expect them to be a bit confused, but I got access in YUL and YYZ in the week after the partnership was launched so they’ll get more used to it over time. I doubt you’ll have too many problems in a month at the main ports. Take your physical card, that helps them compared to digital.

You can’t use the Cafe at YYZ apparently, you can only use the main lounge.

 

[albatross710]

It does as of a few weeks ago, or so VA claims: International lounge access | Virgin Australia.

Found some fine print on the VA website "

• Velocity Frequent Flyer Platinum and Gold members - no lounge is available when flying an Air Canada operated flight operating from Sydney or Brisbane

 

[FlyingKangaroo]

Found some fine print on the VA website "

• Velocity Frequent Flyer Platinum and Gold members - no lounge is available when flying an Air Canada operated flight operating from Sydney or Brisbane

Yes - the lack of an int'l VA lounge is problematic as AC and UA don't have their own lounges in Australia. Interesting that they managed to get SQ to give access to VA members when flying UA, but not AC.