Air Canada is a great alternative for flying across the Atlantic from North America, mostly if you start the flight from one of AC's hubs. My only suggestion, which is what I always do, is to skip pre-arrival breakfast and gain an extra couple of hours of sleep, and simply, shower and then eat at the arrivals lounge. This service is greatly appreciated when you arrive in LHR early in the morning as it facilitates heading straight into a meeting, thus making a more efficient use of your time away from home. I would most certainly use AC for any flying actually.
I'm booked in Signature class from Vancouver to Hong Kong. I have seen a few videos which were not too complimentary to Air Canada and especially dealing with food and service. I'm encouraged by your experience and the pre-flight lounge dinner. Thank you for this post.
Thanks for your comment :) Service quality is definitely among North American carriers top 3... But definitely should not compare to Asian carriers unfortunately :( That being said, the catering options definitely improved and Vancouver should offer more stable catering compared to Toronto so you should have an enjoyable experience😄 safe flying!
I personally have flown many times with Air Canada on long-haul flights in signature class, and I am yet to have a problem. Staff are always friendly whilst service and food is routinely great. My only stipulation is that my luggage has been lost a couple times, however they were both on connecting flights whereby they made the first leg, but not the second, and it seemed to be an airport problem not Air Canada. An AirTag in your bag would be a good idea if you are nervous/are carrying valuables.
✈Awesome professionally made flight review, that Toronto Business lounge food menu looked damn yummy., love watching Air Canada flight cabin video's. Happy travels for 2024👍 Air Canada is a far better option re flying across the Atlantic rather than, say choosing just a U.S carrier i reckon!.
I had the duck breast and the beef tenderloin from my visits to the YVR signature suite. Both are decent. The YVR one is above the Mable Leaf lounge, so the view is much nicer.
@@TraverseFlightReview Once you enter to the Maple Leaf lounge, you will be guided to the elevator to the left that takes you to Signature suite (you also get to see how busy Maple Leaf is). It has a beautiful view of the apron with full bar at the far end and buffet area along the wall. The area is not large however is never very busy like the Maple Leaf downstairs. Each time I was there, I would estimate no more than 15 people there while the Maple Leaf would be filled to the brim with kids running and babies crying. This is probably due to AC has less flights at YVR as compare to the main hub at Pearson. One big upside with YVR, you get to keep your carry-on with you at the table in the lounge.
@@joyjoy534 yeah.. its impossible to find seating at the YVR maple leaf lounge sometimes... and the food area is a bit smaller than the one at YYZ. I'll have to pack extra time to check out the YVR Signature Suite next :) cheers!
Nice comprehensive review. Too bad that there is no privacy door for each seat. I like being in my little "cocoon" but I know some passengers feel claustrophobic when the door is closed. Having an arrival lounge is so convenient and appreciated as an early morning arrival often means waiting until the afternoon to be able to check-in to your hotel. I have been lucky sometimes in London where a room was available to check-in before noon. 😊 Take care and have an enjoyable weekend.
Thanks John! Yes the arrivals lounge definitely helps me get rid of that mucky feeling after sleeping on a plane and get refreshed before heading off to town :) have a good weekend!
@@TraverseFlightReview I never bother with arrival lounge. I had check-in to hotel as early as 9am in the morning without issue. Guess it all depends on the hotels.
Nice video. The Signature Lounge is very overrated. Been about 10 times. I choose the Maple Leaf Lounge. Usually travelling to Asia for business so alone and they hover and stare. Makes one feel VERY awkward. They try to make it “top shelf” but it ain’t 😂
Is the aisle 1 check in only for people flying in air Canada business/signature class AND have aeroplan? I have business tickets but no aeroplan, my friend bought ticket for me with his aeroplan tho..
Nope its available for all Air Canada operating flight passengers in business class to international/domestic destinations! Aeroplan purchases are allowed too!
If I’m flying cross Atlantic in business class air Canada, can I go to either lounge. I don’t really get the restrictions for signature lounge. And how can a lounge get busy?
You can only enter Signature Suite lounge if travelling on cash paid ticket or fully refunded point booking. The maple leaf lounge is used by all other star alliance airlines so its definitely more busy and frequently full. Maple Leaf Lounge also allows credit card holders access while Signature Suite does not allow such entries (other than the invite only exclusive AC Black Card). Hope this helps!
I would say 1A since you get first pick of dining and larger footwell (ive had issues in the past where they ran out of some choices by the time they come to row 7)
@@Admirable_Western20 I never pick row 1 or the last row. Row 1 seats are the worst IMO since is the closest to the lavatories and the noise from the galleys with FAs/passengers opening and closing the curtain all the time. Row 2 to 4 would be the best (row 5 on 787 has a missing window). If you happened to pick the last row and there is a last minute change on the plane, that last row (or last 2 rows) of business class could end up being a Premium Economy depending on the plane's seat configuration. I have seen passengers complaint about paying for international business class and didn't want to sit in PE. FA's provided them two options, take the assigned seat or get off the plane to rebook on another flight. There is a reason why row 1 and last row seats are usually the last to get filled.
@@joyjoy534 wow, never knew that about the last row. I've never seen that happen but I will definitely keep it in mind. When it comes to first row, I personally don't mind the noise of FAs as I don't sleep much. On the 777-300er, there is only one toilet at the front, next to the L1 door which, in my experience, gets less foot traffic.
You are right! This configuration doesnt have a separate smaller signature class cabin in the back, and feature an entire full 7 rows of 4 seats each. Thanks for the catch!
trust me no one wants the first row seats, flight attends woke me up many times. they talk out loud unlike asian airlines. and if they are not talking then it is the sound of trays that wakes me up
Air Canada is a great alternative for flying across the Atlantic from North America, mostly if you start the flight from one of AC's hubs.
My only suggestion, which is what I always do, is to skip pre-arrival breakfast and gain an extra couple of hours of sleep, and simply, shower and then eat at the arrivals lounge.
This service is greatly appreciated when you arrive in LHR early in the morning as it facilitates heading straight into a meeting, thus making a more efficient use of your time away from home.
I would most certainly use AC for any flying actually.
Definitely agree on this 👍 Especially since the parsley omelette is pretty mediocre 😉
@@TraverseFlightReview 😂
I'm booked in Signature class from Vancouver to Hong Kong. I have seen a few videos which were not too complimentary to Air Canada and especially dealing with food and service. I'm encouraged by your experience and the pre-flight lounge dinner. Thank you for this post.
Thanks for your comment :) Service quality is definitely among North American carriers top 3... But definitely should not compare to Asian carriers unfortunately :( That being said, the catering options definitely improved and Vancouver should offer more stable catering compared to Toronto so you should have an enjoyable experience😄 safe flying!
I personally have flown many times with Air Canada on long-haul flights in signature class, and I am yet to have a problem. Staff are always friendly whilst service and food is routinely great. My only stipulation is that my luggage has been lost a couple times, however they were both on connecting flights whereby they made the first leg, but not the second, and it seemed to be an airport problem not Air Canada. An AirTag in your bag would be a good idea if you are nervous/are carrying valuables.
Great video man, I love the detail you put into it 😁
An excellent detailed report, you've put Air Canada on my radar.
✈Awesome professionally made flight review, that Toronto Business lounge food menu looked damn yummy., love watching Air Canada flight cabin video's. Happy travels for 2024👍 Air Canada is a far better option re flying across the Atlantic rather than, say choosing just a U.S carrier i reckon!.
Thanks for watching! Stay tuned for more :)
I had the duck breast and the beef tenderloin from my visits to the YVR signature suite. Both are decent. The YVR one is above the Mable Leaf lounge, so the view is much nicer.
I havent had the chance to visit the YVR signature suite yet! How's the atmosphere at the YVR one?
@@TraverseFlightReview Once you enter to the Maple Leaf lounge, you will be guided to the elevator to the left that takes you to Signature suite (you also get to see how busy Maple Leaf is). It has a beautiful view of the apron with full bar at the far end and buffet area along the wall. The area is not large however is never very busy like the Maple Leaf downstairs. Each time I was there, I would estimate no more than 15 people there while the Maple Leaf would be filled to the brim with kids running and babies crying. This is probably due to AC has less flights at YVR as compare to the main hub at Pearson. One big upside with YVR, you get to keep your carry-on with you at the table in the lounge.
@@joyjoy534 yeah.. its impossible to find seating at the YVR maple leaf lounge sometimes... and the food area is a bit smaller than the one at YYZ. I'll have to pack extra time to check out the YVR Signature Suite next :) cheers!
I love hearing the ATC transmissions with the cockpit! 👍
Great video as always. Also appreciate the included ATC, a neat touch!
Glad you liked it! I always try to add in the ATC if I can grab the transmission off of LiveATC. Unfortunately its not always a success :(
This was another excellent trip report!! Very thorough and informative.
Looks amazing and the only way to fly. Wow. Thanks
Thumbs up for your review, thanks for sharing, warm regards from Spain
Love the vibes really nice video!
Going on this route this monday! very excited
Make sure to allocate enough time to properly enjoy the Signature Suite lounge! 🥂
I always enjoy watching your videos. Warm regards from India. 😊
Nice comprehensive review. Too bad that there is no privacy door for each seat. I like being in my little "cocoon" but I know some passengers feel claustrophobic when the door is closed. Having an arrival lounge is so convenient and appreciated as an early morning arrival often means waiting until the afternoon to be able to check-in to your hotel. I have been lucky sometimes in London where a room was available to check-in before noon. 😊 Take care and have an enjoyable weekend.
Thanks John! Yes the arrivals lounge definitely helps me get rid of that mucky feeling after sleeping on a plane and get refreshed before heading off to town :) have a good weekend!
@@TraverseFlightReview I never bother with arrival lounge. I had check-in to hotel as early as 9am in the morning without issue. Guess it all depends on the hotels.
Nice video. The Signature Lounge is very overrated. Been about 10 times. I choose the Maple Leaf Lounge. Usually travelling to Asia for business so alone and they hover and stare. Makes one feel VERY awkward. They try to make it “top shelf” but it ain’t 😂
Is the aisle 1 check in only for people flying in air Canada business/signature class AND have aeroplan? I have business tickets but no aeroplan, my friend bought ticket for me with his aeroplan tho..
Nope its available for all Air Canada operating flight passengers in business class to international/domestic destinations! Aeroplan purchases are allowed too!
Is the only difference for signature business is the lounge? or is there something else?
Nice Video !
Thanks!
If I’m flying cross Atlantic in business class air Canada, can I go to either lounge. I don’t really get the restrictions for signature lounge. And how can a lounge get busy?
You can only enter Signature Suite lounge if travelling on cash paid ticket or fully refunded point booking. The maple leaf lounge is used by all other star alliance airlines so its definitely more busy and frequently full. Maple Leaf Lounge also allows credit card holders access while Signature Suite does not allow such entries (other than the invite only exclusive AC Black Card). Hope this helps!
what would you recommend out of seats on this flight, 1A or 7A/K (last row)?
I would say 1A since you get first pick of dining and larger footwell (ive had issues in the past where they ran out of some choices by the time they come to row 7)
@@TraverseFlightReview thanks
@@Admirable_Western20 I never pick row 1 or the last row. Row 1 seats are the worst IMO since is the closest to the lavatories and the noise from the galleys with FAs/passengers opening and closing the curtain all the time. Row 2 to 4 would be the best (row 5 on 787 has a missing window). If you happened to pick the last row and there is a last minute change on the plane, that last row (or last 2 rows) of business class could end up being a Premium Economy depending on the plane's seat configuration. I have seen passengers complaint about paying for international business class and didn't want to sit in PE. FA's provided them two options, take the assigned seat or get off the plane to rebook on another flight. There is a reason why row 1 and last row seats are usually the last to get filled.
@@joyjoy534 wow, never knew that about the last row. I've never seen that happen but I will definitely keep it in mind. When it comes to first row, I personally don't mind the noise of FAs as I don't sleep much. On the 777-300er, there is only one toilet at the front, next to the L1 door which, in my experience, gets less foot traffic.
11:09 There are 28 seats, not 26
You are right! This configuration doesnt have a separate smaller signature class cabin in the back, and feature an entire full 7 rows of 4 seats each. Thanks for the catch!
trust me no one wants the first row seats, flight attends woke me up many times. they talk out loud unlike asian airlines. and if they are not talking then it is the sound of trays that wakes me up
I always prefers the first row