Just completed flying 24 of the last 30 hours on AC. The only minor problem is playing "aircraft roulette" on 2 of the 3 flights.

YVR-YYZ Nov 7

I tried to standby for the 3:45p flight (which they changed from a 762 to A330) but I wasn't able to get on for reasons mentioned on the other thread. (Standby on D/W class) I got on my original flight which was supposed to be an A330 but they changed it to a 762 (Tail 671) which was supposed to be operating the 3:45p flight! Arrgghh...

I had the Salmon for dinner which was wonderful, service was wonderful, FA was addressing me by name throughout the whole flight. No signs of the cutbacks that people have been talking about. Got into YYZ at 12:30am. Will be returning to the airport in less than 7 hours for my HKG flight.

YYZ-YVR Nov 8

The exclusive SE line at T2 was very handy as there was no one in line while the other J class lines has about 10-15 people waiting.

Security lines was about 15 minutes. There was a sign for Priority screening but everyone was lining up for it so it was non existant. All I was asked to do was to turn on my laptop.

This was supposed to be an A340 flight but they changed it to a domestic 763 (Tail 652). Another disappointing aircraft change! Flight was 100% full with 1 empty seat in J. I had a nice omelette and champagne for breakfast. Flight attendants were very cheerful throughout the whole flight. Once again, no signs of the cutbacks people have been talking about.

YVR-HKG

A340 flight to HKG... when I got on, I noticed the J seats were different from the previous A340s that I were on, I pulled out the individual TV screen and saw the SONY logo, I know i got the ON DEMAND!! (Tail 909)

The next shock came when they annouced the flight time for this flight. 14 hours 28 minutes!!, I have flown countless YVR-HKG and I don't recall being on any flights being that lengthly. I am very glad that I got ON DEMAND video for this flight. Flight was delayed 30 mins because they have to offload some bags as someone decided not to get on at last minute.

Flight attendants were wonderful throughout the whole flight. Food was VERY GOOD. 2 full meals were served with a snack service in the middle. I got the menu if anyone is interested.

The only complaint about this flight is the J seats. I believe the on demand A340 has the same J seats as the A330. After about 7 or 8 hours, I found these seats very uncomfortable because there's not much back support and the seat back is very thin. I wasn't able to get more than 1 hour of sleep in because of this. I ended up using the thick blanket as a back padding. I know this is a personal preference thing. I found the Club Empress seats on the 744 a lot more comfortable as they recline more and provide more support.

Other than this and the aircraft roulette on the YYZ/YVR flights, i have absolutely no complaints at all. I tried hard and can't notice any dramatic cutbacks on these flights.

Bags at HKG were already out after we cleared immigration.

KenH: We got pre flight drinks (Champagne, OJ & water) on the YVR-HKG flights!

I am really not that worried about Air Canada cutting back at this point because i haven't experienced any of them, I am more concerned about the surprises that Aeroplan is throwing at us!

Well done today AC!

[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 11-09-2001).]

I had a YYZ-YVR flight a few weeks back; I specifically picked a flight that had me on a 1-2-2 767.

Then AC did the old bait and switch, subsitutuing it for a ratty, run-down 2-2-2 in J that features useless seats.

I understand that this happens due to operations, but it is frustrating as heck, and I would barely call these "perfect flights." There is such inconsistency in the J seating that it's a real crap shoot as to whether you are going to get a good flight or not

As much as I hate those domestic J 767, i guess it's sufficient enough for domestic flights. However, it is frustrating not to know about the aircraft change until the moment that you board the plane because AC will insist that they are operating the aircraft that's on the timetable most of the time.

Other than that, there was really nothing I could find to complain. Maybe the pilots on the YVR-HKG flight left the cockpit door open for most of the flight? (I have no problem against that, they obviously felt it was safe enough to do so). I wanted to ask for a visit but I knew they are not allowed so didn't bother asking.

I must say I agree with Intheairguy. When flying YYZ-YVR I specifically try not to pick a domestic 762 with the 2-2-2 45" pitch J seats. I have done this many times and then had AC play aircraft roulette. Its just a little thing but becomes very frustrating.

It's very frustrating for us but AC has done nothing wrong since they only promised Executive Class service and not international J service. If you pick a random date on ITN for YYZ/YVR flights, you'll usually see that flights operated by international J aircrafts usually have a higher load in J. I am already glad they took the A320 off this route.

Thanks for the report!

If you have time, I will appreciate if you can post the menu on AC's YVR-HKG flight. Any differences from the ex-CP flights...

Carfield

Here's the menu Carfield... The food were pretty good this time, comparable to CP! The portion was also bigger than those served on the domestic flights. Even the light meal towards the end of the flight consists of a choice of 3 entrees instead of the usual 2!

LUNCH
Grilled Fennel, Chili Shrimp and Vegetable Spring Roll Appetizer

Chicken with Chinese Herbs, Jasmine Rice, Shanghai Baby Bok Choy topped with Red Pepper Julienne and Cilantro.
OR
Halibut with Tomato Sauce and Tamarind, Spicy Thai Vegetables, Stir-fried Egg Noodles.
OR
Beef Tenderloin with Green Peppercorn Butter, Chateau Potatoes with Demi-glace, Sauteed Mixed Peppers Herbed Tomato

Selection of Cheese and Fresh Fruit

Chocolate Decadent Cake
OR
Raspberry Sorbet

Refreshment
Oriental Noodle Dish

A plate of finger sandwiches is available upon request.

Light Meal
Smoked Duck and Bamboo shoot Salad Appetizer

Sliced Beef with Water Chestnuts, Bulgogi Sauce, Garlic Fried Rice, Stir fried Yam and Snow Peas.
OR
Chicken Brochette with Indonesian Sauce, Egg Noodle with Sauteed Vegetables and Egg Pancakes Julienne, Chinese Greens in Oyster Sauce.
OR
Garlic Salmon, Sea Bass and Snapper, Parslied Potato, Sauteed Carrot and Zucchini Julienne, Braised Red Cabbage garnisged with Red Pepper Tomato Sauce.

Fresh Fruit

Flew YYZ-YVR this morning, config was 2-2-1, but to no avail for NoahVail, as J was oversold. Had to settle for 13H and an omelette.

Checkin was quite busy, kiosks were fine, however the baggage drop and security queue were getting conga-like by 7:15 am. The MLL was busy but well stocked, and I had enough time to scarf down some Fruit Loops and a coffee . Flight was about 20 minutes late departing, but considering the queues I think they did quite well. Good flight with a good crew. 25 minute wait for baggage, but we were the only flight on the carrousel, so it was not the beehive others have been experiencing.

From the 'have it and eat it too' department, I wish I could have had the upgrade, but overall it was a good flight experience. Hopefully Tuesday's return will be as good, as upgrade is already confirmed.

Oh well, half potential value for 'V' is better than 'Q'.

Cheers.

I was just wondering, Empress, if you always save the menu from your flights?

This thread does my heart good. Thanks, Empress for starting it. I know that our service to you has not always been consistant but you have always had the kindness and fairness to give credit when it was do. I truly do appreciate it.

If Empress saves the menu from his flights, then he and I have something in common

That's right. I do save my menus from all my flights if they give one out. I have a whole stack of CP ones back in Toronto when I used to fly YYZ-YVR almost every week and they were still giving out menus on domestic J.

Thanks for the kind words Secret Agent. I've emailed AC last night regarding my flights to ensure that the crews get credit for their good work as it was hard to pick out a specific crew on those flight to give out a Service Excellence Coupon.

FlyerAl: Sounds scary to have something in common with you...

All the points have been posted as well. 10560 Q miles, 8448 double miles, 10000 threshold bonus. Not bad for one way!!

AC 12 HKG-YVR

10 hour flight (very short), NO amenity kits, NO menus, NO Canadian newspapers. Meals were alright, dinner appetizer was the same as the last HKG-YVR flight this year. Flight attendants were good but not great.

Seems like all of my eastbound Pacific flights this year are consistently not good.

The only bright side was that AfterBurner was right about those 747 Combi J seats, I got row 8 upper deck and I was able to sleep a lot easier than the new A340 J seats. They also go back further, comparable to Club Empress.

Deboarding was delayed as there was someone who suffered a heart attack 30 mins out of YVR. Paramedics were waiting at the gate.

Thanks again to KH, FB & NV for dropping off the certs for my friend who was trying to stand by for an earlier flight as we got in 30 mins early and it wouldn't be possible with the E certs. HKG actually attached the SE cert to his YVR-YYZ boarding pass so I think he'll be ok if he sticks with his original flight.

One more flight to go later on... YVR-YYZ.