asus12

Hi,

Will be flying in business for first time ever, on AC, YYZ-LHR. For once I won't be walking past the pods...

Would be grateful for any suggestions on how to maximise this experience. Have been in a lounge twice in my life, one happened to be previous LHR arrivals lounge - looking forward to checking new one in T2.
Thnx.

theseatbelt

First, be careful for what you wish for. I was once an economy flyer until I tasted business. Once you fly business trans-atlantic, you never want to go "back". From now on, everytime you fly economy, you'd be thinking about those pods.

Things that I like to do:
1) Arrive earlier, take a shower in the Pearson lounge before you board.

2) Ask for the flexible meal option and request the meal to come to you immediately after takeoff to maximize sleep. Request for the appetizers and dessert regardless.

3) Ask for an extra pillow

4) Dress light as it tends to get hot within the pods.

5) Visit the washroom with windows in it by the second exits

mkjr

if you have business to attend to in LHR, then yes, do flexible meal a per 2 above...great advice. and don't drink too much. it is a short flight and a hang over with business at 10am when your body thinks its 5 sucks.

if not, i would just have the regular mean and watch movies and relax and have a few libations...

just remember the call button since if you do this option, FA's might assume you want to sleep so push the button if you need a re-load.

don't load up on too much wine/booze in the lounge - if wine is your thing. it's poor quality and i think AC has one of the best champagnes in J (and i actually prefer it to many more of the fancy label's - well, what others think is fancy), drappier....i just drink it and perhaps some port and some VS, although not sure if they have any VSOP these days....

note, what they serve on the ground is not the drappier so once in the air, specifically ask for drappier during the first drink run.

i have started to just change into some pajamas i got on some other flights. it actually is much much more comfortable.

asus12

Thank you. This is vacation, libations await.

172pilot

As it is vacation then make sure that you sample many drinks as mentioned. Also, enjoy every course of the meal. They will let you choose multiple desserts if you ask. My children took their fist TATL J flight this summer and obviously didn't drink but made up for it with the food.

FlyingUsedToBeFun

When are you flying out? theseatbelt's suggestions are all good ones, but can probably be adjusted depending on time of day.

I would also suggest taking along a light sweater or sweatshirt just in case you do get colder. I tend to bring along a t-shirt and sweatpants to change into as soon as I get on board.

mkjr

i checked and they should have some courvoisier VSOP on offer on a recent flight of mine. it was nice. i had some otard XO on BA in F shortly after and honestly, the VSOP is mighty fine.

a nice shower and a greasy breakfast on arrival is also a necessity after a few bevvies.

canolakid

Enjoy especially as you are on vacation!
Board early (less time in the lounge at YYZ but don't worry) so you can settle into the pod environment- check out and try the seat controls, get at least one pre-departure bev, find and load the movies you want. I am no fan of plane food so tend to do the express meal then sleep so I can enjoy the destination.

asus12

I'm on the 23h10 flight, 77W. Will definitely change my meal to the flexible option, thanks.

Binflyin

Ask for both the glass of orange juice and a sparkling wine when they do the boarding drinks and make yourself a mimosa. For me that is a great way to start my trip.

ibopm

I had the exact same questions a few months ago:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...advantage.html

FlyerAl

Enjoy your trip! My first transatlantic J trip was 13 years ago and since then I've refused to fly overseas in coach Yes, it really does create a monster!

ibopm

If you get the ice cream, ask them for Baileys to pour on top of it.

Absolute

+1 from me, here's my process on every TATL/TPAC flight

I board the plane, grab my luggage space, and pull out my earbud earphones, laptop/ipad, and anything I might want to use, stuffing them beside me and in the side bin.

Next I take out the amenity kit and take off my shoes and socks, and put on the flight socks it contains. Then I pull out my PJ pants, head to the lavatory before it's too "used", and change into them.

Return to my seat, and also choose both drinks for a mimosa, and wait for the menu. I also then put the covers on my headset, and hand it on the coat hook.

They'll do meal selection by status, so choose an option or two in case your option is taken. If you're not certain, AC provides the FAs with a sheet listing the meals and pictures.

I then settle in, and start watching a movie on the screen or iPad. When they start the safety briefing, I switch to my iPad, and then close the screen when it's done.

After the little ad they play at the end, I then sneak my screen open (sometimes an FA questions me on this), and select the Sirius FM channel I'd like to listen to. I then plug in my earbuds, and listen until I'm allowed to use the headset, or allowed to plug them into my iPad. That way I can have some music/background noise, since nothing else is allowed in business.

canadiancow

I tried that as a result of a few posts here, and it wasn't great.

I'd much rather have just the ice cream