Flight/Origin-Destination: AC161 YYZ-YVR
Date: 2010-09-04
Cabin: J
Status: Elite
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Online check in did not work until aprox 6 hours pre-departure. On arrival at the airport, the kiosk wouldn’t print any documents. Used the E/SE agent and she quickly provided my documents.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? No, the Priority lane had 5+ people waiting, the regular lines 1 or 2 each. I used the NEXUS lane where there was nobody waiting.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes, stopped for a quick drink and a cookie. The veggies looked much like the one in this bachelor’s fridge... in a word, scary. Had to point out the location of the soft drinks to a new lounge visitor, could use a sign...
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Arrived 10mins past boarding time and pre-boarding was just being announced. Remarkable, there was nobody rushing at the gate after the pre-boarding announcement.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A?
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? Yes, delayed pushing back due to aircraft behind us, polite English only announcement by the Captain.
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, after the safety video during taxi.
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes, and refills were offered.
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? No / N/A
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? News papers offered immediately after boarding. Menu’s provided during pushback. Orders taken once airborne after seatbelt sign turned off.
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes, but it was cool-warm at best.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) 2hrs. This more relaxed pace was greatly appreciated. It was nice to enjoy each course with out the constant äre you done yet? Done yet? Done yet? Done yet”....
How was the quality of all the meals? The tenderloin wasn’t mind blowing but it was passable. The mesclun salad is brutal and it would be nice if there was a selection of appetizers.
Did the cabin crew continuously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? N/A – No checked bags.
Overall experience/any other comments
To start, my sincere thanks to the crew in the J cabin. They were extremely polite and personable, each taking the time to introduce themselves and ask how I was, if I needed anything, etc. With only 3 people in the J cabin, the FAs took the initiative to close all the window shades in the unoccupied seats (entire starboard side of the A/C), greatly improving the ambiance. The crew were truly exemplary and made me proud to fly the maple leaf. The Captain provided an advanced warning while waiting to push back that we would experience turbulence through our climb out of YYZ. Again, thanks for the heads up, I have never felt an airplane yaw side to side like that before (weeeeee fun!). The power outlets in rows 2/3 were problematic. The 110V outlet for 2A let out several arcs, the others in row 2 just turned off when anything was plugged into them. This was realllllly annoying around the 4 hour point when my laptop was thirsty and unlike its owner, couldn’t keep going on wine alone.