Flight/Origin-Destination: AC798/LAX-YUL
Date: 2010-09-06
Cabin: J
Status: Elite

Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Checked in online, but the kiosk would not print my BP. Went to Exec counter where a very friendly agent printed boarding cards for me and explained she was making a note in the system that my cert had been pulled at LAX so there wouldn’t be a problem connecting at YUL 

Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? None available? If there was it, was poorly signed.

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. The automatic hot beverage machine here is superior to those in YYZ (hint hint). There was no snacks/food out that I could see... ?
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes, it was well managed.

If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? The delay was poorly managed. I got an email about the delay @ 902PDT. At the airport, I was told that the flight was on time and to be ready to board at 1130 for a 1205 departure. I left the lounge @ 1130 to walk down to the gate. As I was leaving the lounge I heard some excited chatter on the 2way radio that the aircraft was literally touching down. Again, told everything was on time for 12:05 departure. I visited starbucks, bought a magazine, went back to the gate. PAX just starting to deplane. The PA in the area of gates 24/26 is horrible. The low fidelity automated announcements combined with gate agents yelling into the mic make it almost impossible to hear what is being announced. Boarding started at 1205, the departure time, again with no further mention of the delay. On board, we pushed at 12:23 without any mention of the delay. Admittedly, this is nicer than UA and their constant “OMG we’re late, hurry hurry huury, sit down, strap in, lets go lets go” announcements. Once airborne, Y PAX were offered one free alcoholic beverage due to the delay.
It would have been nice if the lounge agent (who was very polite and otherwise helpful) simply told passengers: ”the inbound aircraft is delayed. I will call you once priority boarding has begun”

Onboard - J cabin:

Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes.

If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? No delay once boarded.

Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, available before and after the safety video.

Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes, no time for a refill.

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)? No newspapers. Menus distributed on the ground, orders taken after seatbelt sign off.
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes. The towel was due to be retired though, I could see through it.

Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) 1.6hrs.

How was the quality of all the meals? Good.

Did the cabin crew continuously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes – very attentive

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
Many thanks to the J cabin crew, an excellent flight with great service. Jonathan should be used as an example for training FAs in this cabin.