This is a weekend webspecial fare taken as part of a mileage run for Executive Platinum on CP hopefully by Sept 30 in order to get the 5000 bonus pts for early qualification. The fare including taxes was $288.90CDN.

CP 983 YYZ - YVR
Dp 12:15p Ar 2:05p

This is my first trip leaving from YYZ Terminal 2 since CP's move from Terminal 3. The airport was quieter than I expected with short lines at the domestic checkin area and no lines at all at the J class checkin. I arrived at the airport 11:30a and checkin was completed in less than a min with the agent taking a Gray sticker for the upgrade. Got one of my favourite single J seat 1A on CP's 767. Went to the MLL for a quick drink before boarding and the agent wanted to see my EXP membership card before letting me in. One weird thing is that it doesn't show my status on the boarding pass but only the FF number. Lounge was quiet with probably around 15-20 people in there and half of them ended up on my flight. Grab a quick drink then headed for the gate. Stopped by the newsstand to pick up a copy of Toronto Star as for some reason CP doesn't have them on board.

J class/elite boarding have already been completed when I got there and they were just calling for general boarding. The CP concierge was taking boarding passes today and he addresses each passenger (both J and Y) by their first name and wishes them a good trip which is the first time I've seen it happen. As soon as I was onboard, I recognize one of the FA who I've probably been on tons of her flights as she exclusively do YYZ-YVR day return trips. The same concierge then came on board to personally welcome me on board and see whether I needed anything before take off. I hope we see more of these kind of service regularly on both CP and AC, it's these kinds of little service and attitude that makes a trip that much better. J class was only 17/25 full with 1 pilot in uniform while Y class was about 70-80% full.

Door closed right on time and we sat around for 5 minutes before pushback as a UA 737 stopped right behind us. Long taxi to R23 and there were about 5 aircraft in front of us. Flight time today was 4 hrs and 29 mins, crusing altitude was 31000 ft. Took off at 12:40p and I really think R23 needs some maintenance as that's probably one of the bumpiest runway I ever been on. Flight pretty much took us along the CAN-US border, passing Calgary and then into YVR. Drink orders were taken before take off. Flight was very bumpy for the first 30 mins or so causing drink and meal service to delay for 30 mins in Y but drinks were brought out anyways in J.

Meal service (Lunch) commenced shortly after that. Choices in Y if I remembered correctly was Pasta and something else.

Menu for us in J was:

To begin:
Barley risotto with sun-dried tomatoes and crispy cheddar

entree selections:
-Filet of pork complemented by apple, caper and mushroom salsa, presented with green beans and Asian rice
-Breast of chicken enhanced by pesto sauce, offered with saffron rice and Parisienne carrots
-Salmon accented by dill cream sauce, served with Parisienne potatoes, carrots and broccoli

Desserts:
-Mario's Gelati Italian ice cream or sorbetto
-Coffee, tea, herbal tea, liqueurs

I choose the chicken as the pork looked kind of dried when it came around.

The FAs pretty much disappear after the meal service and not appearing til 30 mins prior to departure.

We landed on schedule behind CP 8 who just arrived from HKG and saw QF's 767 parked on the tarmac as well.

We were at the gate at 2:15p.

Overall, service were great as always on CP, friendly crews.

Return trip is Monday.

Hilton YVR Airport
As I only booked the trip on Wed, hotel rates were quite high and since this is a mileage run, I want to keep the cost low. I tried to use the UA 50% off at this hotel but central res told me no availability, so I called the hotel directly and it was no problem. I got a rate of $109CDN for both nights. Originally if I didn't get this rate, I would have stayed at Fairmount YVR Airport at AC's webspecial rate of $107 for Sat night and $127 for Sun night. However, nice to be staying at Hilton instead since it's close to the Richmond Centre. Since I've stayed at this hotel quite a number of time, most of the staff knows me and I was given the biggest suite in the hotel wih balcony (This is an all suite hotel). FYI, anyone booking hotels in YVR should go to www.tourism-vancouver.com, they have great rates available and I've used it many times.. For example, they have the Sheraton Wall centre for $129, Westin Grand for $139.... same rate for both weekends and weekdays.. lot lower than regular rates and they are eligible for Starpoints.

Will post return when I get back to YYZ..