Over the years as I've traveled on many other airlines I usually have my impression of Air Canada reinforced as being pretty good. That is an impression I have had both in business and in economy -- I usually travel business-class especially with Air Canada.

That all changed with a flight with air New Zealand I took in business from Auckland to Los Angeles. If AC is looking for an airline to benchmark against I think air New Zealand would be excellent.they have the pod style lie flat business-class seats Air Canada pioneered but the Air New Zealand ones have huge improvements (including a mattress so the sleep is really comfortable, the ability for a visitor to join you for meals) , there are really excellent meals– Better than I have had on any airline, they have A superb entertainment system with multiple selections and easy navigation . Staff are extremely friendly and attentive . And they're hobbit based safety video actually entices you to watch it. I still think by most comparisons Air Canada is pretty good, but Air new Zealand sets the standard for excellence. I do not understand how Singapore Airlines continues to have the reputation as the best airline in the world. In the past I flew their business class and it did not compare to the Air New Zealand offering. This trip I flew Singapore in economy and the sound system was absolutely terrible.
I would be interested in what other Air Canada flyers think of the Air New Zealand product. The flight attendant I discussed this with told me I wasn't the first to say that Air New Zealand establish a standard Air Canada did not come close to meeting.