A bucket list item for me for quite some time has been to attend the F1 Grand Prix weekend in Singapore. I don't know what it is that has intrigued me ever since the race was added onto the schedule 10 years ago, but it's always been one I've been very keen on attending. However, given the distance and life being very busy with a young family, I've never really thought to pull the trigger.

That is, until a few months ago, when completely out of left field my wife had mentioned that I should go, and that she would stay and take care of the kids. Not wanting to give her a chance to reconsider, I quickly pulled the trigger on what I would say was an acceptably priced itinerary in J and began the planning.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019
AC Flight 8980
YOW-YUL
Depart: 11:40 am
Arrive: 12:22 pm
Class: Y (No J seating available)
Equipment: Bombardier CRJ

Before commencing the report I'll first offer my apologies as it may take me some time to get all of my photos up. I'm having to convert them from .heic format and it's a bit onerous.

Unfortunately, I had a commitment earlier this morning which meant I wasn't able to take an earlier flight to YUL to catch my TPAC sector. Given the lack of capacity between YOW and YUL, which is mostly on turboprops, the earlier flight departed around 8am. Unfortunately, this left me with an option which would call for a short connection in YUL. YUL is an easy airport to connect in and is relatively small, so this shouldn't have posed a problem. Nonetheless, AC flights between YOW and YUL are known to be late and arrive into a smaller "satellite" part of YUL called the aeroquay, which leaves for a bit of a walk.





Well, the flight was supposed to be on time. However, boarding time came and went and I started to get a bit nervous. Eventually boarding started, but then much to my chagrin they decided to wait for a late passenger. This guy literally arrived in jogging attire, absolutely drenched in sweat, carrying three hard-sided cases which looked as though they contained electronic and/or audio equipment. I had to shuffle myself in my seat to avoid sweat from dripping on me. Gross.

Already delayed, the guy then proceeds to go into the lavatory to get changed. He had been seated next to a dead-heading pilot who then came up to the front of the plane to have a discussion with the FA. The pilot seemed to have concerns about the passenger and his health given the state that he had arrived in. In the end, the flight crew seemed to agree that it would be alright to depart and that the pilot would keep an eye on the passenger throughout the 20 minute flight. All much ado about nothing in my opinion.

We finally took off and had an uneventful flight. Upon arriving in YUL I had to sprint to make my next flight.

Tuesday, September 17, 2019
AC Flight 5
YUL-NRT
Depart: 1:10 pm
Arrive: 3:15 pm, Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Class: J, Seat 6K
Equipment: 787-900

I arrived at the gate just as boarding was about to commence. Very orderly, everyone in their assigned lanes.



I was seated at flight 6K, which was a window seat. I appreciated that it offered direct aisle access as well as two large windows. Would definitely recommend choosing window seats on AC unless travelling with a companion. I found that seat to be comfortable, and did not experience the deflating that has been covered as a prevailed issue in the AC board. I did feel, however, that at 6'3 the seat perhaps felt a bit more cramped than I would have liked. I also would have appreciated more functional storage options.

I was surprised how many passengers in J on the flight seemed to be travelling together. I don't think they were family as there were no children in the cabin other than a very young baby in the back who was quiet the whole flight. They all knew each other and would converse throughout the flight. It would be nice if AC followed suit and offered a bar-type area similar to what some other airlines do.



The display was also excellent. I appreciated that it was both touch screen as well as operated by remote. Unfortunately, I noticed that the movie selections amongst the various airlines on my itinerary were very similar. A bit more variety would have been nice when due to spend 40+ hours on planes in the space of a few days.



Takeoff was smooth. I had an excellent view of an incoming Air China 787 from Beijing landing just before our plane taxied onto the runway. Service began promptly after the seatbelt light was turned off, and I settled in for the 13-hour flight to Narita.

I was lucky enough to have the benefit of a unique menu on this flight, which I haven't seen covered too much on FT yet. AC has been "piloting" a menu by a new chef they've taken on (in addition to Hawksworth who's dishes are found on the majority of signature service flights, as well as a few other chefs featured on flights to certain limited regions like India), Antonio Park, on flights between Montreal and Narita. Like what seemed to be most of the cabin, I chose this menu.



The obligatory champagne and nuts shot. I highly suspect AC has their population figures for New Delhi incorrect. Sydney seemed a little more reasonable.



Next, onto Chef Park's Japanese-inspired appetizer. This was an excellent start to the meal. Everything was hit out of the park, including presentation, texture and taste.



Next, onto the main course. I didn't pair it with any wine in particular, but had been working down the drinks menu and was a few in by now. On the ledge, I think I had a glass of champagne, a caesar, and perhaps a perrier or glass of the Austrian white on offer.

The main was a short-rib dish. While the dish was described as containing several complementary flavour profiles, the maple syrup dominated - perhaps too much. Unfortunately, the syrup taste permeated through the entire casserole, so everything tasted like it.

I'm not complaining, however, as the dish tasted quite good. One thing they need to work on is the presentation. Unfortunately, the ribs appeared to have just melted into each other and looked like a big brown glob.

I also personally could have done without the miso soup but I appreciate that it's a staple.



Cheese was served after, accompanied by some port. While the cheese dish is certainly satisfactory, I would again say this is an area which can easily be improved. For one, drop the grocery store cheddar.



Dessert came around and I opted only for the ice cream. I was disappointed that there wasn't a dessert created by Chef Park. Instead, the option had been the Hawksworth brown sugar tart. As the tart appeared to have raisins, I opted out. Not a fan.

I watched a couple movies. They must have been unremarkable because I don't remember what they were. This was followed by what I would assume was around 4 hours of sleep.

After waking up was feeling a tad peckish. The baskets of food at the front were unappealing, so I hit the call button. After about 5 minutes, I was approached by an attendant. I requested a caesar as well as the chicken parmigiana sandwich on offer.



The sandwich was not good. As is clear from the photo, the cheese was nowhere near melted. In fact, the middle of the sandwich was still very cold. There's definitely room for improvement here.

Breakfast was up next. I went with the Japanese beef curry dish from Chef Park. Again, this was excellent. The flavour was spot on.



Overall, this was a solid flight. The staff were pleasant and for the most part, attentive. However, the old habit of everyone retreating into the gally seems to die hard. I'll never understand how there's so much work to be done in that one specific area of the plane that it occupies 80% of an FA's time .

We landed a few minutes late, but not enough to cause an issue. I was met by courteous NH staff at the ramp with directions on where to go to find the gate for my Singapore flight.

Wednesday, September 18, 2019
NH Flight 803
NRT-SIN
Depart: 5:00 pm
Arrive: 11:15 pm, Wednesday, September 18, 2019
Class: J
Equipment: 787-900

No time for the ANA Suites lounge, unfortunately. Too bad because I had originally planned to sneak in a shower, assuming the lounge had them. I was also sad that I would be missing the beer machine.

I had to walk briskly to my gate in order to make this flight on time. It was a huge timesaver that there was no passport control, and security was a breeze. I really appreciate Japanese efficiency.

Boarding was orderly and commenced on time. However, it was a remote gate and our bus was delayed a bit on the tarmac. It was also raining. I liked that an NH FA was greeting passengers with an umbrella as they boarded in order to ensure nobody got wet.



I was greeted at my seat by name by a very polite FA who spoke excellent English. They were very good with the details on this flight.

The design and colour-scheme of the business cabin wasn't my favourite. I found the aesthetics of it to be I suppose a bit more "utilitarian" than the AC cabin. Hopefully you'll agree that's an accurate descriptor. I also found the classical music playing in the cabin as we entered to seem very 80s or 90s, I don't know why.

In any case, the seat was comfortable and well though out. I was in the middle but probably could have moved if I had wanted to as the cabin was nowhere near full. Some seats, particularly window ones where the table is on the aisle side offer better privacy for sleeping.

On the note of the relatively empty cabin, I think ANA has perhaps overplayed their hand a bit with respect to the size of the business class cabin. It was enormous compared to what seemed to be a very small economy cabin. Definitely an odd choice, but perhaps they have success with it.

The screen was good. Smaller than that on AC and no touch functionality, but fine nonetheless.



For dinner I stuck with the Japanese theme, and figured I couldn't go wrong travelling out of NRT on a Japanese carrier. The appetizer was fresh, vibrant, and for the most part, tasty. I didn't get a photo of the menu, but top right is Eel, top left is a prawn salad, and bottom is assorted pickled vegetables paired with a few items - one was a mousse, and there was some octopus among others.

I didn't manage to take photos of the main course or the dessert, though neither was to my taste. The main was some sort of beef sukiyaki dish with cooked sardines (?) There were several desserts. The one I tried was some sort of mousse dish but turned out to be an off pea/jam concoction? I didn't like it at all but the Japanese fellow beside me went to town on it.

Some champagne, a couple Asahi's, and a very responsive and happy FA who was keen to answer the call button, and I was happy, yet tired, boy.

The flight arrived early and the staff made sure to let the J cabin leave first. Immigration was a breeze and it was off to the shuttle counter to book my transfer to the hotel.