My girlfriend Myriam has a home-office job and can pretty much work anywhere there is an internet connection provided she can connect and work at European working hours. She unfortunately also has less vacation days than me and when we go on travel, she sometimes have to work a bit at the destination so that she saves up some days. This trip was no exception and she had to work in the entire morning from the hotel room. Given how cold the morning was, I decided to stay in the hotel lobby and work on some future travel bookings and also my trip reports. Shortly after noon, we were out of our hotel in Mississauga and parked our rental car at a neighbouring GO station (Go is the suburb train of the Toronto region) to head downtown Toronto for the afternoon. I’ve been to Toronto a couple times before but it was a first time for her. The weather was decent compared to the few previous days, with outside temperature around –5c and no precipitations.
GO train to Toronto Union Station
The GO train is a convenient way to reach downtown from the suburbs as you can park your car for free at most of the stations. The ticket prices are reasonable, about 18 CAD for a day pass from Clarkson station and the ride to Union station takes about 30 minutes (it can feel long at times but I guess it’s a North American thing when it comes to train transportation). Since it was a holiday, a limited schedule was operating, with one train every 30 min. The trains are very clean and comfortable.
After we reached Union station we walked towards the Eaton center for some window shopping and lunch and then walked downtown and back to the lake side. Was a good opportunity to do our steps that day (13000 counted).
Union station and the CN tower in the background.
Toronto Old City Hall
Back to Union Station
Crossing Union station to get to the waterfront
Toronto's waterfront
In Canada, you must get Tim Hortons !
Toronto's downtown skyline with the iconic CN tower
Spot the Porter Dash 8 landing at Toronto's downtown airport :-)
Mmmm... what a legal disclaimer ! If ice falls from the tower and you're below, I guess you're in much trouble !
The big GO train fits just right !
By 5 pm we headed back to Mississauga and did some last minute pharmacy shopping before driving back to the hotel to pick up our bags and go to the airport.
Since we will have almost 3 days in Toronto on the way back, we will discover other areas of the city and also visit the Niagara Falls if weather allows.
We arrived at the busy Terminal 1 around 18:30 and went towards the business class check-in of Air Canada at the beginning of the terminal, and there was a pretty long line to access it. The fact this check-in area is used for both International and Canadian domestic flights did not help (Flights to the USA have a different check-in location and since the last week has been crazy with cancellations, especially on the domestic flights, a lot of people needed rebooking I suppose). The wide eligibility access for this premium check-in area certainly did contribute to the crowdiness (Signature business class, domestic business class, Premium economy, Air Canada Rouge premium class, and all Star Alliance Gold customers can access this area). Note that there was a shortcut to that line for Aeroplan Super Elite customers, although this was not indicated until you were reaching the end of the line (But I guess Super Elite cardholders know this well).
Rush hour in YYZ T1 !
The Air Canada's "Premium" check-in for Domestic and International flights (except USA).
Departure board
Getting a bit closer...
Separate lane for Super Elite customers
We waited a good 30 minutes before see an available agent and since there was an issue with the belt, waited another good 10 minutes to place our bags in. During this time, I asked the agent why the Signature Suite access was not mentioned on the boarding pass and see briefly had a look at our booking and commented that “our fare was not full fare business class and therefore we did not get access”. Given all the reported issues to access the Signature Suite on this AMS-SCL fare, I was ready to argue to gain access as we were meeting all egibility criteria and had print outs of our etickets (issued by Lufthansa); the itinerary (from the AC website) and a screenshot of the access rules from the AC website.
Unlike what the agent indicated, the eligibity rules for the Signature Suite are quite clear and easy as you need to fulfill 3 criteria :
- It MUST be an Air Canada operated flight (Code shares are OK as long as it is AC metal you’re flying)
- The destination must be Europe, Asia, Oceania or South America (South of Panama pretty much)
- And it MUST be a revenue booking, in classes J,C,D,Z or P OR an Aeroplan flexible award ticket. Standard Aeroplan or partner award tickets, and any purchased or award upgrades will NOT grant you access to the Signature Suite but the regular Maple Leaf Lounge instead.
You will also not have access to the Signature Suite with any Star Alliance or Aeroplan status.
We were meeting all 3 criteria for this booking and I therefore requested to discuss with a manager to sort this out. The lady said that “a manager won’t be able to sort that out as they don’t know anything about this” and that “the system defines the rules, there was nothing she could do about it” but after insisting a bit, accepted to contact one but this person was already busy and we waiting for 15 minutes more. When I replied to her that since this was the premium product of Air Canada, the rules should be clear and communicated to them, she immediately replied “oh you know… Air Canada does not have a premium product anymore for years now”. That was a funny one but I was a bit speechless but replied that overall, the product was not that bad compared to some of the competition…
During this time, a more patient and listening colleague of her came over to assist and also considered that based on the rules, we should be having access, but could not understand why this was not the case.
Eventually, after 15 minutes, the “original” check-in agent took our boarding passes and went to see the manager in the office next to the premium check-in area and eventually came back shaking her head sideways. There was nothing they could do as the reason now invoked was that “It must be an Air Canada issued ticket” (while holding my Lufthansa eticket receipt) but invited me to push for access at the lounge itself and formalize my complaint with Air Canada customer relations. I asked to see this rule in writing and see the manager but this was impossible.
This is unfortunately another example of the significant lack of training - and sometimes commitment – of airline employees since COVID.
No Signature Suite mention on the BP
Heading to security...
By 19:25 we left the premium check-in area, with the fatigue starting to kick-in and went to the dedicated security check point where we used the fast track to gain access. There was quite a line at the security check point but thanks to the fast track we went through in less than 10 minutes.
It was then a long walk to the E gates which are used for international flights and we walked past the International Maple Leaf Lounge where there was quite a line to access.
The terminal was packed that evening and we eventually made our way upstairs gate E77 to the Signature Suite entrance, next to the Premium Plaza lounge which was not accepting guests due to crowdiness anymore.
YYZ T1 domestic terminal
The line at the International Maple Leaf Lounge is just ridiculous (there was a fast track for Super Elite customers though)
YYZ T1 International
AC Signature Suite entrance, right next to the Plaza Premium lounge.
Signature suite entrance
I was ready to pull all my arguments out to the lounge receptionist after handing our boarding passes. The lady scanned our BP and indicated that she was seeing we had only access to the Maple Leaf Lounge, to which I replied, “Well we are travelling to South America with Air Canada and on a Business class revenue fare, you will find here a print out of our booking summary and the eligibility rules both coming from the AC website”. She had a brief look and scanned again our BPs. She then said with a smile “well… I can see you are well prepared and there is obviously a system glitch here on our side, welcome to the Signature Suite !”. I guess she then saw a big smile of relief on my face and we then made our way inside where an attendant immediately greeted us, asked if this was our first time and if we preferred to go to the buffet or enjoy an a-la-carte dinner.
Welcome in the Signature Suite !
We first opted to freshen up in the restrooms located inside the lounge (God it was warm in the terminal and the lounge and the fact it was crowded everywhere did not help) and we then came back to drop off our luggage and coat since the restaurant area was “luggage free”.
Note regarding the shower availability in T1 International those days : Neither the Signature Suite or the Plaza Premium lounge next door have showers and the Maple Leaf Lounge is currently under partial renovation leaving the showers unavailable so there is no way to take a shower in T1 Intl nowadays. Too bad as I like to take a refreshing shower before a night long-haul flight…
Finally, unlike some reports seem to indicate on the dedicated thread when trying to gain entry on this fare, at no point in time the lounge staff was rude to us.
We were greeted by a lovely waitress and were given menus after asking us if we had any dietary requirements or allergies. Funnily enough, we started to talk to the 3 passengers seated next to us, who commented “you guys are the 3rd table seating next to us tonight !” and who were going to Mauritius via CDG and the two guys from this group of 3 were like avgeeks and addicted to loyalty programs just like me. We shared some nice stories for 5-10 minutes or so until it was time for them to board.
Signature Suite food menu (Dec 2022)
Signature Suite drinks menu (Dec 2022)
I opted for a glass of Taittinger champagne to start, while Myriam asked for some herbal tea. She ordered a squash soup and I opted for the endive salad. Both were very tasty. The main course was also excellent : I opted for the cod which was cooked to perfection and Myriam took the beef which was just great (and I don’t typically eat meat, but this beef cut could turn a vegetarian into a carnivore !)
Not a bad start :-)
No pics please, I don't have any make up :-)
Winter salad
Ginger squash soup
Fogo Island cod
Beef tenderloin
We finished this nice dinner with some desserts, namely a couple scoops of vanilla ice cream (choice was vanilla or chocolate), some fresh berries to go with and the expresso cake where you could see some edible golden leafs on top. Myriam being a chocolate addict found the cake excellent, and my ice cream was not bad either. She added to it an oat-milk matcha latte which was pretty good too.
Signature Suite dessert menu (Dec 2022)
Matcha oat-latte
Sweet touches at the end of the dinner...
Very good chocolate expresso cake, note the edible golden pieces on top
Delays piling up, but not for us...
The entire dinner took maybe an hour and half and after thanking our waitress, headed back to the lounge section to seat down for another 30 minutes. The lounge started to clear up a bit compared to when we arrive, but there were still quite a few people in there, hence the limited amount of pictures I have from this lounge. I had a look at the buffet and most of the food offering looked good, but I did not try anything from it. As indicated earlier, the Signature Suite has no showers but 6 washroom suites, with just enough space to bring your carry on and put fresh clothes on (An improvement idea in that area would be to add a small seat inside).
Signature Suite buffet menu (Dec 2022)
Signature suite seating
There is also a private dining room which could be booked
The bar
The buffet/bar area, I like the overall decoration
Lounge area
Our Santiago flight appeared to be one of the few ones on-time that evening with most of the AC operated flights being delayed.
Delays piling up...
One of the 6 private washrooms
We eventually left the lounge around 22:05 to go downstairs to the gate E74.
Overall, this is a pretty solid premium lounge that Air Canada made here and one of the best (if not the best) by North American standards. Too bad it was more complicated than it should be to get in there but I am glad we made it.
The cherry on the cake would have been to have apron views, just like the Qantas First class lounge in Sydney has for instance but you cannot have it all! The lack of shower rooms is also unfortunate, even though one could go back to the terminal entrance after the Signature Suite visit and go to the Maple Leaf Lounge to get one after the current renovation.