I do agree with all the observations, AC has an unofficial monopoly on air travel in Canada. I was a CX elite for many years but it's very hard to make status unless I was flying to HK twice a year in J and then taking AA for my trips to the US, which wasn't great given that YYZ is a SA hub not OW. There's just no competition and any form of status on AC makes it a lot more bearable, particularly when there's an IRROP. AC has saved my bacon enough times that I'm willing to put up with the subpar catering, wifi, worn out seat cushions, inconsistent service and etc.... JEEZ I do put up with a lot...

When I flew CX, I didn't put up with any of this and anything less than excellent was unacceptable but I've learned to adjust my expectations and just let it go, otherwise I'd hate my life with the number of times I fly a month.