FlyerTalk Forums - View Single Post - Evaluating AC's performance and competitive offering in 2023-25
Old Mar 26, 2025 | 3:34 pm
  #219  
Seat13F_AC_CRJ
1M
100 Countries Visited
All eyes on you!
20 Years on Site
 
Join Date: May 2005
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K MM, AF-Plat, BA-S, HH-D, MB-G LT Sil, IHG-Dia, Nexus, Global Entry
Posts: 3,994
Originally Posted by YXEGeordie
Don't know which thread to put my 2c in but let's see if stays here.

There are several threads at the minute that tend to suggest AC's offering is not competitive, but they have a quasi monopoly position. Several current and recurring threads:

1. Food in J both NA and International, poor, and clearly they don't spend enough on it. NA "snacks" like the chicken fingers and the "pizza" are just embarrassing.
2. Aeroplan Elite Member Packages. Could they have spent any less on these? Why bother?
3. Outrageous J Class Fares TATL (I could grumble about lack of 1 way fares). Several European Airlines offer much better products and fares
4. Aircraft configs all over the place, Rouge serving many cities and now a zero recline 189 Y Seat 737 Max that can be subbed in at short notice.
5. Wifi sometimes.
6. Dynamic pricing and partner availability issues make the millions of points we have accrued less useful.
7. Inconsistent service levels.
8. Lounge experience is generally poor (YVR MLL) (Food offerings). Compare the food at the Aspire/AC Cafe at YTZ with the food at the MLL or AC Cafe at YYZ.


Overall, AC's Premium offerings are poor (save the hard product) and expensive but we are hooked on points (or live somewhere where we really don't have much of a choice).

As my report card would routinely say at school.."must do better." But where's the "why" for AC?

Bah Humbug

YXEG
I mostly agree, especially with respect to longhaul pricing. LH often cheaper TATL. Living in YOW means I am an AC captive.

In the past 12 months I've experimented a bit and flown four long hauls on each on NZ, TK and ET, plus two on LH.
NZ: odd layout in J with feet in the aisle. Very exposed. Good food. Good lounge.
TK: inconsistent. Sometimes you have pods, and sometimes you don't. Good food, but service is awkward. No crackers or bread with the cheese plate? IST lounge is amazing, but waits for showers are longer than MLL.
ET: also inconsistent. On-board food is... varied. Lounge in ADD is packed due to their flight waves scheduling model.
LH: twice on a A350 playing footsie with the seatmate. What a poor choice of cabin interiors for a new aircraft! Give me AC pods any day. Food good. Service consistent. Lounges are great, if you can find a seat.
--
13F

Seat13F_AC_CRJ is offline