First Time
 

In July my husband and I are flying from Toronto to Tokyo and back. It will be our first time flying Air Canada Executive First and was wondering if anyone could tell us what to expect and any hints you may have for a good experience thanks in advance

Welcome to FT! :)

For a question such as yours, you need the Air Canada forum.

Thanks I am new sorry

or do a search...there was a thread just recently that included a link to a trip report.

http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-c...t-yyz-nrt.html

Seat choice
 

The problem with AC pods is that they are not very "couple-friendly". If you pick D and G it is difficult to talk, and you will end up with a sore neck. Possibly the best option is to pick seats across the aisle from each other. The rows are staggered, so you want something like 1A and 2D or 2G and 1K.

Have a great trip!

By the way, I noticed this is only your 3rd post,,,welcome to FT

My suggestion (and this is very much a personal preference thing) is to make the journey an event.

On my first J flight I made sure I arrived at the airport plenty early. Instead of driving or cabbing to the airport for the flight, I ordered a towncar/limo for transportation. Where I'm based, the cost difference between that and a cab is small, but it starts to create the whole "J experience" for you well before you ever board the plane.

At the airport I'm usually a dedicated kiosk user, but it just felt better to experience the personal attention that you should receive at the Executive First wickets. I checked in, saw my first priority tag being applied to my checked luggage and looked over one shoulder at the long, main checkin line and felt a little better about the cost of my ticket. For some reason I asked the agent if there were more short lines for me to stand in and she made sure to tell me where the priority security screening line was as well as the priority boarding information. Again, short lines are things that seem so special when you're flying J for the first time.

Once behind security I spent some time wandering around looking at things and a bunch of time in the MLL just relaxing. Enjoy the lounge. You'll leave wondering how you'll ever deal with the seating at the gates again. Don't pull an igloocoder and imbibe until you get the munchies, stop at A&W for a burger and then hit the gate right at final boarding call. Get there a little early and enjoy the abundance of overhead storage space, the request to hang your jacket for you and, most importantly, the offer of some bubbly.

Unlike when you're in the back with the great unwashed (GU), don't fear using the lavatory. In my experience it won't be the showcase of filth or poor washroom etiquette that the GU seem to create on long hauls. Overall though, sit back, relax and enjoy the amenities. Feel free to stop the crew and make polite requests that will allow you to enjoy your trip to the fullest. One glass of bubbly not enough? Ding..."Excuse me ma'am, could I have a refill for my beverage?"....Oh if it were that easy at home...

While air travel has taken on a commodity nature over the last decade or more, it doesn't mean that you can't treat your trip, and yourself, like it's the golden age of travel. In my experience doing long haul J with AC, and paying a little attention to the events surrounding the flight, you're going to disembark feeling like you did have that experience.

Enjoy...and do tell all of us when you get back!

Not so simple. Some rows are staggered on some planes. Primarily, first cabin on the 777.

Better give a look at seat maps on aircanada.com and/or go to seatguru.

Welcome. Please follow this in the Air Canada forum.

l'etoile
Trip Reports moderator

Be sure to check out seatguru.com and these threads for opinions on best seating selection for a couple travelling on the 77L:

FAQ: What is the best seat on AC?

Seating for two at exec first

Enjoy!

I recommend the across the aisle seating for couples. Agreed you can't talk but in reality you will likely be reading, eating or watching the AVOD or sleeping so not much need to talk to your companion. The G/A's and other SE's that aren't on FT will try to advise you to sit in the middle aisles straining your neck to try and talk...Don't do it.

Enjoy the experience. The food is delicious. The Ace bakery baguettes superb. I find the menu AC provides offers a great mix between the flavours of home plus of the destination you are traveling to.

Get a lot of sleep beforehand but have an empty stomach! The trip is so relaxing and enjoyable you won't want to sleep: when I last flew HKG-YVR in J class I was exhausted but the experience was so relaxing I didn't want to miss a second of it and stayed awake the whole time! Watching the 3-4 movies and tv shows was more relaxing than my coach at home. I made the mistake of visiting the RCC and TG lounges and filling up on food before the flight, then I ate a bit of everything (the steak salad between meals was amazing).

Welcome to FT. I say take the time to enjoy the entirety of the experience. Get to the airport leisurely early, proceed casually to the gate agent and check in. Proceed next to the priority check in lane (if they actually decide to uphold this for once at Pearson) then take advantage of the International Maple Leaf lounge before casually going to the gate to board at the designated time, to take advantage of priority boarding. Enjoy your glass of champy or orange juice if you're not a drinker. I would highly recommend eating every meal, taking every snack and enjoying every perk. Watch the movies, and use their headphones. Heck even question the preparation when given the menu. When else do you get these perks for the other 365 days of sufferage on AC?? I'll also recommend a couple of hours of zzs outside of any food service to get a feel of the lay flat beds. Its quiet an experience for your first time in J and even moreso with a companion whose also in J for the first time.

Happy travels!

Funny how I disagree. Wife and I book seats behind each other, such as @A 3A, since in any event it's difficult to talk. Actually easier that way than across the aisle.

As to food, it may be improving (arguably the jury is still out on that one) but "delicious" is just too much. Slowly getting passable is more like it.

Or in other words, we still have better food and better wine at home on a daily basis. As yes, I would find it OK if they would manage to go better/at least as good.

If you travel long haul often I would highly recommend buying Noise Canceling Headphones. AC provides their cheap version for free in J class but it fair terribly in comparison to a $99 pair from Costco or Futureshop.