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The time has come to put the challenge to Air Canada’s management team who have pledged that their merger with Canadian Airlines will result in the creation of the world’s best airline. We’re the ones they have to satisfy, so we should also be the ones to help define what our expectations are for the “ideal” service an airline should provide in the many facets of its operations. It goes without saying that we want schedules with frequent departures and easy connections (when non-stops or direct flights are not possible). We want safety to be a paramount concern. But it is with those myriad of other details we can give advice. Notes are provided under each of the seven headings as guidelines, but don’t be limited by them as long as your comments fit the theme of the forum. Things like perks and benefits for elites will often find their way into all the forums, but most Aeroplan/CanadianPlus program issues are dealt with in the Awards Redemption forum.

Feel free to contribute your thoughts throughout the month of May. I will then tabulate each of the forums and prepare a consolidated report that can be posted or downloaded in mid-June for review by FlyerTalkers. Those who agree with the final version of this report -- revisions will undoubtedly occur throughout June -- will be invited to “sign” it, and during the FlyerTalk gathering in Montreal (July 21st to 23rd), those of us attending will arrange to deliver it to a member of Air Canada’s senior management team.

For ease of participation, all forums will appear in the Air Canada strand. A single forum will be posted in the Canadian strand to refer people to this AC strand to ensure as full participation as possible by those FlyerTalkers (from around the world) who fly either of our fine carriers.

5. Inflight: Business Domestic/Transborder

Basic expected service standards and amenities (i.e. seats, pre-flight drink, newspapers and magazines, in flight entertainment, meal/snack service, bar/drink service...)

BlondeBomber

Inflight: Business Domestic/Transborder

48" seat pitch

pre-flight drink

national and local newspapers

international and regional magazines

in flight entertainment on all flights over 1 hour; movie on flights over 3 hours.

meal/snack service on all flights over 1 hour--hot meal

bar/drink service -- free drinks

Carfield

Seats -- A319/320 -- 42-45 inches (more legroom for aircrafts that are designated for transcon travels)
-- Boeing 767s -- 45-50 inches with legrest.

Pre-flight drinks -- water or juice

Newspapers -- US and Canadian (French newspapers for Montreal or other Quebec cities; Chinese newspapers for YYZ and YVR)
Magazines -- Same

Inflight entertainment -- the present system is nice, especially the news on short transborder flights. Clean headsets are always good.

Meals/ Snacks -- is very bad now. For flights shorter than 1 hours, a quick cold plate during meal times are sufficient. For flights between 1 and 3 hours, there needs to be a hot dish. For flights longer than 3 hours, a four-course dinner with trolley service should be offered (like international). An appetizer and salad, then a separte entree course, followed by dessert (cheese will be nice, too). For morning transcon flights, a light snack of cheese and fruit plate an hour before landing will be good. The casserole dish used by AC now is awfully looking. Please change into more contemporary cultery and meal tray. It is just ugly now...

Free alocohol beverages.

airbus320

I have noticed that the seats in J class especially on the 320 are getting old. The padding is getting flat in the bottom of the seat and the footrest is not comfortable. It is time for third line maintenance on the 320 J class...

Ken hAAmer

Bringing forward for one last kick at the can.

AC*SE

Upgrade the domestic 767's to seats comparable with Executive First.

I hate flying YYZ YVR and trying to figure out which flights have the better seats.

Ken hAAmer

Continuous In Flight Entertainment, from start to finish, with individual screens and choice of channels (6-8) on long-haul/widebody flights.