Flight report and feedback thread
Apr 5, 2013 | 9:33 am
#511
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,358
No priority check in was offered. There were signs at LAX but the desks were not staffed. Had to wait in the regular line with everyone else. Oddly there seems to be a lot of of new people flying AC as many had difficulty with the check ins (passports, baggage fees etc).
Once again, priority boarding was really not offered. There were signs but no one at the desk. Waited in line with everyone else. Gate staff seemed in different.
No headphones, pillows, or blankets were offered (another enhancement?). I had my own headphones so it wasn't a big deal. I did find a pillow to use stowed in the overhead compartment.
No newspapers were offered. Usually on Transborder flights a copy of the G&M is available.
Everyone was on board well before departure time which should have led to an early push back, but because of some duty free issues (some people not claiming them) it seemed like we were delayed which was a tad annoying.
Having flown AC in the past I have known they have always offered gate to gate entertainment. Apparently this has changed? The IFE was turned, and I had asked if it could be turned on. I was told they don't turn it on now until the air? I asked has this changed? And was responded that "this is how it has always been". The SD then came by and said she would make an exception to have it turned on the ground
What I didn't enjoy was the soft product. I felt like I was a burden and it was clear they either knew I was a low status flier, or the SD was just having a very bad day, and being the youngest in the cabin, didn't feel the need to treat me at the same level as the rest of the J fliers.
Once again, priority boarding was really not offered. There were signs but no one at the desk. Waited in line with everyone else. Gate staff seemed in different.
No headphones, pillows, or blankets were offered (another enhancement?). I had my own headphones so it wasn't a big deal. I did find a pillow to use stowed in the overhead compartment.
No newspapers were offered. Usually on Transborder flights a copy of the G&M is available.
Everyone was on board well before departure time which should have led to an early push back, but because of some duty free issues (some people not claiming them) it seemed like we were delayed which was a tad annoying.
Having flown AC in the past I have known they have always offered gate to gate entertainment. Apparently this has changed? The IFE was turned, and I had asked if it could be turned on. I was told they don't turn it on now until the air? I asked has this changed? And was responded that "this is how it has always been". The SD then came by and said she would make an exception to have it turned on the ground
What I didn't enjoy was the soft product. I felt like I was a burden and it was clear they either knew I was a low status flier, or the SD was just having a very bad day, and being the youngest in the cabin, didn't feel the need to treat me at the same level as the rest of the J fliers.
For priority check-in, I think usually if you just use the line, they'll call you up to the desk next, holding back the regular line.
Priority boarding works the same way. Use that line, and they should take you next, ignoring the regular line.
As for the SD's behaviour... I'm shocked. I've always either had a headset at my seat, or been offered one within 5 minutes of sitting down. I've always had a pillow on my seat, and I had a blanket there on the red-eye. I've always had a newspaper offered fairly quickly too.
I've also never heard of the IFE not being on from gate to gate.
I would write a complaint to AC. In fact, this post is probably a great report to send in. Since you have no status, I'm assuming you paid for J, and this is unacceptable.
Apr 7, 2013 | 9:30 pm
#512
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YOW/YUL/YYZ
Posts: 270
Flight/Origin-Destination: YOW - YVR (AC189)
Date: 4/6/12
Cabin: J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUj8v4-3CPw
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Only had to wait a few minutes, 2 agents, both busy when arrived
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - the usual choie of apps (nachos ... etc ...)
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? Slight delay in departure
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? arrived 10 minutes late, updates provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? No
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Yes
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, in the air
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) hour and a half? (I think)
How was the quality of all the meals? I was not fussy about the beef. The salad app was better
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes
Date: 4/6/12
Cabin: J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUj8v4-3CPw
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Only had to wait a few minutes, 2 agents, both busy when arrived
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - the usual choie of apps (nachos ... etc ...)
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? Slight delay in departure
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? arrived 10 minutes late, updates provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? No
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Yes
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, in the air
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) hour and a half? (I think)
How was the quality of all the meals? I was not fussy about the beef. The salad app was better
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes
Apr 11, 2013 | 8:56 am
#513
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,271
Flight/Origin-Destination: AC151 YYZ-YVR
Date: 10-4-2013
Cabin: Y (MP award)
Status: Free agent
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes, less than 2 mins to check bag at bag drop. Used Passbook BP; love that!
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Yes, Nexus.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? N/A, used the Plaza Premium Lounge - basic wine but drinkable as medicine for a 10:55pm departure. Thai style chicken and noodles/rice on offer.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? N/A as no status but boarding very efficient with 2 agents
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? No delay.
Onboard - Y cabin: Efficient and professional drink service. Went to sleep asap.
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? Approx. 25 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Just had beverage but coffee n/a due to turbulence
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Yes.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yes, 25 mins
Overall experience/any other comments
No complaints at all. Arrived exactly on time. Luggage took 25 mins which was a bit long considering at 1am we were the only flight at the carousels. Not a biggie as I made the N10 bus regardless. Considering this flight is often delayed for late cnx at YYZ I guess I got lucky!
Date: 10-4-2013
Cabin: Y (MP award)
Status: Free agent
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes, less than 2 mins to check bag at bag drop. Used Passbook BP; love that!
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Yes, Nexus.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? N/A, used the Plaza Premium Lounge - basic wine but drinkable as medicine for a 10:55pm departure
. Thai style chicken and noodles/rice on offer.Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? N/A as no status but boarding very efficient with 2 agents
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? No delay.
Onboard - Y cabin: Efficient and professional drink service. Went to sleep asap.
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? Approx. 25 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Just had beverage but coffee n/a due to turbulence
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Yes.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yes, 25 mins
Overall experience/any other comments
No complaints at all. Arrived exactly on time. Luggage took 25 mins which was a bit long considering at 1am we were the only flight at the carousels. Not a biggie as I made the N10 bus regardless. Considering this flight is often delayed for late cnx at YYZ I guess I got lucky!
Apr 13, 2013 | 2:06 pm
#514
Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: Scarborough, Canada
Posts: 616
Flight/Origin-Destination: Toronto to London Heathrow
Date: 01-Mar-2013
Cabin: Y
Status: none
Pre departure:
Showed up at YYZ T1 about 3 hours ahead of departure. Air Canada's signage appears confusing whether people are to use kiosks to check-in, or to join the line.
Only 2-3 desks are staffed for international section. Cranky agents on the economy class check-in. Agents appear to be working a little too hard on matching passports to faces. Wouldn't let me ask anything until she was done.
Agents spent too much time chit-chatting with passengers on non-flight related things when there are people in line waiting. Pax were obviously getting frustrated with the love-chats of agents.
Why can't they focus on moving the line quickly. Also noticed check-in clerks take too much time to open their counters, and very quick to go on their breaks......very slow and inefficient. Seems the attitude is that of: spend too much time on each, so you do less people per hour, or something like that. Nobody in the line was impressed by the slowness of these agents.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Just like other airlines.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
Info given by captain regarding de-icing and atlantic conditions.
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, but no headphones provided until later on. There is confusion with pax whether headphones have to be purchased or will be complimentary, because the magazine indicates prices.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? Didn't notice....
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
I had ordered special meal when I made the booking. But it was not offered, I wasn't even on the meal list. Extremely crappy booking system to blame?
Pasta meal is not that great. Agents frequently forgot to offer the bread to several people.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
Only water, unlike beverages offered by other airlines.
Post departure:
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yeah it made it to connecting flight/airport.
Overall experience/any other comments:
AC needs a big improvement on improving efficiency amongst its staff.
There is no need to make every announcement in both languages, just stick with English, its enough.
And why do you offer pax to choose special meals on the website if you're not going to fulfil that request.
The special meal was provided on the RETURN flight back to Canada (AC 847). I have no idea why special meal could not be provided on the outbound flight from Toronto to LHR.
Even as a leisure traveler, I missed not flying Lufthansa. Next time I'll pay the 100 bucks more to fly them.
On the return flight, I was flying LH from LIS to MUC, then on AC from MUC to YYZ. I don't understand why AC does not allow LH to issue boarding pass for the AC flight.
When I showed up in MUC at the AC counter to "check-in", I was told to wait for 15-20 mins while the agent held my passport so she could verify something. Only after that they issued the boarding pass. No explanation given whatsoever as to why I had to wait while everyone else got their boarding pass right away. At least tell me the reasoning of the delay in issuing boarding pass, rather than telling me to go sit down while you held my passport. This has never happened with OS, LH, S4, etc so why does it happen on AC flights?
Date: 01-Mar-2013
Cabin: Y
Status: none
Pre departure:
Showed up at YYZ T1 about 3 hours ahead of departure. Air Canada's signage appears confusing whether people are to use kiosks to check-in, or to join the line.
Only 2-3 desks are staffed for international section. Cranky agents on the economy class check-in. Agents appear to be working a little too hard on matching passports to faces. Wouldn't let me ask anything until she was done.
Agents spent too much time chit-chatting with passengers on non-flight related things when there are people in line waiting. Pax were obviously getting frustrated with the love-chats of agents.
Why can't they focus on moving the line quickly. Also noticed check-in clerks take too much time to open their counters, and very quick to go on their breaks......very slow and inefficient. Seems the attitude is that of: spend too much time on each, so you do less people per hour, or something like that. Nobody in the line was impressed by the slowness of these agents.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Just like other airlines.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
Info given by captain regarding de-icing and atlantic conditions.
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, but no headphones provided until later on. There is confusion with pax whether headphones have to be purchased or will be complimentary, because the magazine indicates prices.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? Didn't notice....
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
I had ordered special meal when I made the booking. But it was not offered, I wasn't even on the meal list. Extremely crappy booking system to blame?
Pasta meal is not that great. Agents frequently forgot to offer the bread to several people.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
Only water, unlike beverages offered by other airlines.
Post departure:
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yeah it made it to connecting flight/airport.
Overall experience/any other comments:
AC needs a big improvement on improving efficiency amongst its staff.
There is no need to make every announcement in both languages, just stick with English, its enough.
And why do you offer pax to choose special meals on the website if you're not going to fulfil that request.
The special meal was provided on the RETURN flight back to Canada (AC 847). I have no idea why special meal could not be provided on the outbound flight from Toronto to LHR.
Even as a leisure traveler, I missed not flying Lufthansa. Next time I'll pay the 100 bucks more to fly them.
On the return flight, I was flying LH from LIS to MUC, then on AC from MUC to YYZ. I don't understand why AC does not allow LH to issue boarding pass for the AC flight.
When I showed up in MUC at the AC counter to "check-in", I was told to wait for 15-20 mins while the agent held my passport so she could verify something. Only after that they issued the boarding pass. No explanation given whatsoever as to why I had to wait while everyone else got their boarding pass right away. At least tell me the reasoning of the delay in issuing boarding pass, rather than telling me to go sit down while you held my passport. This has never happened with OS, LH, S4, etc so why does it happen on AC flights?
May 2, 2013 | 9:35 pm
#515
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: either in Salishaan, or at an isolated colliery in the Canadian northland
Programs: AC P75: previously, quintuple secret pterodactyl wings, every year
Posts: 203
Flight/Origin-Destination: BOS>YYZ>YVR>YCD
Cabin: J/XJ/Y
Status: SE100K ('double secret pterodactyl wings')
Pre departure
Booked these flights on short notice owing to a critical meeting in Toronto. Round-trip for two cost roughly CAD 3600, which is not all that bad considering that some of the segments (including the longest ones both ways out and back) are in J or XJ ('pod' accomodations).
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes, just fine. Had a bit of trouble in that Mrs. Mevlannen couldn't get the kiosk to read her passport, but the station agent was able to sort that out manually.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Wasn't available to us at either end. Boston's security people have always been polite and efficient; same goes for Nanaimo's people, although on the whole they're a bit more laid-back than might be seemly.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes in YYZ and YVR; YYZ was chaotic and crowded, and the ladies' room was filthy. YVR was quiet and almost deserted, but at least the loo was clean.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes and yes. Boston was strange in that the jetway door kept alarming (the staff there mentioned this being roughly a monthly occurrence), and so we were shepherded along with the other passengers in little running groups of three or four people.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? Surprisingly, no delays at all!
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Absolutely. On the BOS>YYZ segment the service director was an absolute charmer, one of those rare gems that you wish you could always fly with.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
Fortunately, there were no delays. Captain's flight progress announcement BOS>YYZ was inoffensively incoherent as usual: do these guys all watch 'Airplane' on their days off?
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Don't know, as I don't use it. The fold-out displays played the departure safety briefing as usual; I folded mine away to avoid being subjected to the commercial messages thereafter.
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Coca-Cola's bottled tapwater and orange juice as usual.
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Didn't wear one. They did offer to do that for other people, men and women alike.
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, English-language papers only, as usual. It seems that Quebecois newspapers are only available in the YYZ lounge.
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes, and it was acceptably hot.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) Guessing an hour.
How was the quality of all the meals? On BOS>YYZ it was the breakfast omelette. The sausages were tough but the omelettes were tasty and fluffy. My omelette came with the familiar old red pepper sauce, whereas Mrs Mevlannen received some sort of sweetened compote of coarse-chopped tropical fruit. We swapped, as she loathes pineapple. From YYZ>YVR I had the (presumably-farmed) Atlantic salmon, which was delightful. The quinoa salad was nice, too. Mrs. Mevlannen says that the butter chicken was good.
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes, they brought me a lovely Chardonnay until I'd had enough, and then the water kept coming. I landed quite nicely hydrated, thank'ee much. As the Army saying has it, "drink white, pee white!"
Onboard - Y cabin:
The YVR>YCD puddle-jump lasts 14 minutes. The cabin attendant was pleasant and helpful, the tiny little plane made it up to 4000 feet and back down again as it should, and the trip was delightfully unremarkable.
We had one of the tiny little turboprops with the double-row 'passion pit' seating up-front (the ex-Pacific Western style). Our facing seatmate was a cheery burly sort of chap, maybe a logger. He shared some charming yarns with us as we ducked and weaved our way across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island.
Post departure
[B]If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yes, even at YYZ, where it's always a bit of a crap-shoot.
Overall experience/any other comments
Good value for time and money. Neither Mrs Mevlannen nor myself were travelling for fun, but we had fun all the same. Meals have noticeably improved in transcontinental J and XJ, but I wouldn't bother booking (nor upgrading) to J in short-haul except perhaps at breakfast time.
Cabin: J/XJ/Y
Status: SE100K ('double secret pterodactyl wings')
Pre departure
Booked these flights on short notice owing to a critical meeting in Toronto. Round-trip for two cost roughly CAD 3600, which is not all that bad considering that some of the segments (including the longest ones both ways out and back) are in J or XJ ('pod' accomodations).
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes, just fine. Had a bit of trouble in that Mrs. Mevlannen couldn't get the kiosk to read her passport, but the station agent was able to sort that out manually.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Wasn't available to us at either end. Boston's security people have always been polite and efficient; same goes for Nanaimo's people, although on the whole they're a bit more laid-back than might be seemly.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes in YYZ and YVR; YYZ was chaotic and crowded, and the ladies' room was filthy. YVR was quiet and almost deserted, but at least the loo was clean.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes and yes. Boston was strange in that the jetway door kept alarming (the staff there mentioned this being roughly a monthly occurrence), and so we were shepherded along with the other passengers in little running groups of three or four people.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? Surprisingly, no delays at all!
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Absolutely. On the BOS>YYZ segment the service director was an absolute charmer, one of those rare gems that you wish you could always fly with.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
Fortunately, there were no delays. Captain's flight progress announcement BOS>YYZ was inoffensively incoherent as usual: do these guys all watch 'Airplane' on their days off?
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Don't know, as I don't use it. The fold-out displays played the departure safety briefing as usual; I folded mine away to avoid being subjected to the commercial messages thereafter.
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Coca-Cola's bottled tapwater and orange juice as usual.
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Didn't wear one. They did offer to do that for other people, men and women alike.
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, English-language papers only, as usual. It seems that Quebecois newspapers are only available in the YYZ lounge.
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes, and it was acceptably hot.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) Guessing an hour.
How was the quality of all the meals? On BOS>YYZ it was the breakfast omelette. The sausages were tough but the omelettes were tasty and fluffy. My omelette came with the familiar old red pepper sauce, whereas Mrs Mevlannen received some sort of sweetened compote of coarse-chopped tropical fruit. We swapped, as she loathes pineapple. From YYZ>YVR I had the (presumably-farmed) Atlantic salmon, which was delightful. The quinoa salad was nice, too. Mrs. Mevlannen says that the butter chicken was good.
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes, they brought me a lovely Chardonnay until I'd had enough, and then the water kept coming. I landed quite nicely hydrated, thank'ee much. As the Army saying has it, "drink white, pee white!"
Onboard - Y cabin:
The YVR>YCD puddle-jump lasts 14 minutes. The cabin attendant was pleasant and helpful, the tiny little plane made it up to 4000 feet and back down again as it should, and the trip was delightfully unremarkable.
We had one of the tiny little turboprops with the double-row 'passion pit' seating up-front (the ex-Pacific Western style). Our facing seatmate was a cheery burly sort of chap, maybe a logger. He shared some charming yarns with us as we ducked and weaved our way across the Salish Sea to Vancouver Island.
Post departure
[B]If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Yes, even at YYZ, where it's always a bit of a crap-shoot.
Overall experience/any other comments
Good value for time and money. Neither Mrs Mevlannen nor myself were travelling for fun, but we had fun all the same. Meals have noticeably improved in transcontinental J and XJ, but I wouldn't bother booking (nor upgrading) to J in short-haul except perhaps at breakfast time.
May 18, 2013 | 11:34 am
#516
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: Edmonton, AB, Canada
Programs: AC 75K, Hertz Presidents Circle, Accor Gold, Hilton Gold, Marriott Gold
Posts: 10,271
Sorry, no time to fill in details and don't want any nice AC staff to be harmed in this process by getting too specific but I was allowed to do a free standby from YEG to YVR yesterday even though the flight I was originally on was more open than the one I ended up on! Didn't get my full wine consumption in at the lounge but a happy camper and the flight even arrived 15 mins early! Well done.
May 21, 2013 | 11:40 pm
#517
Join Date: Nov 2004
Location: YYZ, HKG, MFM
Programs: LH Senator, SAS Gold, Atmos Gold, Porter Venture, Marriott Platnium
Posts: 2,035
YYZ-HKG (direct flight) feedback
Pre departure:
Was check in quick and efficient?
I had a luggage nd had to check through the agent. It took about 10 mins because I did not enter my passport info online.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
No
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
No
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
No, I purchased tango fare
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates?
N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Yes it worked all the way
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
One hour
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
It was very small portion, I was hungry. I asked them for a sandwich, and they refuse and said I can only have pretzels.
Dinner was Chicken w/potatoes, cake, corn, bread
Snack was cupnoodle with a small ham/cheese sandwich and cookie
Breakfast was Beef congee with fruits and bread
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
Yes, I wish they offer sandwiches and pop instead.
Post departure:
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time?
I had to take the ferry to Macau, so my luggage was transfer there
Overall experience/any other comments:
Not good, the seats are very cramps, quality of meal was adequate. The portion was too small for me. The washroom was very small and staffs was not that friendly. After this experience, I will unlikely to travel with AC in the Y cabin for long haul.
Was check in quick and efficient?
I had a luggage nd had to check through the agent. It took about 10 mins because I did not enter my passport info online.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
No
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
No
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
No, I purchased tango fare
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates?
N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates?
N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Yes it worked all the way
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
One hour
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
It was very small portion, I was hungry. I asked them for a sandwich, and they refuse and said I can only have pretzels.
Dinner was Chicken w/potatoes, cake, corn, bread
Snack was cupnoodle with a small ham/cheese sandwich and cookie
Breakfast was Beef congee with fruits and bread
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
Yes, I wish they offer sandwiches and pop instead.
Post departure:
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time?
I had to take the ferry to Macau, so my luggage was transfer there
Overall experience/any other comments:
Not good, the seats are very cramps, quality of meal was adequate. The portion was too small for me. The washroom was very small and staffs was not that friendly. After this experience, I will unlikely to travel with AC in the Y cabin for long haul.
May 22, 2013 | 8:52 am
#518
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: SEA
Programs: DL Plat, AC 25K
Posts: 429
One of the things I don't like about WS is that they make most of their announcements English only.
Jun 10, 2013 | 9:48 pm
#519
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM
Posts: 2,401
AC128 on June 8 - terrible Y service
Flight/Origin-Destination: YYC-YYZ flying in Y (upgrade didn't clear)
Date: June 2
Cabin: Y
Status: E35
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - good
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates?
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? - OK
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? - No, we were about 20 mins late leaving and no explanation was provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? - Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
90 minutes (!) - about 85 minutes after the seatbelt sign was taken off (and I was sitting at the front of Y). First time I've ever seen a flight crew so slow on a domestic flight that it took 90 minutes to start the beverage/Onboard cafe service.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
I'd ordered a hot meal (pasta). They told me the pasta was canneloni after I asked, but turned out to be ravioli. It was decent.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
No. Not a single water service on a 3.5 hour flight. I noticed they did a single water service on the F/K aisle (763), but not a single service on the C/D aisle.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time?
OK - about 20 mins, not bad for YYZ
Overall experience/any other comments
Worst Y service I've seen in ~10 years of flying. Crew also missed some typical safety procedures (didn't check seatbelts/tray tables/seats upright/headphones on descent) to secure the cabin on landing. Didn't pull back the curtain between J/Y until after landing (one of the crew members noticed in after we landed, so got up while the plane was taxiing and pulled it back).
I spoke to the SD on the way out and as soon as I mentioned that I wanted to pass along some comments on the service in Y, before I got into specifics, she said "I know...I've got a lot of comments...we're going to have a debrief right after", so guess I wasn't the only one who noticed the lousy service.
Date: June 2
Cabin: Y
Status: E35
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - good
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates?
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? - OK
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? - No, we were about 20 mins late leaving and no explanation was provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? - Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
90 minutes (!) - about 85 minutes after the seatbelt sign was taken off (and I was sitting at the front of Y). First time I've ever seen a flight crew so slow on a domestic flight that it took 90 minutes to start the beverage/Onboard cafe service.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe?
I'd ordered a hot meal (pasta). They told me the pasta was canneloni after I asked, but turned out to be ravioli. It was decent.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight?
No. Not a single water service on a 3.5 hour flight. I noticed they did a single water service on the F/K aisle (763), but not a single service on the C/D aisle.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time?
OK - about 20 mins, not bad for YYZ
Overall experience/any other comments
Worst Y service I've seen in ~10 years of flying. Crew also missed some typical safety procedures (didn't check seatbelts/tray tables/seats upright/headphones on descent) to secure the cabin on landing. Didn't pull back the curtain between J/Y until after landing (one of the crew members noticed in after we landed, so got up while the plane was taxiing and pulled it back).
I spoke to the SD on the way out and as soon as I mentioned that I wanted to pass along some comments on the service in Y, before I got into specifics, she said "I know...I've got a lot of comments...we're going to have a debrief right after", so guess I wasn't the only one who noticed the lousy service.
Jul 7, 2013 | 7:33 am
#520
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YOW/YUL/YYZ
Posts: 270
Flight/Origin-Destination: YOW - LHR (AC888)
Date: 6/26/2013
Cabin: J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhUCdixUiA
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? security not busy when arrived, got through quickly
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - the usual selection of apps (nachos ... etc ...) and a hot pasta dish
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? 45 minute delay due to late connecting passengers. already boarded, updates provided
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? arrived 45 minutes late, updates provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? yes
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Yes
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, in the air
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) approx 90 minutes
How was the quality of all the meals? slightly better than usual, which isnt saying a lot
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes
Summary
_______
Over the years, I can sum up my experiences on Air Canada in one word: inconsistent. I either get indifferent service and mediocre food or decent service and passable food. My experience on this flight was the latter. The only hickup was a 45 minute departure delay due to connecting passengers arriving late.
Despite an almost full J cabin (23/24), service was good and the meals were slightly better than average for AC
Date: 6/26/2013
Cabin: J
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVhUCdixUiA
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? security not busy when arrived, got through quickly
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? Yes - the usual selection of apps (nachos ... etc ...) and a hot pasta dish
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? 45 minute delay due to late connecting passengers. already boarded, updates provided
Onboard - J cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? arrived 45 minutes late, updates provided
Was the IFE activated on the ground? yes
Was a pre-departure beverage offered on the ground? Yes
Did crew offer to hang your jacket? Yes
Were newspapers & menus distributed and meal orders taken (Please specify when meal orders were taken - on the ground or in the air)? Yes, in the air
Did crew offer a hot towel prior to the meal service? Yes
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service to be completed? (From takeoff to all items collected) approx 90 minutes
How was the quality of all the meals? slightly better than usual, which isnt saying a lot
Did the cabin crew continiously top up the beverage of your choice throughout the flight? Yes
Summary
_______
Over the years, I can sum up my experiences on Air Canada in one word: inconsistent. I either get indifferent service and mediocre food or decent service and passable food. My experience on this flight was the latter. The only hickup was a 45 minute departure delay due to connecting passengers arriving late.
Despite an almost full J cabin (23/24), service was good and the meals were slightly better than average for AC
Aug 10, 2013 | 3:31 pm
#521
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YTO
Programs: UA 1K, Aeroplan Victim, SPG Plat, Marriot Plat, HHonors Diamond NEXUS/GE/TSAPre
Posts: 59
Flight/Origin-Destination: YYZ-ORD (AC 501)
Date: 2013-08-02
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? NO. Check-in was a disaster. Originally scheduled on the previous day, that flight was cancelled and I had to rebook for the following morning. The flight status tool (web) indicated the flight was cancelled, but the tool said the flight was on time. Had to call RES, who asked me to go online and cancel my own check-in, which didn't work. Waited on hold for 25 minutes while the agent called help desk whom called airport to have my check-in cancelled. I was then rebooked and told to go online or on my phone and checkin, which I did Friday night.
Arriving at YYZ the next day, I was unable to get mobile BP so went to the Kiosk, which told me my reservation had been cancelled. I went to queue for an agent and was told by a uniformed Air Canada employee I could not queue, that I first had to dry a different Kiosk, as they're "always acting up". I tried another Kiosk, which produced the same error. I told the employee that I was already checked in, and only needed to have my BP printed. Again, I was sent away from the Queue to try another Kiosk, while the Queue Master observed. The kiosk produced the same error again. Now having wasted almost 20 minutes playing this game, the Queue Master checked her watch and declared that with only 58m to departure now "the whole system has shutdown, there is nothing anyone can do. You have to go to the agent at the far right (end of isle G) to rebook. If you re-book before your scheduled flight time its only a $200 fee instead of paying for a new flight." I respectfully stated that I disagreed, that I was a frequent flier and I'm certain an agent can print my BP. A second agent approached and again confirmed the first agents statements, without bothering to listen and understand my actual problem. When I moved to the queue, I was told, the agent raising her hand and blocking my path, to remain put, and that she would check with "a full time agent". The employee blocked the queue entrance with the stanchion/tape and left me with the second agent. The agent the returned and again stated her original theory that by now my reservation had been cancelled and I must see a ticketing agent. I asked her how she could possible know this without seeing my personal details, etc. but seized the opportunity to queue for an agent as she opened the line again. I was first in line, but it took almost 15 minutes to see an agent as only agent at ticketing was having a great conversation with a client, reviewing photos on the customers iPhone with them. By this time I was frustrated and the only thought in my mind was "I hate Air Canada. Why do I bother flying with these idiots? They're lucky they have half-decent planes or there would be NO reasons left to fly with them". Thankfully, a second agent came on shift and called me forward. Now with 18 minutes to departure, I explained the situation to her. Immediately, she entered my surname in to the computer, glanced at the screen and flatly stated "They're wrong, your're checked in, there is NO PROBLEM" and surprise *zerp* out came my boarding pass. "You have NEXUS, run, you can probably make it. I'll call the gate and tell them you're going to run for it". So with 14 minutes to departure, I ran. Thankfully I'm young and fit with little concern for my own dignity and as such airport athletics aren't a major issue for me.
With that, here is my feedback. Kindly instruct your staff to refrain from parroting misinformation to your clients before they so much as bother to understand the client's problem. Had an agent so much as given the slightest care to LISTEN / pay attention to a small thing like "I'm ALREADY CHECKED IN", this whole situation could have been avoided. The dismissive attitude of the staff watching the queues is unacceptable and did nothing but serve as a reminder as to why Air Canada has the humorous motto "We're not happy until your not happy". These people and their attitude serve only to run your brand into the ground. You need more people like the lady at G14....only people like the one at G14... with a can-do, how-can-I-help attitude.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? I used NEXUS line. It was plugged up by the same people that were doing iPhone slideshows with the ticket agent. They really need a whip-cracker here to keep people moving.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? I would have, but I was delayed at checkin.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Boarding had just begun when I arrived at the gate (0715). There was a great deal of drama on board over bin space. A passenger was still standing in the isle fussing with a bag as the plane pushed back.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, push was close to on time.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? If by professional you mean blunt then maybe.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? During taxi. Was unable to select "Dance" music channel, kept betting "hits" instead. (side note: I was able to select it on my flight home and I was probably better off without it as it was pretty horrible content)
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? It was well over an hour into the flight before service reached me.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? The tea had obviously been made with water made in a coffee pot as it tasted like coffee.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Once, 20 seconds after I got a tea.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? No checked bags.
Date: 2013-08-02
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? NO. Check-in was a disaster. Originally scheduled on the previous day, that flight was cancelled and I had to rebook for the following morning. The flight status tool (web) indicated the flight was cancelled, but the tool said the flight was on time. Had to call RES, who asked me to go online and cancel my own check-in, which didn't work. Waited on hold for 25 minutes while the agent called help desk whom called airport to have my check-in cancelled. I was then rebooked and told to go online or on my phone and checkin, which I did Friday night.
Arriving at YYZ the next day, I was unable to get mobile BP so went to the Kiosk, which told me my reservation had been cancelled. I went to queue for an agent and was told by a uniformed Air Canada employee I could not queue, that I first had to dry a different Kiosk, as they're "always acting up". I tried another Kiosk, which produced the same error. I told the employee that I was already checked in, and only needed to have my BP printed. Again, I was sent away from the Queue to try another Kiosk, while the Queue Master observed. The kiosk produced the same error again. Now having wasted almost 20 minutes playing this game, the Queue Master checked her watch and declared that with only 58m to departure now "the whole system has shutdown, there is nothing anyone can do. You have to go to the agent at the far right (end of isle G) to rebook. If you re-book before your scheduled flight time its only a $200 fee instead of paying for a new flight." I respectfully stated that I disagreed, that I was a frequent flier and I'm certain an agent can print my BP. A second agent approached and again confirmed the first agents statements, without bothering to listen and understand my actual problem. When I moved to the queue, I was told, the agent raising her hand and blocking my path, to remain put, and that she would check with "a full time agent". The employee blocked the queue entrance with the stanchion/tape and left me with the second agent. The agent the returned and again stated her original theory that by now my reservation had been cancelled and I must see a ticketing agent. I asked her how she could possible know this without seeing my personal details, etc. but seized the opportunity to queue for an agent as she opened the line again. I was first in line, but it took almost 15 minutes to see an agent as only agent at ticketing was having a great conversation with a client, reviewing photos on the customers iPhone with them. By this time I was frustrated and the only thought in my mind was "I hate Air Canada. Why do I bother flying with these idiots? They're lucky they have half-decent planes or there would be NO reasons left to fly with them". Thankfully, a second agent came on shift and called me forward. Now with 18 minutes to departure, I explained the situation to her. Immediately, she entered my surname in to the computer, glanced at the screen and flatly stated "They're wrong, your're checked in, there is NO PROBLEM" and surprise *zerp* out came my boarding pass. "You have NEXUS, run, you can probably make it. I'll call the gate and tell them you're going to run for it". So with 14 minutes to departure, I ran. Thankfully I'm young and fit with little concern for my own dignity and as such airport athletics aren't a major issue for me.
With that, here is my feedback. Kindly instruct your staff to refrain from parroting misinformation to your clients before they so much as bother to understand the client's problem. Had an agent so much as given the slightest care to LISTEN / pay attention to a small thing like "I'm ALREADY CHECKED IN", this whole situation could have been avoided. The dismissive attitude of the staff watching the queues is unacceptable and did nothing but serve as a reminder as to why Air Canada has the humorous motto "We're not happy until your not happy". These people and their attitude serve only to run your brand into the ground. You need more people like the lady at G14....only people like the one at G14... with a can-do, how-can-I-help attitude.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? I used NEXUS line. It was plugged up by the same people that were doing iPhone slideshows with the ticket agent. They really need a whip-cracker here to keep people moving.
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? I would have, but I was delayed at checkin.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Boarding had just begun when I arrived at the gate (0715). There was a great deal of drama on board over bin space. A passenger was still standing in the isle fussing with a bag as the plane pushed back.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, push was close to on time.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? If by professional you mean blunt then maybe.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? During taxi. Was unable to select "Dance" music channel, kept betting "hits" instead. (side note: I was able to select it on my flight home and I was probably better off without it as it was pretty horrible content)
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? It was well over an hour into the flight before service reached me.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? The tea had obviously been made with water made in a coffee pot as it tasted like coffee.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Once, 20 seconds after I got a tea.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? No checked bags.
Last edited by w0rldtravlr; Aug 10, 2013 at 3:42 pm Reason: typo
Aug 11, 2013 | 11:29 am
#522
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: either in Salishaan, or at an isolated colliery in the Canadian northland
Programs: AC P75: previously, quintuple secret pterodactyl wings, every year
Posts: 203
a delightful surprise
Flight/Origin-Destination: YVR>YEG(AC 234)
Date: 2013-Aug-11
Cabin: J
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes. Arrived at gate a bit after printed boarding-time, owing to ground delay waiting for a ramp crew on my inbound micro-hop from YCD. Got to gate just as the agent was calling my name ("is Dr. [Mevlannen] in the boarding area?). Was heartened to receive an op-up for this segment. Quite the delightful surprise, that was.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
Cleared in YCD, where the CATSA workers are cheerful and efficient. Nothing to it! Free coffee in the YCD boarding lounge, too!
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
In YEG lounge right now, where the choice is between 'Thai red curry chicken and rice' and 'garden vegetable' for soups. I shudder to think of what 'non-garden vegetable' would be.... Anyway, lounge is quiet, and the dragon was content to scan my BP without seeing my card.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
Yup, and yup.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, if anything we were a wee tad early on push-back. There was some sort of minor maintenance issue (a light-bulb?) but the YVR Sparky and Wrench guys fixed it. I heard some hammering.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yuppers, absolutely. I was the first to board, arriving in the midst of a cabin-crew huddle in the J-cabin. We all had a good checkle at my having announced myself as 'self-loading freight'. (Well, I **am**, after all....). The SD, Dominique, was equally pleasant in both official languages, although there was a slight hiccough when she announced that we were going to YYC (en anglais) but to YEG (in French).
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Have no idea, never use it.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
Just as soon as the seatbel;t light came off, also came out the omelette trays. No chips'n'chocos, though.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? As usual. Coffee was vastly improved by two shots of Johnnie Walker poured into it (per my habitual request).
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Nope, but there was an offer of more orange-juice with the breakfast.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Not there yet, have yet to trundle on up to YQU, where I fully expect my priority-tagged bags to come out last, as always.
In summary...
Okay so far. The people **always** make the difference!
Date: 2013-Aug-11
Cabin: J
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes. Arrived at gate a bit after printed boarding-time, owing to ground delay waiting for a ramp crew on my inbound micro-hop from YCD. Got to gate just as the agent was calling my name ("is Dr. [Mevlannen] in the boarding area?). Was heartened to receive an op-up for this segment. Quite the delightful surprise, that was.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
Cleared in YCD, where the CATSA workers are cheerful and efficient. Nothing to it! Free coffee in the YCD boarding lounge, too!
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
In YEG lounge right now, where the choice is between 'Thai red curry chicken and rice' and 'garden vegetable' for soups. I shudder to think of what 'non-garden vegetable' would be.... Anyway, lounge is quiet, and the dragon was content to scan my BP without seeing my card.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
Yup, and yup.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, if anything we were a wee tad early on push-back. There was some sort of minor maintenance issue (a light-bulb?) but the YVR Sparky and Wrench guys fixed it. I heard some hammering.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yuppers, absolutely. I was the first to board, arriving in the midst of a cabin-crew huddle in the J-cabin. We all had a good checkle at my having announced myself as 'self-loading freight'. (Well, I **am**, after all....). The SD, Dominique, was equally pleasant in both official languages, although there was a slight hiccough when she announced that we were going to YYC (en anglais) but to YEG (in French).
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Have no idea, never use it.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
Just as soon as the seatbel;t light came off, also came out the omelette trays. No chips'n'chocos, though.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? As usual. Coffee was vastly improved by two shots of Johnnie Walker poured into it (per my habitual request).
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Nope, but there was an offer of more orange-juice with the breakfast.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Not there yet, have yet to trundle on up to YQU, where I fully expect my priority-tagged bags to come out last, as always.
In summary...
Okay so far. The people **always** make the difference!
Aug 11, 2013 | 12:25 pm
#523
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: France
Programs: A3 *G; AC
Posts: 409
Flight/Origin-Destination: YVR>YEG(AC 234)
Date: 2013-Aug-11
Cabin: J
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes. Arrived at gate a bit after printed boarding-time, owing to ground delay waiting for a ramp crew on my inbound micro-hop from YCD. Got to gate just as the agent was calling my name ("is Dr. [Mevlannen] in the boarding area?). Was heartened to receive an op-up for this segment. Quite the delightful surprise, that was.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
Cleared in YCD, where the CATSA workers are cheerful and efficient. Nothing to it! Free coffee in the YCD boarding lounge, too!
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
In YEG lounge right now, where the choice is between 'Thai red curry chicken and rice' and 'garden vegetable' for soups. I shudder to think of what 'non-garden vegetable' would be.... Anyway, lounge is quiet, and the dragon was content to scan my BP without seeing my card.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
Yup, and yup.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, if anything we were a wee tad early on push-back. There was some sort of minor maintenance issue (a light-bulb?) but the YVR Sparky and Wrench guys fixed it. I heard some hammering.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yuppers, absolutely. I was the first to board, arriving in the midst of a cabin-crew huddle in the J-cabin. We all had a good checkle at my having announced myself as 'self-loading freight'. (Well, I **am**, after all....). The SD, Dominique, was equally pleasant in both official languages, although there was a slight hiccough when she announced that we were going to YYC (en anglais) but to YEG (in French).
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Have no idea, never use it.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
Just as soon as the seatbel;t light came off, also came out the omelette trays. No chips'n'chocos, though.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? As usual. Coffee was vastly improved by two shots of Johnnie Walker poured into it (per my habitual request).
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Nope, but there was an offer of more orange-juice with the breakfast.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Not there yet, have yet to trundle on up to YQU, where I fully expect my priority-tagged bags to come out last, as always.
In summary...
Okay so far. The people **always** make the difference!
Date: 2013-Aug-11
Cabin: J
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? Yes. Arrived at gate a bit after printed boarding-time, owing to ground delay waiting for a ramp crew on my inbound micro-hop from YCD. Got to gate just as the agent was calling my name ("is Dr. [Mevlannen] in the boarding area?). Was heartened to receive an op-up for this segment. Quite the delightful surprise, that was.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient?
Cleared in YCD, where the CATSA workers are cheerful and efficient. Nothing to it! Free coffee in the YCD boarding lounge, too!
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks?
In YEG lounge right now, where the choice is between 'Thai red curry chicken and rice' and 'garden vegetable' for soups. I shudder to think of what 'non-garden vegetable' would be.... Anyway, lounge is quiet, and the dragon was content to scan my BP without seeing my card.
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient?
Yup, and yup.
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A, if anything we were a wee tad early on push-back. There was some sort of minor maintenance issue (a light-bulb?) but the YVR Sparky and Wrench guys fixed it. I heard some hammering.
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed?
Yuppers, absolutely. I was the first to board, arriving in the midst of a cabin-crew huddle in the J-cabin. We all had a good checkle at my having announced myself as 'self-loading freight'. (Well, I **am**, after all....). The SD, Dominique, was equally pleasant in both official languages, although there was a slight hiccough when she announced that we were going to YYC (en anglais) but to YEG (in French).
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground?
Have no idea, never use it.
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin?
Just as soon as the seatbel;t light came off, also came out the omelette trays. No chips'n'chocos, though.
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? As usual. Coffee was vastly improved by two shots of Johnnie Walker poured into it (per my habitual request).
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? Nope, but there was an offer of more orange-juice with the breakfast.
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? Not there yet, have yet to trundle on up to YQU, where I fully expect my priority-tagged bags to come out last, as always.
In summary...
Okay so far. The people **always** make the difference!
Aug 31, 2013 | 6:04 pm
#524
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YTO
Programs: UA 1K, Aeroplan Victim, SPG Plat, Marriot Plat, HHonors Diamond NEXUS/GE/TSAPre
Posts: 59
Flight/Origin-Destination: YTZ-YUL (AC7504)
Date: 2013-08-30
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? YES. Major kudos to the checkin staff. Due to a delay on the ferry over (they were held for an ambulance that was crossing), I arrived at the counter 9 minutes before departure. Agent dropped everything she was doing and walked be through security, the gate agent met me on the stairs and got me to the plane. Truly great customer experience.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? See above
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? No, no time..
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? N/A, see above
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes. Through the PAs in french were a bit painful.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? N/A
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? 10 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Cookie was yummy. Tea was meh. Tea on airplanes seems to be difficult.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? No, but the whole flight was 40m long....
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? N/A - carry-on only
Date: 2013-08-30
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? YES. Major kudos to the checkin staff. Due to a delay on the ferry over (they were held for an ambulance that was crossing), I arrived at the counter 9 minutes before departure. Agent dropped everything she was doing and walked be through security, the gate agent met me on the stairs and got me to the plane. Truly great customer experience.
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? See above
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? No, no time..
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? N/A, see above
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes. Through the PAs in french were a bit painful.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? N/A
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? 10 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Cookie was yummy. Tea was meh. Tea on airplanes seems to be difficult.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? No, but the whole flight was 40m long....
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? N/A - carry-on only
Aug 31, 2013 | 6:08 pm
#525
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YTO
Programs: UA 1K, Aeroplan Victim, SPG Plat, Marriot Plat, HHonors Diamond NEXUS/GE/TSAPre
Posts: 59
Flight/Origin-Destination: YUL-YVR (AC1143)
Date: 2013-08-30
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? N/A - Connection
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? N/A - Connection
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? No, no time..
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, though with the monitor in the arm rest I couldn't use it till after takeoff anyway...
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? 30 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Ordered the J meal (beef). It was overcooked (like crunchy hard), and in a lot of liquid so the potatoes were kind of like soup. It was kinda disappointing.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? 3 water offers (2 with full beverage offerings).
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? N/A - carry-on only
Date: 2013-08-30
Cabin: Y
Pre departure
Was check in quick and efficient? N/A - Connection
Did you use priority security (if eligible) and if so, was it quick and efficient? N/A - Connection
Did you use the Maple Leaf lounge and if so, any feedback in regards to service, food and drinks? No, no time..
Was priority boarding offered (if applicable to your status) and efficient? Yes
If there was a delay, did the gate agent provide timely updates? N/A
Onboard - Y cabin:
Were the crew professional & well groomed? Yes.
If there was a delay, were you provided with timely updates? N/A
Was the IFE activated on the ground? Yes, though with the monitor in the arm rest I couldn't use it till after takeoff anyway...
Approximately how long after take off did it take for the first meal service/Onboard cafe to begin? 30 minutes
How was the quality of the meal/Onboard cafe? Ordered the J meal (beef). It was overcooked (like crunchy hard), and in a lot of liquid so the potatoes were kind of like soup. It was kinda disappointing.
Did the cabin crew offer water regularly throughout the flight? 3 water offers (2 with full beverage offerings).
Post departure
If you have checked baggage, did it arrive within reasonable period of time? N/A - carry-on only