Announcing Premium Economy & new 777-300ERs
Feb 7, 2013, 5:46 am
#1
No longer with Air Canada
Original Poster
Join Date: Dec 2011
Posts: 88
Announcing Premium Economy & new 777-300ERs
Hi everyone
As the anticipation is building for the launch of Altitude in a few weeks, we’re excited to tell you about another major product introduction – a new cabin, to be known as Premium Economy.
Obviously there is a lot of information to share, but below are some of the most pertinent details about Premium Economy on Air Canada flights:
Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming launch of Air Canada Altitude, as well – we’ll be posting additional information in the coming days.
As the anticipation is building for the launch of Altitude in a few weeks, we’re excited to tell you about another major product introduction – a new cabin, to be known as Premium Economy.
Obviously there is a lot of information to share, but below are some of the most pertinent details about Premium Economy on Air Canada flights:
Premium Economy will be introduced on new aircraft. We’ll launch Premium Economy on five new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft that are joining our fleet over the course of the coming year. These aircraft will also feature Executive First and Economy Class (more on that further below…).
Premium Economy will be a separate cabin. Complementing our Executive First and Economy Class products, Premium Economy will be positioned in a dedicated cabin featuring 24 spacious seats with more recline, offering up to seven more inches of legroom than Economy Class. Additionally, the seats will be wider, and the cabin will be set in a 2-4-2 configuration.
Premium Economy will offer priority airport services. The purchase of a Premium Economy fare will entitle you to priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Additionally, there will be a complimentary checked baggage allowance of 2 bags, up to 23kg each.
Premium Economy will deliver premium amenities onboard. Premium Economy customers will enjoy pre-departure beverages, an enhanced in-flight meal service including complimentary wine & spirits, plus an amenity kit and more.
Premium Economy will be eligible for mileage accumulation. The purchase of a Premium Economy fare will entitle you to 100% Aeroplan Miles & Altitude Qualifying Miles. Naturally, any Altitude privileges to which you are entitled will also apply when traveling in Premium Economy. Two items worth noting, however:
Premium Economy will use a new booking class. When you purchase a Premium Economy fare, you'll notice that you are booked in ‘O’ class.
Premium Economy will launch on July 11, 2013. Beginning today, you’ll be able to book Premium Economy fares. For launch, it will only be available on a single route, Montreal – Paris, although we’ll announce additional routes in the coming months.
Premium Economy will also be available on Air Canada rouge. We’ll offer Premium Economy, known as Premium rouge, on rouge services operated by Boeing 767-300ERs (such as those to Edinburgh, Venice and Athens). More details on this at aircanada.com/rouge.
As mentioned above, Premium Economy will be launched on new Boeing 777-300ER aircraft. Take note of a few important details for you about these five aircraft that will be new additions to our fleet:Premium Economy will be a separate cabin. Complementing our Executive First and Economy Class products, Premium Economy will be positioned in a dedicated cabin featuring 24 spacious seats with more recline, offering up to seven more inches of legroom than Economy Class. Additionally, the seats will be wider, and the cabin will be set in a 2-4-2 configuration.
Premium Economy will offer priority airport services. The purchase of a Premium Economy fare will entitle you to priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding. Additionally, there will be a complimentary checked baggage allowance of 2 bags, up to 23kg each.
Premium Economy will deliver premium amenities onboard. Premium Economy customers will enjoy pre-departure beverages, an enhanced in-flight meal service including complimentary wine & spirits, plus an amenity kit and more.
Premium Economy will be eligible for mileage accumulation. The purchase of a Premium Economy fare will entitle you to 100% Aeroplan Miles & Altitude Qualifying Miles. Naturally, any Altitude privileges to which you are entitled will also apply when traveling in Premium Economy. Two items worth noting, however:
- eUpgrades You'll be able to upgrade from Premium Economy to Executive First with eUpgrade Credits – the number of credits required & booking window are aligned with upgrades from ‘M’ class. For launch, though, it will not be possible to upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy. We are evaluating how to offer eUpgrades to Premium Economy, and more information on this is to come.
- Aeroplan Flight Rewards For launch of Premium Economy, you will not be able to redeem your Aeroplan Miles for this cabin. Again, we are evaluating how to offer this product, are more details will be shared as they become available.
Premium Economy will launch on July 11, 2013. Beginning today, you’ll be able to book Premium Economy fares. For launch, it will only be available on a single route, Montreal – Paris, although we’ll announce additional routes in the coming months.
Premium Economy will also be available on Air Canada rouge. We’ll offer Premium Economy, known as Premium rouge, on rouge services operated by Boeing 767-300ERs (such as those to Edinburgh, Venice and Athens). More details on this at aircanada.com/rouge.
Executive First will feature a redesigned seat. The seat will convert into a 180-degree lie-flat bed in a staggered configuration, giving you the choice of sitting alone or with a companion. (For those who have traveled internationally in Business Class with our Star Alliance partners SWISS or brussels airlines, you may find the seat to be somewhat similar). Additionally, you can expect the same Executive First service you’ve come to enjoy on all of our other mainline flights.
All seats feature an improved entertainment system. All passengers, regardless of cabin class, will be able to enjoy a state of the art entertainment system with simplified navigation and a broad selection of movies, TV shows & music available from gate-to-gate.
These new features are a preview of what’s ahead with the 787. While we’re excited about the new products we’re bringing to you onboard these new 777s, there is a lot more to come with our 787s, including a fully redesigned Executive First seat, plus additional new features in Premium Economy & Economy Class. The new modern cabin design featuring black leather, charcoal grey and beige onboard these 777s will be complementary to the exciting new interior we'll launch in 2014 with the 787. More details on that closer to launch of Dreamliner service.
Further details about Premium Economy are available at aircanada.com/premiumeconomy. All seats feature an improved entertainment system. All passengers, regardless of cabin class, will be able to enjoy a state of the art entertainment system with simplified navigation and a broad selection of movies, TV shows & music available from gate-to-gate.
These new features are a preview of what’s ahead with the 787. While we’re excited about the new products we’re bringing to you onboard these new 777s, there is a lot more to come with our 787s, including a fully redesigned Executive First seat, plus additional new features in Premium Economy & Economy Class. The new modern cabin design featuring black leather, charcoal grey and beige onboard these 777s will be complementary to the exciting new interior we'll launch in 2014 with the 787. More details on that closer to launch of Dreamliner service.
Stay tuned for more information about the upcoming launch of Air Canada Altitude, as well – we’ll be posting additional information in the coming days.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:07 am
#2
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Thanks for the update!^
Just one brief question: Am I correct to assume that the upgrade window for PE(O)->J will be the same as when upgrading from Y(M)->J, i.e. 7/5/4/2days? Or to put it differently: PE->J upgrades can´t be upgraded at time of booking (if R>0), can they?
Just one brief question: Am I correct to assume that the upgrade window for PE(O)->J will be the same as when upgrading from Y(M)->J, i.e. 7/5/4/2days? Or to put it differently: PE->J upgrades can´t be upgraded at time of booking (if R>0), can they?
Feb 7, 2013, 6:17 am
#3
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lima Sierra Zulu Hotel
Programs: AC*SM, M&M SEN, BA Gold, DL Gold; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 778
For those who care about booking classes, it appears that as of now, connecting flights (at least on the Canadian side) can be booked in B class to get an O-basis through fare.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:20 am
#4
Join Date: Jan 2001
Location: YXU, ON Canada
Programs: AC LT E50K; AC*MM; SPG LT Gold
Posts: 4,665
Executive First will feature a redesigned seat. The seat will convert into a 180-degree lie-flat bed in a staggered configuration, giving you the choice of sitting alone or with a companion. (For those who have traveled internationally in Business Class with our Star Alliance partners SWISS or brussels airlines, you may find the seat to be somewhat similar).
Feb 7, 2013, 6:39 am
#6
Join Date: May 2009
Location: Canada's worst airport....YYJ
Programs: AC: E75K, Marriott :Titanium, National: EXEC ELITE
Posts: 599
@ACTT Thanks for the information, I had a couple of quick follow-up questions.
Will unsold PE seats be available for LMU purchase at check-in? Is there any possibility that the seats could be offered to top tier members for LMU before the general traveller?
When flights are at full capacity and seat reallocations need to be made, will there be a procedure in place to "upgrade" top tier members from E to PE on a priority basis using a defined set of criteria? I think we would all find it very disappointing and frustrating if leisure travellers were seated in PE, simply because they didn't have a seat assignment at check-in and economy is fully booked.
Will unsold PE seats be available for LMU purchase at check-in? Is there any possibility that the seats could be offered to top tier members for LMU before the general traveller?
When flights are at full capacity and seat reallocations need to be made, will there be a procedure in place to "upgrade" top tier members from E to PE on a priority basis using a defined set of criteria? I think we would all find it very disappointing and frustrating if leisure travellers were seated in PE, simply because they didn't have a seat assignment at check-in and economy is fully booked.
Feb 7, 2013, 6:59 am
#9
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YYZ (YUL/LHR)
Programs: AC - E50, CX - G, Accor Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 903
Hi everyone
[*]eUpgrades You'll be able to upgrade from Premium Economy to Executive First with eUpgrade Credits – the number of credits required & booking window are aligned with upgrades from ‘M’ class. For launch, though, it will not be possible to upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy. We are evaluating how to offer eUpgrades to Premium Economy, and more information on this is to come.
[*]eUpgrades You'll be able to upgrade from Premium Economy to Executive First with eUpgrade Credits – the number of credits required & booking window are aligned with upgrades from ‘M’ class. For launch, though, it will not be possible to upgrade from Economy Class to Premium Economy. We are evaluating how to offer eUpgrades to Premium Economy, and more information on this is to come.
As an aside, disappointed to see the cabin interiors changed, I found the colour scheme one of the most refreshing and pleasant, grey, black and beige seems very bland.
Feb 7, 2013, 7:01 am
#10
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: YYZ (YUL/LHR)
Programs: AC - E50, CX - G, Accor Plat, SPG Gold
Posts: 903
Feb 7, 2013, 7:07 am
#11
Join Date: Jul 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: AC
Posts: 818
Feb 7, 2013, 7:11 am
#12
Join Date: May 2008
Location: Near YYZ (great song too!)
Programs: E50 MM
Posts: 435
Thanks for the update!^
Just one brief question: Am I correct to assume that the upgrade window for PE(O)->J will be the same as when upgrading from Y(M)->J, i.e. 7/5/4/2days? Or to put it differently: PE->J upgrades can´t be upgraded at time of booking (if R>0), can they?
Just one brief question: Am I correct to assume that the upgrade window for PE(O)->J will be the same as when upgrading from Y(M)->J, i.e. 7/5/4/2days? Or to put it differently: PE->J upgrades can´t be upgraded at time of booking (if R>0), can they?
Feb 7, 2013, 7:14 am
#13
Join Date: Feb 2006
Programs: various
Posts: 623
I see the above notification forgot to mention the major dis-enhancement of packing another 50 people into the Y cabin. (as noted by others here)
If this sardine-like packing spreads throughout the AC network I will avoid AC like the plague.
Unbelievable, they are turning the whole airline into a LCC carrier without the low cost.
If this sardine-like packing spreads throughout the AC network I will avoid AC like the plague.
Unbelievable, they are turning the whole airline into a LCC carrier without the low cost.
Feb 7, 2013, 7:17 am
#14
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Left
Programs: FT
Posts: 7,285
So the 77H is a partially re-designed J seat....or we will call it the LX seat...
So when it comes to the 787, sounds like some features will be similar but not others...hopefully nothing other than the colour scheme for J...
"These new features are a preview of what’s ahead with the 787. While we’re excited about the new products we’re bringing to you onboard these new 777s, there is a lot more to come with our 787s, including a fully redesigned Executive First seat, "
I guess this is a good thing about it being fully redesigned (although when they use the term redesign to mean something other than what we currently have but basically something that someone else has)...unless instead of LX for J they use the J on the new LH747-8i and not something like on CX.
So when it comes to the 787, sounds like some features will be similar but not others...hopefully nothing other than the colour scheme for J...
"These new features are a preview of what’s ahead with the 787. While we’re excited about the new products we’re bringing to you onboard these new 777s, there is a lot more to come with our 787s, including a fully redesigned Executive First seat, "
I guess this is a good thing about it being fully redesigned (although when they use the term redesign to mean something other than what we currently have but basically something that someone else has)...unless instead of LX for J they use the J on the new LH747-8i and not something like on CX.
Feb 7, 2013, 7:21 am
#15
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,369
I see the above notification forgot to mention the major dis-enhancement of packing another 50 people into the Y cabin. (as noted by others here)
If this sardine-like packing spreads throughout the AC network I will avoid AC like the plague.
Unbelievable, they are turning the whole airline into a LCC carrier without the low cost.
If this sardine-like packing spreads throughout the AC network I will avoid AC like the plague.
Unbelievable, they are turning the whole airline into a LCC carrier without the low cost.
Looking at the seatmap, it looks like the J class standup bar has been replaced with additional lavatories.