Executive/Executive First Rebranding?
#46
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,068
I would be OK with lie flats on overnight and Economy plus on day flights ,(i.e. FRA/YYZ) as I tend not to sleep on those flights.Having a chance to chat with Mrs.acysb87 is always a pleasure and will be much easier.
#48
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Business Class is definitely clearer and more recognizable. Executive First/Super Affaires was a brand name around for years, but rarely did anyone mistake it for being First Class. There are no showers, in-seat bars, fresh cut orchids or sliding panels. Veuve Clicquot Grande Dame and Servuga Caviar & standing Prime Rib has not been served up since the elimination of International First Class. A percentage of our American guests still refer to the forward cabin as "First" reflective of the marketing and branding of the airlines South of the border.
#49
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
How many airlines of AC's size are there in the world? More than 40?
AC's J product is average'ish, and thats a stretch. The only saving grace is the pod.
#52
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 50K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,551
Yes but they have indicated multiple times in the past year that the fleet is getting a refresh. This was indicated again today with the 787 release. The new reverse herringbone will presumably be the new standard. I imagine the A333 and non-HD 777 will be done in parallel to the 787 launch over the next 5 years. They would finish with the 777HD.
#53
Join Date: Mar 2009
Posts: 157
Yes but they have indicated multiple times in the past year that the fleet is getting a refresh. This was indicated again today with the 787 release. The new reverse herringbone will presumably be the new standard. I imagine the A333 and non-HD 777 will be done in parallel to the 787 launch over the next 5 years. They would finish with the 777HD.
#54
Join Date: Dec 2010
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC 50K, Marriott Lifetime Platinum
Posts: 1,551
I have no idea. It has been speculated that these birds were compensation for the 787 delays. As a result AC may have had no choice but to take this config. Maybe it's an experiment to see how crappy a hard product they can provide and still sell seats. The fact that they are completely different from the old pods and the new 787 config suggests that they are truly temporary. AC will either change them to the 787 config over time or return the entire aircraft to Boeing or the leasing agent once all the 787s are delivered.
#55
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
I have no idea. It has been speculated that these birds were compensation for the 787 delays. As a result AC may have had no choice but to take this config. Maybe it's an experiment to see how crappy a hard product they can provide and still sell seats. The fact that they are completely different from the old pods and the new 787 config suggests that they are truly temporary. AC will either change them to the 787 config over time or return the entire aircraft to Boeing or the leasing agent once all the 787s are delivered.
Only thing I can say for certain: those planes aren't going back to anyone. Based on their FS, it looks like AC got them at what must be one of the cheapest prices they've ever sold for.
#56
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
Honestly, no idea. Could've been a test, could've been a desired high density, could've already been outfitted. It might stay, it might be switched.
Only thing I can say for certain: those planes aren't going back to anyone. Based on their FS, it looks like AC got them at what must be one of the cheapest prices they've ever sold for.
Only thing I can say for certain: those planes aren't going back to anyone. Based on their FS, it looks like AC got them at what must be one of the cheapest prices they've ever sold for.
#58
Join Date: Mar 2012
Posts: 3,166
I liked the Executive First/Super Affaires brand names, as they were unique to AC.
Now that AC renamed Executive First to Business Class, imho, it is a bit too generic, but I think that's exactly what was intended, so there are no confusions that Executive First is actually first class.
Now that AC renamed Executive First to Business Class, imho, it is a bit too generic, but I think that's exactly what was intended, so there are no confusions that Executive First is actually first class.
#59
Join Date: Sep 2011
Programs: AC*SE100K, SPG Gold
Posts: 331
I actually like Executive First / Executive / Super Affaires / Affaires much better. It was already well branded by Air Canada and its name kind of elevated the experience or made it sound better than what it actually was. I am surprised they went this way unless there are some downgrades coming to new "business class". It was definitely misleading though to get a boarding pass in CCS with "Executive First" while this route is operated by an A319.
#60
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305