AC Presence on FT
May 15, 2014, 10:09 pm
#226
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
My gut feeling is AC transports a LOT of cargo on the YYZ-HKG flights despite any trade deficit existing... CX has dedicated cargo aircraft and probably just has to worry about pax+bags on their nonstop 77Ws.
CX YYZ based 777 pilot told me it was very rare to have weight restrictions, yet most AC 77W flights I've been on YYZ-HKG (and there have been quite a number over the years... maybe 4) I hear "load restriction" from the agents or FAs. Probably leaving behind standbys.
CX YYZ based 777 pilot told me it was very rare to have weight restrictions, yet most AC 77W flights I've been on YYZ-HKG (and there have been quite a number over the years... maybe 4) I hear "load restriction" from the agents or FAs. Probably leaving behind standbys.
May 15, 2014, 10:09 pm
#227
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: YYC
Posts: 4,035
May 15, 2014, 10:13 pm
#228
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
+1
I would also like to hear some rationale on AC's expansion of rouge routes to LAX and SFO from YVR/YYC. Do you really believe these routes are more leisure heavy than business/premium pax? As well, making Elites 50K having to purchase a flex fare for preferred seating is really a slap in the face for their loyalty. I would strongly suggest looking at the UA model for Economy Plus which gives a tiered window for upgrading to E+ and a copay for those without status is a better model to achieve both profitability and Altitude member satisfaction.
Also Ben, I'm glad to see your presence on here ( would like to see more of that). However as a marketer, I just need to point out AC Altitude's dismal performance of top down messaging (which one cannot control on the internet) and instead be seen to be engaging in honest discussions and not rehashing press release talking points that insult the intelligence.
A honest casual coffeeshop style conversation where you are able to explain the rationale for changes would be much more welcomed, and be more interactive. Having AC rouge delete negative reviews on your facebook, twitter, and tripadvisor clearly shows that your PR teams feels they can control the message (when they cannot) and makes the story about AC's communication behaviour than having an honest discussion with your (best) customers.
I would also like to hear some rationale on AC's expansion of rouge routes to LAX and SFO from YVR/YYC. Do you really believe these routes are more leisure heavy than business/premium pax? As well, making Elites 50K having to purchase a flex fare for preferred seating is really a slap in the face for their loyalty. I would strongly suggest looking at the UA model for Economy Plus which gives a tiered window for upgrading to E+ and a copay for those without status is a better model to achieve both profitability and Altitude member satisfaction.
Also Ben, I'm glad to see your presence on here ( would like to see more of that). However as a marketer, I just need to point out AC Altitude's dismal performance of top down messaging (which one cannot control on the internet) and instead be seen to be engaging in honest discussions and not rehashing press release talking points that insult the intelligence.
A honest casual coffeeshop style conversation where you are able to explain the rationale for changes would be much more welcomed, and be more interactive. Having AC rouge delete negative reviews on your facebook, twitter, and tripadvisor clearly shows that your PR teams feels they can control the message (when they cannot) and makes the story about AC's communication behaviour than having an honest discussion with your (best) customers.
May 15, 2014, 10:14 pm
#229
Flying Blue Director
Original Poster
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: CDG/AMS
Posts: 1,864
Hello Ben
Could you please ask the AC department responsible for the website to include Singapore on the drop-down list for Country of Residence.
I have been asking about this periodically for at least 5 years but still no action.
As it stands, it is not possible to make an AC booking online as a Singapore resident, or use a credit-card with Singapore address.
Thanks
Could you please ask the AC department responsible for the website to include Singapore on the drop-down list for Country of Residence.
I have been asking about this periodically for at least 5 years but still no action.
As it stands, it is not possible to make an AC booking online as a Singapore resident, or use a credit-card with Singapore address.
Thanks
May 15, 2014, 10:41 pm
#230
Join Date: Dec 2001
Location: YEG - No Particular Loyalty Anymore
Posts: 3,610
May 15, 2014, 11:40 pm
#231
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: YVR
Programs: AC*SE MM, Marriott Lifetime Titanium
Posts: 4,604
Couldn't agree more with this. Re-branding as Flex is one of the more ambitious spin attempts I've seen and made me wonder if there were bets in RM on how much BS could be pulled in one go. With a $200 change fee to the US, I can't imagine a word that suits it less than 'Flex'.
OTOH, if you changed it to add free SDC, you could now better justify the (sometime) significant Tango-Flex difference while also being able to call it Flex without laughing.
OTOH, if you changed it to add free SDC, you could now better justify the (sometime) significant Tango-Flex difference while also being able to call it Flex without laughing.
May 15, 2014, 11:52 pm
#232
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: YWG
Programs: AC Elite, SPG Plat
Posts: 643
May 15, 2014, 11:55 pm
#233
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
My point is top down messaging (where you stand at a podium) with a megaphone does NOT work. Sitting at the table where you have a voice (amongst) many, DOES work.
AC Rouge stated their facebook feeds are for marketing purposes only, yet AC Rouge needs to understand marketing is so much MORE than just promotion. It is interactive, dynamic, and covers all touchpoints a customer/prospect has with your brand. The marketer no longer has the megaphone, and trying to cut off people's mics is NOT a sustainable competitive strategy.
We appreciate your presence here, but I think you should rethink your social media strategy when the general public post a legitimate negative review. This is one of the tradeoffs if a company wants to use social media. You do not have control of the message.
I strongly suggest you pass that on to Mr Landry, and whomever else is responsible for marketing communications strategy.
May 16, 2014, 12:01 am
#234
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75, SPG Plat, HH peon-by-choice (ex Gold)
Posts: 8,090
Wow. I've been away for a few days and we get official AC presence (again). Good stuff!
My biggest beef is with the overloading of overhead bins with people who bring oversize carry-ons and/or multiple pieces. Have you considered enforcing the carry-on requirements (a la United) so everyone brings reasonably sized items on board?
My biggest beef is with the overloading of overhead bins with people who bring oversize carry-ons and/or multiple pieces. Have you considered enforcing the carry-on requirements (a la United) so everyone brings reasonably sized items on board?
May 16, 2014, 12:09 am
#235
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
This is a challenging one.
Flyers and companies are often in conflict over how best to manage travel costs. It always amazes me how well paid employees are often forced to wait or take less optimal routings to save small amounts of money which in my books is false economy. The strong desire of many travel managers, corporate fulfilment houses and GDS companies to try and commoditize travel makes it challenging for us to offer you as many choices as possible. However we will continue to try and expand our choice offerings so that travellers and companies can customize their purchases to match their individual needs.
Flyers and companies are often in conflict over how best to manage travel costs. It always amazes me how well paid employees are often forced to wait or take less optimal routings to save small amounts of money which in my books is false economy. The strong desire of many travel managers, corporate fulfilment houses and GDS companies to try and commoditize travel makes it challenging for us to offer you as many choices as possible. However we will continue to try and expand our choice offerings so that travellers and companies can customize their purchases to match their individual needs.
For my company we fly flex fare economy class for flights within North America and paid business for flights over five hours with VP approval.
Like all international companies, we have the usual assortment of Road warriors(small group), occasional traveller with 1-3 business trips, and desk bound employee. The problem facing our company is rooted in the fact that more employees are transitioning from desk bound to occasional traveller status. The new occasional flyer is travelling with the road warrior and they want the same perks. The road warrior pays for flex fare are gets upgraded due to status. However the occasional flyer tries to get paid j with VP approval under the business case the occasional traveller is working with the road warrior and they have long legs. Internal audit and the CFO are looking at the travel cost escalation, however the only way to cost optimizen is to move everyone to Tango class, a decision my company has not implemented yet. Our travel costs are increasing because the larger occasional travel group does not have the FFP status of the road warrior.
The internal audit solution to the ballooning travel cost problem is to recommend the company offer preferred seats to all employees and crack down on paid business class for flights under five hours. However writing the business case is very hard because the aircanada.com website is very poor at describing the various seat and cabin choices. For example the preferred seating we page is too text oriented for inclusion into the IA report, so I have to creat my own executive summary and descriptions. Also the cabin description on the information and services section is out of date. What I would like to see is a one page description for all of Air Canada seats and services in a format that I can present to executive managers.
If I can't write the internal audit report for preferred seats cause it's too much effort, then I have to take out the easy button and recommend that all employees travel is conducted on tango fare class. I do not want to go down this route.
Ben and Ben , Feel free to PM me if you want a more professional description.
May 16, 2014, 12:15 am
#236
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
Second request is specific to the YYC-IAH route. What would it take to get the E90 onto this route to replace CRA. The flight is nearly four hours and the CRA is too cramped for a flight of this length. UA puts 737s on this run and they take the lions share of the company travel budget. However a lot of flyers in my office would take AC option if better equipment we're put onto the route.
May 16, 2014, 12:19 am
#237
Join Date: Jul 2001
Location: YYC
Programs: AC Basic, UA MP Gold, Marriott Gold Elite, SPG Gold, Amex Platinum
Posts: 3,008
Third and final request.
What would it take to gets specific UA routes into the flight pass program. For example if the western continental flight pass we're able to offer YYC-DEN services, then my company would buy a lot of them.
I realize that offer the full UA network is not possible, but certain specific route (YYC-IAH and DeN would really help out pulling more travel over to AC. For example we also fly to YYZ and YHZ very frequently with about half the travellers going WS.
What would it take to gets specific UA routes into the flight pass program. For example if the western continental flight pass we're able to offer YYC-DEN services, then my company would buy a lot of them.
I realize that offer the full UA network is not possible, but certain specific route (YYC-IAH and DeN would really help out pulling more travel over to AC. For example we also fly to YYZ and YHZ very frequently with about half the travellers going WS.
May 16, 2014, 3:13 am
#238
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: PHL
Programs: NEXUS, UA Club
Posts: 641
I just wanted to say thank you to both Bens for your replies to the posts on here. I know a lot of people (I don't necessarily mean people on here, just in general), are very quick to be vocal about complaints. However, I think it is equally important to recognize and acknowledge when something is done well - so a big thank you to both of you. It is very much appreciated. :-)
May 16, 2014, 4:48 am
#239
Suspended
Join Date: Feb 2008
Location: YKF
Programs: AC Elite 50K, Amex AP Plat, Choice Privileges, National Exec Elite, Via Prefrence
Posts: 2,996
Point taken, but consider that the segment of the FF population that actively hangs about on here probably hovers around 1%. Even if you are active and are on here every day, there are thousands of others who are not. So if we were to publish the upgrade scheme, and if that managed to somehow integrate itself into the minds of all of our customers, that is the list by which they would expect to be upgraded.
Now, I'm sure many of you have met the DYKWIA types, indeed there are numerous threads on here illustrating their behaviour in their natural habitat; if you then take it one step further and assume the DYKWIA knows the 'old' upgrade system but hasn't yet familiarised him- or herself with the 'new' one -- well I'm sure you can imagine the scene that would unfold at the boarding gate. (Of course later to be transposed on here and met with a series of
)
Now, I'm sure many of you have met the DYKWIA types, indeed there are numerous threads on here illustrating their behaviour in their natural habitat; if you then take it one step further and assume the DYKWIA knows the 'old' upgrade system but hasn't yet familiarised him- or herself with the 'new' one -- well I'm sure you can imagine the scene that would unfold at the boarding gate. (Of course later to be transposed on here and met with a series of
)
May 16, 2014, 5:26 am
#240
Join Date: Jul 2006
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC-SE MM
Posts: 1,251
Good day Ben,
Can you make any comment on any change to the MM program. Presently the 50K lifetime is not worth it and needs to change to at least E75. I also would like to see the 2MM plateau changed as it's a complete waste to me and others.
Can you make any comment on any change to the MM program. Presently the 50K lifetime is not worth it and needs to change to at least E75. I also would like to see the 2MM plateau changed as it's a complete waste to me and others.