Observation:

Having just completed a series of back-to-back trips to different Asian destinations that included 10 long TPAC segments and almost an equal number of transcons, it was interesting to see the differences in how the exact same meals are presented, the differences in tastes and format of the same food items and of course, the vast differences in service.

While one would assume that the same dish prepared by the same catering company to the same specs (Hawksworth or otherwise) would look and taste the same, this was not the case. After at least 5 years doing TPACs with AC, I certainly did not expect identical meals, but I still noticed the differences. In some cases, it seems the same dish did not taste the same and in other cases, the reheating in the galley (and the talent or lack thereof from the galley staff) affected the item served.

Also worth noting: menus for TPE are not available on AC.com. AC 17 seems to be identical to AC 15 and AC 7, but there are obviously some local variations on the return flights, AC 18 versus AC 16 and 8.


AC 18 TPE-YVR May 2018
.

Something about bubbles with the light from the setting sun ...

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a1663fde1c.png

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...470a957722.png
(sma)


I thought this was cool

https://cimg8.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...f7bbc6aba7.png


Salad, garlic bread and duck appetizer.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...58d113162e.png

I don't eat duck so the photo is for the benefit of the audience.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a3acb24131.png


I always find the salads out of NRT, HND and TPE have the most flavour and one can taste the differences between vegetables (unlike ex-YYZ/YVR)

Oddly, on this flight, the salad seemed to have less content.

https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...827b795f6b.png


Location when dinner was served

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...bae58892d8.png


Warm fish.....on an ice cold plate. Again.

Also, this halibut dish was nothing like the one from the previous AC 18 posted upthread. The piece was much smaller, the sides were bland, most especially the peas-carrots-rice. Also rather uninspiring. The menu said it was pumpkin but I can tell you it had no taste.

https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...a0b8e77070.png


Two other pax who I knew were seated nearby and they thought it was interesting that they ordered the same beef dish, but in their opinion, the two did not look the same. No idea if there was a difference taste.

https://cimg3.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...3df50f8e08.png


https://cimg4.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...b477e73696.png


I only choose 2 of the 3 cheese options. I don't like the cheddar served on AC regardless of TPAC route and most especially ex-YYZ/YVR.

https://cimg5.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...78fbe347dc.png


That TPE version of carrot cake reappeared. Nothing special but edible.

Talk to me when AC brings back the chocolate cherry cake.

https://cimg6.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...7430be50f8.png


I skipped breakfast on this flight.

However, I took a photo of the basket here since that sugar-filled apple danish reappeared and it is not nearly as good (IMHO) as the croissant au chocolat from previous TPE flights (see my posts upthread.)

https://cimg7.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...e7c6acdd4b.png

Hello, I will be flying Air Canada's business class for the first time this Thursday. I want to make sure I don't regret my dinner choices. Which of the two following do you guys personally prefer?
- Grilled AAA beef tenderloin
- Red wine braised duck leg

Also, has anybody tried the chili lime chicken skewers?
I am sitting in the last row of the J cabin, Can I make my dinner choice before it is served (on the ground)? I am afraid they won't have any of the good stuff by the time they get to me LOL!

The crew come around prior to departure to hand out the menus and take orders. It is usually based on status first, so you may find the crew do not go from row 1-7 in consecutive order.

Also, "the good stuff" is really a personal choice. One person may describe their good stuff as the beef, another may say it's the fish, pork or whatever.

Happy travels.

P.S. Menu for AC 15 that is posted on AC.com is exactly the same as my 3 recent flights.

Also, I finally got a photo of the duck meal from someone sitting next to me.


https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...72e4579f51.png

That duck looks surprisingly rare.

Which brings me back to the previous poster's question: expect everything to be overly reheated. So, steak to be very very well-done. Totally brown, inside and out., not a drop of blood left.

This said, one in a while one gets lucky and one gets a crew that hears me and mamages to get it still slightly pinkish.

(And no, I don't blame hem. Since AC cut cabin crewing a few yars ago, FAs have been significantly overworked during meal times. So they fill the oven, and then grab and serve. With the result that more often than not, the main dish sits in the oven much longer than it's designed for.)

Thank you for the great advice! I was leaning away from the tenderloin since I did notice the steak looking too dry in most peoples posts in this thread! However, that duck does look very appetizing!

From the globe:

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/life...ss-travellers/

Which really reads like it was written by AC's BS/smoke and mirrors department... A spa in the sky, right....

Even the AC propaganda would stay away from such an excessive language that's so obviously too good to be true. Oh well.

Could somebody please tell me what the "crumbly stuff" on top of the Duck and the Potatoes is? Garlic?

I ask as SWMBO Stanbury is travelling YYZ-AMS next Monday; she loves duck but is allergic to garlic. I know, I know -- fortunately it's her only fault!

Thanks in advance

Definitely NOT garlic. Here is the menu description


https://cimg1.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.fly...c93217de7e.png

Thanks very much. I can hear happy noises from the next room ...

Does anyone know why many of the menus are not available online? I haven't been able to find anything for AC840 (any date in June), or AC884 (but other YUL-CDG flights are available).

Hopefully somebody observing will correct.

In the meantime 840 & 884 would mirror other full meal deal flights out of YVR & YUL respectively.

840 would share the same menu as 854
884 would share the same menu as 870

Hope this helps!

Definitely helpful - thanks!

I had a good chuckle reading that in the article. Looking to my first manicure on AC.

Just no pedicures please.

I've seen enough naked feet on AC recently.