FAQ: Air Canada New meal offerings for International Business Class Customers
Oct 23, 2017, 3:26 am
#1757
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
Oct 23, 2017, 3:31 am
#1758
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
... and main courses for dinner on the SYD flight are certainly not international standard. More like NA J. I think some else mentioned this. Not plated onboard, small portion. Actually, pathetic. No bread plate. Roll is just left on tray. In thinking about it, reminiscent of an ACr flight but with linen on the tray and that Drapier on offer.
But, they serve the omelette before landing Just like NA J tray but a little embellished. They also don’t take breakfast orders in advance like on the Europe flights.
Last edited by Bartolo; Oct 24, 2017 at 12:06 am Reason: fix quote
Oct 23, 2017, 7:08 am
#1759
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
... and main courses for dinner on the SYD flight are not international standard. More like NA J. I think some else mentioned this. Not plated onboard, small portion. Actually, pathetic.
But, they serve the omelette before landing Just like NA J tray but a little embellished. They also don’t take breakfast orders in advance like on the Europe flights.
But, they serve the omelette before landing Just like NA J tray but a little embellished. They also don’t take breakfast orders in advance like on the Europe flights.
Breakfast orders are not generally taken for the second meal service on ULH flights, as again, Customers are in sleep mode, however FF Status is observed when offering the entrees.
Last edited by tcook052; Oct 23, 2017 at 10:42 am Reason: fix quotes
Oct 23, 2017, 8:08 am
#1760
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Some background info here. After extensive surveys, audits and type-trials, extra-late departures have transitioned to an Express Late Supper based on Customer feedback. Particularly on YVR-SYD, a late midnight departure, the overwhelming preference was for a quick all-inclusive dinner and sleep. Pre-change, it was not uncommon on late departures to have in excess of 50% + waste, nor did it make sense to be offering the full meal deal until 0200 as Customers were nodding off.
Would you be able to comment on:
1) whether the "express supper service" is the same on late TATL departures and the YVR-SYD/BNE flight? (i.e. salad + choice of the usual four int'l J main courses + fruit/cheese)
2) whether the meal can be enjoyed at a later point during the flight per the usual "Flexible meal" option?
Oct 23, 2017, 10:35 am
#1761
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
As usual, thanks for chiming in!^
Would you be able to comment on:
1) whether the "express supper service" is the same on late TATL departures and the YVR-SYD/BNE flight? (i.e. salad + choice of the usual four int'l J main courses + fruit/cheese)
2) whether the meal can be enjoyed at a later point during the flight per the usual "Flexible meal" option?
Would you be able to comment on:
1) whether the "express supper service" is the same on late TATL departures and the YVR-SYD/BNE flight? (i.e. salad + choice of the usual four int'l J main courses + fruit/cheese)
2) whether the meal can be enjoyed at a later point during the flight per the usual "Flexible meal" option?
1) I can't say with certainty as we (YYZ) don't operate OZ routes, but guessing that the concept is the same with 4 choices/cheese + dessert/fruit/coffee-tea & liqueur trolley.
2) Yes, however while I've had a few requests on 090 (GRU) 876 (FRA) and 056 (DXB), I have yet to have a Customer rise and exercise the option. Most opt for mid-flight snacks or wait for breakfast, and absolutely any fresh components from the first meal service (salad, cheese, dessert) are readily available. Many of my colleagues working the J-Galley will actually remove a percentage of non-required dinner casseroles in the event that somebody should rise and want an entree.
Oct 23, 2017, 10:50 am
#1762
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
As always, you're welcome
1) I can't say with certainty as we (YYZ) don't operate OZ routes, but guessing that the concept is the same with 4 choices/cheese + dessert/fruit/coffee-tea & liqueur trolley.
2) Yes, however while I've had a few requests on 090 (GRU) 876 (FRA) and 056 (DXB), I have yet to have a Customer rise and exercise the option. Most opt for mid-flight snacks or wait for breakfast, and absolutely any fresh components from the first meal service (salad, cheese, dessert) are readily available. Many of my colleagues working the J-Galley will actually remove a percentage of non-required dinner casseroles in the event that somebody should rise and want an entree.
1) I can't say with certainty as we (YYZ) don't operate OZ routes, but guessing that the concept is the same with 4 choices/cheese + dessert/fruit/coffee-tea & liqueur trolley.
2) Yes, however while I've had a few requests on 090 (GRU) 876 (FRA) and 056 (DXB), I have yet to have a Customer rise and exercise the option. Most opt for mid-flight snacks or wait for breakfast, and absolutely any fresh components from the first meal service (salad, cheese, dessert) are readily available. Many of my colleagues working the J-Galley will actually remove a percentage of non-required dinner casseroles in the event that somebody should rise and want an entree.
For 2), do you explicitly advise pax that they actually have the option? I often notice that pax have no clue until being advised that there is an option of any kind even though its clearly printed on the menu. This even goes for the transcon redeyes where only the omelette is served for example - the menu clearly states that the pax has an option of having breakfast at anytime throughout the flight, but the crew rarely state this and pax tend to exercise that option when verbally advised of it.
Oct 23, 2017, 12:42 pm
#1763
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Thanks for the detailed responses.
For 2), do you explicitly advise pax that they actually have the option? I often notice that pax have no clue until being advised that there is an option of any kind even though its clearly printed on the menu. This even goes for the transcon redeyes where only the omelette is served for example - the menu clearly states that the pax has an option of having breakfast at anytime throughout the flight, but the crew rarely state this and pax tend to exercise that option when verbally advised of it.
For 2), do you explicitly advise pax that they actually have the option? I often notice that pax have no clue until being advised that there is an option of any kind even though its clearly printed on the menu. This even goes for the transcon redeyes where only the omelette is served for example - the menu clearly states that the pax has an option of having breakfast at anytime throughout the flight, but the crew rarely state this and pax tend to exercise that option when verbally advised of it.
Time permitting, I try to extend and explain the options. The service standard is to take meal orders on the ground, and with up to 40 Customers in J/C, it's not always possible to give a detailed explanation to all, given time constraints. If a Customer appears unsure, I take that as a cue to elaborate.
Oct 23, 2017, 1:47 pm
#1764
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,655
Would you be able to comment on:
1) whether the "express supper service" is the same on late TATL departures and the YVR-SYD/BNE flight? (i.e. salad + choice of the usual four int'l J main courses + fruit/cheese)
2) whether the meal can be enjoyed at a later point during the flight per the usual "Flexible meal" option?
1) whether the "express supper service" is the same on late TATL departures and the YVR-SYD/BNE flight? (i.e. salad + choice of the usual four int'l J main courses + fruit/cheese)
2) whether the meal can be enjoyed at a later point during the flight per the usual "Flexible meal" option?
2) Yes. On that flight I requested to have my supper served as my breakfast the next morning just prior to landing instead of the regular breakfast. Request was honoured and got the salad, nicely cooked sablefish and cheese course with a glass of the very decent Tawse Chardonnay.
Oct 23, 2017, 2:15 pm
#1765
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
So 872 is the standard 4-entree selection menu? What's the cutoff time again for international departures where it becomes the pared down version?
Oct 23, 2017, 2:22 pm
#1766
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
I'm actually not sure there's a "hard" cut-off time, but IME the "express supper service" is offered on flights departing after ~9.30p.m.
IIRC the list of flights was at some point listed on the AC website and it included 3-5 flights at the time.
Oct 23, 2017, 2:36 pm
#1767
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Express Supper Service applies to departures 2130 and beyond. The initial type-trial included only 876 (FRA) and 858 (LHR) and given it's positive response, has since been added to: 042 (DEL), 090 (GRU), 092 (SCL/EZE), 056 (DXB). 046 (BOM) will revert to full meal offering on November 1st as it transitions to an earlier departure.
Oct 23, 2017, 2:43 pm
#1768
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: May 2009
Location: FRA / YEG
Programs: AC Super Elite, Radisson Platinum, Accor Platinum
Posts: 11,874
Express Supper Service applies to departures 2130 and beyond. The initial type-trial included only 876 (FRA) and 858 (LHR) and given it's positive response, has since been added to: 042 (DEL), 090 (GRU), 092 (SCL/EZE), 056 (DXB). 046 (BOM) will revert to full meal offering on November 1st as it transitions to an earlier departure.
Per the above discussion, I assume 033 (YVR-SYD) and 035 (BNE) also get the express supper service?
Do 888 (YOW-LHR) and 860 (YHZ-LHR) get the full service depsite the >10p.m. departure time?
Oct 23, 2017, 2:55 pm
#1769
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
860 - Cheese-Crudite Plate/Hot Breakfast
033/035 - Express Supper/Mid-Flight Snacks/Hot Breakfast
Oct 24, 2017, 12:13 am
#1770
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,354
I seem to recall the YVR-SYD flight had several breakfast choices. The omelette, pancakes, a fruit plate, and possibly something else. Best is the Iogo but no choice of flavour. Just one on board. Breakfast not plated on board either. However served more than 90 min in advance of landing. That makes a huge difference to the service (for the good) and I expect is much easier for the crew.
Flexible meal option is offered.
There was also a snack menu with four choices. The aforementioned yogurt, hummus with veggies, a panini kind of thing and cornflakes.
Flexible meal option is offered.
There was also a snack menu with four choices. The aforementioned yogurt, hummus with veggies, a panini kind of thing and cornflakes.