The smallest state

That's a pity. I think customers and AC employees could learn from that.

24left

I'm posting in the Air Canada Suggestion Box thread because I thought these might be things for AC to consider.

While I know there are at least 2 threads on the subject of iPhone apps, plus others for Android, my observations and suggestions here are general as well.

One of my personal frustrations with the iPhone app is the cluttered Home page. There is too much going on and I find the fonts are tiny relative to the bolder, cleaner typefaces and visual elements used elsewhere. I don't have a new phone, nor is mine a Plus version, so...


First, I'll give AC credit for having this little option, "What else would you like from our app?". You have to scroll down a bit on the home page and then click. Very nice touch.


I just updated the apps for a number of airlines for whom I have upcoming bookings. Among those, the most dramatic update was BR's and then SQ's.

I love the clean look of the homepage (not shown below) and the detailed list of things when you open the list. I saw the Meals options, so I clicked to check it out.

While many of us know that you can pre-order meals on BR and also, when you log in to your booking, there are more options available that are in addition to the items offered on the menu onboard.

Here I see there is an option to pre-order via the app.

As for SQ, I think these 2 items are perhaps something for Air Canada to noodle about: App-only fares and media to download.

I know some hotels have app-only offers with better rates, or extra bonus points for a stay etc. This is the first I've seen in an airline app.

Another great idea is the issue of media. I don't know how much it costs to offer some newspapers or magazines to download from within the app for reading while flying. I'm not a TV/movie watcher, so reading is what I do most and I think this is light years ahead of carrying paper magazines etc onboard. They don't always get recycled and in total, they are heavy. (This is only a partial list of all the magazines SQ offered.) This would also be a great idea for enRoute and Navi.

I am quite sure AC monitors the things done by other airlines. Still, the point of my post is to highlight some interesting idea and share with others here who also fly these airlines (even on Air Canada 014 ticket stock )

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capedreamer

Thanks for sharing, 24left.

In terms of learning from best practices of others, I actually think UA offers some great lessons. I find their app very intuitive, bug-free, and just generally easy to use. Existing bookings are easy to retrieve and save, whether associated with a MP number or not.

AC's clunky thing feels like a beta to this day. Log-in issues and not being able to automatically retrieve bookings associated with my AP number are my greatest annoyances.

canadiancow

The app seems to automatically retrieve every booking of mine that has my number in the FQTV field.

Even UA.com bookings show up automatically (if there's an AC operated (but not even necessarily marketed) segment).

The only things that don't show up are my Aeroplan bookings, presumably because there's no FQTV field.

capedreamer

And that should not be in this day and age.

Jumper Jack

If you are in the airline industry, you should not even benchmark to your peers because they are already behind... which makes you more behind... lol

The current AC app is filled with clutter, poor and inconsistent UI design.... I am not going to complain that much because with Cow's new service.... there is no point of me to even use it anymore.

Missing Features
* TRAVEL ADVISORY* (As far as my usage was during YYZ delays, I did not get any notifs in advance)
1) Luggage Notification
2) Automatic Boarding Notification (Its shocking how awful AC is at this, or that I even need to tell them?!)
3) Upgrade Notification
4) In terminal map
5) See what's available on flight
6) Automatic reservation retrieve (Its 2K17 AC jesus FFS)

They really could have build something that is delightful to use... but nah.

acysb87

Q400 bin space a problem. I never had any issue with my roll on, now tough to get into bin.

Issues are the following.

Cabin crew place bags into 1st few bins. Priority seats for premiunm customers are also the 1st few rows. Row 1AC and row 2 DF are bulk head so no availability of "under the seat in front of you" stowage.

YSB has a mix of Dash 100 and Q400 aircraft flights . Some flights sky check, next you are required to bring on board. Very confusing for infrequent flyer and some more experienced ones as well.

Pax going upstream while boarding to get to FA with carry on bag that will not fit. Delays boarding and 3 of my Q400 flights over last 10 days had delays due to this issue. GA required to tag bags at door of a/c. I have been smacked twice with bags held up to get back to front. (I sit at aisle)

I looked over to a Porter flight (Q400 at YSB) boarding next to us last week and they were sky checking. :-:

Pax confused as reality of checked bag vs. sky check hits home at deplaning and FA takes a lot of grief.

Bins are too small for legal sized rollons and door designed to not open fully.I now book row 4 back on Q 400 so that as a zone 1 I put roll on floor and carryon in bin. Zone 5s on a full flight .....

canadiancow

I believe some Q400 have bigger bins than others. I'm not sure if they're planning an "upgrade".

Also, there is no zone 5 on AC Express

24left

So what is your suggestion, since this the is AC Suggestion Box thread?

acysb87

Huh, did not know that. learned something new again today

No zone 1 either ,almost always. "Now boarding zones 1 and 2"

acysb87

AC Express should add a zone 5?

YEG_SE4Life

Yes, there are a couple of Q400s that Jazz acquired from another airline. They have smaller bins.

24left

Well here's an idea if AC ever decides to .......

3D photos of aircraft interiors on seat map page

https://thepointsguy.com/news/united...seat-map-page/

Bohemian1

I will admit that I didn't get the excitement here until I read it was FIN specific. That could be very useful as AC does the Signature thing to bits of their fleet.

Know if only it could highlight stay flats in red ...

yyznomad

Well, with the new IFE skins, one can now see an exterior 3D image of any AC aircraft type at least.
For what UA is doing, give AC 10 years or so.