yyznomad

Ok. Sorry I was reading the past posts to figure out which kit we were talking about and misunderstood.

I don't think anyone has posted a pic yet in any thread regarding the transcon Signature Service kits, so definitely interested in seeing it.

canadiancow

Still haven't got around to my full report, but here you go.

yyznomad

Cool, thanks. ^

Adam Smith

Other than the kit itself and the lack of glasses cloth, this appears the same as the international J kit.

canadiancow

Which is amusing because I'd much rather have the cloth than the socks.

Though the toothpaste came in handy

24left

This is the International J kit and contents.

Adam Smith

I forgot about the lotion. Not exactly something I ever use on the plane.

ACYYZ/SD

Can't speak for other bases, but as of today, flights catered from YYZ are still receiving Drappier as the ground sparkling product.

ylwae

canadiancow

As promised, here is my report on AC 738 SFO-YYZ on Sunday June 3 2018.

I started the day in the Centurion lounge, because I had to print something, and I wasn't sure if I could print elsewhere. They had some kind of sparkling wine available.



After collecting my document, my colleague and I walked back from Terminal 3 to International G, where I had this beautiful view of fin 843, shortly to be occupied by yours truly.



At the gate, I ran into one my favorite concierges, Luis. He asked where I was going, and was made fun of by another agent who muttered cities such as "San Jose" and "Sacramento". However, being quick on his feet as always, Luis retorted with "Mr. Kennedy often flies through Toronto to other places." I piped in about my last mistake fare to Munich.

Boarding started shortly thereafter, and I was quickly seated in seat 8K, where I had a big pillow, blanket, and mattress pad on my seat. I also had a nice amenity kit waiting for me. It contained eye shades, ear plugs, socks, a toothbrush, and toothpaste (which I was really thankful for when I realized I had neglected to pack any).








Shortly thereafter, I was presented with a menu. Not the flimsy single card, but a multi-page menu in a nice black cover. And when I peered inside, I was impressed with the contents. A real appetizer. Cheese and port. Sparkling wine







After perusing the menu (and since that word is often misused, I mean the real definition of "peruse"), a flight attendant came by to offer me my choice of orange juice, water, or Champagne. I opted for the sparkling wine. It was a nice pre-flight option. As someone who flies mostly within North America, I was glad to finally be able to have a drink, and in a GLASS glass at that.



Alas, shortly thereafter, we had to leave. There was a short mechanical delay, but it was barely worth mentioning.

I can't recall if this was before or after pushback, but meal orders were done. I was asked last. They were out of the Hawksworth, which is what I wanted to try (I've never had it pre-plated before). I was not impressed with being asked last. As a Super Elite, I should be asked before the vast majority of business class.

Once in the air, they began the drink service. As a Champagne enthusiast and a true FTer looking to try the new things, I ordered sparkling wine. "We're out". "You're out???" "Yes. They only gave us half a bottle."

What....the.....It wasn't even the end of FIRST DRINK SERVICE. What a spectacular launch to North America Signature Service. They can't even make it through one round of the cart before running out of sparkling wine

I started to wonder about how the rest of the flight would go.

I ordered a Signature Cocktail, half-expecting to hear "those aren't available either", but she actually seemed quite interested in making one. It was sweet. It was definitely sweet. But it was good. As a diabetic, I tend not to like things that are too sweet because I just don't have them enough to be accustomed to the sweetness. But this was good. Though it still has way too much sugar for me to regularly consume.



The tablecloth I was given was wrinkled. Quite a bit. Enough that I thought a photo was worth taking, so here you go:



When they came around asking for my choice in bread, I found out that the garlic bread was not offered on these flights. Only international

However, I was very happy to have an appetizer that was not a salad. I think I'd previously had one or two on PLH routes, but this was great. However, the base of the dish was sliced orange, which I found did not complement the shrimp.

Additionally, the bread was rock hard. And without the typical vinaigrette to dip it in, it just was not worth touching.





Unfortunately, the wine I ordered tasted like... Actually I'm going to get banned if I use that word, so let's just say it was not worthy of consumption.

I asked the flight attendant for a different wine, and she seemed very annoyed with the request.

It was at this point I noticed that the A/D seats were getting much better service (I saw the drink cart pass 3 times in that aisle, whereas it had only come 1 time in the G/K aisle). I quickly regretted sitting in 8K.

The main course was your typical veal dish, since, as I mentioned, I was asked too late to request the Hawksworth. As such, I did not take a photo.

However, the post-dinner cheese plate with a glass of port was just what I needed to make this flight feel complete. It was exactly what you'd get leaving Canada to Europe or Asia, and I happen to love that cheese. However, the crackers were not as fancy.



After finishing the cheese and crackers, I went to the galley to ask for a drink. It was right at that point that they decided to send out the dessert carts, so I was trapped. As I waited, the service director came back, and we had the following discussion:

SD: Are you Mr. Kennedy?
Me: Yes
SD: Oh I was supposed to come by to talk to you and thank you for your loyalty!

I shrugged it off.

Back in my seat, she came by again, and we had a longer conversation. She asked about the flight, and I expressed my displeasure in the lack of sparkling wine, while also acknowledging upfront that I knew she didn't handle catering. Then I mentioned the meal priority. She said the flight attendant was mortified when she found out she'd skipped a Super Elite, and he hadn't got his first choice (I had not mentioned this, so it must have been the two of them talking). She then said the meal sheet did not have my status printed on it, while the PIL did. I later asked if I could see the meal sheet (I figured that if writing in, "the meal sheet didn't have my status" would come across a bit different than "the SD said the meal sheet didn't have my status"), but it had been thrown out after tomato sauce had been spilled on it.

That all being said, the crew were generally great (though I still have reservations about the FA serving my aisle). In fact, at one point, the PIC came out and went to 7G (whom I knew was a FO from other discussions) and started talking, right when the SD came by. I mentioned that she was interrupting my eavesdropping (in a very obviously joking (but not joking) manner), and she introduced me to the captain. Then the three of us chatted for a bit, and I went back to my movie so they could finish their conversation. The FO had flown in with the CA the previous day, but the FO was deadheading now. After the captain went back to the flight deck, the deadheading FO got my attention. He wanted to keep chatting. So we did, for quite a while. He was curious about Earn Your Wings, my profession, and many other things. I'm now keenly paying attention to FO names announced on Dreamliners so that I can let him know if I'm on board.

But alas, the flight had to end. However, the attendant for my aisle didn't do much, so I landed with an empty glass in front of me. It had been empty since well before 10k feet.





It's always a bit concerning to see flight attendants ignore the safety part of their duties, especially when I don't feel like it's been a safety-service tradeoff. Safety is clearly more important than service, but I fully understand how some might bend rules to improve service over some minor safety issues. But my aisle definitely had below-average service on this flight, so landing with a glass was not impressive.

Overall, it was an improvement from typical transcontinental business class on a PLH route, but it did not live up to the advertised Signature Service standards, especially with the lack of meal priority that prevented me from reviewing the pre-plated Hawksworth dish.

I'll be doing a breakfast flight on 737 tomorrow, and I will try to note any differences, though I intend to sleep for a lot of it.

capedreamer

Mmmm...both the sablefish and the kale salad look intriguing. Keen to see what I'll be offered on 739 this Sunday.

24left

That sablefish has been served on multiples of my various TPACs starting November 2017. Photos in the International Meal thread.

canadiancow

Can you please link to a photo of the pre-plated version?

I haven't seen one.

vernonc

Good trip report on the new Signature service including the lack there off. i will be on the same itin in a few days. Your AC sched tool says my flight has been changed from a 787 to a 77 both ways but the AC app is still holding fast to the 787. Overall happy that the Signature service is on this route as I fly this route often, not as much as you though. What's in the signature cocktail ?

24left

I posted the recipe, photos and step-by-step upthread here

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29713584-post270.html