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Int. Business Class & select wide-body N. America aircraft become 'Signature Service'

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Old Apr 13, 2018, 4:14 pm
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Last edit by: Chowtime
NEW! International Business Class Service Enhancements Eff. April 17 on Wide-Body Aircraft

Possibly to be rebranded Rebranded as Air Canada Signature Service Please see post #51 https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29644079-post51.html

I started this thread and wiki in advance of the rebranding launch in order to preempt the multiple new threads that will be inevitably started, and giving a bit more "glue" to the information mixed in several other threads, as we have already started seeing.

The main purpose is to have all the rebranding information housed under this one thread.

Over time, as the rebranded products and services become mainstay and the norm, I anticipate that topics will go under their regular main threads such as International J meals, amenity kits, etc. At the same time, there is nothing wrong with posting in the other existing threads as well.

My international flying has been limited as of late, so any feedback, information, details, opinions, etc. from the rest here would be appreciated!

Thanks,

- yyznomad



Press release courtesy of tcook052 in post #93:
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29650400-post93.html

Originally Posted by tcook052
https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/air-canada-elevates-premium-travel-experience-for-international-and-north-american-customers-679968583.html

MONTREAL, April 17, 2018 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada today introduced its new Air Canada Signature Service, providing an enhanced and seamless end-to-end travel experience for customers flying in Air Canada Signature Class, the premium cabin of its wide-body aircraft. Available today for international customers and, starting June 1 on select flights within North America, the new service makes Air Canada the first North American airline to designate aircraft with lie-flat seats for premium customers on select non-stop, transcontinental flights within Canada and to the U.S., including overnight daily flights from Vancouver, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Toronto.

Air Canada Signature Service customers will receive priority service at every stage of the journey, including access to airport concierge services, expedited check-in and security clearance, priority baggage handling and preferential boarding. Customers will also enjoy Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge access and, for eligible customers travelling to international destinations from Toronto-Pearson, access to the exclusive Air Canada Signature Suite, featuring à la carte restaurant dining from a menu created by celebrated Canadian chef David Hawksworth.

"Our new Air Canada Signature Service and Air Canada Signature Class brands reflect the ongoing refinements to our premium travel service. We know our premium customers travelling on longer flight itineraries place a high value on convenience and comfort when in airports or onboard an aircraft, and with Air Canada Signature Service we provide a level of service unsurpassed in North America on every widebody flight," said Benjamin Smith, President of Passenger Airlines, Air Canada.

"Customers travelling Air Canada Signature Class on international itineraries and, beginning in June, on select transcontinental flights within North America, will receive seamless Air Canada Signature Service. They will enjoy added amenities throughout their journey, from curbside-to-curbside and at all points in between."

Available starting today on all Air Canada international flights and beginning June 1 on select transcontinental flights within North America, Air Canada Signature Service and Air Canada Signature Class incorporate and elevate the award-winning attributes of Air Canada's International Business Class, featuring its next generation lie-flat suites. Air Canada Signature Service will be available on select transborder and domestic Canadian transcontinental flights when operated with Boeing 787 Dreamliner, Boeing 777, Boeing 767 and Airbus A330 aircraft. This includes routes between Toronto and the cities of Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver, and between Vancouver and the cities of New York-Newark and Montreal.

To note, Air Canada Signature Service with lie-flat suites to provide a full night's rest will be available daily on the following North American non-stop overnight flights beginning June 1.

Flight
Departs
Arrives
Aircraft
AC126
Vancouver 22:35
Toronto 05:55 + 1 day
Boeing 777
AC788
Los Angeles 22:15
Toronto 05:52 + 1 day
Boeing 787
AC754
San Francisco 22:45
Toronto 06:37 + 1 day
Boeing 787

Air Canada Signature Class also introduces new amenities to make the journey even more comfortable, including:

Updated onboard menu items from chef David Hawksworth, including for the first time on flights serving lunch and dinner in North America Air Canada Signature Class starting June 1, and a South Asian menu by chef Vikram Vij on flights to Mumbai and New Delhi, complemented by an expanded wine selection chosen by Air Canada sommelier Véronique Rivest; service on new restaurant style dishware and glassware;
For transcontinental travellers, enhanced wine and spirits, and the added option of espresso and cappuccino served with dessert or a new cheese selection, while for international travellers Air Canada will now offer Laurent-Perrier champagne; on all routes, customers will be able to enjoy the new Air Canada Signature Cocktail;
For international travelers, personal comfort items by Canadian brands, including enhanced amenity kits by Want Les Essentiels, with premium care products by vitruvi;
Mattress pads to enhance the sleep experience;
At Air Canada's Toronto-Pearson global hub, full fare Air Canada Signature Class customers departing on International flights will have access to the Air Canada Signature Suite. The suite is an exclusive airport retreat, where eligible customers can dine à la carte at a complimentary, full-service restaurant from a menu created by chef Hawksworth, or enjoy, Moet & Chandon champagne, fine wines and premium cocktails in an intimate, Canadian-designed and decorated setting;
For full fare premium cabin customers originating in Toronto-Pearson or arriving at Toronto-Pearson originating from a domestic flight with onward international travel, Air Canada will also provide Air Canada Valet Service, powered by BMW, starting later in 2018. It is the first dedicated service offered by an airline in North America for customers booked in a premium cabin, where a dedicated fleet of BMW sedans whisk customers over the tarmac to connect, making connecting at Toronto-Pearson truly exclusive and seamless.


AFAIK, credit goes to supremekai for posting this information (and providing a useful link to the image!) in the master Amenity Kit thread: https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29633632-post110.html


NEW! International Business Class Service Enhancements Effective April 17 on Wide-Body Aircraft

Amenities - Service Items
  • Matress pads folded in plastic wrap and placed at Pods by Cabin Services for customers to lay out themselves
  • New amenity kit by Montreal-based WANT Les Essentiels including premium eyeshades, microfibre cloth and vitruvi lip balm and lotion
  • Redesigned menu
  • New dishware and glassware (no change to cutlery, cups, champagne glass in J or stemmed wine glass in PY at this time)
  • New premium skincare products by Vancouver-based vitruvi in the J lavatories: soap, hand loation, facial mist

Beverage Service
  • Mimosa offered as a pre-departure beverage on breakfast flights (replaces sparkling water)
  • New signature cocktail (1 mini of bourbon, 1 sachet of maple syrup (packets in bar carts), 1-part Sprite and 2-parts ginger ale, served over ice, stirred and garnished with 2 slices of lemon)
  • New Champagne brand

Meal Service
  • Garlic bread as a third selection (international only)
  • Spring/summer wine program
  • Chef Hawksworth's new signature dishes

*Please note: International and select route wide-body Business class will be rebranded on April 17 with a new name.




Please note that there have been anecdotal instances of new service/products being introduced prior to the official rebranding launch date:

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29611852-post2081.html
Originally Posted by BarrieTravelGuy
I overheard a flight attendant and pax talking about some huge launch on April 17th. All new drinks (including Mimosas) as well as all new food menus. Has anyone else heard this? I didn’t see anything in here about it. What was interesting was that they were talking about a re-branding if Business Class... I didn’t know if it was just the food or something else.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29579069-post2051.html
Originally Posted by Rundosrun
When did AC switch to serving Laurent-Perrier Champagne Brut onboard instead of the stuff they normally serve. It seems the menus for flights in April are showing a change. Did I miss this?? I much prefer the new Champagne on offer.

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29580786-post2056.html
Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
Two very notable changes there.
>After a long and successful run the Drappier is being retired and Laurent-Perrier Champagne is being introduced
>The Hawksworth Chocolate Fondant bids adieu in favour of a new dessert. Brown Sugar Tart with Custard.

The fabulously popular Duck Leg Entree makes a return.

FYI - the launch of the above has been delayed slightly till mid month (April).

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29635471-post2102.html
Originally Posted by lallied
I had garlic bread on AC34 on the 11th. Nice and herby. Not sure whether just SYD or the change as no mimosa and didn’t check bubbles . They also said will be mattress pads for J seats.

June 1 2018 - Post 288

North American Signature Service description now on AC.com

https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/29820459-post288.html

NEW - Detailed Trancontinental Signature Class Video Review
https://youtu.be/enlUZw_8po8
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Int. Business Class & select wide-body N. America aircraft become 'Signature Service'

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Old Jun 17, 2018, 6:33 pm
  #391  
 
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Originally Posted by Repooc17
Was this due to late inbound flight AC737 YYZ-SFO? I flew both legs yesterday on a MR which the journey started out 2 hours+ late, plus another hour at YYZ customs - lines out the door. J service on the return flight was much better than the poor service on the outbound to SFO. 77W for both.
Last night's SFO-YYZ red-eye got delayed by 4+ hours because the inbound YYZ-SFO was also 4 hours late. At some point the aircraft also changed from a 787 to a 777-300.
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Old Jun 17, 2018, 7:17 pm
  #392  
 
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Originally Posted by Wings100
What is the strap on the outside of the case for?
I've wondered the same thing since I first got one of these.

Perhaps I'll ask the the SD on AC896 tonight and see if they have any ideas.
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Old Jun 17, 2018, 7:47 pm
  #393  
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Originally Posted by Wings100
What is the strap on the outside of the case for?
To be able to hold it more securely methinks.
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Old Jun 17, 2018, 9:46 pm
  #394  
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Originally Posted by Wings100
What is the strap on the outside of the case for?
Decoration?
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Old Jun 19, 2018, 9:52 am
  #395  
 
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I was on YYZ-SFO last night. PDB drink offered including 'champagne' in a glass. Amenity kits handed out. There was a folded mattress pad already at the seat - very thin. Signature drink was not offered but I asked for it - quite decent and different. I had the Hawksworth Signature dish which was chicken and rice in a BBQ sauce which was good. I skipped the cheese plate but had the cookies and ice cream - cookies were rock hard. SD introduced herself and also thanked us individually before landing. All in all good experience but unless you knew of Signature service you probably would not have known it was different.
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Old Jun 19, 2018, 10:23 am
  #396  
 
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I flew biz class EWR-YYZ-FRA in May and returned a couple of days ago. It was my first AC flight. I enjoyed the Signature Suite in Toronto. Great food, nice bar, fun conversations. I skipped dinner on the YYZ-FRA service as I was full already. I used the mattress pad and slept well. I am over 6'3" and was still able to side sleep. It was a little snug due to the tray table, but not bad. Good but not memorable breakfast.

The return flight was wonderful. Great service. Good food. A pretty easy Intl-US connection in YYZ. I was really impressed with AC TATL. If I can get another good fare (and this time from BNA) I would gladly connect in YYZ. Especially with that Signature Suite concept at YYZ. Head and shoulders above a sky club in ATL or DTW, or the Admirals Club in CLT, or ORD. Or anything in EWR.
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Old Jun 19, 2018, 10:33 am
  #397  
 
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Originally Posted by bitterproffit
The return flight was wonderful. Great service. Good food. A pretty easy Intl-US connection in YYZ. I was really impressed with AC TATL. If I can get another good fare (and this time from BNA) I would gladly connect in YYZ. Especially with that Signature Suite concept at YYZ. Head and shoulders above a sky club in ATL or DTW, or the Admirals Club in CLT, or ORD. Or anything in EWR.
And bitterproffit is a classic example of exactly the customer Air Canada is seeking to attract, and for whom they have invested a lot of time, money and effort. I'd be surprised if many NYC metro area premium flyers opt to connect via YYZ vs a non-stop flight, but customers in markets like Nashville are prime targets for Calin and his crew.
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Old Jun 19, 2018, 2:43 pm
  #398  
 
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Originally Posted by CZAMFlyer
And bitterproffit is a classic example of exactly the customer Air Canada is seeking to attract, and for whom they have invested a lot of time, money and effort. I'd be surprised if many NYC metro area premium flyers opt to connect via YYZ vs a non-stop flight, but customers in markets like Nashville are prime targets for Calin and his crew.
I have already told my Cleveland friends who have been doing their TATL's on United through EWR about it. They were initially turned off by the economy portion of the flight from CLE to YYZ (same as BNA-YYZ). But puddle jumping in Economy to YYZ suddenly becomes more attractive if you can get a long enough layover to enjoy the Signature Suite. While I wish AC offered something better than a CRJ 200 with Economy only from BNA to YYZ, it still might be an attractive alternative.

If they ever put a premium seat on a BNA - YYZ route, it becomes even more attractive.
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 6:16 am
  #399  
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I was on AC 788 LAX-YYZ last night.

1. No bubbles or even faux bubbles. Zip. None. So no Signature Service "consistency" here.
And it seems the missing bubbles is a frequent problem on both transcon and TPAC flights. I would be interested to know where the problem is. (and yes, FWP)

2. Mattress pad/ seat cover was on all of the seats.

3. Amenity kits were on the side tables.

4. When drinks were served, SD asked if we'd had the Signature cocktail. I said yes, had it twice. He asked what I thought. I answered and indicated the preference that @D582 and I had for a less sweeter version with club soda replacing of one of the sweet carbonated ingredients.

5. Menus were handed out and crew apologized saying catering only loaded 2 dinner meal choices of the 4 listed on the menu.

I skipped the hot meal and had the salad and the brownie, you know, all the basic food groups. I would have liked some fruit but it seems the red-eyes don't come with the full set of options. Salad was nice with the addition of the bits of roasted red pepper and artichoke piece.

Otherwise, stunning sunrise inbound to YYZ and awesome crew made up for the missing silly stuff.
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 7:36 am
  #400  
 
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What's the food like on the overnight AC126 YVR-YYZ? Website does not show the menu. Is there a PDB? Dinner? Breakfast?
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 7:51 am
  #401  
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Originally Posted by echino
What's the food like on the overnight AC126 YVR-YYZ? Website does not show the menu. Is there a PDB? Dinner? Breakfast?
I've recently done 3 of these AC 126 and I posted the food info and some photos in the North American meals thread. It's breakfast with only 2 choices, the omelete and the pancakes.

See this page Summary of North America Executive class meal service
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 11:54 am
  #402  
 
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Originally Posted by 24left
I was on AC 788 LAX-YYZ last night.

I skipped the hot meal and had the salad and the brownie, you know, all the basic food groups. I would have liked some fruit but it seems the red-eyes don't come with the full set of options. Salad was nice with the addition of the bits of roasted red pepper and artichoke piece.

Otherwise, stunning sunrise inbound to YYZ and awesome crew made up for the missing silly stuff.
Interesting that AC788 has dinner service. AC754 (SFO-YYZ red-eye) has breakfast on arrival. AC788 departure time is 22:15 vs 22:45 for AC754, but I would think they would want to keep it consistent.
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 12:40 pm
  #403  
 
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Was on YUL-YVR over the weekend in J (333). No mattress pads. Are these only offered on Executive Pods?

Hadn't been in a classic pod for over a year, it was like being in a time machine.
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Old Jun 20, 2018, 2:17 pm
  #404  
 
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Originally Posted by yvr76
Was on YUL-YVR over the weekend in J (333). No mattress pads. Are these only offered on Executive Pods?

Hadn't been in a classic pod for over a year, it was like being in a time machine.
You should’ve gotten one, although some users have reported that they needed to ask for it.
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Old Jun 21, 2018, 6:04 am
  #405  
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Since AC 788 LAX-YYZ was/is classified as Signature Service, I'm posting these here.

Menu was the new multi-page one with the black cover.

As noted in my initial post upthread, crew advised that 2 of the menu choices were not onboard.

I have no idea if this was another "catering error" or no one is paying attention to what actually gets boarded on the outbounds. In this case, the fish and chicken skewers were not available.






As you can see, the Bottega sparkling is listed on the menu but was not onboard. It seems only 2 bottles were boarded on the outbound AC 793 and thus zip for those heading back to YYZ.






I opted for the salad and the brownie. No fruit was available.

The salad had nice pieces of roasted red pepper and artichoke.





Two photos of the brownie. IMO, it beats the rock hard cookie by a mile


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