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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 Jul 25, 2018, 7:27 am
  #451  
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Originally Posted by runningonfumes
i despise AC but these posts don't do much for me to try to justify to my employer Y+ over J LAX to YYZ especially if not on the red-eye. in fact, given the pitch on the 737Max vs Y+ on the 787, how can one even stomach on another dimes J on the 737Max. guess i am not supposed to care since it is not my money but i would rather my employer keep it than put it into AC's pockets.
How is the 7M8 relevant to Signature Service?
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Old Sep 21, 2018, 12:37 pm
  #452  
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What's the recipe for the less-sweet cocktail again?

About to board.
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Old Sep 21, 2018, 1:13 pm
  #453  
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
What's the recipe for the less-sweet cocktail again?

About to board.
The only thing I could find in this thread are the suggestions of using diet versions (where possible) of everything.
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Old Sep 21, 2018, 1:36 pm
  #454  
 
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
What's the recipe for the less-sweet cocktail again?

About to board.
I'm probably a little late, but for future searching, here's one suggestion:

- half of the mini bottle of bourbon
- half or less or the packet of maple syrup
- keep the ginger ale
- chose club soda instead of sprite
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Old Sep 22, 2018, 1:15 am
  #455  
 
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just dit YUL-NRT didnt see any diff then when I did YYZ-HKG back in february
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Old Sep 22, 2018, 12:58 pm
  #456  
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Featured Cocktails

There was a period of several years prior to Signature Service where there was no "Featured Cocktail" on the menus.

But having a recent look at some menus from the early/mid-2000s, there were Featured Cocktails (prior to 2014 (IIRC) there were only J menus on international flights aka "Executive First"). These Featured Cocktails/Canadian Signature Cocktails would also change over time (within the same calendar year). I'm sure it was similar in the late 90's and with CP/WD/etc.?

So it's nice to see Signature Service bring this feature back... well, sort of.
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Old Sep 22, 2018, 5:20 pm
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
There was a period of several years prior to Signature Service where there was no "Featured Cocktail" on the menus.

But having a recent look at some menus from the early/mid-2000s, there were Featured Cocktails (prior to 2014 (IIRC) there were only J menus on international flights aka "Executive First"). These Featured Cocktails/Canadian Signature Cocktails would also change over time (within the same calendar year). I'm sure it was similar in the late 90's and with CP/WD/etc.?

So it's nice to see Signature Service bring this feature back... well, sort of.
Signature Cocktail is changing October 1st along with menu and wine changes.
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Old Sep 22, 2018, 6:12 pm
  #458  
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Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
Signature Cocktail is changing October 1st along with menu and wine changes.
Ooh do tell!
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 12:04 pm
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Signature Service not so signature. Told car service not implemented, etc
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 12:06 pm
  #460  
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Originally Posted by Wings100
Signature Service not so signature. Told car service not implemented, etc
Can you please elaborate? Wouldn't they just use what previously existed with the BMW service for connecting J pax from domestic to international at YYZ? Is it a logistics thing?
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 4:45 pm
  #461  
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Originally Posted by Wings100
Signature Service not so signature. Told car service not implemented, etc
That was always advertised as "later this year".
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Old Sep 26, 2018, 11:56 pm
  #462  
 
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SS Transcon vs Regular Business Class...

Originally Posted by yyznomad
NEW! International Business Class Service Enhancements Eff. April 17 on Wide-Body Aircraft

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

Please read the thread wiki!

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.



So forgive me if I missed the answer but I started to glaze over on Page 11 of this thread. My question is... Mrs T and I are looking at travelling YVR-GIG-SCL-YVR in Dec/Jan in J. Despite SCL-YVR costing at least 50% more than YVR-GIG, we are still leaning towards AC but I would like to know how the service in J from YVR-YYZ-YVR in a narrowbodied aircraft compares these days to taking a widebody. I realise the difference in the seating but how does the narrowbodied onboard service and food and wine compare? Is it worth trying to stick with a widebody for the transcon flights? Any wisdom will be much appreciated.
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 5:08 am
  #463  
 
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
That was always advertised as "later this year".

Exactly
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 9:11 am
  #464  
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Originally Posted by TheOnlyWayTo Fly
So forgive me if I missed the answer but I started to glaze over on Page 11 of this thread. My question is... Mrs T and I are looking at travelling YVR-GIG-SCL-YVR in Dec/Jan in J. Despite SCL-YVR costing at least 50% more than YVR-GIG, we are still leaning towards AC but I would like to know how the service in J from YVR-YYZ-YVR in a narrowbodied aircraft compares these days to taking a widebody. I realise the difference in the seating but how does the narrowbodied onboard service and food and wine compare? Is it worth trying to stick with a widebody for the transcon flights? Any wisdom will be much appreciated.
If the cost is (roughly) the same, I'd definitely try to choose a wide-body for the transcon, but mainly because of the seat, not the minor differences in food and drinks.

A widebody transcon flight will feature a dining experience that's closer to int'l J as well the int'l wine selection (but no champagne).

A narrowbody transcon flight will feature the "premium NA longhaul service" which still includes a choice of four main courses. Wine selection is the less impressive NA standard.
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Old Sep 27, 2018, 10:56 am
  #465  
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Originally Posted by Jasper2009
A widebody transcon flight will feature a dining experience that's closer to int'l J as well the int'l wine selection (but no champagne).
But it does have sparkling wine.
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