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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 Mar 24, 2019, 1:28 pm
  #556  
 
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Originally Posted by 24left
Last June, we boarded our AC morning flight to SFO and there were none on the seat. I asked the FA and was told they don't have them. We reminded the FA that they are part of the Signature Service on PLH transcon routes. He went off to an OH bin and "found" them.

I've had none on my seats on recent transcon flights. One SD told me they are "on demand" only.

Who really knows.

But then see the AC page:


Since the conversation around these parts is talking about false advertising a lot, I would object to calling those duvets ‘plush’.
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Old Mar 24, 2019, 6:08 pm
  #557  
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Mattress pads are available on all Signature Service flights, but only left on each seat on intercontinental flights.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 11:22 am
  #558  
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Originally Posted by acysb87
Question on the new YYZ/HNL flights.
Flying this route next February 2020.
Does anyone know whether champagne served on this route?
I would assume it's only the sparkling wine that's offered on the other North American routes.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 11:42 am
  #559  
 
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
I would assume it's only the sparkling wine that's offered on the other North American routes.
HNL (from YYZ) falls under the North American Signature Service umbrella. Prosecco.
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Old Jun 10, 2019, 6:54 pm
  #560  
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Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
HNL (from YYZ) falls under the North American Signature Service umbrella. Prosecco.
A 10 hour NA Signature Service flight
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Old Jun 23, 2019, 4:27 am
  #561  
 
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Is the widebody premium now $330

Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it seems as though the price has gone up 10% for signature service. I've noticed this the past week or so and now consider it to be with some regularity.

Does anyone have supporting or conflicting evidence?

If so, it seems the plan to pay for the new seats is in place
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Old Jun 23, 2019, 7:43 am
  #562  
 
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Originally Posted by WaytoomuchEurope
Perhaps I'm mistaken, but it seems as though the price has gone up 10% for signature service. I've noticed this the past week or so and now consider it to be with some regularity.

Does anyone have supporting or conflicting evidence?

If so, it seems the plan to pay for the new seats is in place



Looks like $315.
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Old Jun 23, 2019, 12:34 pm
  #563  
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If only you could book a cheaper narrow-body, and SDC for free onto the wide-body.

Oh wait...
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 2:32 am
  #564  
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AC Signature Class is crap for couples

I'm currently in 1D on a UA 777-200. My companion is in 1G.

I'll ignore the strict impossibility of a deflation incident for the purpose of this post, since it's covered elsewhere.

With the middle barrier lowered (yes, it goes up and down), we can hold hands. We can cuddle. We can hug each other. We can whisper in each other's ears.

Even a 320 doesn't let you get this close to your neighbor in J.

But the second we put up the barrier, I'm alone. It's as private as 1A on an AC aircraft.

This seat is better for couples than anything other than the SQ suites. And it's just a mediocre North American J seat.

Meanwhile my AC trips start with me walking to the other aisle to ensure the seat isn't defective. It would never even occur to me that one might engage in a quiet conversation with their partner. At least not without getting yelled at for congregating, after you've walked into their pod area.

AC, pull a United and install some seats that:

1. Don't deflate
2. Are amazing for privacy when you're alone3. Are amazing for companionship when you're not alone

I used to think I'd rather connect in YVR. Not so much any more.

I'd write more but I was just served a sundae, so...
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 6:42 am
  #565  
 
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Meh. I can see the appeal, but I don't have much care. For long haul, I'll be sleeping anyways. Also a sucker for window seats, so with an all aisle access set up, I'll be sitting forever alone!

But I don't know why AC didn't just get the option to lower the centre partition... was it really that much more expensive?

​​​​​​
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 11:19 am
  #566  
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Originally Posted by SparseFlyer
But I don't know why AC didn't just get the option to lower the centre partition... was it really that much more expensive?

​​​​​​
AC skips lots of things that are not "that much more expensive." Eh, they bought the Max. :-) But really, couples likely don't belong in their marketing target for long haul J. We tend to buy P, which is only marginally profitable to them. Especially if my wife uses a reward in which case it's us who get good value for the money; bottom feeders, remember. :-) And folks whose employer farms out for J fares are not in the habit of paying J for their partner to come along.
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Old Jun 30, 2019, 9:36 pm
  #567  
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
I'm currently in 1D on a UA 777-200. My companion is in 1G.

I'll ignore the strict impossibility of a deflation incident for the purpose of this post, since it's covered elsewhere.

With the middle barrier lowered (yes, it goes up and down), we can hold hands. We can cuddle. We can hug each other. We can whisper in each other's ears.

Even a 320 doesn't let you get this close to your neighbor in J.

But the second we put up the barrier, I'm alone. It's as private as 1A on an AC aircraft.

This seat is better for couples than anything other than the SQ suites. And it's just a mediocre North American J seat.

Meanwhile my AC trips start with me walking to the other aisle to ensure the seat isn't defective. It would never even occur to me that one might engage in a quiet conversation with their partner. At least not without getting yelled at for congregating, after you've walked into their pod area.

AC, pull a United and install some seats that:

1. Don't deflate
2. Are amazing for privacy when you're alone3. Are amazing for companionship when you're not alone

I used to think I'd rather connect in YVR. Not so much any more.

I'd write more but I was just served a sundae, so...
I am glad that Air Canada ordered what they did. The only sort of PDA that should occur on an airplane is one between a parent and child. Otherwise, we're all in a public space and PDA has no place on an aircraft. If you're holding hands, fine, if you're cuddling, kissing, hugging, then IMHO that's not appropriate behavior for a public space.

Is it not reasonable to ask a couple to be hands off for a few hours anymore? My wife and I, married for 30 years, may not be as romantic as before, but we know when to show PDA, and when not to, and in an aircraft, it's just not appropriate.

And no, I'm not judging. I have read enough of your posts to know your stance on this.
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 11:18 am
  #568  
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Originally Posted by canadiancow
I'm currently in 1D on a UA 777-200. My companion is in 1G.

I'll ignore the strict impossibility of a deflation incident for the purpose of this post, since it's covered elsewhere.

With the middle barrier lowered (yes, it goes up and down), we can hold hands. We can cuddle. We can hug each other. We can whisper in each other's ears.

Even a 320 doesn't let you get this close to your neighbor in J.

But the second we put up the barrier, I'm alone. It's as private as 1A on an AC aircraft.

This seat is better for couples than anything other than the SQ suites. And it's just a mediocre North American J seat.

Meanwhile my AC trips start with me walking to the other aisle to ensure the seat isn't defective. It would never even occur to me that one might engage in a quiet conversation with their partner. At least not without getting yelled at for congregating, after you've walked into their pod area.

AC, pull a United and install some seats that:

1. Don't deflate
2. Are amazing for privacy when you're alone3. Are amazing for companionship when you're not alone

I used to think I'd rather connect in YVR. Not so much any more.

I'd write more but I was just served a sundae, so...
Considering this predates "Signature Service", I would argue that it's only related because the name was changed to "Signature Service"... unless you are trying to get the concierges to physically refurbish the AC mainline/livery'd widebodies in J.

Also, this applies to domestic-portion AC834 and the any other widebody flight on Rapidair routes, which aren't Signature Service. And yes, what if you want to cuddle, snuggle, spoon on a 45 minute flight?
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Old Jul 1, 2019, 1:44 pm
  #569  
 
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Originally Posted by Stranger
AC skips lots of things that are not "that much more expensive." Eh, they bought the Max. :-) But really, couples likely don't belong in their marketing target for long haul J. We tend to buy P, which is only marginally profitable to them. Especially if my wife uses a reward in which case it's us who get good value for the money; bottom feeders, remember. :-) And folks whose employer farms out for J fares are not in the habit of paying J for their partner to come along.
Unfortunately, this makes sense.
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Old Jul 3, 2019, 4:13 am
  #570  
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
Considering this predates "Signature Service", I would argue that it's only related because the name was changed to "Signature Service"... unless you are trying to get the concierges to physically refurbish the AC mainline/livery'd widebodies in J.

Also, this applies to domestic-portion AC834 and the any other widebody flight on Rapidair routes, which aren't Signature Service. And yes, what if you want to cuddle, snuggle, spoon on a 45 minute flight?
Ah this is where my post ended up.

Yes, it applies equally well to XM.

How hard is it to make a pod where hand-holding isn't painful?

​​​​​
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