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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 Apr 17, 2018, 5:12 am
  #91  
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Location: YYZ
Programs: Only J via Peasant Points, 777HDPeasant or The Unexpected Virtue of Ignorance and Narcissism.
Posts: 5,953
Also, TCON Signature Service seems to be on Overnight Red Eyes only? Surprise they went with this route instead of a standardized product across all widebody flights
https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2018...ican-Customers

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
Jumper Jack is offline  
Old Apr 17, 2018, 5:39 am
  #92  
 
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So is Signature Class the new name for International (and selected Transcontinental) Business Class?

This page would suggest otherwise:



Leave it to AC to come up with the most unappealing and confusing way to list 11 different cabin classes (in seemingly random order) when it only has 3 (and Signature Class isn't even included).

But clicking on 'International Business Class' does take you here:

gcashin likes this.
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 5:55 am
  #93  
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https://www.newswire.ca/news-release...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.
tcook052 is offline  
Old Apr 17, 2018, 6:56 am
  #94  
 
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Originally Posted by capedreamer

But clicking on 'International Business Class' does take you here:
They are busy trying to find a dude on Upwork to work the HTML code to fix all the links.
capedreamer and gcashin like this.
InTheAirGuy is offline  
Old Apr 17, 2018, 7:05 am
  #95  
 
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
How is the BMW transfer going to work? There are like 40J seats (Okay maybe 25 are Rev J) with 4-5 departures to hour..... You need about 40 cars to make it work?
Obv not triggered that non-rev wont get it... though disappointed that Suite access is still rev only...
I read

"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"

to mean it only covers full fare business, of which I'm guessing at most a handful per flight pay, but I'd be interested to know the split (which would never be more than anecdotal).
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 7:10 am
  #96  
 
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to mean it only covers full fare business, of which I'm guessing at most a handful per flight pay, but I'd be interested to know the split (which would never be more than anecdotal).
My cheap J fare is P class and I found the following:

* Air Canada Signature Class customers on an Air Canada-operated flight (to Europe, Asia and South America) originally booked and ticketed in the following classes will be eligible for the Air Canada Valet Service, powered by BMW: J, C, D, Z and P. Certain restrictions may apply. Eligibility criteria are subject to change without notice.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...e-service.html

So I think it would be most revenue pax in J...
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 7:25 am
  #97  
 
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Location: YOW
Programs: AC*SEMM, *G, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
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Originally Posted by Jumper Jack
Also, TCON Signature Service seems to be on Overnight Red Eyes only? Surprise they went with this route instead of a standardized product across all widebody flights
https://aircanada.mediaroom.com/2018...ican-Customers

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
Given that the press release also mentions YVR-EWR, I take it that the flights quoted above is a "focus" on redeye transcon in the press release, rather than an exclusion of other widebody flights
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 7:57 am
  #98  
 
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Originally Posted by YOWCDNFF
Given that the press release also mentions YVR-EWR, I take it that the flights quoted above is a "focus" on redeye transcon in the press release, rather than an exclusion of other widebody flights
It also mentions YVR-YUL, and the only widebodies on that route are non-redeye, so I agree.
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 8:07 am
  #99  
 
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It's nice to see AC putting some effort in its J class product. I wonder where the incentive to do so came from... Do they know something we don't (more Emirates flights coming soon)? Or maybe they are simply trying to fight Emirates and the likes and this is mostly aimed at convincing more US pax to go the AC way and transit through Canada.

New YYZ lounge: I understand the exclusion of upgraded passengers and guests, so Rev-tied, but I do hope that when AC launches its own loyalty program, it offers its SE100K some access, one way or another... In the meantime, I'm looking forward to enjoying the new lounge at YYZ when I next fly REV J, and getting the BMW transfer service.

Also, all this hype is coming a little late, but might still help the new direct YUL - NRT get some paying J class pax... The timing of the launch (June 1st) makes for poor J sales, I believe.

Last edited by LeisureMiler; Apr 17, 2018 at 8:08 am Reason: clarity of object of second paragraph
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 8:13 am
  #100  
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Ah, new photo showing the mattress pad




.
Unfortunately, there is still this. Unlike leading up to today where the boxes for each date were white, now they are grey but there is still no ability to see menus.

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Old Apr 17, 2018, 8:31 am
  #101  
 
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How many times did AC use the word "enhanced" in their announcement?? Kind of amusing given the connotation that word has acquired on FT.
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 8:43 am
  #102  
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Originally Posted by fin 645
How many times did AC use the word "enhanced" in their announcement?? Kind of amusing given the connotation that word has acquired on FT.
99.9% of the general public would have no idea that it means what it means to us and take the word at its face value.
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 9:00 am
  #103  
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Originally Posted by longtimeflyin
99.9% of the general public would have no idea that it means what it means to us and take the word at its face value.
Especially when it means what we mean here...
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 9:13 am
  #104  
 
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I wonder if their new enhancements include making sure the champagne and white wine are actually cold... I don't see it explicitly called out.
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Old Apr 17, 2018, 9:13 am
  #105  
 
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Originally Posted by LeisureMiler
New YYZ lounge: I understand the exclusion of upgraded passengers and guests, so Rev-tied, but I do hope that when AC launches its own loyalty program, it offers its SE100K some access, one way or another... In the meantime, I'm looking forward to enjoying the new lounge at YYZ when I next fly REV J, and getting the BMW transfer service.
Doubt that Signature Suite access has anything to do with AC's loyalty program. They currently control both the tiers and requirements for Altitude, in addition to access rules for the lounges.

Originally Posted by LeisureMiler
Also, all this hype is coming a little late, but might still help the new direct YUL - NRT get some paying J class pax... The timing of the launch (June 1st) makes for poor J sales, I believe.
June 1st is only for transcon, international starts today.
yvr76 is offline  


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