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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 18, 2018, 1:37 pm
  #181  
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Originally Posted by ChrisA330
YUL has widebody service to YVR. Therefore this new service applies. From the website:

Air Canada is the only North American airline offering lie-flat seats on the following non-stop routes: daily and overnight flights between Los Angeles, San Francisco, Vancouver and Toronto; and daily flights between Montreal, New York—Newark and Vancouver; and between Calgary, Edmonton and Toronto.

Bolding mine.
I think @MasterGeek was referring to the redeye launches, as per his/her copy and paste.
If not, then yes, the main widebody transcons are included.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 2:14 pm
  #182  
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
Thanks! A glass cloth... that's a new touch!

I wish they had brought back the shoehorn though. They were useful with the Deserving Thyme kits.
I too used to like the shoehorn - AC forgets that people's feet expand in the air (or my shoes shrink).

Originally Posted by yyznomad
Hey @The Lev! Is the above amenity kit the same one that you received in PE recently?
A lot of the contents look similar (socks, toothbrush, eye cover) but the earplugs I got were black not orange and I'm not sure if the bag is the same.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 2:25 pm
  #183  
 
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Originally Posted by Bonaventure
Just got off a INTL J flight.
J as in paid J? if not, does this mean that even upgraded passengers get the pads and amenity kits?
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 2:27 pm
  #184  
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Originally Posted by YVR72
J as paid J? if not, does this mean that even upgraded passengers get the pads and amenity kits?
All J customers (including R/I/etc.) get the Signature Class level of service (where offered for the flight) in J.

At the moment, only those paying for the J cabin get Signature Suite access.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 2:59 pm
  #185  
 
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
All J customers (including R/I/etc.) get the Signature Class level of service (where offered for the flight) in J.

At the moment, only those paying for the J cabin get Signature Suite access.
And concierge service at the airport for non-SEs. Per the T&C this requires same fare classes as Signature Suite.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 3:18 pm
  #186  
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Originally Posted by yvr76
And concierge service at the airport for non-SEs. Per the T&C this requires same fare classes as Signature Suite.
Yes, that too.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 4:17 pm
  #187  
 
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Originally Posted by yvr76
And concierge service at the airport for non-SEs. Per the T&C this requires same fare classes as Signature Suite.
This means that other people get to call a phone number that no one answers.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 6:31 pm
  #188  
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Originally Posted by InTheAirGuy
This means that other people get to call a phone number that no one answers.
Is that why the hold times are so long when calling?
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 6:45 pm
  #189  
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Originally Posted by longtimeflyin
Is that why the hold times are so long when calling?
Only when InTheAirGuy calls that they never pick up.
For the rest of us, it depends on who is calling.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 7:00 pm
  #190  
 
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Originally Posted by yyznomad
Only when InTheAirGuy calls that they never pick up.
For the rest of us, it depends on who is calling.
I'll test that theory by having MrsITAG (also SE) call on her phone!
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 7:16 pm
  #191  
 
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Originally Posted by InTheAirGuy
This means that other people get to call a phone number that no one answers.
No, a number that is not given out to non-SE flying revenue J easy to list something that’s very difficult to access. Frustrating for pax.
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Old Apr 18, 2018, 7:37 pm
  #192  
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Originally Posted by longtimeflyin
It appears this new Signature Service is being rolled out to domestic flights as well, most notably on wide body flights from Vancouver and Toronto. Not sure if I missed this but just noticed on AC's social media page.
Wonder if the NAmerican red eyes will also get amenity kits. Web copy implies this but hasn’t been the case previously.
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Old Apr 19, 2018, 5:37 am
  #193  
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I’m onboard AC 183 and mattress pad in plastic was on the seat with the comforter/duvet. Yes, it has an elastic band on the back that fits around the top of the seat. Nicely done AC.

photos will be posted later....
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Old Apr 19, 2018, 5:49 am
  #194  
 
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Originally Posted by 24left
I’m onboard AC 183 and mattress pad in plastic was on the seat with the comforter/duvet. Yes, it has an elastic band on the back that fits around the top of the seat. Nicely done AC.

photos will be posted later....
Same on AC791. I expected this would be the case
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Old Apr 19, 2018, 6:32 am
  #195  
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Here are my random thoughts:

1) I agree with the above posts that the mattress pad is a nice addition.^

2) I much prefer the new Laurent Perrier over the old Drappier, so this is a very welcome change.^ (I should however mention that they ran out of champagne before the 2nd meal service even though the J cabin was far from full. I hope this was a fluke.)

3) I really enjoyed the new duck dish. The new sugar tart dessert also was quite tasty.

4) The new "signature cocktail" (bourbon, sprite, ginger ale, maple syrup, slice of lemon) wasn't bad, but a little too sweet for my taste. Reminded me a bit of an old-fashioned, but sweeter. Afaik I was the only pax who tried it, and the crew (who were excellent) were quite excited about getting my opinion and discussing the new changes.

5) The garlic bread is more like focaccia-style bread than the baguette-style bread one gets on many airline and was tasty.^ (for whatever reason it was only offered during the 1st meal service; maybe something AC could fix)

Overall AC has made some nice improvements.^ If AC invested in some somewhat better wines and made sure that they didn't run out of champagne and the various mid-flight snacks, I'd consider giving AC J a 5* rating.
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