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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 ŕ 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 ŕ 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 21, 2018, 2:45 am
  #226  
 
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First time with mattress pad, new menu and new amenity kit! So excited! Lol AC 062 ICN-YYZ
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Last edited by Plumber; Apr 21, 2018 at 3:06 am
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 8:43 am
  #227  
 
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Waiting to see if the menu improvements will be (again) only out of Canada, leaving all the return meals the same as the last decade or so... I guess it was the 1st rollout day, so perhaps I am wrong.
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 9:22 am
  #228  
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Originally Posted by pappypappy
leaving all the return meals the same as the last decade or so... I
Alas that's nowhere near correct. They were significantly better ten years ago.
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 10:39 am
  #229  
 
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Originally Posted by 24left


I just sent you the photo

Also I don’t eat duck, tuna or shellfish, and I just can’t deal with AC beef, lol
I usually stay away from beef on planes but recently tried it out, very disappointing indeed. Only time to describe something from AC as very very well done?
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 11:10 am
  #230  
 
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Originally Posted by 24left


I just sent you the photo

Also I don’t eat duck, tuna or shellfish, and I just can’t deal with AC beef, lol
Am waiting for one of the meal options to be "3 bags of Mrs Vickies and a couple of kit kats".
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 12:45 pm
  #231  
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Originally Posted by YVRYEGYVR
I usually stay away from beef on planes but recently tried it out, very disappointing indeed. Only time to describe something from AC as very very well done?
As recently as 20 years ago or so in AC J, you still could get a decently pink steak. Once in a blue moon you get an SD who pull the trick. Otherwise, I agree and I stay away.

Remember that crewing is less than it used to be, so they tend to be overworked. Filling the oven it is, then get stuff out and distribute. Which usually results in the food remaining in the oven way longer than it's designed for. No matter how good it looks when the caterer shows the stuff on the ground when properly reheated.
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Old Apr 21, 2018, 8:41 pm
  #232  
 
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The last time I had steak was ex-DXB and it was drowned in liquid, quite tough, almost as if it had been boiled instead of grilled.
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 6:14 am
  #233  
 
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The rack of lamb I had in J LHR-YUL in December (walked over to AC from BA due to irrops) was huge, pink, and juicy. I was kind of shocked...
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 12:41 pm
  #234  
 
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Originally Posted by pappypappy
Waiting to see if the menu improvements will be (again) only out of Canada, leaving all the return meals the same as the last decade or so... I guess it was the 1st rollout day, so perhaps I am wrong.
Not sure when you last flew. Meal presentation is significantly different than it was a decade ago. For the record -- International meals Change monthly.
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 3:44 pm
  #235  
 
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Originally Posted by HeyAussie
The last time I had steak was ex-DXB and it was drowned in liquid, quite tough, almost as if it had been boiled instead of grilled.
I understand your point. This is the steak I was served on a recent flight from mainland China. A dog going through its teething stage would have enjoyed chewing on it as it was rather tough. The red velvet cake served afterwards had me wondering if it was Duncan Hines or Walmart housebrand. Had it not been for relatively decent FAs generous with the wine, I would have been annoyed. (I did notice that the FA went down the aisle in seat numerical order for the meal selection. The tag displaying SE behind me was asked after me and I don't think he got the dish he wanted. I heard, "oh sorry, we are all out." (I suppose it is cruel for me to guffaw, but I did giggle discreetly. I don't think it was anyone from FT because I haven't seen any comment.)





I later ordered a chicken mini sandwich. It was cold in the middle, served on an ice cold dish, and drowning in mayonnaise.

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Old Apr 22, 2018, 4:32 pm
  #236  
 
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Posting live from AC29 to PEK, so please excuse the poor image quality:

Appetizer: Lobster and prawns with olive salsa verde, tomato confit, marinated artichokes, and roasted garlic aioli



Entree: Barbecue salmon with sriracha fried basmati rice and bok choy



I also customized my meal with the vegetable salad with tomato, hummus, broccoli, and cauliflower instead of the regular mixed greens.
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 5:07 pm
  #237  
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Originally Posted by Transpacificflyer
I understand your point. This is the steak I was served on a recent flight from mainland China. A dog going through its teething stage would have enjoyed chewing on it as it was rather tough. The red velvet cake served afterwards had me wondering if it was Duncan Hines or Walmart housebrand. Had it not been for relatively decent FAs generous with the wine, I would have been annoyed. (I did notice that the FA went down the aisle in seat numerical order for the meal selection. The tag displaying SE behind me was asked after me and I don't think he got the dish he wanted. I heard, "oh sorry, we are all out." (I suppose it is cruel for me to guffaw, but I did giggle discreetly. I don't think it was anyone from FT because I haven't seen any comment.)
My impression is that out of Asia, catering quality strongly correlates with what the competition is like. Out of China, AC probably don't feel they have to worry too much. Either that, or the local supplier gets tem that for their budget...

I don't fly to China all that often but it seems food is always a bit of a disgrace. Especially if compared with flights out of Japan.
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 8:43 pm
  #238  
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Just a quick note....and I'll post photos in the meal thread

AC 18 ex-TPE had proper baguette garlic bread. Had real garlic, fantastic taste and perfect crunch and no skid marks.

Main meal ex-TPE was excellent just like the outbound from YVR on AC 17. Chose halibut. Outstanding and new.

Mattress pads seem to confuse some pax as in some are not sure what to do with it, so they don't use it.

(I was about to grab a couple of the unopened ones as I was the beneficiary of a deflated seat.)
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Old Apr 22, 2018, 11:26 pm
  #239  
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Originally Posted by gabdusch
Posting the following on behalf of our inflight documentation specialist @24left.

Some photos of the new mattress pad from this morning:







@gabdusch, thanks so much for posting for me.

Interesting thing.

I tool these photos on AC 183 YYZ-YVR, on April 19. Mattress pads were at every J pod.

On April 22, on AC 182 YVR-YYZ, there were none.

So I'm not sure exactly when or where or which flight will have these, aside from the info pointed out in the press release.
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Old Apr 23, 2018, 12:41 am
  #240  
 
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Originally Posted by Stranger
My impression is that out of Asia, catering quality strongly correlates with what the competition is like. Out of China, AC probably don't feel they have to worry too much. Either that, or the local supplier gets tem that for their budget...

I don't fly to China all that often but it seems food is always a bit of a disgrace. Especially if compared with flights out of Japan.
My Impression is that it has more to do with the Catering facility (Station) itself. Asia fights should abide by similar if not identical SPECs as should Europe, South America, etc.
It sounds lame (from my perspective), but you realize which station cook steaks better, provide better salads, launders and folds linen better -- and yes, Barcelona will forever hold the dubious distnction of producing the most perfect ice cubes. There you have it. I have cemented my place as a bona fide Airline Geek.
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