Go Back  FlyerTalk Forums > Miles&Points > Airlines and Mileage Programs > Air Canada | Aeroplan
Reload this Page >

Int. Business Class & select wide-body N. America aircraft become 'Signature Service'

Community
Wiki Posts
Search
Old Apr 13, 2018, 4:14 pm
FlyerTalk Forums Expert How-Tos and Guides
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
Print Wikipost

Int. Business Class & select wide-body N. America aircraft become 'Signature Service'

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 24, 2019, 6:29 am
  #526  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: YOW
Programs: AC*SEMM, *G, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 897
Originally Posted by saaveraward
I wanted to try out this product and booked some flights several months ago. I looked at then-current menus and it seemed like a solid effort for a premium product.

So now that my flights are coming up, I went back to look at the specific menus for my flights.

It's the same menu in both directions. The plated dessert is.... a chocolate chip cookie with no other options? No beef (and yes I know where veal comes from). Tired ravioli.

Have there been cuts to the meal service?

On the flip side, I pulled a YVR-YYZ menu on a flight that doesn't have Signature Class (A321) and it offers a good looking salad as a starter, beef tenderloin as a main and just as many options as the galley on the 77W or 788/789.
When/Where are you flying? Domestic Ex-YYZ flights have a beef entrée as one of the option on Signature flights for March: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...461%20EAST.pdf
There is also a beef option on flights coming back: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...463%20EAST.pdf
YOWCDNFF is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2019, 8:28 am
  #527  
 
Join Date: Dec 2010
Posts: 2,652
Originally Posted by YOWCDNFF
When/Where are you flying? Domestic Ex-YYZ flights have a beef entrée as one of the option on Signature flights for March: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...461%20EAST.pdf
There is also a beef option on flights coming back: https://www.aircanada.com/content/da...463%20EAST.pdf
EWR-YVR and YVR-YYZ

Both flights pulled up the same menu but were "numbered differently" on the link

Perhaps it's an IT thing?

I remember when this product launched there was a legit plated dessert instead of a terrible AA-style cookie?
saaveraward is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2019, 12:00 pm
  #528  
 
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: YOW
Programs: AC*SEMM, *G, Hilton Diamond, Marriott Gold
Posts: 897
Looks like there is only one "lunch/dinner" Signature menu for TCON flights being catered out of Vancouver. TCON flights out of YYC/YEG do show a different menu than the one you are finding. That said, I can't comment on the plated desert issue. Definitely part of the offering on TATL and TPAC flight, but have not flown Signature often enough TCON to remember if this was there in the 1st place. What I know is that cheese service + traditional cookie and ice cream has been a staple of these TCON flights
YOWCDNFF is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2019, 12:47 pm
  #529  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,315
I've never seen a plated dessert on a SS TCON.
​​​​​​
canadiancow is offline  
Old Feb 24, 2019, 12:53 pm
  #530  
 
Join Date: Dec 2007
Location: Toronto - YYZ
Programs: Aeroplan/Hilton Gold/Marriott Bonvoy Titanium/Accor/Hyatt Gold Passport
Posts: 5,899
Originally Posted by saaveraward
EWR-YVR and YVR-YYZ

Both flights pulled up the same menu but were "numbered differently" on the link

Perhaps it's an IT thing?

I remember when this product launched there was a legit plated dessert instead of a terrible AA-style cookie?
Ice Cream/Cookies & Fruit have been the staple dessert for a while on North American Flights, with the exception of a possible type-trial flight.
ACYYZ/SD is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 1:23 pm
  #531  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,315
No PDB on 756 today.

FA said "only on international". I corrected her, she checked, and "boarding was delayed...and it's too late now anyway".

I'll concede boarding was 10 minutes late. But we're 191/255, and boarding was done around T-10.

Edit: not to mention SD has been standing around on her phone

Last edited by canadiancow; Mar 5, 2019 at 1:30 pm
canadiancow is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 2:40 pm
  #532  
 
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Toronto, ON, CANADA
Programs: AC SE100K, Marriott Bonvoy LTE
Posts: 1,881
Originally Posted by ACYYZ/SD
Ice Cream/Cookies & Fruit have been the staple dessert for a while on North American Flights, with the exception of a possible type-trial flight.
The cookie has changed for the worse a few years back, not to mention the cut back to one cookie instead of cookieS. But the cookie and ice cream is still one of the best desserts in the sky for a domestic flight, IMHO.
Jebby_ca is online now  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 2:48 pm
  #533  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
Originally Posted by canadiancow
No PDB on 756 today.
PDB? Or it is PBD by any chance?
Stranger is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 5:59 pm
  #534  
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
 
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,315
Originally Posted by Stranger
PDB? Or it is PBD by any chance?
canadiancow is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 6:26 pm
  #535  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,803
Originally Posted by canadiancow
So was I... Still, what is PDB? Pre-departure beverage maybe? Not pre-drink bimbo, presumably?
Stranger is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 6:41 pm
  #536  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
Originally Posted by Stranger
So was I... Still, what is PDB? Pre-departure beverage maybe? Not pre-drink bimbo, presumably?

FT Glossary



https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/glossary.php?do=list&LetterSelected=P
.
24left is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 10:30 pm
  #537  
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Originally Posted by Stranger
So was I... Still, what is PDB? Pre-departure beverage maybe? Not pre-drink bimbo, presumably?
It's merely indicative of a case of EUUA: an Excessive Use of Unnecessary Acronyms.

We can, on an aviation discussion board, forgive the use of airport identifiers, airline abbreviations and reference to many of the copious aviation-related acronyms that clog the industry. Why somebody would invent and use an acronym for a sugary drink you get served when you settle into your seat is unknown.
CZAMFlyer is offline  
Old Mar 5, 2019, 10:53 pm
  #538  
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Original Poster
 
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Originally Posted by Stranger
So was I... Still, what is PDB? Pre-departure beverage maybe? Not pre-drink bimbo, presumably?
Originally Posted by 24left
@Stranger
As per @24left it's all in the official FT Glossary. We don't use this as much in this forum like they do in other FT forums.
yyznomad is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2019, 4:33 pm
  #539  
 
Join Date: Jul 2015
Posts: 17
Breakfast options in Signature Service

Hello. I was hoping to get some advice from the forum regarding breakfast options when flying Signature Service. I've been flying with AC now for a while, and it still surprises me that AC still offers the same parsley omelette (and if we get lucky) the pancake option. Having had both of these more times than I'd like, I was wondering if anyone in the forum has had any experience pre-ordering any meals. Now I realize taste is personal, but I'm curious to see what others have had. Thank you.
FlyingBehr is offline  
Old Mar 6, 2019, 4:41 pm
  #540  
Suspended
 
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: YVR
Programs: Air Canada Super Elite 2+ Million Miles
Posts: 2,478
delete

Last edited by skybluesea; Dec 24, 2020 at 11:25 am
skybluesea is offline  


Contact Us - Manage Preferences - Archive - Advertising - Cookie Policy - Privacy Statement - Terms of Service -

This site is owned, operated, and maintained by MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. Copyright © 2024 MH Sub I, LLC dba Internet Brands. All rights reserved. Designated trademarks are the property of their respective owners.