hazcaddy

I'll be trying out PE on a trip between YYZ and LAX in a couple of months, to see if the hard and soft product is worth the extra moolah. Next year, we'll be doing a Mini-RTW on airlines that may or may not have released J product yet. We hope that if we end up not getting J on some legs, at least we'll be able to get PE as more airlines are introducing it. Which has made me think - how does AC's PE hold up against others?

jc94

Question: How does AC's Premium Economy compare to others?
Answer: Poorly.

That said, YYZ LAX is likely somewhat different to their international offering. And most/many (?) airlines don't really offering a domestic PE option.

I mean, the seat and overall hard product will be the same. The lack of a curtain to Y will be the same, the inconsistent service will likely be the same ... but I assume there's just one meal which will be more J like than Y like (which on that route would be, nothing).

AC's PE hard product is generally what I'd describe as less bad than their Y product. The recline is greater, the width slightly increased, and it's 2-3-2 or 2-4-2 vs 3-3-3 or 3-4-3, and you get extra leg room, the latter of which you can also get via a preferred seat.
You'll also get priority checkin and boarding, though not security without status. MLL access is $25 as it would be with Latitude.

But compared to many other airlines that offer PE as a dedicated cabin? It falls far short. And that's fine when it costs less than Tango or $25 more than Flex. When it's $300 more in each direction? I'll pay for a preferred seat at $100, check a 2nd bag at $25, buy Lounge access at $50, have a nice meal before I depart (not in the MLL), etc... (Actually, I won't do the 2nd bag or MLL but you get the idea). It's not worth the premium they charge, imo.

Also 787 PE > 777 PE, as does 787 Y due to not being HD.

Others may disagree. As always.

songsc

Are you familiar with PE on any other airlines? Let us know the ones you are familiar with, so we can have something to compare with.

For AC PY, the seat is very similar to the J seats you can find on most of the narrow body aircraft. For YYZ-LAX you will get a hot meal for free in PY. You can find pictures of the meal if you search this forum. Priority check-in/boarding/baggage are also very beneficial if you are not *G.

jc94

This is true, if comparing AC PY vs BA PY you're going to get a different answer vs NZ PY.

Just in case OP has lower status, P25/E35 also get priority check in (and 2 bags) and E35 gets boarding priority (and security). Baggage priority is indeed an E50/*G benefit, if the airlines you are flying to actually acknowledge it.

songsc

+1. And one more thing to note is that AC PY has "enhanced" so much year over year, So OP when you search for pictures make sure those are from recent years. AC PY was much better in 2014/15.

The Lev

In my experience: NZ > AC > LH

NZ has standout seats and food. AC and LH have roughly comparable seats but AC offers a main meal that is better than LH (who just serve the Y meal on upgraded china).

I do think it is a good mid-point between J and Y with more comfortable seating and somewhat enhanced service. AC's PE experience is also better on 787 and 330 than 777 due to ability to access a lav up front.

Agree with @songsc that the product isn't as good on AC as it was when first introduced when there was a curtain dividing PE from Y and the meals were a reduced selection of the same main course as J.

hazcaddy

OP used to have the entrance to the T1 parking garage at YYZ programmed as "Home" in his car's GPS, but since I retired I don't have status any longer. The baggage, check-in, and boarding benefits are part of the reason for doing the PY thing to LAX, along with more room for old bones and the food and drinks. I can handle 5 hours in PY (even in Y with a Preferred seat) but wouldn't consider it for a TPAC. I'm more interested in finding out after I try AC's PY, is it similar/better/worse than others, so I'll know what to expect (sort of) on other *A airlines.

arf04

Sopwith

jc94

fin 645

AC PY has gone up and down since inception - but my most recent domestic experience showed a slight improvement. PY gets free booze (albeit the Y products) domestically, and the service is completed separately from Y, so meal was cleared and another drink available before FAs disappeared completely into Y. The previous time I had flown it, the PY meal was handed out as the cart set out on the long haul to the back of Y and you never saw an FA until the whole of Y was served.

But compared to NZ, it's no contest. Maybe it has changed also, but a dedicated FA and superior wines made a huge difference on NZ.

Bohemian1

Agreed. And the superior wine thing really ticks me off.

Last time I flew them, it was almost 100% NZ wines. Decent wines too.

And here we are in Canada and our flag carrier can't bother to serve predominantly Canadian wines.

KenHamer

They might claim the MLL fee is only $25 for PE, but good luck with that:



Otherwise, I'd say my only experience with Air Canada Premium Economy Less Brutal Economy compared very poorly with my only experience with WestJet Plus (for which I paid about half the Air Canada fare.)

jc94

The Lev

I'm wondering if @KenHamer got charged $50 because he booked access to two lounges - YVR and then YUL since he was connecting.