talkeryxu

Hi all,

I had the good fortune to be invited into an Air Canada focus group with a handful of other SEs who've traveled somewhat recently. Thought I would share some of the highlights that came from the product team.

Lounges

• Announcement on reopening YYC lounge is coming "very imminently"
• Reopening YUL lounge has been postponed. Plan is tentatively to do "by end of year"
• Tentative reopening of Signature Suite is Feb. 2021, though this depends on international travel flow and quarantine restrictions
• In reopening roadmap, Signature Suite reopening will take place before international Maple Leaf Lounges
• No plan to reopen YYZ AC Cafe at this time (though they seemed receptive to how much everyone in the group said they missed it)
• Self-scan entry to lounges is in the long-term plan for next 12 months

Onboard Food/Beverage

• Large wine bottles in J are returning Oct. 15
• Creme caramel is getting addressed (replaced) "imminently"
• Boxed meals are planned until at least Feb. 2021
• The boxed meals are, AC says, more expensive than previous plated option. They asked if everyone felt comfortable/safe with a plated meal and the answer was unanimously yes.

There were lots of other things that were discussed, but these were the tangible things that came from the AC side of the discussion.

canadiancow

Any word on liquor?

Or hot meals in NA?

SFO777

Really?

YXUFlyboy

I'm shocked the boxed meals are more expensive.

talkeryxu

Liquor wasn’t explicitly addressed so not sure if it’s included in the Oct. 15 day for large wine bottles.

Hot meals not yet determined but boxed until Feb. at least.

talkeryxu

Yeah I was quite surprised. They offered this tidbit in response to one of the group members making a comment about how it seemed to be about cost savings.

WannabeSE

It wouldn't surprise me if the packaging cost of the box alone was more than $5.

cooleddie

I much prefer the boxes meals over the regular service. It's fast and convenient. Regular service takes way too long.

canadiancow

You can ask for express service to get the better food in a similar duration.

yyzgigi

with the international express on AC you don’t get the entree anymore, just the starter, salad and cheese. Was much better option before.

Leyland1989

previous plated option are loaded onto the plane "in bulk" packaging, much like economy class meal's main.
It's then heated and plated by the cabin crew before serving to the customer.

It's not surprising that the boxed version cost more, given it's individually packed on ground with much more packaging overall. The supplier is likely going to charge an extra premium for the added "trouble", even though the food itself may cost less, but it's probably marginal anyway, given how cheap industrial omelettes are.

It's offloading some tasks from the cabin crew but they are still being paid the same for the flight hours, there isn't much cost saving.


However, I can't argue how the beverages cut isn't a cost saving measures.

VoodooYYC

Absolutely. There is no reason they can't hand you a mini with the top cracked, mix and a glass of ice, which is pretty much what all the US airlines do. Fine, don't do Ceasars or the Signature Cocktail, but not serving minis is absolutely just to save cash.

And I agree, go back to the plated options. Leave the sides covered on the tray, and if you want, the bread packaged, but go back to hot entrees. I want my omlette back!

Leyland1989

I'm a bit less ambitious, I just want my OJ back with my breakfast.
Let's see if they will become available again after 15th October

MillennialMiles

On my recent YYYZ-YVR flight they served OJ in Drink Boxes. Better than nothing!

The Lev

I got an OJ drink box YYZ-ZRH last week.