This report will have two parts - last night's medium-haul from FLL to YYZ and next week's longer-haul from YYZ to LAX.

Part 1

OLCI - smooth process, no issues. Was offered an upgrade to F for - $259!!. No thanks for a 3 hour flight. Phone res seated me in their 'Elite section' (no different than CO).

At The Gate - figured I'd try a 'hail mary' and ask about *G upgrades - was told (with a smile) that a certificate was needed from AC. Quite a few customers used certs to upgrade. Boarding was F/*G, extra assistance, then by row number.

Seats - same as my last trip - nicely designed, well bolstered, supportive, and put the seats from CO, DL, NW and US to shame. I was at the window, and even with a somewhat portly sized woman in the middle next to me, there was plenty of room, including shoulder level. Legroom was quite good, at least 32" and maybe more as my knees were a long way back from the seat in front.

Cabin - clean - as in clean enough to lick the walls. AC just refurbished their fleet, so I'm sure that had something to do with it, but the plane was spotless.

IFE - touchscreen AVOD system. Decent selection of movies and music but very limited selection of TV programming as it's not a satellite system. Quality of sound and video was excellent.

Food - I brought my own Subway on board, but AC offers a BoB service. Most selections were $9CDN which is roughly $7USD (things in Canada are always more expensive even with the exchange difference is small). I saw two items served near me - a very large sandwich wrap and cookies and a flatbread pizza. Both items were substantial, and if charged in USD, worth the cost.

Service - typical Canadian - all smiles, friendly, a little slow. Cashless cabin (credit/debit only). One drink pass only, but I have a feeling I could rung the call button and requested a glass of something. Served full can of soda with a smile.

Carry-ons - My 22" Travelpro duffel was probably the biggest bag on the plane. I guess Canadians are well trained. Delta-contracted pre-security line dragon gave my bag a look, but I countered her look with one of my own and she didn't say anything else. No way a Delta person is going to tell me what I can carry on a competitor's flight. Overhead space on the 320 was fairly generous, probably similar to a CO 738 and swallowed my bag lengthwise without a problem.

Next segment on this trip is a refurbished 767-300 - after the last fiasco at YYZ, I hope they handle the security lines better. I will certainly be checking to see how comfortable those seats are on a 5 hour segment.

The 763 offers the new herringbone Executive Class service - if I'm offered the upgrade again for 250 or less, I might consider it as this is a "free" ticket bought with SPG miles.

More to come next week....

AC is an excellent airline, and one of the few that I don't mind flying long segments on within N. America in coach.

Thanks for the info, I've been mulling over taking AC from IAH->LHR since it's cheaper than CO. It may be worth a shot.

*and* the best part is they've got decent RJs -- mainly the E175, E190 and CR7.

They have F, they have AVOD, they have inseat power, and most importantly, they make you forget you're on an RJ! ^

AC is the no brainer choice between IAH and YYZ compared to CO's ERJs

Thank. Nice report. AC usually does a nice job, I never regret flying them.

Is there a big price difference? Enough to offset the connection in YYZ/YUL? I don't think there's a lot of difference in coach product TATL. AC is fine, not much different than the other *A carriers (although I don't drink in flight, some differences there). To me schedule, a direct flight, more comfortable equipment (avoiding CO 757s when possible) is more important.

Herringbone is a worthy idea, but I didn't much like it. It feels a little tight and to me the big problem is that there is very little at-seat storage. If you have a cubby next to the windows it might have a better feel as you have both a window seat and an aisle seat. I suppose the privacy is nice, but I don't mind having someone right next to me as long as I can come/go as I please in a middle business-class seat.

Uhh when did u travel like 3 years ago?

$9 CDN is like 8.70 US

I was wondering if the exchange rate took a dive in the last few weeks or what.

Agreed! Being IAH based with a company office and customers near YYZ, this was what I looked forward to most about the *A transition.

That's one of the biggest differences I've noticed between flying in Canada and flying in the U.S.

I suppose there are always exceptions, but Canadians tend to be more likely to travel on the plane with only those things they need while in transit, and check the rest.

Americans, on the other hand, like to bring bin-busting behemoths on board, which is why nearly every CO flight I'm on is late getting off the gate. The last 20 or so pax seem to always have to navigate their way backwards up the aisle to gate-check their baggage.

Then again, the fact that AC, WS, and PD all still allow free checked baggage makes a difference too, I'm sure.

As I mentioned in my post, the price difference rarely reflects the actual exchange rate. Canadians are routinely overcharged for basic goods and services by vendors in Canada - one of the reasons people flock to the US to buy cars when the currencies are close. Lexus/Toyota was sued for charging 20-30% more for the same car in Canada (often made in the Canada) than the US when the exchange rates were almost at par - then ordering dealers to refuse service to US-sourced cars brought to Canadian dealers for service.

It's basically a nationwide scam that's been going on for years - hence the $9 sandwich that should sell for $6 down here - and often does (which is what I paid for a larger version of the same thing on VX).

As to the IAH-UK trip poster - if you don't mind the connection at YYZ (which requires clearing Canadian customs/immigration and security again, so make sure you leave enough time), the AC Y experience is going to blow the socks off CO Y - and this is coming from someone who is often accused of injecting CooLAid right into his veins.

Isn't some of that the GST and PST which are built into the price of goods sold in Canada? Somebody has to pay for "free" healthcare after all.

That's extra - tacked on at point of sale. The funny thing is, I didn't notice them charging it on the BoB stuff or the drinks - I'll pay closer attention on the next flight.

Hmmm. I thought it was built in to the price. It's been a while since I've been back to my homeland.

AC actually does not have a $9 item on their BOB menu:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelin...pop_index.html

Sandwiches are $7 CAD, flatbread pizza is $6 CAD. Not sure what that works out to in USD in your world...

Actually, an AC connection for US-UK via YYZ does not require customs/immigration or security, just a document check by Canada Border Services agency officers.

AC intercontinental Y also offers free alcohol, by the way.

Sales Tax in Canada does not have to be added at point of sale, it can be included in the posted price, at the choice of the business. Sales tax is not added to any BOB item at AC. It could be exempt or included in the price.

Vindicated.

Hmmm I'll double check the menu in the seat next week - I could have sworn those wraps and pizza were priced at $9 - or maybe it was the voucher value that allows you to pre-pay and spend up to $9. If the sandwiches are $7, that's a more reasonable price.

I think YVR is different, but looking at the YYZ signs, they seemed very clear that everyone regardless of their arrival status or connections needed to clear the same immigration checkpoint - after the immigration desk, the signs for US, domestic and international connections pointed in one direction, the exit was the other.

I checked the terminal map online and it does look like you can use a transfer path to avoid the security screening after clearing the immigration check, so that should save some time.

I have never seen a merchant do this ever...except when they post a "pay no sales tax" sale promotion, which just means they are hiding the sales tax in the discounted selling price and paying it for you.