Just What is AIR CANADA Missing? 787 Business Class
video description
Air Canada has never been good at handling problems. Customer-facing employees not empowered to make things right. They brag about winning awards compared to domestic US service. They can't brag about trans pacific because they don't come close to Singapore/Cathay/Qantas/Air NZ.
When it emerged from its monopoly woth government paying back all its debts when it was privatized, Air Canada did not compete on service, they spent all their money undercutting Canadian Airlines till the later begged to be bought (and buying it as well as 9/11 and Sars cause Air Canada to go into bankruptcy reorganization. And now, their remaining competition is Air Transat which is a no frills charter carrier so it has no incentive to be a good airline. Lets see if the arrival of Westjet on a few toke international routes makes a difference.
BTW, I remember a COACH meal on Air New Zealand with fresh lamb in 1993 which looked better than your business class beef with liquid potatoes.
As a Canadian, Air Canada is often the better logistical option, but not one of comfort or good service. (they do have good bicycle pricing though compared to other airlines.
Your description of lacks WOW is very good. Accountants do do wow.
Date: 2023-08-20
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Comments and reviews: 19
ML
I agree Noel - there does seem to be something missing in AC. Having flown AC business and Westjet business transatlantic in the last 2 months, I do feel like AC could do so much better for just a little more effort.
The seats are more comfortable on AC with a wider footwell and have more adjustment and padding (as well as a mattress topper being provided) in contrast to WJ. Although my AC seat didnt feel like it went completely flat. However, WJ do away with that lump of a seatbelt airbag and have 3 point belts instead which improve the sleeping experience.
I was disappointed to discover the onboard food/drink choices were limited/uninspiring on AC. Not even a pre-takeoff beverage! I was expecting icewine and other Canadian foods onboard AC given WJ had them. If you are flying AC business/signature on a red eye especially, I would suggest eating in the Signature lounge and giving the onboard evening meal a miss to maximise your sleep - the onboard meal service was slower than expected and eating into valuable sleep time being only a 6 hour YYZ-DUB flight. The Signature lounge was lovely and the concierges did a good job, although you could tell the lounge was underresourced as my food orders took a while and some items were missed altogether by the waiters/waitresses.
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I agree Noel - there does seem to be something missing in AC. Having flown AC business and Westjet business transatlantic in the last 2 months, I do feel like AC could do so much better for just a little more effort.
The seats are more comfortable on AC with a wider footwell and have more adjustment and padding (as well as a mattress topper being provided) in contrast to WJ. Although my AC seat didnt feel like it went completely flat. However, WJ do away with that lump of a seatbelt airbag and have 3 point belts instead which improve the sleeping experience.
I was disappointed to discover the onboard food/drink choices were limited/uninspiring on AC. Not even a pre-takeoff beverage! I was expecting icewine and other Canadian foods onboard AC given WJ had them. If you are flying AC business/signature on a red eye especially, I would suggest eating in the Signature lounge and giving the onboard evening meal a miss to maximise your sleep - the onboard meal service was slower than expected and eating into valuable sleep time being only a 6 hour YYZ-DUB flight. The Signature lounge was lovely and the concierges did a good job, although you could tell the lounge was underresourced as my food orders took a while and some items were missed altogether by the waiters/waitresses.
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CTRL+ALT+DEL
Air Canada has been reliable and decent. We travel often, and sometimes with our big family (7 kids. They were excellent when our two youngest were babies a few years ago, and we've flown in economy, premium and business class, so we have experienced all levels of service. Our latest flights were YYZ to CPH in business and home in economy. Other than really disappointing communication around delays (and a cattle lot experience at the gate in YYZ) it was all okay. Our luggage arrived, the flight was smooth and decent, and all was, well, fine. The amenity kit was terrible on our flight (a super cheap unbranded zip pouch with socks, earplugs, and eye mask - that's it. So very basic compared to other flights. They are the rice pudding of airlines. I quite like rice pudding, however!
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Air Canada has been reliable and decent. We travel often, and sometimes with our big family (7 kids. They were excellent when our two youngest were babies a few years ago, and we've flown in economy, premium and business class, so we have experienced all levels of service. Our latest flights were YYZ to CPH in business and home in economy. Other than really disappointing communication around delays (and a cattle lot experience at the gate in YYZ) it was all okay. Our luggage arrived, the flight was smooth and decent, and all was, well, fine. The amenity kit was terrible on our flight (a super cheap unbranded zip pouch with socks, earplugs, and eye mask - that's it. So very basic compared to other flights. They are the rice pudding of airlines. I quite like rice pudding, however!
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James
Noel, I just had my first experience and very likely my last with Air Canada. Flew r/t from BOS to YVR via YYZ and it was nothing short of a horror show. None of the 4 legs of my trip departed on time. As a matter of fact, the final leg home from Toronto to Boston our flight was delayed almost 3 1/2 hours. No real apology, just a bunch of excuses and that we more or less had to deal with it. Cabin crew were for the most part friendly but even the pilots rarely gave us updates on the flight, weather at destination etc. On the flight from Toronto to Vancouver, the only announcements from the flight deck were alerting the cabin crew to be seated for takeoff and then the standard heads up 1/2 hour before touchdown. How they claim to be the best rated airline in North America is beyond me!
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Noel, I just had my first experience and very likely my last with Air Canada. Flew r/t from BOS to YVR via YYZ and it was nothing short of a horror show. None of the 4 legs of my trip departed on time. As a matter of fact, the final leg home from Toronto to Boston our flight was delayed almost 3 1/2 hours. No real apology, just a bunch of excuses and that we more or less had to deal with it. Cabin crew were for the most part friendly but even the pilots rarely gave us updates on the flight, weather at destination etc. On the flight from Toronto to Vancouver, the only announcements from the flight deck were alerting the cabin crew to be seated for takeoff and then the standard heads up 1/2 hour before touchdown. How they claim to be the best rated airline in North America is beyond me!
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5chevin5
I lived in Toronto for 4 years, flew out of YYZ with Air Canada maybe 50 times. Agree their service and hardware on board is fine, sometimes even great, but not unique. For me the issue was always reliability and delays. tons of delays, nearly every flight. Then to really infuriate me the customer service when a major mistake is made or major delay/cancelation was inept and almost condescending. Living in Japan now, so maybe Im spoiled with the Japanese carriers, but North American airlines have a long way to go before they match Asia/Middle East/Oceanic carriers. In my opinion.
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I lived in Toronto for 4 years, flew out of YYZ with Air Canada maybe 50 times. Agree their service and hardware on board is fine, sometimes even great, but not unique. For me the issue was always reliability and delays. tons of delays, nearly every flight. Then to really infuriate me the customer service when a major mistake is made or major delay/cancelation was inept and almost condescending. Living in Japan now, so maybe Im spoiled with the Japanese carriers, but North American airlines have a long way to go before they match Asia/Middle East/Oceanic carriers. In my opinion.
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Goofy's
Strangely, I look forward to the loo review. I go to the loo on every flight, mostly to stretch my legs but I've started to rate them in my head.
Future video idea: The Rachel Scale - For something that is good Cheers. For something that is above average It's better than a virgin laid out on the floor. For something that is mediocre The only saving grace. For something that needs improvement Let's hope it goes a little bit smoother. For something that is unacceptable [blows raspberry and indicates two thumbs down].
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Strangely, I look forward to the loo review. I go to the loo on every flight, mostly to stretch my legs but I've started to rate them in my head.
Future video idea: The Rachel Scale - For something that is good Cheers. For something that is above average It's better than a virgin laid out on the floor. For something that is mediocre The only saving grace. For something that needs improvement Let's hope it goes a little bit smoother. For something that is unacceptable [blows raspberry and indicates two thumbs down].
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emmitt
I was waiting for the part where your wifes tablet comes flying into her face when she opens the overhead bin.
( seriously, look how she put that in her bag ) and why the hell is you kid running around the plane in his underwear?
did your daughter also do that? I cant believe the flight crew didn't tell you to tell your kid to put some clothes on.
To top it off you video him in his boxers tugging on his willy. Do you not edit these B/4 you release them?
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I was waiting for the part where your wifes tablet comes flying into her face when she opens the overhead bin.
( seriously, look how she put that in her bag ) and why the hell is you kid running around the plane in his underwear?
did your daughter also do that? I cant believe the flight crew didn't tell you to tell your kid to put some clothes on.
To top it off you video him in his boxers tugging on his willy. Do you not edit these B/4 you release them?
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Zoe
Sorry to hear about the delays, I really hope the one experience did not ruin your perspective on the airline. With travel picking up again, employees are getting back in to the swing of things. They are also in the process of rehiring many employees, so they may be short staffed at many locations. Again, I hope you still had an amazing flight and I hope to see more Air Canada reviews from you soon! (You gotta fly their A220 if you have not already!
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Sorry to hear about the delays, I really hope the one experience did not ruin your perspective on the airline. With travel picking up again, employees are getting back in to the swing of things. They are also in the process of rehiring many employees, so they may be short staffed at many locations. Again, I hope you still had an amazing flight and I hope to see more Air Canada reviews from you soon! (You gotta fly their A220 if you have not already!
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Trains
1. That welcome while boarding is what we get on WizzAir, a budget airline in Central Europe. Thats not what I expect while boarding full service airlines business class, especially with an elderly looking gentleman who just arrived in a wheelchair. 2. The expected mask n bits with a signature from the chief medical whatever? Please. 3. Continue with the loo reviews, we like them! Happy landings!
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1. That welcome while boarding is what we get on WizzAir, a budget airline in Central Europe. Thats not what I expect while boarding full service airlines business class, especially with an elderly looking gentleman who just arrived in a wheelchair. 2. The expected mask n bits with a signature from the chief medical whatever? Please. 3. Continue with the loo reviews, we like them! Happy landings!
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SK
AC continues to offer the most consistent service in business class throughout the pandemic compared to USA legacy carriers. They serve proper hot meals on RJs 1 hour long while American will service nuts on a 4 hour flight. Completely agree with Noel that they could elevate their service by being uniquely Canadian. But its AC, highly unlikely theyd be innovative like that
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AC continues to offer the most consistent service in business class throughout the pandemic compared to USA legacy carriers. They serve proper hot meals on RJs 1 hour long while American will service nuts on a 4 hour flight. Completely agree with Noel that they could elevate their service by being uniquely Canadian. But its AC, highly unlikely theyd be innovative like that
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James
4 hour delay with no crew. I live in Canada and have to fly Air Canada all the time. Yeah. on behalf of Canadians, Air Canada sucks when things go wrong sorry, they are totally lost when it comes to fixing things. Just a standard airline, that's it that's all. Gets you from A to B. You summed it up pretty well it's fine / standard.
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4 hour delay with no crew. I live in Canada and have to fly Air Canada all the time. Yeah. on behalf of Canadians, Air Canada sucks when things go wrong sorry, they are totally lost when it comes to fixing things. Just a standard airline, that's it that's all. Gets you from A to B. You summed it up pretty well it's fine / standard.
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Kevin
That menu was HORRENDOUS! No choice of starter AND no choice of main 8f you're not a vegetarian. I would expect that in economy. No way am I paying air canada for business! AND THE BEEF AND MASHED POTATIES LOOK TERRIBLE! IVE HAD BETTER LOOKING FOOD IN MACDONALDS! And A lie flat bed that's not flat!
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That menu was HORRENDOUS! No choice of starter AND no choice of main 8f you're not a vegetarian. I would expect that in economy. No way am I paying air canada for business! AND THE BEEF AND MASHED POTATIES LOOK TERRIBLE! IVE HAD BETTER LOOKING FOOD IN MACDONALDS! And A lie flat bed that's not flat!
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travel
I don't understand what you mean when saying Air Canada Business Class is just standard. What do you expect? Cirque du Soleil on board? 99. 8% of your viewers will never step foot in the first class seats that offer wow factors like Emirates and others. Stay grounded.
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I don't understand what you mean when saying Air Canada Business Class is just standard. What do you expect? Cirque du Soleil on board? 99. 8% of your viewers will never step foot in the first class seats that offer wow factors like Emirates and others. Stay grounded.
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DRGH
I have flown Delta One twice and their product was nice. I am flying with AC next month. We bought tickets with them because they were significantly cheaper than Delta. I will miss that privacy door which Delta's business class has. I will update my experience
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I have flown Delta One twice and their product was nice. I am flying with AC next month. We bought tickets with them because they were significantly cheaper than Delta. I will miss that privacy door which Delta's business class has. I will update my experience
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Philip
As a Canadian from Vancouver, What would make the experience on Air Canada more Canadian or set them apart? Real Maple syrup on French Toast? A Tenderloin from Alberta? I think the largest improvement this airline could make is punctuality IMO
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As a Canadian from Vancouver, What would make the experience on Air Canada more Canadian or set them apart? Real Maple syrup on French Toast? A Tenderloin from Alberta? I think the largest improvement this airline could make is punctuality IMO
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TooTall
Why is your videos always so negative Noel? Remember that things has been shut down and starting to pick up and it will be challenges
I am not saying that AC is anything special but try to be positive. Not many get to go flying now a days
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Why is your videos always so negative Noel? Remember that things has been shut down and starting to pick up and it will be challenges
I am not saying that AC is anything special but try to be positive. Not many get to go flying now a days
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Shaquille
Growing up in a frugal family but now having worked hard enough to enjoy some of these things, it would have been so amazing to experience this as a child. Your kids are really lucky, though your son needs to work on his math skills.
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Growing up in a frugal family but now having worked hard enough to enjoy some of these things, it would have been so amazing to experience this as a child. Your kids are really lucky, though your son needs to work on his math skills.
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Charley
Just booked this flight, YYZ to DUB, on Air Canada business for later this year, and wanted to see what it would be like. Who did the review but Noel Philips. Flew business on AC a couple of years ago from Rome and really enjoyed it.
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Just booked this flight, YYZ to DUB, on Air Canada business for later this year, and wanted to see what it would be like. Who did the review but Noel Philips. Flew business on AC a couple of years ago from Rome and really enjoyed it.
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DDA
Ive havent flown Air Canada business class since at least 2014. I thought it was solid on flights between Canada and Mexico. More recently, I tried WestJets product and it was excellent; easily the best on flights in North America.
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Ive havent flown Air Canada business class since at least 2014. I thought it was solid on flights between Canada and Mexico. More recently, I tried WestJets product and it was excellent; easily the best on flights in North America.
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Denis
17: 10 My experience with AC on overseas flights was that the seat pitch in economy was better than most other airlines, but the planes tend to be pretty filthy. Domestically, AC isn't impressive: slow, unreliable and expensive.
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17: 10 My experience with AC on overseas flights was that the seat pitch in economy was better than most other airlines, but the planes tend to be pretty filthy. Domestically, AC isn't impressive: slow, unreliable and expensive.
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