Hey guys, welcome back to another flight review. Thank you all so much for the support I've received so far, and writing here has genuinely become one life's highlights. I'm going to try shifting my writing style just a little, and share some more of my thoughts and opinions in the moment. It can become challenging since most of my reviews here took place in the past, but going through older pictures can somewhat help remember how I felt at the time. I have enjoyed sharing opinions on everything in previous reviews, but I'm going to try expanding on that a bit more. I try to do the most in every review, especially in my previous Qatar one where I predominantely shared experiences with the crew. Hopefully this can help if anyone is considering taking some of these products, and thank you all once again for continuing to show support!
Today we're taking Canada's busiest route, between Toronto (YYZ) and Vancouver (YVR). As of searching today, I just counted 33 daily flights in between the cities, with a few flying from Hamilton airport. Planes range from Embraer 195s to 787-9's, which is our plane today. I thought it would be interesting to shed a light on AC's domestic widebody product, considering the recent strikes and bad press they've received.
I just landed on this beautiful CRJ900 from St. Louis, which I've done a previous report on. Isn't it always a joy to walk down onto the tarmac and take snaps of planes from here?
Luckily for me, I didn't need to change terminals. I did have to go through Canadian immigration which is always quick. I took some time to store hop, checking out some hocket merch. Any hockey fans out there? Growing up as a young kid in Canada, it's always been one of my top sports. I also feel it's by far the sport with the largest contrast in fan experience watching live vs on TV. I would really recommend it.
Also some basketball merch, which isn't my favorite:(
I headed back up the escalator to where non-transfer passengers pass through security to the Maple Leaf Lounge. Although the exterior entrance area looked quite sleep, but oh my word it was absolutely packed to the brink. Not only were there no empty seats, people were being turned away.I usually enjoy hanging out at some of Pearson's gates, of which I can always find one or two which is completely abandoned.
At YYZ, AC also offers something called the Air Canada Cafe. Unfortunately, since this was a domestic business flight, no access to the AC signature suite which I've seen some solid reviews on. To add onto that misfortune, the receptionist informed me "the lounge is really packed" as soon as I arrived. She did recommend I could grab some packaged goods on the way. She was right on. This area is honestly far too small, with really only around 20-30 seats in a compacked space. This was, however, an extremely impressive food and drink display, and the colors really helped emphasize that. Despite really only having cold (and rather cheap) food options, this did make for quite a stunning shot.
I ended up snatching a diet coke, a mozzarella and cherry tomato salad, and a cold chicken wrap before heading out to the gate. The food was actually better than expected, props to AC for adding lots and lots of sauce to their otherwise boring wraps.
I also headed to relay and picked up this AC plane plushie, one to add to the collection.
I took this exact route twice within the span of a month or so, this was the one where I snapped more pictures. But I was quite scared that the same boarding experience from my last trip was going to occur today. Around a month ago, we were delayed by nearly 2 hours since our plane never showed up, and they had to change crew and had to halt operations until they arrived at the airport… Luckily, no problems for us today!
We were scheduled to leave at 19:50, and considering how the poor reviews AC has received with timing, we actually ended up taking off a few minutes before schedule.
Here was our bird for tonight taking us back to the west coast, in AC's older mint livery. I personally like AC's newer, fresher livery, but something about the older mint green color that's hard to beat. As expected, this flight was extremely packed, all the business seats ended up being occupied and it didn't seem many spaces were free in the other cabins.
The first look at our seat, in the second to last row. All of AC's widebody fleet feature the same hard product. Looking back, the seat looked really fresh and solid for a 4 hour flight, and probably was perfect for longer transatlantic routes. Despite seeming quite open, there was actually a good bit of privacy facing away from the aisle. When sitting back, you also couldn't see anyone else with the extended partition. There was amlpe storage space in the bin where the charging ports and IFE controller was stored. To my surprise, AC provides bedding for this 4 hour flight, along with a large pillow. The headphones were actually decent, did a good job of noise cancelling. Overall, very very impressed for the amenities on offer. I have never flown AC on a long-haul transatlantic journey, but after seeing this I wouldn't mind giving it a shot.
The uniformity of the cabin looking from behind was also quite nice. The IFE screens were a great size and had a wide variety of TV shows and movies. Not quite as extensive as that of United, but definitely comparable to North American carriers. I also really like CA's IFE screen displaying views of your destination. Vancouver being where I spent a few years as a child and a place I always return to, always awesome going back to my second home.
Menu cards were then offered. I swear that at least 70% of business class flights that offer a full meal go with either a smoked salmon or some sort of raw tuna as the appetizer. Not complaining, but just interesting. I guess it's the easiest to prepare. Plus points to AC for offering four different main course options for a rather short flight. I do recall, however, that the chicken option was out.
There was also quite an extensive drink list, and points for having a strong snack basket selection throughout the flight. Unfortunately, I didn't get to try and of the snacks as I ended up having a bit too much fun trying multiple alcohols :P.
Pretty cool how they also feature pictures of the chefs they collaborate with, although it seemed only one of them made it onto the menu with a signature dish!
Boarding was surprisingly efficient, which seems to be out of the ordinary for AC. It must have been difficult with such a full flight, but props to them for working it out. Around taxiing time, there was a strange odor coming from behind, and a few passengers around me seemed to notice as I heard some chit chat. I honestly think it may have been coming from the gentleman sititng behind me. I promise I'm not trying to sound mean, but the smell radiated across a few rows and people could feel it. Things did get better after take off when the smell of food and drink took over, but it wasn't the most pleasant of pre-departure experiences.
We took off at 19:49, eleven minutes ahead of schedule, for our 4 hour and 56 minute ride over to Vancouver.
Service began soon after, and started off with drinks. A trolley was pushed through the galley and orders were being taken. I definitely did not intend to pass out two hours into the flight, but honestly the bedding and massive pillow were calling out for me to try them out:). I went with a glass of whisky, and a vodka and OJ. My buddy insists the latter is his favorite dirnk out there, but honestly I wasn't the biggest fan! Whisky is always good though. I also asked for a glass of water and a ginger ale, thank you to the crew for not judging my 4 drink overindulgement.
The appetizer, salad, and bread roll were served along side drinks. I've always felt AC's bread roll trumps many others, again here it shined with its softness and warmness, fresh out of the oven. The salmon and salad were nothing too special, very standard for a domestic business class. I do hope we can diversify, I've seen AC serve the same appetizer on their transactlantic routes too. Although there's nothing wrong with smoked salmon, nor was the flavor poor, but it would been interesting to change things up once in a while. I think of the few times I've flown AC domestic business, its always either salmon or tuna.
Since I don't plan on making a second separate review on the other time I flew this route, I've attached a picture of the other raw fish themed appetizer.
To be completely honest I think I was 70% drunk at this point. Props to the server for adding far more vodka than OJ in my drink, but I recalled being slightly woozy when my main was served. I'm not sure if it's the influence of alcohol, probably not, but this was a great dinner. The shrimp was cooked perfectly and the sauce was amazing. I ended up dipping my bread roll in this sauce to enhance its flavor, and I finished every last crumb off my plate.
Finally, a dessert tray was being pushed around and I went for the savory cheese option. I've never really been able to differentiate really good cheese from average cheese, since I really love all cheeses (other than blue cheese) and they all taste great to me. So perhaps I'm not the best judge when it comes to cheese plate quality. That said, I did enjoy this. The apricot and grapes were also quite fresh, and a second pack of cookies were provided upon request. All in all, a pretty solid meal experience.
There was also wifi availale on the flight for purchase. I can't recall the pricing but I do remember the speed being very quick. My apologies as I ended up passing out sitting up, and might have only reclined my seat with an hour or so to go. The crew were very friendly and helpful during service, but seemed to disappear for the remainder of the flight. Most of the business cabin were asleep after dinner so I guess you can't really fault them for taking it easy.
Before long, we began our descent into Vancouver. We landed at 21:45, 15 minutes ahead of schedule. Managed to snap one last shot of our bird after deplaning. There was also an AC in their newer livery parked at the adjacent gate, which livery do you prefer?
Walking into YVR is one of the best feelings in life, and I couldn't wait to get home.
