Things That Are Bothering You, Got You All Hibbeldy-Jibbeldy, or just downright pissed, RIGHT NOW!

Yes - AC has of late done a rather serious turnaround the past couple of years. Things were hellish during the takeover of Canadian Airlines and it was quite mediocre during the rough transition. Like many other airlines, they teetered on the brink of bankruptcy for a year or so. Are now collecting "Awards" for service and meals etc. Much more relaxed and most of the tension of the past is now gone. They'd better maintain this to justify charging up to $12K for a return ticket Toronto-Paris or Tokyo.

The Lounge in the new Toronto Terminal is well designed too, with a private path for international passengers through the customs/security portal so one doesn't have to line up with the herd.

I only speak of this from the "front of the plane" however - have absolutely no idea what goes on behind the curtain although some folks have said its better there too. Probably one of the few remaining airlines that still provides a full meal service in all classes.

Originally Posted by c3cubed

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Probably one of the few remaining airlines that still serve full meal service in all classes.

Not unless you're on a transatlantic, or longer, flight.

Originally Posted by EL72

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Not unless you're on a transatlantic, or longer, flight.
IME, Air France does, also in steerage.

Emirates have a virtual "mini-suite" with a sliding privacy door in First Class and has a mini-bar fridge even (!) - not sure what config they have in business or if it's the same as Air Canada but I'll take your word for it. I know they're pushing the new look in print adverts and on their website now. It was quite a pleasant surprise.

The only complaints that come from the design is from the service staff, who cannot serve two passengers at once, rather, they must navigate two aisles to service a passenger that would normally have been seated beside you.

"Air Canada is doing this as well? I remember Emirates had a sort of spherical pod. Air Canada traditionally has been really bad in 1st and business. I'm surprised to hear they're better now."

Originally Posted by Lucky Strike

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IME, Air France does, also in steerage.
You are quite correct - even shorthaul 45 minute flights on the "puddlejumpers" - Air France has a light meal/snack service - unneccessary but a nice surprise, and very inexpensive - no wonder Europeans can bounce back and forth between countries for quick lunches and meetings every day of the week, and summarize with a pleasant apres ski Cognac by the fire [on the weekend in Gstaad] Vive L' Air France

Not fair from the view over here, but what else is new... One can buy a sublime 500 year old Chateau with a hundred bucolic acres a half hour outside of Paris for a couple million Euro and what does that get you here? Oh, perhaps a postage stamp sized lot and one bedroom "heritage home" bungalow on Lake Ontario.

Originally Posted by EL72

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Not unless you're on a transatlantic, or longer, flight.
Really? AC does not serve meals in economy during long haul (like Toronto to Vancouver) anymore? I'm not referring to "Jazz" or discount whatever - I mean the regular airline...

Air Canada's business-class product is improving, especially on their new 777 aircraft-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1237604/M/

Also Singapore Airlines' new A380 first class suites-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1282284/M/

JB

Originally Posted by JetBlast

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Air Canada's business-class product is improving, especially on their new 777 aircraft-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1237604/M/

Also Singapore Airlines' new A380 first class suites-
http://www.airliners.net/open.file/1282284/M/

JB
That cabin in the new Singapore is wow. Looks like something on the Orient Express. One could only enjoy it fully by doing a long flight though. You'd spend so much time playing with all the bells and whistles.
Does it come complete with private bath and shower?
C3

Originally Posted by c3cubed

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Really? AC does not serve meals in economy during long haul (like Toronto to Vancouver) anymore? I'm not referring to "Jazz" or discount whatever - I mean the regular airline...

If you pay the much higher Latitude fare (usually 3-4x the discounted Tango fares), you get a crappy sandwich or salad on flights longer than 2 hrs. So the answer is basically no. You also get to buy a blow up pillow and flimsy blanket for $2.

Air Canada did not emerge from bankruptcy and become profitable by magic. Milton has done a good job but he's turned it into a no-frills airline in the North American market. Things are a bit better on International flights where there is competition from bigger players rather than simply WestJet.

Some of the best meals and service I've had were on short 45 min. flights in Brazil from Rio to Sao Paulo. Full hot breakfasts, booze... the works! You didn't even have time to eat that the plane was landing. No wonder they went out of business...

Does it come complete with private bath and shower?

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No but Virgin Atlantic has said they may want to do this with their A380s. Doubt it will happen though.

JB

Originally Posted by EL72

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If you pay the much higher Latitude fare (usually 3-4x the discounted Tango fares), you get a crappy sandwich or salad on flights longer than 2 hrs. So the answer is basically no. You also get to buy a blow up pillow and flimsy blanket for $2.

Air Canada did not emerge from bankruptcy and become profitable by magic. Milton has done a good job but he's turned it into a no-frills airline in the North American market. Things are a bit better on International flights where there is competition from bigger players rather than simply WestJet.

Some of the best meals and service I've had were on short 45 min. flights in Brazil from Rio to Sao Paulo. Full hot breakfasts, booze... the works! You didn't even have time to eat that the plane was landing. No wonder they went out of business...
Mexicana seems to offer this type of service too in standard fare. (I think that's all there is) Hot towels too.

Originally Posted by JetBlast

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No but Virgin Atlantic has said they may want to do this with their A380s. Doubt it will happen though.

JB
I do recall a curious press release from Virgin/Branson going on about a Hot Tub and massage etc. Haven't heard any more about that.

I wouldn't imagine it would work out in the end, probably one of Branson's ideas that never comes to surface. Stuff like that takes up too much room on an airplane that could easily be made into seats for paying passengers.
Not to mention, how'd you like to be in a hot tub when you hit turbulence?

JB

Originally Posted by JetBlast

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I wouldn't imagine it would work out in the end, probably one of Branson's ideas that never comes to surface. Stuff like that takes up too much room on an airplane that could easily be made into seats for paying passengers.
Not to mention, how'd you like to be in a hot tub when you hit turbulence?

JB
Would love it during turbulence. Hope they'd have Japanese style basin drainage on the floor. About the only fun thing about flying is turbulence. It reminds me that there is actually a "surface" the craft is using to stay aloft, rather than a skinny tube filled with mortals 40,000 feet up in empty space with nothing holding it up.
Don't like flying without the requisite 3 or 4 pre-board Bombay Sapphire martinis.

Originally Posted by JetBlast

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Not to mention, how'd you like to be in a hot tub when you hit turbulence?

That depends, who's with me in the tub?