This is my first flight report so please provide some feedback in the comments section. After two years living in Toronto, Canada on a working visa the time had come for me to return home to Australia. Instead of taking the usual route via Vancouver then onto Australia with AC, or through the US with AA and QF via LAX, I decided to go the opposite way round. My open jaw ticket was with Singapore Airlines and would see me fly: AC848 from YYZ to LHR; SQ319 LHR to SIN; and finally SQ227 SIN to MEL.
This flight report is for the first sector on AC848, or as it was ticketed to me, codeshare flight SQ1027. Please stay tuned for the following two reports.
I arrived at Toronto Pearson International Airport with plenty of time to spare and proceeded right to check-in where I used the self service machine to print my boarding pass and baggage tags.
One of the benefits of my open jaw flight with SQ was that I was permitted two pieces of baggage each weighing 23kg. This is SQ's baggage rule for flights from North America and as my flight commenced here this fare rule carried over to my subsequent sectors despite standing baggage rules differing. I think my fare type was a little unusual, as when I took my two bags to the drop off counter the agent added two priority tags. I do not hold any type of status.
After a hassle free check-in I proceeded through security. The airport was very busy with families, most of which I imagined were heading to Europe for a summer vacation. I had some time to stroll around air side and take in the terminal.
A sculpture in the centre of the terminal.
There was free use of iPads on tables throughout. You could order food and drinks from the nearby cafes/restaurants.
A little bit of plane spotting. There actually were't a lot of planes about.
I had a feeling my flight would be full and when I swung by the gate people were already lined up. They were blocking any one else from passing by which was, I suspect, particularly annoying for those at the accompanying gate that had a flight to Mexico City.
Our gate agent continually came over the PA, before boarding had even commenced, to tell people to stop queuing and that no one would be getting there any faster. When boarding did commence, it followed the usual protocols.
Here's my Boeing 777-300ER for the flight to London.
Boarding AC848.
My seat for the next five or so hours 62A. These seats are AC's older B777 seating and as such are rather roomy unlike the new 3-4-3 configuration on the new B777s. I was in the second last row where due to the nature of the curvature of the plane the seating is 2-3-2 (not 3-3-3). I'd chosen this seat as I don't mind being up the back and being able to see that's going on in the cabin and also because secretly I'd hoped no one would sit next to me. This was not the case.
(At this point my iPhone accidentally switched to some filter, so excuse the filter.)
On the seat there was a pillow and blanket of rather poor quality, but I guess we're in economy.
The PTV was showing its age in both size and technology. It was touch operated, but lagged a lot. Overall the aircraft was a bit dirty and tatty. I noticed later that there was chewing gum stuck behind the headrest diagonal to me.
Take off was at at 9.05pm. Here are a few photos from the tarmac and take off.
Bye Toronto!
Map tracker ready to go.
Service began immediately with the distribution of headphones. This was followed by dinner service. No menus were distributed with the FA informing each row of the available two choices: chicken or tomato pasta. I went for the chicken which was served with a gravy of sorts, and vegetables mixed with pearl couscous. This was accompanied by a warm bread roll with butter, a bean and cabbage salad, a chocolate brownie and a bottle of water. I also went for some white wine. The food wasn't bad as such, but it was nothing special and I still felt hungry at the end. The serving sized weren't the biggest and notably there was no cheese and crackers (or the like). The brownie was dry and really not enjoyable, however I did like my hot roll!
After dinner I watched a movie and settled in for a short sleep. When I woke the cabin lights were in full mood lighting effect. I really do enjoy this feature on planes, it really makes for a much more relaxing mood than the bright intrusive fluro lights.
It was a few hours out from landing and breakfast service began. I say breakfast because all it consisted of was a slice of packaged banana bread. I wasn't particularly hungry, but it would have been nice to have something like fruit or yogurt to accompany this stodgy item.
Landing was on time and we pulled up to the brand new Terminal 2 at London Heathrow. As this was still during the introductory phase of T2, there were few airlines using the terminal. This meant an easy breeze through immigration. It was also nice to find my bags among the first out on the carousel with those priority tags.
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Verdict
Air Canada
6.9/10
Cabin7.5
Cabin crew8.0
Entertainment/wifi6.0
Meal/catering6.0
Toronto - YYZ
6.6/10
Efficiency5.0
Access7.0
Services7.0
Cleanliness7.5
London - LHR
9.2/10
Efficiency10.0
Access9.0
Services9.0
Cleanliness9.0
Conclusion
Overall AC848 was an okay flight, just that. The flight arrived on time, the crew were friendly and efficient and catering was passable. Cabin comfort was rated high as I found the seating spacious and comfortable, however wear and tear is beginning to show. In terms of IFE, AC's system lags a lot when in use and lacks a wide selection of material. I've flown AC in the past and will continue to rate them the best North American airline, even if they do lack a five-star service.
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Thank you for sharing this report and welcome on board.
In my opinion Air Canada's blue Y seats are among the best in the market with generous pitch and width, so sad they decided to resort to cattle seats on their new planes.
You chose quite the long way around to get home! Of course as a flight enthusiast who could blame you!
Thanks for your comments! The seating was VERY comfortable. Dare I say the saving grace for AC's long haul flights for so many years. I remember back in 2007 when I first flew to Canada on AC when these aircraft and seating were new to the company, they really were a step up for AC. Sadly now they've resorted to packing them in cattle seats as you say.
The long way around was not so long when I had the pleasure of exploring London, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Singapore. ;)
Great first report! Very detailed. You can barely tell there's a filter on the pics in the cabin...not too instagram-y, LOL. Very routing to go through LHR and SIN...definitely more interesting then connecting in YVR, LAX, or DFW etc. Are you doing stopovers in those cities on the way? looking forward to the next reports!
Thank you for sharing your experience and welcome.
You got an interesting itinerary and I am sure that your inflight experience will likely improve after this flight.
The breakfast on AC is pathetic and the main meal is not better. Just when I thought that nobody could compete with U.S. carriers in their race to the bottom I am surprised by a new entrant competing for the title.
Thanks for this report and welcome. That's a quite a detour but you get the chance to fly SQ. Seats are comfortable and the 3-3-3 layouts is a really + but the catering ...
PS : I lived a few months in Toronto last year and really enjoyed the city :)
The 2-3-2 layout at the back of the plane is a great idea to have some privacy, but IMHO I'd prefer an aisle seat at the front so that I can get out of the plane faster and directly go through immigration before the others get there.
Yepppp, what a joke... banana bread. Thanks, no thanks!
I prefer the window as I like to watch out the window and I hate people climbing over me. I also don't care about being up the back. I was in no rush to get anywhere and just want to enjoy my flight experiences as much as possible. I also find that on the off chance when you're up the back, that's where all the spare seats are found.
Each to their own, I guess. Thanks for reading! :)
Nice report and pictures. I don't think the meal is too small considering it is only a 6 hour flight and your in economy. I don't think people fly to get fed, unless you are in first.
Nice report and pictures. I don't think the meal is too small considering it is only a 6 hour flight and you're in economy. I don't think people fly to get fed, unless you are in first.
Each component is not necessarily small for the main meal. However, if you contextualise it next to another airline, certain elements are not even included for the meal (for an example cheese and crackers). This in effect makes the meal small in my mind.
In regards to the breakfast, I would not expect another full hot meal, however one slice of banana bread is little compared to other transatlantic services. Most include a baked good and a yogurt at the very least.
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18 Comments
In my opinion Air Canada's blue Y seats are among the best in the market with generous pitch and width, so sad they decided to resort to cattle seats on their new planes.
You chose quite the long way around to get home! Of course as a flight enthusiast who could blame you!
Looking forward to the next sectors :)
The long way around was not so long when I had the pleasure of exploring London, Florence, Rome, Barcelona and Singapore. ;)
The catering does not impress me at all, as you said tiny portions, and no cheese nor crackers. Not good.
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Indeed, an interesting routing! One that mean I could stop over in Europe, and Singapore and all the while enjoy SQ.
Stay tuned for the following two FR.
You got an interesting itinerary and I am sure that your inflight experience will likely improve after this flight.
The breakfast on AC is pathetic and the main meal is not better. Just when I thought that nobody could compete with U.S. carriers in their race to the bottom I am surprised by a new entrant competing for the title.
That's a quite a detour but you get the chance to fly SQ.
Seats are comfortable and the 3-3-3 layouts is a really + but the catering ...
PS : I lived a few months in Toronto last year and really enjoyed the city :)
I also loved TO, such a great city. So sad to say goodbye. :(
The 2-3-2 layout at the back of the plane is a great idea to have some privacy, but IMHO I'd prefer an aisle seat at the front so that I can get out of the plane faster and directly go through immigration before the others get there.
The banana cake is a joke!
I prefer the window as I like to watch out the window and I hate people climbing over me. I also don't care about being up the back. I was in no rush to get anywhere and just want to enjoy my flight experiences as much as possible. I also find that on the off chance when you're up the back, that's where all the spare seats are found.
Each to their own, I guess. Thanks for reading! :)
Very detailed report
The seat seems to be comfy
The catering doesn't look appealing at all and the portions are way too tiny
The breakfast is only pathetic
See you soon with a much better company
Having 2 free pieces of luggages sure is a plus when moving back home.
Usual standard and average service here on AC, the friendly crew helps, but I agree with you the meal portions are really small.
In regards to the breakfast, I would not expect another full hot meal, however one slice of banana bread is little compared to other transatlantic services. Most include a baked good and a yogurt at the very least.
Thanks for your comments.
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