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Air Canada’s New Acqua di Parma Amenity Kit

by Gary Leff on December 3, 2022

Dec 03 2022

I’ve fallen in love with some first class amenity kits over time, from Singapore Airlines to Asiana to Thai Airways. Business class amenity kits are usually far more pedestrian, from the bags themselves to their contents. Still, there are sometimes kits which are quite fun. Before the pandemic, when Delta was more of a premium airline inflight, their last amenity kit was Tumi with a couple of Le Labo items inside.

Air Canada has introduced a new Acqua di Parma amenity kit, a thoughtful premium brand choice.

Aeroplan Reducing The Value Of 35K Elite Status

by Gary Leff on October 26, 2022

Oct 26 2022

Aeroplan is unique in offering a status level between 25,000 and 50,000 elite qualifying miles. Their 35,000 point level isn’t Star Alliance Gold, so doesn’t entitle the member to lounge access on partners. But it has come with access to Air Canada’s own lounges. That’s changing next year.

Cabin Crew Criticized For Photo Shoot On The Tarmac During Flight Delay

by Gary Leff on September 9, 2022

Sep 09 2022

During a three hour delay, Air Canada flight crew decided to have fun while leaving passengers waiting to fly. They did their own photo shoot on the tarmac. One flight attendant posed inside an engine while baggage handlers snapped photos.

This was controversial because flight crew had access to do something fun while passengers did not.

Bottle Of Water And A Napkin Served On 10 Hour Flight As Two “Vegan Meals”

by Gary Leff on August 23, 2022

Aug 23 2022

Air Canada has had a long, hot, miserable summer of flight cancellations, delays, and lost luggage – that puts the dreadful performance of U.S. airlines to shame. And even when their flights do take off, it’s no bed of roses, as one woman found out after being offered nothing to eat on a 10 hour flight except a bottle of water and a napkin.

Air Canada Illegally Flouting Customer Compensation Rules

by Gary Leff on August 8, 2022

Aug 08 2022

Air Canada was one of the worst actors of the pandemic. They took customer money for tickets, and then when they cancelled flights they kept the money.

So it should come as no surprise that the airline has a new trick up its sleeve. They’re flouting Canadian passenger compensation rules for cancelled flights by claiming that their lack of staffing which causes a cancellation is a safety issue.

Air Canada Making Changes To Award Chart September 1, 2022

by Gary Leff on July 28, 2022

Jul 28 2022

Air Canada’s new Aeroplan program eliminated fuel surcharges on award travel and introduced a region and distanced-based award chart.

Two years after the new program’s award pricing was announced they’re making several changes, in general reducing the price of partner short-distance awards between different regions of the world while increasing the price of the longest trips in premium cabins. These go into effect September 1.

Review: Air Canada Business Class, Vancouver – Sydney

by Gary Leff on June 26, 2022

Jun 26 2022

Air Canada offers an excellent if dated business class product and is very competitive between North America and Australia. Food lacks somewhat on the post-11 p.m. departure and service was somewhat indifferent but it was a good flight overall.

Review: Air Canada Signature Suite Vancouver [2022]

by Gary Leff on June 25, 2022

Jun 25 2022

What makes the Signature Suite special isn’t that it’s an exclusive space within the Air Canada lounge. What makes the lounge is the food – a nice buffet, sure, if you’re in a hurry but a menu to order from that’s a cut above other lounges with sit down dining.

The food here is better, for instance, than I’ve had in United Polaris lounges or Qantas First Class lounges (and the latter can be quite good). Signature Suite dining is curated by Canadian chef David Hawksworth.

Trip Report: Returning To Australia After Three Years, Part I: Austin – Vancouver

by Gary Leff on June 20, 2022

Jun 20 2022

This is the setup to a report on my just-completed Australia trip, with Air Canada business class awards on the outbound and United The trip started with Air Canada’s brand new Austin – Vancouver flight, followed by a stopover and then a visit to Air Canada’s Signature Suite – along with their Toronto lounge, the best business class dining in North America.

DOT Issues Largest Fine Ever Against Air Canada For Stealing Customer Money

by Gary Leff on November 22, 2021

Nov 22 2021

Air Canada was one of the worst offenders during the pandemic for keeping customers’ money even when they cancelled flights. This is clearly against U.S. law and Air Canada will pay the largest-ever consumer protection fine assessed by the Department of Transportation.