Air Canada

✅ Trip Verified | I usually don’t have to show a passport after security and they had apparently been saying it over the speaker to have it ready. I didn’t have it ready and she said “you should have been listening, will the next customer with a passport ready step up?” in the time she took to show horrible customer service, I had provided the passports and said “I couldn’t hear the speaker, it’s loud out here” she handed me my passport back and said “I’m not going to argue with you”. I took my passport mistakenly thinking I was done and began to walk onto the plane. She took off running and saying I hadn’t been checked yet and “what do you think you’re doing?! You can’t just walk on the plane!” Everyone thinks she was overreacting to try make a scene. Then after everyone is sitting we had to get off the airplane for mechanical issues.

Not Verified | Toronto to Hawaii. It's a very good airline to travel with. Excellent cabin staff. But the one thing they really have to improve on is their meals. There is no food or snacks, you have to purchase their food. That's crazy for a flight so long. I'm very disappointed.

✅ Trip Verified | Zurich to Toronto. This was the penultimate leg of a business class odyssey through Asia. It was the most impressive of six segments. Air Canada configures their 787 business class cabin 1-2-1, which is considerably more comfortable than United's 2-2-2. The downside to AC's arrangement is that you have to stretch and contort in order to see out the window. The flight was about 95% full, with the business class cabin at 100%. I have seldom, if ever, had a more attentive crew. Between meal services, there was always at least one attendant patroling the cabin eager to serve. The Thai chicken curry was excellent - and I had just spent four days in Bangkok. I hope Air Canada management reads these reviews, because they can be quite pleased with all aspects of this long-haul service.

❎ Not Verified | Calgary to Belize City via Toronto. I had a flight from hell. It started from Calgary when a storm hit which I can understand when flights are canceled it can’t be helped. But then I couldn’t get another flight cause there was no one working and thousands of people trying to rebook. Finally, at around 3 am I got someone after waiting in line for hours to rebook. But when I went to check in I was told there was no such flight or booking under that number. So then they wanted to send me to Toronto then El Salvador for the night, I wasn’t happy with that so they sent me to Miami then Belize. So instead of me getting to Belize on the 28th I finally got there on the 30th. Up until getting to Miami, I hadn’t slept for some 30+ hours. After finding a gentleman, the only one, with Air Canada he finally got me a room for the night. Now I’m on my way home and in Houston for a 12-hour layover before I board for Calgary.

✅ Trip Verified | Vancouver to Hong Kong. A trip riddled with personal hiccups, but Air Canada managed to make it feel better. I was running a little late for my flight and in the heat of it all, left one of my carry-ons at a security checkpoint for domestic departures. While I wasn’t able to get the item back the ground staff and cabin crew went above and beyond their fall of duty in helping me get it back. It didn’t work out in the end, but I appreciate the effort from contact numbers to the flight attendant that literally stepped off the plane to help me look. They really didn’t have to, but I am very thankful for their efforts. As for the premium economy cabin itself, it’s very small, comprising of 3 rows, totalling 24 seats. They’re significantly wider than economy seats and closely resemble the regional business class product. The seats were comfortable and I managed to catch 6 hours of sleep on a 14 hour flight, but they a cosmetic refresh may be due, with slightly warped armrests and scratched glossy plastic seatbacks negatively impacting the aesthetics. IFE was touchscreen and remote controlled, though the touchscreen functions were somewhat unwieldy compared to economy class TVs. Food was above average, with a premium (though not business class worthy) first meal with proper porcelain and metal cutlery, followed by what seemed to be a standard economy class meal (I believe Cathay Pacific also does the same thing). They also have a chicken pesto ciabatta as a snack prior to landing and that was good too, chicken was tender and well seasoned. I would also note that typical of a North American airline, Air Canada does offer good coffee (Lavazza) even in regular economy, so that’s a plus. Overall, Air Canada has drastically improved their long haul product over the years, while maintaining fairly reasonable fares for international flights. As a full service airline, flying to Hong Kong, their most comparable competitor for the route is Cathay Pacific, of whom I have referenced regularly. Given a choice between the two, I would pick Air Canada for value, and surprisingly, food as well- they’re generally much cheaper and there seems to be better attention to detail with regards to food and beverage. On the other hand Cathay is still able to offer more convenient time slots and premium economy in their flights includes 3 checked bags, though typically at a significantly higher price, so who you do fly with definitely depends on your needs, but Air Canada is definitely a viable option to get you there.

Not Verified | Vancouver to Toronto. This was my first domestic travel after coming to Canada. Was excited, so the overall journey round trip from Vancouver to Toronto was good. As I did not have any luggage, the process was faster. The ground staff and on air staff were friendly and helpful. Flown international as well with Air Canada till now not at all disappointed.

✅ Trip Verified | It was a typical Air Canada flight and expectations were set low, accordingly. Priority boarding was a mess. The flight had only a few people, and the extra seats were appreciated. Half-way through the flight, the entertainment system froze when I tried to look at the map. I could freeze the other two systems next to me by trying to look at the map. There were random announcements on the PA system of the results of some ongoing basketball game, which was the last thing I was interested in.

✅ Trip Verified | Toronto to Beijing. The food was horrible and flight crew were not helpful. My seat was not clean and bathroom I used was filthy. My flight was delayed and I was about to miss my connecting flight to Bangkok. My luggage was not sent to Thailand and I had to wait 2 days to receive my luggage. I paid 21 bucks for in flight internet connection but it didn't work.

✅ Trip Verified | Toronto to Munich. The flight was pretty decent. Clean cabin and washrooms, excellent crew. I could sleep well due to a decent amount of legroom. Only thing is the food could improve. The meal service is not that generous compared to other full service carriers. I ordered an Asian Vegetarian meal which is ideally Indian and they gave some Aloo gobi (an Indian dish of cooked potatoes and cauliflower) and rice, which is not really a good combination. On top of that it was with sweet potato make it taste even worse. The light snack service of a muffin was filling before landing. IFE was decent. It would be better if they could at least provide eye shades so that passengers can at least sleep well. They keep the cabin lights on for a very long time.

✅ Trip Verified | Worst experience with airline ever: spent extra on business to get some sleep on Dreamliner red eye flight. They replaced Dreamliner with A321 with poor “business class”, uncomfortable seats. To top it all, aircraft has a problem and we most likely will miss connection! Just recalled a few years ago, my Air Canada flight from Toronto to Frankfurt returned back from almost Mid-Atlantic to Halifax due to an issue with the aircraft. Never again Air Canada.