Airport / Check-in:
What a nightmare. They have only one terminal, and it is confusing as to where to check-in (AC canada flights, AC US flights and AC international flights all from different areas). You have to figure out what the flags and globes mean as to where to check-in. There was a huge mass of people at the international check-in area, and no obvious way to get to the Executive First check-in desks. In the end when I asked, I was simply told to push past all the economy passengers, open the barrier and let myself through! Check-in staff not very friendly, although efficient. They have a 'priority security lane', but the staff seem to let some people use it and not others!
Maple Leaf Lounge:
Yet again not as good as clubhouse. Fairly quiet when we got there, but still not many seats left. Large windows run along one side allowing good views of the apron and runway. The food available was snacks and some serve-yourself pasta and cheese/meat sauce. Plenty of drinks available to help yourself to. The main problem is that there are 3 European AC/star alliance flights leaving within 20 minutes of each other, and therefore it got very busy.
Boarding:
We left a little early from the lounge, as my mum takes a little longer to walk there. Arrived and there was another mess going on, with upgrading some people to Exec First, and those not being upgraded not very happy!! There was one side for Exec First to board and another for economy (along a single jetty). They hadn't called boarding but a man in a suit arrived, looked at my mum and I, and said to someone that there was priority boarding for Exec First and after very loudly saying that we weren't obviously travelling Exec First, pushed passed us to board. I was not amused!!!
The Seats:
Old style US business seats - 2x2x2. Very good leg-room, and fairly comfy. The good thing is that they are nice if you are travelling with someone - much easier to talk to them than in a suite. They were looking a little grubby, although I suppose the planes will soon be retired or re-fitted.
Service / The crew:
Again very efficient serving pre-flight drinks, menus and taking dinner orders. Older than VS again but helpful (including taking photos of us - had to find the glasses first though!).
Food / Drinks:
There was a cold express supper tray (chilled balsamic chicken, pesto pasta salad and mixed veggies) - looked pretty good. I decided that as there was no snooze zone that I might as well order from the main menu. After the cold suppers had been served, they did the main drinks round. The CC apologised for the 'bubbles' served pre-departure and said that they now had some proper champagne! The dinner consisted of:
Appetizers:
Smoked salmon in vodka, red onion, capers, dill cream cheese and salda in a cucumber roll*
Tomato and mozzarella cheese with oil and basil
Main courses:
Grilled tenderloin with chipotle butter, onion rings, green beans and portebllo basil mash*
Sole, shrimp and scallop with saffron sauce, rice and veggies
Penne pasta with marinara sauce, spinach, roasted veggies and mozzarella cheese
Gourment cheese (Served on the tray that came with the appertizer)
Ice cream or fresh fruit
Breakfast:
Juices, fresh fruit, yoghurt and warmed pastries
Overall not too bad, although I think I made the wrong choice with the main course as the fish option looked really good. I missed the cheese and dessert, opting for some sleep instead (and the breakfast).
Sleep:
The seat is a recline to about 160 degrees, so not lie flat (although 5A on our flight seemed to be a lie-flat seat). Fairly comfy and I managed to get some sleep, although the flight was only 5 hrs 35 minutes! No sleep suit unfortunately (VS wins on this one!)
Arrival Lounge:
AC have an arrivals lounge outside T3 at LHR near the shuttle bus pick-up zone. Nothing to look at from outside, although inside there are plenty of seats and about 8-10 showers. Really quiet here and managed to get a shower straigh away. Showers were very good, with nice range of toiletries and stuff to use. There was plenty of self-service breakfast items, including chilled opened bottles of champagne (if only I didn't have to go to work!)
Overall impression:
The main let-downs on this flight was the terminal in Montreal (I suspect that Toronto would have been better) and the fact that the seat isn't a lie-flat bed. However, again the meals were very good with substantial portions and the crew very friendly, efficient and very attentive during the flight.
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