Monday 29 June 2015

Air Canada 4: NRT-YVR

My first 787 flight.

I've waited a very long time for this, and I was very excited to know I would return to North America to the most sought after plane currently in the skies, Boeing's 787 'dreamliner'.

Today's flight from Tokyo's Narita airport to Vancouver will be aboard C-GHPX, but before we get into the details of the flight, and since we're in Tokyo, a flight out of Narita is incomplete without a visit to the Last Chance sushi bar.

Some pictures of the ōtoro and Uni sushi I enjoyed before the flight.

Otoro sushi at last chance sushi in narita airport tokyo japan

Uni sushi at last chance sushi in narita airport tokyo japan


C-GHPX was only visible after the gate check during boarding.

C-GHPX, a Air Canada 787 dreamliner parked at narita aiport tokyo japan

And once on board, five rows of lie-flat seats filled the business class cabin which I found to be a  relatively small business class cabin.

Inside the business class cabin of C-GHPX, a Air Canada 787 dreamliner

Just in case one can't read the seat number above, each entertainment screen listed the seat number. Below, I enjoyed my pre-flight champagne while waiting for boarding of the aircraft to finish.

Champagne and the in flight entertainment system of the air canada 787 dreamliner

The cabin's menu was available on-screen, but paper menu shots are provided below!

The inflight menu in the business class cabin of air canada's 787 dreamliner at narita airport


 It wasn't long that we were in the air heading east-ward thanks to Japanese efficiency.

The raked wingtip of C-GHPX, air canada's 787 dreamliner from the business class cabin

Menu shots for your perusal - click to enlarge. A decent food and liquor selection on board. Air Canada has been having issues with their Espresso machines so cappuccinos and the like were unavailable on board. 

Air canada 787 dreamliner business class menu from japan to vancouverAir canada 787 dreamliner business class menu from japan to vancouver


Air canada 787 dreamliner business class menu from japan to vancouverAir canada 787 dreamliner business class menu from japan to vancouver


Air canada 787 dreamliner business class menu from japan to vancouver

To start, nuts and scotch of course! I always get my blanket out before the main meal as it's easier to pass out once the meal service is over and I'm cocooned as well as liquored. 

Warm nuts and scotch aboard air canada's dreamliner from Tokyo to Vancouver in business class

The starter was smoked salmon topped with fennel, dill and salmon caviar. Not a fan of fish eggs, but the started was most fresh and delicious. Not a fan of the mayonnaise like dressing on the right and left side of the dish.  


Tray shot overview with the Appetizer, starter salad, wine, and bread.

Business class meal tray with appetizer on Air Canada's 787 dreamliner


 The starter salad was fresh and greens were crisp. There's really only so many ways one can describe a salad so I apologize for the unenthusiastic tone.

Business class main lab dish on Air Canada's 787 dreamliner

The main was FANTASTIC! The lamb loin was oh so tender and the said was the perfect compliment to the sautéed potatoes and beans. Air Canada really knocked it out of the park on this dish. I was so torn between the Japanese meal and the lamb, but it's not often one finds Lamb on the Menu, and I had to indulge.


After the excellent Lamb, I finished with a cheese plate. I heard the senior purser remark than not enough cheese was loaded onto the flight. It did not deter me from making sure I tried one of everything. 

Business class cheese plate on Air Canada's 787 dreamliner


Breakfast was another eye-appetizing meal. I went for the omelette as usual. I say eye-appetizing meal as breakfasts are never better than the dinner.

Business class breakfast omelette on Air Canada's 787 dreamliner

Breakfast tray shot with the fruit, yogurt, and yummy crispy croissant. 

Business class breakfast tray on Air Canada's 787 dreamliner

Vancouver Island was view upon descent into Vancouver ending a fantastic first flight on Air Canada and their excellent 787 service. If this is the level of service their aiming for, then I'm happy to continue flying with them!

Western vancouver island from air canada's 787 dreamliner








Sunday 28 June 2015

United Airlines 378: YVR-SFO

My first inflight hamburger!

UA378 from Vancouver to San Francisco, just under 2 hours aboard a plane jane, A320-200. No menu provided on this flight as seems normal for a mainline UA flight in a narrow body plane. 


After takeoff, nuts were served alongside my usual sparkling water. I will have to say the water service on the flight was excellent, my water glass never went empty for long. I wouldn’t be surprised if my seat mate and I went through their stock of sparkling water. No complaints. 


The other meal choice was a grilled chicken, which would have been the nice healthy options - oh well. 


The tray looked pretty damn good, that is until I realized my burger was fully stuck to the plate! After some attempted non-invasive surgery with my knife and fork, I was able to free the burger with minimal damage from the plate and begin to eat it. Overall, greasy, definitely not good for my health but still delicious and made better when halfway through the burger, I realized there was onion and lettuce that I could add to the toppings. That soft pretzel bun tunneled my vision to the central plate and only until the burger was gone, did my peripheral vision return. 



On the side of the plate was a country potato salad and to finish a nice warm, freshly baked, chocolate chip cookie.