Air Canada 1176: YVR-YYZ

Ah, the dreamliner - my new favorite plane. This is my second time on Air Canada’s fantastic choice of aircraft and is really a window into the future of air travel. 

From the electrochromic windows to the widespread use of LED lights and to Air Canada’s choice of business class seats, they’ve really hit the hard product out of the part.

I’m on my way to Copenhagen connecting through Toronto. I am expecting this exact aircraft I fly to YYZ will eventually continue on its way to CPH where I will be sitting in the premium economy section. 

Today’s plane is tail C-GHPY, an almost brand new 787 which entered service a few months prior to my flight. Air Canada’s aircraft is configured in three classes, with business, premium economy, and economy.

In business class, Air Canada has launched a brand new seat which is like my favorite Cathay seat - reverse herringbone lie flat - a very private configuration of seat which I am looking forward to possible catching an hour or two of sleep as my prior nights relatively short nap was not sufficient. Travel always raises my anticipation the day before, and my adrenaline always makes it harder to sleep the night before a trip.

It’s clear Air Canada is proud of this plane. I overheard the senior purser talk  to a passenger on end of Air Canada’s plans for future 787-9 orders and how the seat will proliferate to the 777 albeit with less J seats as apparently these seats do take up more volume.. but it’s worth it. Although this is my second time in this seat, I’ve discovered new features.

One discovery is the comfort option for the seat softness. Holy crap, this was definitely a surprise and I am delighted as I can actually feel a difference.

My first time flying the seat, I had complaints that the seat did not actually lie flat. On this flight, I've discovered that the headrest was just extended and with a short wait, the headrest became flush with eh rest of the seat. 

Onto the food. I started with the usual scotch alongside my nuts. Usually it's sparkling water or scotch, but if you've read my posts, this should be well known to you.

The starter was a finely designed salad which required some deconstruction from it’s cucumber wrap. Once released, the super fresh greens alongside fennel, tomato and asparagus were reminiscent of quality one would see from a high end Italian restaurant or a expensive trendy organic grocery store. Balsamic vinegar and olive oil were served as the salad dressing in a mini condiment bottle.

The beef tenderloin itself was underwhelming. Slightly overcooked, dry and tough -  it's sustenance but not enjoyable. I would find on my following onward flight to Copenhagen, that the beef was much better even though I was flying a lower class. 

To finish in typical Air Canada fashion, gelato and a fresh baked cookie which I accidentally began consuming prior to taking a shot.

Menu shot - click for a large version. 

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.

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

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.

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.

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

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

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. 

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. 

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.

 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.

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. 

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.

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

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!