You Trip Report

	DATE	FLIGHT NUMBER	SEAT	AIRCRAFT
23 Mar 24	AC 8841	26B	CRJ-900
CLASS	VIEWS	LANGUAGE	AUTHOR
Economy	1290	English	jetsetpanda

Prologue:

Hello and welcome to this report to Vancouver.

This year I found myself traveling a lot to/through Canada and I had the opportunity to sample several Canadian carriers including AC, PD and WS.

This trip was planned along with Vendredi13 and originally we were planning to fly via SEA and take the bus to YVR since the fares were very expensive flying directly from SFO-YVR. As it turned out UA discounted some fares at the last minute and i was able to cancel our tickets to SEA and use the credit to rebook a new SFO-YVR.

So join me as we embark on this Canadian adventure aboard AC (operated by Jazz). By the way, I was granted AC 25K Elite status but these benefits couldn't really be applied on this flight because it was booked as a UA ticket codeshared by AC so it was treated as a UA flight. AC kept referring me back to UA and UA had no idea how to apply upgrades and told me to deal with AC. So much for smooth alliance and at the end I just let the case rest since I felt like a ping pong ball going back and forth. .

The only issue was that the only flight available was an early one but beggars can't be choosy so we woke up early. The convenience of a nonstop and early arrival can not be overlooked.

Early morning at the AC counter. Thankfully I had the boarding passes online.

Our plane at a distance.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge @ SFO. This lounge is fairly new and much better than UA Clubs. It's the best kept secret at Terminal 3.

*A Gold members have access to this lounge when flying UA or any partner carrier. The only negative is that you must arrive no more than 3 hrs before your flight otherwise they will not let you in earlier.

At this time there is plenty of seating to choose from.

The well stocked bar.

Buffet.

WC

Nice toiletries.

We left the comfort of the lounge and made our way to the gate.

Cabin aboard the CRJ 900. There were 2 flight attendants and one of them greeted us as we boarded. The other crew was French speaking and was stationed in the back of the plane.

Surprised to see IFE on this type of plane.

Pocket literature.

After take off - photo credit to Oauf. ;)

AC only offers complimentary beverages in the back. I have never seen them give any snacks. I bought a cheese plate.

Pretty decent B.O.B.

WC.

Arriving in YVR.

Our plane at the gate.

Impressive arrival hall leading to Immigration & Baggage Claim. Every time I come to YVR I love being greeted this way into Canada.

Sheraton Wall Centre

Comfortable and very nice property in the middle of downtown. Reception was top.

Check in desk. Thanks to my status we were given an early check in at around 10A instead of 3p.

Room.

Spacious and comfortable.

Views from the room.

Hotel exterior at night.

========== San Francisco Intl Arpt (SFO) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 9/10

Access and parking: 10/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

========== Air Canada - Airline ==========

Cabine comfort: 9/10

Crew: 10/10

Entertainment: /10

On-time performance: 10/10

Appetizer: 0/10

Starter: 0/10

Main Meal: 0/10

Main Meal-2: 0/10

Cheese: 0/10

Desserts: 0/10

Alcohols: 0/10

Mid-flight snack: 0/10

Breakfast or light meal before arrival: 0/10

========== Vancouver Intl Arpt (YVR) - ==========

Security/Immigration efficiency: 10/10

Access and parking: 9/10

Services and activities: 9/10

General cleanliness: 10/10

Summary:

AC is a decent carrier with good service overall. Offering some type of free snack along with beverages would be a nice improvement. Additionally the synchronization of benefits between 2 founding members of the alliance would go a long way to make things smoother for frequent flyers in both programs. I wanted to ask about upgrades on this segment and neither UA nor AC were able to assist referring me back to the other.

Service aboard by the 2 crew members was very good and proactive. They were friendly and soliciting which always leave a positive impression.

13 Comments

saraoutou — Jun 03,2024

Thanks Panda, it's been a while since I read you!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 03,2024

Salut Jérôme. Lazarus is my second name. :P Thanks for visiting.
Vendredi13 — Jun 08,2024

Woof Adan !

Excellent !
"Beggars can't be choosy" Loool ! I almost fell down^^
This report is a beautiful souvenir. i take so much pleasure reading it !
This early flight was, in the end, an excellent choice : the lounge was quiet, on board these Fas were exceptional, the light of this rising day during the take off was interesting and, thanks to your Sheraton status, we had our bedrooms at 10am. Just in time for a big beautiful rest !

It was pure happiness JetSet'. We have to do it again !!

Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 16,2024

Oauf!

It was all worth it and it was meant to happen that way. ;)
Casper — Jun 14,2024

Thanks Amigo,
3h is the new "thing" :/
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 16,2024

Change is the only constant in life and eventually we adapt. Gracias por la visita amigo.
Thomas — Jun 16,2024

I find the lounge to be better than UA for *G :)

Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 16,2024

For sure. Why would anyone settle for UA Club after experiencing the AC MLL? I'm afraid that when AS moves its operations to T1 and UA assigns more flights to T2 people will be crowding this lounge. Good things don't tend to last long.
Capoune — Jun 23,2024

Hi Adan!

Not bad ay all for this flight and with Bob you can have something better to eat than just nuts to little sandwiches.
The lounge looks nice.

Thank you for sharing with us!!
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 25,2024

Hi Seb,

AC does a good job when it comes to BOB unlike other airlines that tend to run out.

The MLL is the highlight here.
Bibopaul — Jun 25,2024

Glad to read you again^^
Reply

jetsetpanda — Jun 25,2024

Thanks Paul.

jetsetpanda — Jun 25,2024

Thanks Paul.

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