Introduction

Today I get to sample two premieres. First, this will be my first trip on Air France’s A 350-900. And second, as this is an aircraft that was originally intended for Joon, I will get to try the Business Class seat installed on these aircraft, which is different to the regular seat in Air France’s Business Class cabin. Finally! I was starting to think it was never going to ha…

Okay, scratch that. Originally, I was booked to return to London via Paris with Air France. I would have gotten to sample their A 350-900 in the original Joon configuration. The day of my departure, though, I wake up to find several mails from Air France in my inbox and a few messages marked in red in the app. Apparently, the inbound from Paris is running late by 95 minutes. Therefore, hence the messages, Air France has rebooked me onto the direct flight from Vancouver with Air Canada.

Given how much I was looking forward to finally getting to sample the stupendous Air France A 350, which has evaded me for so long, I should be disappointed. Instead though, I really am just full of admiration for Air France and their stellar irregularity handling. I mean, without any hassle or drama they quietly rebooked me onto the best option to get me to Heathrow on time. And that is impressive! Sure, the nice food and the comfortable seat are all factors to consider in your preferred choice of airline. However, as far as I’m concerned, the bottom line is how I am treated as a passengers when things don’t go so smoothly. And here Air France really shines, leaving the competition in the dust. Let’s face it, when Lufthansa cancelled my return from Bogotà in First Class last March because of industrial action, they graciously refunded me the halfreturn (after I had to call them three times) and then basically left me to my own devices to find an alternative option to get home. Not cool!

Getting to the Airport

The flight to Heathrow won’t be departing until 16h50. However, the weather in Vancouver is so miserable that once I check out of the Fairmont at noon, I figure I might as well head for the airport.

Vancouver City Centre Station on the Canada Line is just a short walk from the hotel. From there, I catch an airport bound train. Note that at Bridgeport, the line branches in two. Only every second train runs to the airport.

There is one station for the Canada Line that serves both the domestic and international terminals. As you alight from the train, turn right for international departures.

Check-In

I must say, the change from Air France to Air Canada is seemless. No sooner have they rebooked me to the Air Canada flight, I receive an email from Air Canada inviting me to check in on the app. However, I still need to remove my Air France Platinum number and replace it with my Senator number, and that you can only do at the counter or at one of the kiosks at the airport.

With that out of the way, the kiosk prints my boarding pass, and then I’m on my way to security. In theory, there is a dedicated fast track for security, but with there not being that many passengers, they’ve decided not to open the fast track.

Air Canada Maple Leaf Vancouver Lounge

The entrance to the lounge is right behind security. The lady at reception gives me a stern look because, apparently, access is normally only permitted up to three hours before departure. But then she lets me in just the same.

The lounge is rather nice. Although I also think it’s surprisingly small, given that this is supposedly Air Canada’s Pacific hub. It’s quite crowded, so I don’t get to take any pictures of the interior of the lounge.

The outside views, though, are pretty good. From where I’m seated I can see the aircraft parked at the international pier on the right, and part of the domestic pier on the left. I’m only there a short while when the Air France turns the corner and comes into view, running two hours late at this stage.

The lounge has quite a nice spread of food. There is an attended station where I order a slice of turkey with mashed potatoes and stuffing. There’s also quite a good self-service buffet with warm and cold food options.

At 14h50 my ride to Heathrow arrives in Vancouver, having just operated the previous service back from Heathrow. The weather has deteriorated further. It’s grey and wet outside. Meanwhile, at 15h31 the Air France service to Paris pushes off stand with a delay of one hour and 56 minutes. My connection in Paris would have been exactly two hours. It seems rather unlikely that I would have made the connection.

Boarding

Boarding for the 16h40 departure starts at 15h50, fifty minutes ahead of departure. There are four lines for passengers to queue, and I must say, the process is very orderly and civilized. There are two airbridges attached to the aircraft, with the first leading to the L1 door. In hindsight, I should have taken the second door, seeing as I’m seated in the smaller rear cabin, right before Premium Economy.

The Cabin & Seat

The first impression of the cabin is very good. It looks neat and modern, and I like the colours that are used in the cabin design.

At each seat is a thick blanket, a fluffy pillow and a seat cover to add some padding in the bed position.

The seat has a decent amount of open storage space and the seat cushioning is pleasantly soft. The aisle and window seats are misaligned, which makes the seat feel quite private.

The seat is comfortable enough. However, in the bed position it is tight. It also doesn’t help that the airbag in the seatbelt is quite thick and further reduces the available space. Still, I manage to get a good night’s sleep. In summary, I would say that the appearance of the seat and cabin on Air Canada are better than on Westjet. However, in terms of available space and comfort, Westjet has the upper hand, I’d say.

Amenities

Also at my seat when I board is the amenity kit, which is branded by Aqua di Parma, which is one of my favourite scents. The kit contains a dental kit, eyeshades, socks, earplugs, and a box with Aqua di Parma cosmetics. In addition to the vanity kit, here’s also a bottle of still water and the food menu for tonight’s flight. Westjet had the nicer eyeshades and socks, but no Acqua di Parma.

The Service & Crew

The cabin crew on this flight are absolutely lovely. They’re charming and forthcoming. One row ahead of me is an elderly couple. The lady looks quite sprightly, but her husband must have had a stroke at some point, if I had to guess. He has reduced mobility and moves slowly and stiffly. The patience and kindness with which the cabin crew treat him is heartwarming to watch. They’re so gentle with him.

While we’re still on the ground, the crew pass through the cabin serving welcome drinks. There’s a choice of sparkling wine or sparkling water. The drinks are followed by the distribution of scented hot towels.

First Service – Early Dinner

While we’re still on the ground, the crew take orders for the meal service. I notice that they ask passengers their choice based on their frequent flyer status. I decide to have the beef for a change. I haven’t had meat in a long time.

The dinner service starts with a bowl of warm nuts. To drink, I have a ginger ale with ice.

The trays are delivered from a trolley. On the tray is the starter and a green salad. There’s also a small tub of butter and a small bottle of vinaigrette. The first course is served with a selection from the breadbasket. Of course, I go with the garlic bread. The starter is quite good and surprisingly spicy. Perhaps even more surprising, is that the spice goes rather well with the delicate flavour of the poached salmon.

The main course is rather nice as well. The meat is tender and the noodles served with the dish are thick and chewy. A second pass through the cabin with the breadbasket is done during the main course.

After the main course, the trays are cleared away before the crew return with the dessert trolley. I have the cheese and a bowl of berries. With that I have some port and a coffee with milk.

Two hours after departure, the meal service is completed. I change into my pajamas that I brought with me and go off the sleep. I manage a solid five hours of sleep and awake ninety minutes out of Heathrow, just as the second service is about to begin.

The Second Service – Breakfast

The second service begins just as the cabin lights start simulating down. Again, the meal is served on a tray from a trolley. On it is a bowl of fruit salad, a tub of vanilla yoghurt and butter and jam. The flight attendant puts a warm croissant on my plate and tells me the omelette with be served shortly.

The second meal service is quite substantial and tasty. Especially the tomato sauce served with the omelette has a nice, tart sharpness to it.

The trays are cleared away just as we start a shallow descent into Heathrow. I think Air Canada gets this point, simply because the meal was more substantial than the second service on Westjet, and the presentation was much, much nicer.

Arrival

Our arrival into Heathrow goes surprisingly smoothly and only sees us doing one short loop in a holding to the North of Windsor. We approach from the west and then make a slow taxi to our stand on the satellite of Terminal 2.

I disembark and make my way to arrivals. I’m back in London four hours earlier than expected. And it looks as though the Heathrow Express is operating again too!

Conclusion

This flight was completely unexpected. After we land in Heathrow, I check on flight radar for my originally booked flight to Paris. It appears to have landed at 09h20, which would have given me just forty minutes to transfer in CDG – a connection I likely would not have reached.

I’m pleasantly surprised by Air Canada. The crew was just great and provided outstanding customer care, especially with the elderly gentleman sitting ahead of me with reduced mobility. The food was good. I’d say it was better than on Westjet. I think my only criticism is that the Air Canada seat is very narrow and tight in the bed position. Having said that, I was so tired that I still managed to get some good sleep.