On the Ground: For years I have recommended that travelers who do not live near an airport with direct service consider Air Canada as a solid alternative. If your itinerary requires a U.S. connection to reach Asia, routing through Canada can often be simpler and less congested than many U.S. hubs. My connection was a brief 55-minute flight from Philadelphia to Toronto Pearson International Airport, where arrivals and international connections are handled in the same terminal. After landing I used the connecting immigration desk and walked to my departure gate without an additional security screening. My early-morning departure from Philadelphia was at 6 a.m., and online check-in through aircanada.com was straightforward. I arrived at the gate with plenty of time to spare and caught up on email before boarding.
Pre-Flight: Once in Toronto I exchanged a small amount of U.S. dollars for Hong Kong dollars and made my way to the Maple Leaf Lounge. I had already eaten breakfast on the regional flight, but the lounge offered a good selection of light options including hard-boiled eggs, fresh fruit, cereals and pastries. The lounge also provided an ample selection of reading material; I picked up a Globe and Mail and settled into a work station to get some things done on my laptop. Less than an hour before departure I walked to the gate and boarded quickly through the business-class access lane. Seated in 2A, I stowed my hand luggage and organized my belongings. My jacket was promptly taken and cared for by Christian and his team, who remained attentive throughout the flight. The crew served refreshing juices, water and sparkling wine while distributing printed materials, giving me a few minutes to read the South China Morning Post. I appreciated that headsets were already plugged in at the seat — a small but welcome convenience during dim cabin conditions. Amenity kits, pillows and blankets were already placed on seats when I boarded.
In-Flight: Initially I wondered whether the Air Canada Executive First Suite (business class) would comfortably fit someone over six feet tall, but when the seat fully reclined into a flat bed there was ample space. The shoulder area of the seat felt especially roomy. As we prepared for takeoff, the cabin crew took drink orders and handed out menus. The menu highlighted Chef Jonathan Goodyear’s seared albacore tuna, a Top Chef Canada winning appetizer. For the main course I chose the stir-fried pork loin strips from the options that also included braised chicken, sautéed Atlantic salmon and grilled beef tenderloin. The pork was flavorful and satisfying, served after a salad and appetizer. Wine selections curated by Ken Chase complemented the meal; I enjoyed a Santa Ema Terroir Estate Sauvignon Blanc, which paired nicely with the lunch. The meal concluded with a cheese course and a warm chocolate pecan brownie topped with whipped cream.
After dining I took a nap on the lie-flat seat, which proved comfortable. I also appreciated that the Boeing 777 continued to offer passenger-controlled air vents, which helped me stay cool. Waking refreshed, I worked for several hours using the conveniently located power outlet. It’s a relief not to travel with multiple backup batteries the way I used to. After finishing work and watching a few films, I dozed again before breakfast service and our descent into our destination.
The Experience: Overall, the trip felt like an obvious choice: smooth connections through Toronto, a well-designed business-class flat-bed seat, and a seasoned, professional and friendly cabin crew. I would recommend Air Canada for your next flight across the Pacific.
GT Checklist
- Less than 10 minutes for check-in
- Friendly and helpful agents
- Priority tagged bags
- Airport lounge
- Complimentary in-lounge food
- Priority boarding
- Helpful and courteous flight attendants
- Pre-flight beverage service
- Pre-flight newspapers and magazines
- Extensive on-demand menu
- Self-serve in-flight pantry
- Amenity kits
- Slippers
- Lie-flat seat/bed
- Mattress and comforter
- In-flight menu with three entrée choices
- Top-shelf wines and liquors