JJB Blog

Sorry to hear about your flight, unfortunately sometimes aircrafts are dispatched with in-operable apu’s which run the a/c while taxiing. I agree it is a very unpleasant feeling and you should have filed a complaint regarding the issue. Management needs to learn that these instances/issues are not acceptable by passengers in any way.

- an employee.

Posted by peter on 22 September 2005 @ 5pm

no email address for customer complaints. truly amazing.

Dear John Bachir,

Thank you for forwarding your concern.

We appreciate the time you have taken to share your views and concerns and we apologize for any inconvenience you may have experienced.

Please fax or mail your comments/complaint to our Customer Solutions department as they can best assist you in this regard.

Air Canada – Customer Solutions
PO Box 64239
5512 4th Street, NW
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
T2K 6J0
Fax: 1-866-584-0380

Please allow 30 days, once contacting Customer Solutions, to receive a response.

Thank you

Posted by john on 30 September 2005 @ 11pm

BUSINESS CLASS SEATS ON AIR CANADA
The Business class seat on Air Canada’s 767 – 200 or Air canada’s 319 and 320′s is the WORLD’s WORST. They charge full fares (Toronto – Vancouver – Toronto) is $3,000 and if the person in front of you leans back you cannot work or even read or keep your tray table open because there is no room. Who ever heard of a Business Class seat on what is allegedly voted the “Best Airline in North America” being so terrible. I think Air Sudan (if there is such an airline) would give them a run for their money. The sad part is that they have no competitor that offers Business Class – I would switch tomorrow.

The worst thing they do is that shceduled equipment gets switched regularly. They schecule, say a 767 300 as the plane they have scheduled but in 9 cases out of 10 switch the plane to a smaller one. It cannot be an emergency every time. What a crappy airline!!!

Posted by Miintoca on 1 February 2006 @ 2am

The worst mistake I commited in 2006 was to have taken air canada. I was insulted and descriminated by the staff. It is a weird situation since crew members will defend eachother and not admit to their horrible, unprofessional service.
I was taken off from a flight simply because I asked the crew to apologize for having insulted me (flight attendent called me a fucking asshole) and I complained and asked for an apology.
It is impossible to discuss matters personally because air canada does not have an office or person where one can discuss serious matters.
I think it is a shame that this is the only airline of Canada. They will try to intimidate passengers, but I will fight the way I was treated every way possble. I hope anyone who goes through similar situations take the proper steps to speak up and be heard.
DO NOT FLY AIR CANADA. IF YOU WANT GOOD, PROFESSIONAL SERVICE FLY REAL AIRLINES SUCH AS BRITISH AIRWAYS, JAPAN AIRLINES WHERE PASSENGERS ARE TREATED WITH RESPECT.
The fact is flight attendents from air canada barely got through high school and it shows. They are old, nasty.
I WILL NEVER

Posted by GUS on 25 March 2006 @ 2pm

Please address your comments to Robert Milton Montie Brewer. The people in CONTROL. Yes we are undergoing an extreme makeover badly needed and The Efficiency mode is not necessarily effectivefor Passengers.One must endure this difficult time in order to have better. It certainly is even harder for employees.

Posted by Anonymous on 26 June 2006 @ 11am

I refer to Miintoca’s comments. It is unfortunate that you’ve experienced what you have and I do encourage you to follow the appropriate channels in order to rectify and discipline that one flight attendant’s behavior that was completely out of line. However on your comment “barely got through high school”, I would like to enlighten you that many flight attendants do not only serve you a cup of coffee with a smile many of us including myself have an MBA are Registered Nurses, some are Dentists and are perfectly bilingual with up to four to five languanges. It is unfortunately that you encountered one or possibly two flight attendants that were out-of-line which has made you paint a negative picture, however, it is not the case for most flight attendants.

Sincerely,

AC Flight Attendant

Posted by former Wardair, Canadian & American Airlines employee on 27 November 2006 @ 8pm

i had a friend thats works for air canada and that time she only had a high school diploma but inever met anybody so brigth like her

Posted by julo c almeida on 5 December 2006 @ 1am

You are quite right about education, most employees are high school graduates, I say this because for all positions that are unionized (baggage, customer service, flight attendant) you only need high school education. Since these positions make up about 80% of the company, you are quite right about the lack of education on these people.

The most unfortunate thing is that those that are educated in the airline are unfortunatley not compensated at all relative to their union counterparts.

I could go on and on, but the reality is that those that are unionized are better off then those that are not unionized. If you get layed off at least you have recall rights….if ur mgmt its goodbye….all those yrs working with them mean nothing.

Posted by Anonymous on 26 February 2007 @ 10pm

I just read over the comments of many clearly passionate people. In adding my own two cents, I must say that as an Air Canada Flight Attendant who started with Canadian Airlines, I am proud to stand alongside all of my F/A colleagues (originally CDN or AC). Like the MAJORITY of us, I, too am a post-secondary education grad. In fact, I hold two different university degrees and still CHOOSE to be a Flight Attendant.

I love my job and like to think that, again, the MAJORITY of other Flight Attendants feel the same. That said, we are all human beings and some of us do manage to lose self-control at times and it can be then that professionalism flies out the window. That said, I am a Catholic Elementary school teacher as well and definitely do not CONDONE swearing, however, I have heard bad language on board the aircraft.

I would be lying if I said that such swearing as was previously described in someone’s comments, would just arise from someone UNPROVOKED. The description of what took place on board sounds out of the ordinary which leads me to believe we’re not hearing the full story.

Canadian Airlines is gone and so with a lack of competition worth mentioning, Air Canada really does become the only Canadian choice for many of us. I encourage any past, present or future customer reading this to communicate any issues that arise on board that leave you feeling dismayed, frustrated or even angry to both Customer Service and possibly most importantly the Inflight Service Department.

As an educator, and as someone who went through Canadian Airlines training, it is my great hope that Air Canada will recognize sooner than later, that their training of Flight Attendants in terms of Customer Service is admittedly inferior and could certainly do with improvement. I am not going to deny that the current training program does fall short but in all, as a North American Airline we do continue to win awards because we are the Best in North America.

It is highly unfair for anyone to try to compare us to a British Airways, Virgin, Cathay, JAL or any other truly International Airline because quite frankly, we are unable to compete with them at this time.

Once again, in closing, I ask any of you out there that may have experienced unsatisfactory service on Air Canada to ensure that before painting all of the staff members with the same brush you accept that we are an airline of many employees, most of which work hard to present a great product and provide exemplary service.

Posted by MyTwoCentsToo on 27 April 2007 @ 2am

In reply to mytwocentstoo

I absolutely agree with your comments, we are a group of many hard working people as in any company. Their always will be a hand-full of employees who could care less about the passengers and baggage. Unfortunately I don’t think that will ever change. To regard Air Canada as the only airline that disregards their customers is an equally unfair quote. It is a shame to be working alongside some employees that could-care-less, but its an everywhere occurance. I am a proud AC employee, and would apologize to passengers where they have had unpleasant experiences with the AC employees.

Posted by Josué on 10 May 2007 @ 1pm

No doubt Robert Milton has to take responsibility for the current situation at AC, but it is the front line staff that have the greatest opportunity to affect change and of course our travel experience. Time and time again AC staff force the customer service bar lower and lower, to the point now that I just ignore them. The problem is that they are unionized, mgmt’s hands are tied, it would take nothing short of a miracle to fire an under performing employee, although having said that how would mgmt know if someone was not performing up to par… their heads are so far up there collective ass’s. Let you money do the talking… Fly anything but AC!!!

Posted by Anonymous on 16 May 2007 @ 5pm

I’ve flown every airline in North America barring southwest. Air Canada is the WORST, bar none! Anyone who says anything different hss no clue. I’d say American Airlines is the best.

Posted by best in NA my ASS on 30 May 2007 @ 4pm

I don’t know…I’ve flown Korean Air, Asiana, Cathay Pacific, Singapore Air, Thai Airways, Air Philippines, and Canjet, and some of the grumpiest service I’ve ever received on an airline has been from Air Canada.

I really feel that many of Air Canada’s flight attendants are, to put it bluntly, too old. They are grouchy and seem to resent their customers. My Dad was in the R.C.M.P. for over 30 years…near the end of his career he started getting grumpy because he couldn’t handle the night shifts anymore. If you get to this point, it’s time to retire.

Posted by Canadian on 5 June 2007 @ 12am

It saddens me to see these comments. I am also an AC flight attendant. I have 20 years and I love my job. My job is to provide a pleasant and safe environment for passengers to travel from point A to point B. Nothing else.

Since I am a Service Director all complaints come to me. Personally I am tired of people whining about things that are out of our control. The 9 out 10 aircraft changes is not true and if this happens its because a plane is stuck somewhere else or there is a mechanical problem. People don’t realise that we have a personal life too. Many a time I have been stuck and not been able to return home due to delay or have plans with my family that don’t happen because of delays. We have the same emotions as you and lives outside the airline.

As for the unions you are saddly mistaken. Our unions are pretty well powerless to management. We can work 16 hours a day (please remember that when you see a flight attendant maybe a little worn down on the 5th flight of the day with an hour between each flight and quit often no time to eat. People don’t realise that we are paid only when the engine is turned on. I have been delayed up to 4 hours and we don’t get paid for that I am starting to vent which I never do on a flight. I always have people tell me it was great flight.

I am tired of people bashing my job that with many faults I still love. I would love to enter you business offices walk in like I own the place demanding thing from your employees complaining about everything your company stands for and see the reactions.

I would say that in this day age if you arrive safely and alive to your destionation then Air Canada has done an excellent job.

And for the person who loves BA and others take a close look when you travel on a widebody aircaraft. They can have 16 to 18 flight attendant while many flight we have 8. We can not supply the quality of service with the cutback on employee.

In closing I wish that people would slow down, relax more and just treat people with the same respect that they expect to receive.

Posted by Anonymous on 23 July 2007 @ 8pm

Say what you will, Air Canada has the best safety record of any airline in the world- i’ll take a grumpy flight attendant that gets me there alive, than one that smiles as the plane is crashing.

Posted by Anonymous on 31 July 2007 @ 7pm

It’s truely amazing to me. What other industry exists where supposedly otherwise intelligent individuals blame front line workers for corporate policies and industry trends. As an original Air Canada flight attendant, I can assure you that MOST Air Canada flight attendants have post-secondary education. I have three degrees and two languages. Many people I know have at least that. We sacrifice our personal lives for the safe carriage of our passengers and the renumeration rarely fits the sacrifice. Unfortunately many otherwise intelligent people regress when faced with having to hand over control to others and therefore lash out by insulting those very people charged with their safety. An easy target I guess. Rather than think, you lash out at what’s in front of you and scream like a child in a grocery store. That is until you need food in which case I’m your mother, or have a heart attack, in which case I’m your doctor, or a fire in which case I’m you’re fire fighter/paramedic. It’s amazing how I can miraculously conjure up the appropriate attributes with my lack of education. If you believe we’re uneducated then perhaps you should try walking an airmile in our shoes. That is if you can make it past the language requirements, or the physical, or the emergency training and MOT exams, then put yourself on the bottom of the seniority list for 10 years. Good Luck!

Posted by Anonymous on 31 July 2007 @ 8pm

I have had bitchy flight attendants on AC a few times but lots of labour strife going at the time and I am suspicious that training for every AC staffer was outsourced to Aeroflot for a while there. Every airline on earth gives little comfort items sleep masks slippers etc to their pax on transoceanic flights; everyone but A.C. On a walkout to the weedeater flight to a smaller destination we had a rude smarmy tarmac chief who told us a bald faced lie that our equipment was on the a/c and caused us a pile of expensive delays. Suffice it to say that he exhibited such a care less attitude and was such a smug twit that had he not been secure on the air side he should have been sitting stunned on the tarmac on his lazy fat posterior with both eyes blackened. Cabin crew from the old CAI were in my view a little more hospitable as they were mainly westerners. AC provided kind, first class attention even way back in steerage on a YYC >LHR flight and back with the same crew a few weeks later. I try to be friendly and have a smile and act civil. I usually find I get the same treatment back. The cabin folks are your equals no matter what management position or degree you hold. Why attempt to Lord it over someone who can pour hot coffee on your head or your crotch or both! In fact men and women who use that to cow cabin crew are insecure jerks and should be ejected before the plane comes to a full stop. My thought is that the cabin attendant who called the guy an “FA” just made a good guess. All of this said we generally fly WJ for all domestic stops now that they dropped the 732′s. Even they are gettiong to a size where not everyone is funny witty and “on” all the time, we are all humans.

Posted by Oil guy on 29 September 2007 @ 8pm

I arrived via AC yesterday from San Francisco direct to Toronto. I learned long ago to carry on my AC bags into Canada as have had lost luggage on AC too many times (and when they lose it it is GONE FOR DAYS). This time I had an injured arm and thought since it was a direct 7am flight to TO it would be fine. WRONG! No one can find the bag. No one will let me talk to anyone at SFO and there is NO CUSTOMER SERVICE NUMBER TO CALL!!! All they can tell me is that although I checked in early yesterday in SF my bag didn’t make it on the plane because the plane was over the weight restriction!!! I have repeatedly been on the phone with (very nice) people in India who cannot help me. They refuse to escalate! I am a biz traveler who paid $1000 RT for my ticket, which irks me as well. NEVER AGAIN, Air Canada, NEVER AGAIN. The worst airline I have ever traveled, bar none. Any business that does not effectively provide customer service is the worst, in my book. I have combed the website and nothing is listed for customer service for email or phone.

AL

Posted by AL on 2 October 2007 @ 4am

I think that the quote below by an AC employee says it all. Read it carefully. The text says- Don’t think you have a right to complain about the service you paid good money for and you should be happy if you don’t die from our service. Wow! Your company deserves to go bankrupt and you should lose your job.

“I would love to enter you business offices walk in like I own the place demanding thing from your employees complaining about everything your company stands for and see the reactions.

I would say that in this day age if you arrive safely and alive to your destionation then Air Canada has done an excellent job.”

There adamant that their job is to provide “nothing else” in terms of service.

Posted by Anonymous on 26 October 2007 @ 11am

I too have survived many Air Canada flights. I will never again choose Air Canada, not because of grumpy staff but because:

1. It seems that there is no real management. No one seems to think ahead and or consider how inevitable flight cancellations and delays will affect customers. If they did, they could make arrangements to ease the distress. Instead NOTHING is planned, NO consideration is given to passenger comfort. Even a place to sit and a drink of water would be humane. If staff were informed of the situation and prepared it would go a long way to reduce tension and distress.

2. There isn’t ANYONE (real person) who a passenger can actually speak to when things go wrong!

I wrote to Robert Milton and never even had the satisfaction of believing that anyone understood the real issues I was raising. Instead I heard excuses about cancellations being in passengers best interests (safety). I felt patronized while my concerns weren’t even acknowledged.

I understand air travel often involves delays and unforseen problems. If I wanted no trouble I would stay at home. I do expect however, to be treated with consideration. I also know that I can make a choice when I purchase my next ticket. Based on my experiences, Air Canada will rank only slightly above crawling on hands and knees!

Posted by Bill McCracken on 22 January 2008 @ 3pm

AC is the worst airline in the world. The flight attendants are surly, the desk clerks unknowledgeable and unhelpful. And, it is virtually impossible to lodge a complaint that reaches anyone who cares. It’s time to dismantle and/or sell the airline to someone serious about service.

Posted by Emery Hyslop-Margison on 2 February 2008 @ 12pm

I just read the obove comments, starting with Mar 25th, 2006 – Gus -

It is next to imposible to be called a F… A… without some input from your side.

Many people have no manners and do not respect or value the work of the next person.
It is very common these days.
Manners have nothing to do with education or diplomas. Manners and respect used to be thought at home, from grandparents and parents.
People would smile and say: Hello, Good Morning or How are you when they meet or enter a place.

Now many people walk into a place with bad attitude,or a preconceived notion, treating the next person with dissrespect and expecting respect and good attitude.

It does not work that way.
Next time you walk in a plane, walk in with a smile and say hellow, how are you.
If you need anything during the flight use please as part of the sentence, not because the person that will help you has 3 diplomas or speaks 5 languages.
Do it, because they are a person just like you with needs, wants, family and a job and deserve just is much respect.
The front line personnel is not responsible for the state of the airline.
On January I returned from Munich ( Air Canada Bussiness Class ) on a broken seat, 2 rows down one other Bussiness Class seat was taped closed with duck tape and 3 rows up the foot rest did not go down.

The flight crew was as helpful and apologetic as they could be, it was not their fault but they tried.

Most of the Flight Attendants on international routes have many years of experience, they have seen and felt the deterioration of the airline industry over the last 25 years.

Even this condition is created by the traveling public.

In 1980 most people could buy a nice house for $ 85000.00, have an income of $ 40000 to $ 50000.00 and the price for an international flight was about the same as it is now, when that same house that people purchased in 1980 would sell now for $ 600000 to $ 700000.00 and their income is $ 70000.00 and more.

The Air Canada management ( directed by an American ) is competing with the no frills, minimum service offered by the North American airlines.
I see no reason for them not to want to mantain the aircraft cabin, that is just bad managment and extra presure on the front line staff.

Also I see no reason to blame the Air Canada flight crews for this, they do their best with what they are given.

As far as for my inconvieneance for traveling on a broken seat;
I was given a voucher by the Flight Director and told that I would receive some form of compensation in 30 days.
It is past 38 days and I sent a fax to Air Canada Customer Solutions ( no phone number is available ) and received an automatic fax reply that somewone would respond in the next 15 to 20 days.

We are all to blame for this situation, we destroyed most for our manufacturing sector, shop in magastores for goods manufactured in China, Taiwan and India and complain about unionized labor, even though it is the only reason we have a better standard of living.

Hopefully we will wakeup before is to late.

Now back to your comments:
Give respect, get respect, it is the only way.

Posted by Dan on 8 March 2008 @ 5pm

Dear Dan, Your comments reflect a “blame the victim” approach. I would encourage you to read up on standard customer service protocols – dealing professionally and respectfully with difficult customers is a measure of FA professionalism. If you want to play tit-for-tat then you need to find another job – perhaps politics?

Posted by Emery Hyslop-Margison on 8 March 2008 @ 6pm

Dear Emery,

I am not an airline employee. However your comments of Feb 2.2008 cover all of Air Canada’s flight attendants and desk clerks.

It is unlikely that you met all of them and arrived at this conclusion.

I am an independent sales person and travelled on airlines for the last 38 years and never did a flight attendant on any airline, called me a name or did not make the effort to help when asked.

I did not get help instantly but help did arrive. As far as the Air Canada customer service (Customer Solutions), I do agree with you as you can see from my comments.

Most of us, in sales would not dream of treating / ignoring a customer the way Air Canada does, it is just poor management.

Posted by Dan on 8 March 2008 @ 8pm

Been Elite with AC for 16 years (no thanks to AC other than its monopoly in Canada). Their Customer Service is without question THE WORST in the world – backed up by poor, typically, ground personnel with attitude problems throughout the system. Interesting: I have EXCATLY the same issue referred to by Dan re inf light isue, addressed by Flight Director and constant ‘no response’ from AC – dating back to January (2 Elite members in Business Class with broken – new style!! – seats).
On the positive side, they are innovating with Flight Passes – a great idea – and with Embraer RJ’s – a terrific plane. Shame that Fat Cat Milton (his speciality was revenuie management after all throughout his life before AC) and rest of management doesn’t understand Marketing 101. Innovating is good – but customer affection is critical to success.

Posted by Alex on 14 March 2008 @ 11am

Alex, or any of the other employees: this is kind of unrelated but I’m wondering how I could get in touch with public relations or human resources at AC. I was recruited for a Flight Attendant meet-and-greet but could not make it to the event. I would love to work with AC but I can’t get in contact with anyone there- they’re are very locked down with communication.
Any way you could connect me to someone there?? Please?? Feel free to email me:
pixystyx@hotmail.com

Posted by Lisa on 14 March 2008 @ 1pm

I have been Super Elite with Air Canada for many years. My feelings are mixed. I depend on this airline so I want to like them. But the attitude from some of the flight attendants above shows clearly what the problem is. “We have a personal life too” – yes, but you represent the company.

If I buy a Canon camera I want it to work. I frankly do not care that the production line worker has a personal life, is mistreated by management, is tired, has worked four shifts. All I care about as the customer is hat I get a fair deal for my money. Airline employees are not entitled to special privileges: you are there for the customer, not the other way around.

I fly to China next week, from Toronto. 20 hours. Hope the seats all work, and hope I get a modern pod seat aircraft. Not holding my breath!

Posted by Michael on 24 March 2008 @ 5am

Whatever the business that we try to change, affect and otherwise make better suit our needs the best way to approach it is with a calm demenour, ask to talk to the highest person in charge and ask for reasonable conpensation. This proven by most social reserchers gets you the results, that and in the case with Air Canada lots of persistency. And if this doesn’t work we still have a choice. The difference is money. If you were Japanese and had a bad experience, like some of the people here you would never come back and next time pay even $200 extra to fly with JAL. If you were German you would make your complaints heard and never come back, also at a price of a couple of hundred extra flying with Lufthansa. And if you’re a Canadian, bitching about a service and still coming back seams to be the fashion. Complaints rather than compliments are, after all always more entertaining. Which is why a lot of people waste their time on writing their comments on this site as opposed to talking to people who can actually make a change. So is the purpose of your complaining to make a change or to vent yourself? Writing on this site wont change anything, and hopefully entertain a few travelers.

Posted by WhatToChange on 6 December 2008 @ 5pm

AIRCANADA TORTURED SERVICE
Yesterday Dec 24, 2008 after preparing for one year, booking of my airline tickets, taking work off, booking hotels and other resorts for the holiday season, I went early at the Calgary Airport at 3:30am to avoid rush and be on time for 11:15am departure. Two hours before our departure AIRCANADA cancelled all flights to Vancouver, they said this is due to the weather condition in Vancouver.
What’s confusing is that, the West jet is still flying, although with some delays. And when we asked the Aircanda about what’s happening with the Westjet, they said they do not know. Okay, I could understand the unpredictable weather condition, however, the way they handled their passengers is INHUMAN, they cancelled the entire day flight, no personal customer service attending to the passengers, and we were only given the 1-800 to call and advised us to make our own personal arrangement for booking our next flight.
Oops, hello, am I dreaming? I’ve been traveling enough to know and see how other airlines operate. Isn’t it if the airline cancelled the trip, they are the one making arrangement of the new schedules and the connections of other airlines? I’m confused; I thought I live in Canada, even in the third world country this never happened to me. It’s even a torture when you call their 1-800-, you have to wait 45 minutes on the phone for the next available agent using your cell phone while in the airport. No food voucher, no updates, and they totally abandoned their passengers. And guess what, when I finally reach their 1-800 they recommended me to fly on January 4, this is 11 days after my original booking. I missed my high school alumni reunion, which I have prepared 2 years for this occasion, family gathering and other special events. Not to mention the prepaid booking I made for the accommodation.
I am really surprised why Air Canada still exists until these days with this kind of business philosophy. Last year December 2007, I went for business trip for only three days, my luggage was missing for two days and no one could tell me what happened. My business presentation was interrupted because all my documents were in my luggage.
I’m sure there are many more people who are disappointed and frustrated of Air Canada service. There are many more people who were tortured emotionally because the management do not care about their passengers.
With this torture and inhuman treatment of Air Canada I will NEVER use their services again and I will campaign to my family, friends and business associates to STOP using the Air Canada.

Posted by Anonymous on 25 December 2008 @ 1pm

I have not flown with Air Canada since 1996 when they forced me to purchase a return ticket at full fare after my father passed away and I was tending to funeral arrangements rather than my scheduled flight home. I was told by them and my travel agent, to show up with my original ticket and they would honour it and put me on stand-by….total lie! Not only was this not the case, I paid full fare for a new ticket, despite providing a death certificate.
You could not give me a free round the world ticket to use, I would sell it first that is how damaging my experience was. I have been flying Westjet ever since and love every trip. They truly appreciate each and every customer and it shows. I saw on the news just two weeks ago than another unhappy AC customer experienced the exact same frustration, when will AC ever learn?!!!!!

Posted by freebie123 on 31 December 2008 @ 12am

Recently I had occasion to visit the Fredericton NB airport to pick up a passenger and noticed that they lost his luggage (In February not such a busy time I think) but what I did notice was there were approx six pieces of luggage that had no passenger there to pick them up. I was under the impression that no piece of luggage came on board unless there was a passenger with it. Two of three of the passengers disembarking the plane did not receive their luggage at that time but there was six pieces unaccompanied. In this day of High Security why? Also upon speaking with an employee she said that was an ever day occurrence. Do people really not care how they do their jobs any more. Intelligence has little to do with it but I would ambition or a sense of pride in doing their jobs would have more to do with it. A comment please.

Posted by G. Lanteigne on 20 February 2009 @ 1pm

No food on flight #194 Vancouver to Toronto June 24, 2009

We just arrived back from Vancouver on a very pleasant flight in every way except for the lack of food. We are now home and the only meal we had all day was breakfast at 7 am this morning and it is now midnight.

Our intentions was to eat lunch or dinner on the flight but, by the time the trolley / cart arrived at our seats there was no food left to purchase other than a few snacks. That is a long flight and we sat on the ground for 55 minutes before departure. Needless to say we are ravenous. When we inquired as to the reason for the lack of food, we were told that only 20 sandwiches were initially available and we find this totally unacceptable. Air Canada has a fiduciary responsibility (a legal relationship of confidence or trust between two or more parties) to make food available to us on these long flights, not just drinks and alcohol as was the case on is flight.
We find this unacceptable.

Posted by Da Ru Ma Toronto on 24 June 2009 @ 10pm

Totally agree with u, worst is via the Pearson airport. I travelled to Toronto and return few weeks later with the samw piece of luggage and they said it was over-size and charge me for $100 or threaten not letting me through. One receptionist told me they have quota to charge customer or they get fine themselves. What a screw-up airline. sad

Posted by lewis on 9 July 2009 @ 5am

A/C business model is an absolute disgarce… To say the least. You can make accusations and call an airline or any other business that offers services “Stingy, Cheap and only concerned with their bottom line” but A/C hit’s this home, with a home run ! We travelled from Las vegas to Montreal – total flight time 5 hrs – and to only be offered a complimentary drink and choice to purchase snacks at 5-6$ each ? I think that is just plain cheap. You have to pay 1100$ (average one way) for a not worth it, first class ticket, on A/C for something free ? And what do you get, at that, a Stouffers micro-meal ?? Larger seats ? The whole operation of this airline is a complete and utter joke.

And regarding flight attendants… Flight attendants are no longer needed on an aircraft. A robot or a vending machine could perform the job. A/C has automated their pre-flight safety procedures what is the purpose of flight attendants ?

Best service I have gotten has been on Porter… I wish they flew to more places. They show that they are concerned and care for the passengers on the plane plus they feed you ! Free !

Close behind, Westjet… Very Very courteous customer service reps. Personally escorted us on a past flight to a U.S connection. Delayed flight… Westjet reps entertained guests…

Bar none for Porter and Westjet !

Posted by John on 9 March 2010 @ 12pm

Greetings,

After having read a few reponses, I felt compelled to post one of my own.
I have just recently begun working for Air Canada as a flight attendant, and previously worked for an Internationally known airline. I am 24 years old, I speak 9 languages fluently, teach martial arts, am a writer, artist and like many of my colleagues, I hold a Masters degree. I have been flying for several years now and I must say that it has been and continues to be one of the most rewarding jobs one could ever have ( despite the hard work and long hours).

Point being, never judge a book by it’s cover…
and next time you board a plane, remember that a smile or a kind gesture
means a lot to us too…

Posted by Veronica on 12 March 2010 @ 5pm

Oh my god people please get over yourselves. You pay to have your fat butts moved from one city to the next. Thats it. There is no such thing as a legal responsibility to feed you. Just move your butt from one city to the next. I can’t believe that so many of you have such over blown expectations of air travel.
First if you are in business class, you get food, nicer wine, more legroom, more width, and overall better service. If you want more stay home and go to the spa.
For the rest of you in economy, you hated the food when it was free, and now you complain when you pay a few bucks for it. Its an airplane not a cafe. If you want a meal, buy the food option when you book your ticket. Every US airline charges, West Jet charges, and their food is far worse.
As for Porter, oh please. Try flying from Toronto to St. John’s on Porter. It takes 6 hours, and three flights! But yes you will get a free drink…God knows you’ll need it.
And when you all quote how much you paid, do us a favour and look at your ticket, a good third of that goes to the government and airport authourities, not the airline.
If you want to eat, do it before you get on the plane. If you want to be treated nice, treat the people around you nice. Its an airplane with glorified waitresses, and your just another smuck like the rest of us, get over yourselves!

Posted by Bright guy on 11 April 2010 @ 9pm

Air Canada treats employees and customers like garbage, unless you are a Super Elite Customer. Incompetent, and just darn right MEAN!

Posted by Matthew on 9 June 2010 @ 10am

I flew to London on the 4th of Jan 2011 on AC. Because AC could not organize a proper flight out of Edmonton to Calgary, I admit it was snowing, we were late getting into Calgary for the London flight. When we arrived at the gate we were told to rush by the gate staff. I said they will hold the flight for us, approx. 12 people, which they did. The flight to London was terrible, the crew were lazy and the food was horrible. The crew obviously did not check the entertaiment system it had to be restarted a few times. We were given a warm supper and a cold breakfast, a muffin and yogurt. When I asked the attendants why we were not being served a Hot breakfast the answer was we do not have enough stoves. I have flown airlines in Africa that have much better service. I have asked my company based in the UK not to fly me AC anymore, I will travel with one of thier parteners. AC has screwed Canadians in the UAE because of its whinning and they are a third if not fourth class airline.

Posted by John Bain on 16 January 2011 @ 3am

John Bain indicates that he flew to London because AC couldn’t organise a proper flight out of Edmonton to Calgary… John why would you allow yourself to fly to London if you only wanted to go to Calgary?

You alos indicated that you acknowledge there was weather circumstances. Well unlike London we don’t close our country down when weather hits, however weather may cause cancellations and consolidations in the airline industry. Better safe than sorry!
You also got upset when asked to hurry to a flight being held for you. I know its all about you, but did you consider the other 150 people on the flight that might want to get going. They are now late while the airline holds for you. So yes, hurry up mister, its not all about you. I can just image how you would have reacted if you had been flying out of LHR one week earlier…

The entertainment system had to be re-started means that they were trying hard to address issues that were being experienced by fellow passengers. Its called a reset. What would you like them to do? Perhaps they should just tell your fellow passengers that its too bad that they are experiencing problems but John Bain doesn’t like resets.

You received a cold breakfast, good. I know I don’t like hot muffins and hot yogurt.

You also can’t travel on one of AC’s partners to Canada from the UK. None exist on that route. And the UAE is a political beef, not Air Canada’s. That is a country made of blatant human rights violations and bullies. Bravo to the Canadian government for not being pushed around. The UAE needs to learn how to negotiate instead of having a child like tantrum and telling everyone to go home.

Posted by Tired of the whiners on 16 January 2011 @ 8am

Tired Master Whiner
You do not get out much do you!!!! You live a Sheltered Life!!! Read what I said!! The flight was to London from Calgary!! AC has always offered poor service and no doubt always will. They are still a Third class airline. You are a moron, at what point did I say I did not like the resets. I have had to wait for numerous people because of flight delays, by the way it does not bother me at all. You do not fly much do you. By the way the staff are extremely lazy, tthey have a job for life. Do you work for AC? Have a great day!!!!!

Posted by John Bain on 1 March 2011 @ 4pm