Air Canada- Toronto Pearson to London Heathrow

Air Canada at London Heathrow- Photo Copyright Navjot Singh

Route: Toronto Pearson International to London Heathrow 

Departure date and time of flight: 8th March 2010, 6.20pm

Flight Number: AC856

Flight duration: 7h 20m (Includes the 15 minutes for holding over London)

Class: Economy Class

Aircraft type: A330-300

Punctuality of the flight: 

Departed on time, and landed around 15 minutes late at Heathrow (had to hold over Oakham in SW London area).

Any baggage issues: None

Comments on the check-in staff and any issues: 

No issues. Flight was fully packed.

Comments regarding the pre-meal service:

Choice of drinks and a packet of “Maized and Confused Corn Chips” (branded for Air Canada)

Comments regarding the first meal: 

For the dinner service there were two options for the main dish: honey pork with salad OR beef with salad. I opted for the vegetarian option (special meal). This was dhal curry with salad (lentils with salad). The dhal (lentils curry) came with boiled white rice and some mango chutney. The dhal and rice were dry- almost as if they were taken from the freezer and put into the microwave. The main dish was accompanied with a soft bread bun with Canadian butter, a bowl of salad (consisted of boiled sweet corn, tuna chunks and cherry tomatoes- all sprinkled with olive oil). 

Rich chocolate cream cake was on hand for the desert. The salad and the chocolate cake dessert was something to die for- very fresh. A sheer delight at 37,000 feet!

Comments regarding the drinks service:

There was a choice of the following:

Canada Dry Beer
Vigne Elisa Red Wine
Vigne Elisa White Wine
Orange Juice, Coca Cola, Sprite, Diet Coke, Apple Juice (All brands were Canadian, except Coca-Cola and Sprite)
Tea and Coffee
Canadian Club Whiskey and J&B Whiskey (Both in 50ML bottles)

Comments regarding the in-flight snacks (if any):

After takeoff passengers were freely allowed to help themselves to drinks and more of those packets of “Maized and Confused Corn Chips”!

Comments regarding the second meal (if any):

Breakfast came a bit too early I thought. We were offered just a single large blueberry muffin. For medium to long haul flights usually a hot breakfast is served, but not on Air Canada. The muffin was, nevertheless, delicious- but not filling for breakfast!

Comments on the in-flight system (if any):

There was a wide selection of movies, TV serials, radio channels (both Canadian and British), music (International, Canadian and British). However, my In-flight entertainment system was not working (again!)... the touch screen mode was useless- all I could see was the map. As with the flight into Toronto, I asked the cabin crew to assist but they did not know how to fix the problem, despite trying their best.

Comments of professionalism of the cabin crew:

There were no major issues or problems. Everything was fine on the way in to London.

Improvements that could be made:

Everything with this flight was fine. The crew were friendly and professional, and provided all the assistance that was required. The only recommendation is to give more food for breakfast- a simple muffin is not enough. Most other airlines offer a hot breakfast- but other than there were no complaints.  

Comments on the interior of the aircraft (including seat comfort): 

The Airbus A330 plane is used on the medium to long haul routes by Air Canada, and had a 2-3-2 configuration in Economy Class. The seats were comfortable and standard as per any other Economy Class seat. The ambiance of the cabin portrayed a fresh feeling- it is coloured thin blue (almost like a cloudy sky with shades of light blue). The seats have a two way head rest so that you can pull down the head adjuster on either side.

Overall rating 1-10 (worst-best): 9

Toronto to London Dinner: Copyright Navjot Singh

Drinks Service: Copyright Navjot Singh

Toronto to London Breakfast: Copyright Navjot Singh

Air Canada A330-300 (Toronto to London Heathrow)