Launch of Air Canada Signature

A few months ago, we announced the upcoming opening of the Air Canada Signature Lounge in Toronto. Air Canada has recently unveiled its new Signature Service. Overview.

Air Canada Signature Service

Before we go any further, a video of this Air Canada Signature service

The Signature Service in detail

Air Canada Signature Service is part of a comprehensive travel experience dedicated to passengers travelling in Air Canada Signature Class.

The Air Canada Signature Class replaces :

the “International Business Class”.
the “Transcontinental Business Class

In its international version (available now), this Signature Class is offered exclusively on flights serving Africa, Australia, Europe and South America with the main fleet (non-Red):

Boeing 787 (Dreamliner)
Boeing 777
Boeing 767
Airbus A330

In its transcontinental version (offered starting June 1, 2018), this Signature Class is available exclusively on wide-body aircraft (B787/B777/B767/A330) and on the following non-stop routes:

Los Angeles / San Francisco <> Toronto
Vancouver <> Montreal
Vancouver <> New York (Newark)
Toronto <> Vancouver
Toronto <> Calgary
Toronto <> Edmonton

Priority Services

Several priority services are available from Toronto Pearson International Airport:

Specific registration counters
Priority registration
Access to dedicated security checkpoints
Priority boarding (Zone 1)
Priority baggage handling on arrival

Concierge Service

Previously reserved exclusively for “Altitude Super Elite 100” passengers, Air Canada’s Concierge service is being extended to eligible (see below) Signature Class passengers (in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver).

Exclusive access to Maple Leaf Lounges (transcontinental flights)

Signature Class passengers on transcontinental flights have access to Air Canada’s Maple Leaf Lounges.

lg mll int 01 en — Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge – Montreal

Access to the Toronto Signature Suite (international flights)

For international passengers, they will have access – if they are eligible (see below) – to the Signature suite.

lg ssl 02 — Air Canada Signature Suite Toronto

Access to the Air Canada Signature Suite in Toronto is for guests only:

travelling on a non-stop flight operated by Air Canada
to Europe, Asia or South America
whose ticket was booked in the J, C, D, Z and P booking classes(not including award tickets purchased with Aeroplan miles)

Chauffeur service with BMW (international flights)

Air Canada will be the only airline in North America to offer a chauffeur service to passengers travelling in the premium cabin.

lg valet — Air Canada Chauffeur Service with BMW

This service will be offered to eligible Signature Class passengers (see below) connecting between a domestic and an international flight.

Detail of the cabin and seats of the Signature class

The Signature class cabin is the one we are getting to know well.

We have indeed made two photo reports about it:

ac497 montreal toronto air canada boeing 787 33 — Air Canada Business Class

Air Canada offers this new business class on most of its wide-body aircraft (B777 and B787). The old one is still in force on the B767 and A330.

With the introduction of the Signature Class, Air Canada is adding new elements:

a mattress cover
a “Want Les Essentiels” toiletry kit

Service on board the Signature Class

In addition, the Signature Class’ onboard service is enhanced with:

a kitchen by award-winning Canadian chef David Hawksworth
a wine list renewed by the sommelier Véronique Rivest
a new Air Canada signature cocktail
of Laurent-Perrier champagne

lg food 02 — Onboard Service – Air Canada Signature

Who should use Air Canada’s Signature Service

Air Canada Signature Service is for paying Air Canada Signature Class customers.

These are those whose tickets were booked in the J, C, D, Z and P booking classes(not including award tickets obtained with Aeroplan miles).

Bottom Line

Air Canada is therefore targeting the “real” business and/or upscale clientele for its Signature service(including the entire ground experience) and departures/connections in Toronto. We would obviously like to see this service extended to Vancouver / Montreal, since Air Canada also considers these airports as hubs to reach Asia (Tokyo / Shanghai / Seoul…).

For the points & miles enthusiasts, the Signature class (business class on board the aircraft) is of course accessible to them through award tickets: the service will therefore resemble the one described in our photo report on a Paris-Montreal flight. Only the Toronto experience (Signature lounge, chauffeured car, Concierge) remains unattainable.