YYZ-CGK-YYZ Commute on AC and SQ

[YYZ]

This is my first ever TR, do be gentle.

Prelude

So it's finally time for the Christmas Holiday and it's time for me to go home and spend Christmas with my family. This time around I decided to do YYZ-FRA-SIN-CGK on SQ with the YYZ-FRA segment on the AC operated SQ code-share. I don't quite remember why I decided to take this route given the usual chaos in Europe during the winter months. I was rather anxious for several days before my flights due to the snowstorm in western Europe, but alas, everything was relatively alright the day of my flight.

YYZ T1

Check-in at YYZ T1 was rather uneventful. After a short 15-minute ride from my apartment, I arrived at T-2hrs. Executive First, AC Super Elite, AC Elite, AC Prestige, and Star Alliance Gold check in is done at Row A at YYZ T1 for all non-US bound flights. The area's nice and calm compared to the chaos of all the other check-in rows at this time. Check-in was quick and painless. There are about 5 premium check-in desks and 1 dedicated Super Elite desk. Super Elites get their own lane which leads to the dedicated desk, as well as to the front of the queue for the general premium check-in desks, this was a rather nice touch. I was surprised to find that the area was rather deserted, 2 parties checking-in at the 3 or 4 open positions. I was promptly checked-in, baggage was tagged, and boarding passes for all 3 segments were issued.

I leisurely made my way to the security checkpoint for international departures, which was also rather deserted, short lines at the regular lanes, no line at the priority lanes. I was through and airside in less than 1 minute.

I then made my way to the Maple Leaf Lounge and gate area. To my surprise, the express walkway was actually functioning!!! After countless flights out of YYZ T1 International, this was my first time using the walkway, not too big of a deal but it was nicer than taking what seems like an infinite series of moving walkways. (YYZ regulars will know what I'm talking about )

The Maple Leaf Lounge was rather nice and calm this time around, while it's nothing to write home about it's definitely a nice oasis in the stale concrete block that is YYZ T1. It was nice to sit down and grab a cup of tea and some cookies before the flight.

All in all it took me 10 minutes to get to the MLL from the time I got off the cab.

[YYZ]

AC872 YYZ-FRA



My advance apologies for the extremely poor quality of the pictures as they were taken with the 2 Megapixel camera on my BlackBerry

Boarding

I left the at around 40 minutes prior to departure and pre-boarding announcements were made just as I arrived at the gate area. Nothing out of the ordinary, priority boarding was strictly enforced.

Flight: SQ1072 operated by AC872
Aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER
Seat: 6A
ETD: 17h30
ETA: 07h30+1

So I made my way down the first jetway, was welcomed back at door 1L, and escorted to my absolute favourite seat on AC. Somehow there was a swarm of people behind me waiting to go through but the FA actually held them back so I could place my carry-on in the overhead bin.

The amenity kit, bottled water, and blanket was already placed on the seat. And so, I got settled for my first flight of this holiday.


Plenty of legroom...


Overnight amenity kit


Kamins body lotion, lip balm, and some coupons

Pre-departure drinks of orange juice, sparkling wine, and water, and newspapers were offered.

[YYZ]

YYZ-FRA

Upon completion of boarding, menus for the flight were distributed and seconds of drinks were offered.



Doors were closed and the safety video was played. Upon completion of the safety demonstration, the Service Director came over to introduce herself and take down our choices for dinner. Super Elites get first dibs on meal choices regardless of whether they are paid J passengers or are on upgraded/redemptions. Another nice touch .



Tonight's Dinner

I opted for the Seasoned Black Cod, presented with Saffron Potatoes, Green Beans and Braised Leeks.

The SD also asked for my preference of after take-off drink, for which I requested some Drappier.

Our Wine Selection

Champagne

Champagne Drappier Carte d'Or Brut, Reims, France
Champagne Drappier has become a favourite on board, and we will continue to share with yout his wonderful Cuvée. Voted the best Champagne in the air in 2006, it delivers powerful notes of peach and dried fruits on the nose.

White Wines

Montes Chardonnay Classic Series, Curicó, Chile
Tenuta Sant'Antonio Fontana Soave, Veneto, Italy

Red Wines

Canton and Larsen Prospect Winery Merlot, Okanagan Valley VQA, BC, Canada
Château d'Argadens, Bordeaux, France

Port

Dow's Port, Portugal
This Port has a plum jam aroma with a silky smooth texture. The sweetness of this port is not persistent, allowing freshness on the palate after each sip.

Pushback and take-off were slightly delayed due to the late closing of the cargo door.

Upon reaching cruising altitude, the seat belt sign was switched off. Then began a long series of announcements, and this being AC, these were made in English and Français, and Deustch.

After about 5 minutes, I was finally able to dig into the IFE and see what was playing.

Hot towels were distributed and they were actually steaming HOT. Shortly afterward the SD came over with my champagne and some almonds and cashews, we then had a chat about my plans for this holiday and her roster for the coming weeks. Full bar service was offered after the hot towels. The SD on this flight went around to the SEs and personally brought them their drinks.


Champagne Drappier, Cashews and Almonds

[YYZ]

YYZ-FRA

Shortly after bar service was completed, the crew came around with the linen and set the tables for dinner.

Appetizer
Smoked Salmon with Cream Cheese, Capers, Onions, Cucumber, Caper Berries and Pumpernickel

Salad
Organic Field Greens, Grape Tomatoes, and Parmesan served with Balsamic Vinaigrette

The FA then asked for my drink preference, I requested some sparkling and some more champagne; she insisted that she replaces my champagne with a fresh glass as the one I had seemed to have gotten flat already.

The smoked salmon appetizer was rather refreshing and went nicely with the Drappier.

Main Course
Seasoned Black Cod presented with Saffron Potatoes, Green Beans, and braised Leeks

I must say that although the black cod didn't look so appetizing, it was really quite delicious and cooked just right.

Selection of Cheese
Camembert, Yellow Cheddar, and Oka, served with crackers

The FA insisted on pouring me a glass of the Port and I must say it drank quite nicely.

Dessert
Tahitian Vanilla, Belgian Chocolate, and Cappuccino Ice Cream

Dessert was frozen solid though I don't really mind as I don't like my ice cream runny. The ice creams however were nothing special at all, feeling unfulfilled, I requested for the sliced fruits.

Dinner service was completed at around a third of the way into the flight.




Crossing over the pond...

There was nothing on the IFE that particularly interested me so I opted to watch some K-Drama on my iPad before going to sleep

[YYZ]

YYZ-FRA


I was only able to sleep for about an hour or two before waking up again. Upon noticing that I was awake, an FA came over with a hot towel and asked me if she could bring me anything to drink.

After another hour or two the mood lighting was switched to "dawn" indicating it'll soon be time for breakfast.


Dawn...

Continental Breakfast was soon served.


Today's Continental Breakfast Menu

Pre-Arrival Continental Breakfast
Fresh Orange Juice
Sliced Seasonal Fruit
Croissants and Pains au Chocolat with Butter and Preserves
Yogurt

Breakfast service was completed at about 40 minutes out of Frankfurt.







The Service Director then came around the cabin to ask us whether everything was alright with today's flight and thanked us for our business. Not long after, we started descent towards Frankfurt.


All ready to head to the tropics

Not long after, we touched down at FRA. Of course, another series of tri-lingual announcements followed. "...ladies and gentlemen, with the congestion due to the snow here in Frankfurt, we will be parking at a remote stand..."

And here begins my rant: It took us a good 10 minutes or so of taxiing before reaching our stand (no surprises there). After coming to a complete stop, I got up and was ready to disembark, however, it was another 20-30 minutes until doors were finally opened and we could finally disembark. I was chatting with some of the other passengers and they had clearly missed their connecting European flights . So we were finally on board the bus, of course it took us another good few minutes of driving around the tarmac until we finally arrive at the B Transfer. [PAUSE]

Verdict
After many flights with Air Canada I'm still rather impressed with them after their Project-XM and they are definitely one of my preferred airlines.
Service while not of the pampering style you would get on board SQ is always courteous, efficient, and genuine, and quite consistent too! It's also good that they know how to treat their frequent flyers.

The IFE somewhat lacks selection but they don't break down as often nowadays. IFE is not too important to me anymore since I usually bring my own on my laptop or iPad. I also find it annoying that while AC offers gate-to-gate entertainment, the screen latches so that the screen is inside which means that during taxi, take-off, and landing you have no entertainment whatsoever. The VS/NZ and CX version of the herringbone seats are designed so that one can continue to enjoy the IFE even during taxi, take-off, and landing.

Catering was fine on this flight, but is usually a lot better ex-Asia.

The AC version of the herringbone J seats is actually quite comfortable. As a seat, it is a lot more adjustable than the VS/NZ versions but not as plush although with the right setting it can be equally comfortable. In bed mode the VS/NZ version wins hands down because the AC version has a lot of contours which makes it a lot less comfortable in sleeping version. The ottoman not being a buddy seat is also somewhat disappointing since it means that when traveling with a companion, the only place to socialize would be the galleys. Also, the tray table is not height-adjustable which makes it impossible to dine in a reclined position.

Overall, I'd give this experience a 9/10.

As always, your feedback is greatly appreciated

Up next: FRA Transit

[milehighj]

Thanks for the TR. Is there a pic of the actual seat?

[SQflyergirl]

Thanks for sharing this !

[mraquinas]

Job well done YYZ.....
I hope you did enjoy your 'pulang kampung' visit...