Vancouver Int. Airport is very beautiful. The architects group and interior designers made and huge improvement over the older terminal it once was. I remember flying with my parents back in the day when CP, Canadian Pacific, was offering services from Vancouver. Even then from what I can remember it was always a very nice terminal. I decided to grab a coffee and something to eat. Went through customs and waited at the boarding gate. I took out my labtop and started to surf the free wifi internet. Time passed and it was time to board.
I have to say, I've heard many negative comments about Air Canada but don't see what all the hot air is all about. I boarded the plane on time. The plane was very clean and modern looking inside with all the nice electronic features even though it was an older 767. Sure, first class was a lot more lavishing, but so is the ticket price for an overseas flight to Japan. Everyone was on board. Flight crew came on the loud speaker letting us know some details about our flight and such. Not so much later, we were up in the air heading north west towards my first stop Tokyo, Japan.
The flight crew on board was excellent. I was catered with good entertainment. The movies, tv shows and other forms of on board entertainment were excellent. I must have watched two or three movies before I fell asleep. The food was wonderful. Warm, delicious. There was never a lack of beverages. I looked around and tried to figure out why people sometimes put Air Canada down. I could not find a flaw. The seats were excellent and had ample room for my legs. On thing I must comment on is that sometimes one has to give somebody a break. I noticed the flight attendants catering to people throughout the flight. The entire flight over was about ten or so hours. Maybe less. In addition, the hours they work are very strenuous and demanding. I gave it some serious thought and wondered if I could do the same job given the long hours of work in awkward time zones. My body would sure feel the effects. Just imagine being jet lagged and working a ten hour shift on top of it. I commend all flight crews in this factor.
I landed in Tokyo, Japan. The weather was good. Once we off boarded the plane I went through the continuing flight section. I went through security much like Vancouver and followed a few signs to my other waiting connection to Bangkok. I thought it was going to be another Air Canada plane but since they have this agreement with other airlines, , I boarded a United Airlines 747. I do have to say that this flight was seriously full. I don't think there was any more room to fit a mouse onboard. The economy class, which I was in, was pretty tight. Nonetheless, it was okay given it was only a six or seven hour flight.
We landed in Bangkok near midnight. I went through immigration, picked up my bags which went through all the way from Vancouver and went downstairs in the main terminal to hire a cab to take me to my final destination within the city. All in all, the Air Canada flight was a delight. I was attended to in an orderly fashion. My bags made it all the way through. My connections were right on time. I was very pleased with my service provided by Air Canada. In fact I returned via Air Canada though Thai Airways on the way back and made a connection in Hong Kong boarding a newer Air Canada, Boeing 777. My return service was as good if not better than on the way to Thailand. The same expectations were met and I had a trouble free flight back to Vancouver.
On my second trip to Thailand, I made sure to book through Air Canada once again. Once again, I was treated with the upmost respect and detailed service. I would rate Air Canada given my past flight experiences 5.5 out of 10. I can'r wait to go to Thailand again.
Stay tuned for updates to story. Always updating blog. travelassets@gmail.com
