@movernie
This past November, I was invited by Air Canada to try its new “Signature Class” flights and services, taking the international direct flight from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) to Haneda International Airport (HND) in Tokyo, Japan. I was experiencing this Signature Class products and services from the ground up at the airport all the way up in the air on the plane.
As the Air Canada official website states, “Air Canada Signature Service is our new end-to-end premium travel experience featuring the Air Canada Signature Class cabin, formerly known as International Business Class. It is offered exclusively when flying to and from Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe and South America on board our mainline Boeing 787, 777 and 767 aircraft and our Airbus A330 aircraft.”
Air Canada Signature Service ensures a seamless airport experience with dedicated check-in counters, expedited security clearance, lounge access, exclusive boarding lanes, priority baggage handling and more. On board, Air Canada Signature Class customers are treated to exclusive service and amenities.”
In this segment, I will be focusing on my Signature Class check-in and concierge experience at the Toronto Pearson International Airport. Let’s follow my journey and share this experience together!
The Signature Class entrance is located at the Terminal 1 of the Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYT). Remember, Signature Class passenger check in from a separate entrance. It’s located at Gate 1, a friendly Air Canada staff greeted me at the entrance, checked my passport and my mobile boarding pass.
As I walked inside, there was a small number of passengers checking in at the counters. The entire lobby was massive! Tons of space, there were 2 sets of sofas for me and other passengers to sit down and gather up my belongings. The lobby was tidy, modern and inviting. One of the perks for a Signature Class flight is the easy, relaxing check-in process. There are no long lineups, you walk in, you basically ready to check-in at the counter with the staff. That sense of calm and peace of mind of easy check-in definitely help setup for a good start to anyone’s journey.
Then, I grabbed my luggage and entered the concierge office (it’s located at the back of the lobby and had a greyish looking exterior). The moment I walked in, I was greeted by the friendly Air Canada concierge. She asked me how I am doing, which destination I am flying to and etc. I think this concierge service is what distinguishes and elevates the entire quality of the flight experience. The concierge office isn’t super big but it’s cozy and it feels like checking in a hotel room. I like it very much! It’s obviously a big contrast from the long lineups of baggage drop offs or checking in with the regular economy class line. I am not going to lie, at this point, I begin to get spoiled a bit, but I guess you get what you pay for, right?
After a smooth and enjoyable check in with the concierge, she guided me to a side door where I could drop off my check-in luggage. For my International Signature Class flight, I was given 2 complimentary check-in bags. After waving good bye to my luggage, the friendly staff picked up the phone and called the limo driver to drive his limo over the tarmac so he could pick me up and bring me to the other side of the terminal where I will be boarding my international flight to Tokyo, Japan.
Then, the friendly staff guided me to the security check point. As usual, there was a massive lineup of people waiting to pass the security check point. As part of the Signature Class perks, the staff showed the security member her ID pass and I showed my passport along with my boarding pass, we bypassed the long lineup. I still have to screen my backpack and my personal items but the process time was super short.
On the other end of the security check point, another friendly Air Canada staff greeted me and took over from that check point, she walked me to the tarmac where the Air Canada BMW Chauffeur Service awaits me. The friendly chauffeur greeted me, placed my carry on to the trunk and I hopped into the back seat of the all-new BMW 7-Series limo (for those who knows me, I love cars, so this limo service was one of my highlights of this Signature Class service so far).
Check out my next MoVernie BLOG on my experience sitting inside the BMW 7-Series as part of the Air Canada Signature BMW Chauffeur Service.
To learn more about the Air Canada Signature Flights (North American & International), please click here to view all the benefits and services you will receive.
Want to catch more of my Signature Class experience and my adventure to Tokyo, Japan? Follow my journey on Instagram (@RealMoVernie) and Twitter (@MoVernie).
The Signature Class flights & services from Toronto, Canada to Tokyo, Japan were provided by Air Canada. However, as always, the opinions expressed in this post are entirely my own.
