Air Canada

Tuesday 3rd September

Today was spent mostly travelling,  but if there is one thing to take from it,  avoid Air Canada unless you really have no choice..

OK ok... Maybe I'm being a little over dramatic...

I arrived at the airport for my 8am flight to Toronto. The Air Canada check in area seemed a bit chaotic. Firstly when you checked yourself in,  as well as a boarding pass,  you also got your luggage labels which has you had to attach yourself.  Cue lots of passengers without a clue.

I didn't print mine as I had an electronic boarding pass so skipped that and went straight to bag drop. Bag drop is really just a desk with,  in my case, a member of staff with no personality. My boarding pass wouldn't scan so she had to take my phone to someone else else. She returns with a boarding pass and luggage label, conversation goes like this.

Ac: Here's your boarding pass sir,  you've been moved onto a different flight as we've downgraded the aircraft and can't fit you on anymore...
Me: Excuse me what?
Ac: repeats herself,  followed by: thank you.... *shouts* next in line please
Me: stood staring with look of shock
Ac: oh,  are you not happy sir?
Me: would you be?
Ac: you need to go speak to that Asian lady over there if you want to complain.. *shouts again* next in line please

So yeah, it turns out that due to mechanical problems,  our aircraft has been used as a replacement and they've given our route two small aircraft.  One going at the original time with half the passengers,  the rest bumped off onto the other going an hour later.  No apologies, no compensation... Nothing.

I know 1 hour is nothing and I still get to Toronto but the customer service was appalling. I went through security and went to find the gate.  The new flight wasn't on any screen so I went to the airport info desk.  The guy couldn't find the flight and when I explained what happened he rolled his eyes and said 'They do this all the time... I don't think I need to say anymore' he pointed me towards the Air Canada desk for help...

What a joke... So I get on the plane,  and that's about the only nice thing,  it's clean and modern and decent leg room.  Inflight service was complimentary soft drinks but you had to pay for everything else and they only accepted credit card,  the stewards response being 'they don't trust us with cash'

Anyway, I made it and went out for a huge meal when I was settled as I was starving! Now looking forward to exploring this city!