New inflight service
Will Air Canada have install new PTVs in the Economy class?
Will Air Canada operate a B747-400 or a A340-300 to fly from Vancouver to Sydney (via Honolulu)?
How many movies does Air Canada offer from YVR to SYD (via HNL)?
Thanks for your time
My post above implies adding one extra class for upgrade. Not 26. All I said was there are still some unused letters in the 26 alphabets and picking one to be used as upgrade inventory should not be too complicated...............
Empress, in all probability you're right. I just raise this out of amusement because these types of assumptions have burned people (like myself) many, many times.
A case in point encountered at a financial institution bears remarkable resemblance to this one. The alphabetic character, in that case, represented an account type. Same assumption: easy to expand up to 26 (or more, use numerals, lowercase, etc.) account types.
It turned out the value was not stored as a character. It was in a 4 bit field. Translation: it could only store a value from 0 to 15 - hence, only 16 types possible. The 0 to 15 value was used as an index into tables scattered throughout the system with a hard-wired length of 16 entries. Expanding from 15 to 16 was easy. Expanding from 16 required major architectural changes.
Sorry, Empress, sometimes I find it hard to resist sharing these experiences when people make the "that must be a simple change" assumption.
Legacy systems are horrible, and always seem to punish those who make what seem to be reasonable assumptions. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/smile.gif
but it seems that a lot of the things that people are asking for (separate award class, electronic upgrades, op upgrade by status for overbooked flights) are simply impossible with the IT systems currently at AC.The only thing on your list that's not possible is electronic upgrades. Extra booking class can still be added as all 26 alphabets still haven't been used up yet. As for upgrade by status - there's already an option that airport agents can use to display 'name lists' of a flight by status. From SE all the way down to basic. So not as bad as it seems. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Thanks Terenz for the freebie. http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Extra booking class can still be added as all 26 alphabets still haven't been used up yet.
Now that's making a huge assumption. It's very rarely that simple.
Will Air Canada have install new PTVs in the Economy class?No, most likely in the A345s coming next year.
Will Air Canada operate a B747-400 or a A340-300 to fly from Vancouver to Sydney (via Honolulu)?744 until Feb 21 then 763 after that.
How many movies does Air Canada offer from YVR to SYD (via HNL)?http://www.aircanada.ca/services/entertainment/enroutetv.html
Remember 'S' class is sort of a subset of J too and whenever someone is booked in that class, they're assigned a J seat. So I am quite sure there can be > 3 booking codes for Business class. All the booking code does is tell the computer what seat mask to pull up and a seat will be taken out of the appropiate inventory. (I am not 100% sure about the limit of 3 thing though as I don't know the programming behind RESIII. So just a guess based on what I know.)
If I am not mistaken usually when there is S class on a flight there is no C loaded....so you can change the letters but you can never have more than 3 in J
Priority went into IT...
Maybe the priority went there, but I don't know if any money went there. I don't have any first-hand information, but it seems that a lot of the things that people are asking for (separate award class, electronic upgrades, op upgrade by status for overbooked flights) are simply impossible with the IT systems currently at AC.
I belive this to be one of the most pressing needs at AC. I have seen (and continue to see) what bad IT systems can slowly do to a company, and it ain't pretty.
Hey Parnel and MapleLeaf, can't you cut SH a little bit of slack during the holiday season? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
[This message has been edited by newbie elite (edited 12-19-2002).]
The new executive first service takes forever and the food is not that great. Portions are small. I think Air Canada should fly their attendants on SQ,MH,CX,NH,NZ to see what Business Class is really all about. To me, AC J class is economy class with legroom and slow food.
I think they need to fly the top hot dogs and other major decision makers on these airlines -- not necessarily FAs as, after all, at the end of the day, they do what they are trained and told to do...
I recall that the mainscreen between SYD and HNL/HNL and YVR [and return] offers a recent feature, an older "classic" feature, and a bunch of short subjects on each leg.
In this regard, AC will definitely remain second rate on its most competitive routes where CX and BA have upgraded to multi-channel, in seat PVTs.
At the Annual Shareholders meeting held in Calgary in 1999 -- a few months before everything went out of control but shortly after a crippling pilot's strike -- I raised the question [Lamar Durrett was outgoing and RM about to ascend to the presidency] about AC's "doudy and second rate" back cabin international service, and what might be expected. AC had just done a relaunch of their J products, coinciding with delivery of A330s and A340s.
He admitted there would not be PTVs on the new Airbuses, but as part of a refurbishment of the 767 fleet which were entering their 10th year+, similar comforts would be added. [747s at the time were being taken out of service, but have since been reintroduced.]
AC was likely prepared to enhance this much sooner, but scrapped such plans when it had to fight off ONEX -- and thus acquire CP and lots more debt [$2 billion from CP, an almost equal amount in the buyback of 2/3rds of its shares, since somewhat refinanced by the shares issued to LH and UA for the cash they provided -- and then the industry went further into a tail spin and all major capital spending had to be reassessed. Priority went into IT and branding proojects, with J product redesign next in line. The back cabin just does not produce the revenue to justify upgrading as long as it keeps getting filled with the current amenities.
For the time being, AC offers a few extra inches of pitch on such flights, which is noticeable if you have ever flown long haul on IB, BA or even CX.
Edited to provide further details in support as demanded by ML.
[This message has been edited by Shareholder (edited 12-20-2002).]
Shareholder, since you seem to have access the numbers, Just what was A/C's total debt including lease obligations before the Onex takeover attempt? I seem to recall that they only took something like a 1 billion (including Lufthansa and United's investments/notes) in debt (not including long term contract with Cara, CIBC etc).
PS I am learning the "quote" thing, hope I haven't screwed it up.
Recently I have rediscovered Czech Airlines with 2 or 3 weekly flights out of YYZ/YUL to PRG on A310-300.
Quietly, they revamped their fare structure and onboard service.
It is possible to fly between YUL and PRG in D class (discounted business) for CAD 1,700 return. You can accumulate points on OK Plus or any other Skyteam airline.
They offer free and ample drinks and really tasty food in the main cabin, and passengers are offered a simple but nice to look at printed menu. I am sure that it does not cost much but goes a long way. Their staff is very friendly, efficient and always available.
Considering the above, no matter how much I love AC, it is impossible NOT to consider OK when travelling to Europe.
New inflight service will feature "spring fresh" galley tap water, served in a lovely Dasani decanter.
Be nice now you can get lemon and ice with it as well http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
Speaking of IT didn't AC sign some big out sourcing contract last year or the year before with IBM to run and manage their IT systems.
I am curious to hear what Shareholder has to say about A/C's pre Onex debt.
Recently I have rediscovered Czech Airlines with 2 or 3 weekly flights out of YYZ/YUL to PRG on A310-300.
Quietly, they revamped their fare structure and onboard service.
It is possible to fly between YUL and PRG in D class (discounted business) for CAD 1,700 return. You can accumulate points on OK Plus or any other Skyteam airline.
Ahoj Vaclav, Jak Se Mas?
Czech Airlines consistently provides good service with great fares, the $1700 Business class fare or the $650 economy fare to Prague is hard to pass up. OK is also offering Vienna at $650 in economy from YUL/YYZ at this moment. You can't go wrong with the Pilsner Urquell either.
------------------
Rewards Canada Frequent Flier Resource
Rewards Canada (http://members.shaw.ca/rewardscanada/frequentflier.html)
My post above implies adding one extra class for upgrade. Not 26. All I said was there are still some unused letters in the 26 alphabets and picking one to be used as upgrade inventory should not be too complicated...............
I don't think it is that easy....my understanding is the computer cannot take an additional booking code for business class. 3 is the max. Now how much it would cost to reprogram this is anybodys guess.
The new executive first service takes forever and the food is not that great. Portions are small. I think Air Canada should fly their attendants on SQ,MH,CX,NH,NZ to see what Business Class is really all about. To me, AC J class is economy class with legroom and slow food.
Last year I made the decision to not fly AC unless I have to and I will continue to keep this philosophy. AC needs to give their employees some R&R time, lay off on the corporate routines and procedures and hire some people who want to work.
Dave - Japan
Really? News to me, in this period of difficult economic woes.
Well you know SH, he has inside information all researched and proven to seed us with desire here.He,I'm sure gets his information right from "Bob".
SH give up the horse crap--we are on to you.
[This message has been edited by Empress (edited 12-19-2002).]
The reason this has not been done is not because it's too complicated. AC is scheduled to align their booking classes with other Star Alliance carriers sometime in 2003. Until that is done, nothing much will change. So I guess that will be very complicated since they have to re-program all 26 alphabets.
At the end of 2000, it has grown to $3.967 billion (+$1.192 billion) and went down to $3.679 at end of 2001.
One interesting note is the subordinated debt. These are perpetuities so AC doesn't have to pay down principal unless it chooses to. AC has in the past chosen to devalue these debts on foreign exchange gain basis (by $365mm in 2001). Given how the USD has performed against the EUR and CHF (consitutes half the debt's denomination) lately, I expect this gain to be much reduced in 2002.
Not going to analyse the other debt ratios unless someone wants to pay me to.
Until that happens I will challenge him on everything he posts for the proof. Plain and simple.
Are you sure you don't want a membership in the Canadian Alliance? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
Hey Parnel and MapleLeaf, can't you cut SH a little bit of slack during the holiday season? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
I will cut him slack when he stops acting like a know-it all pompous a$$. Until that happens I will challenge him on everything he posts for the proof. Plain and simple.
[This message has been edited by MapleLeaf (edited 12-19-2002).]
Are you sure you don't want a membership in the Canadian Alliance? http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/wink.gif
I hold no political affiliations and plan on keeping it that way. But thanks for thinking of me FlyerAl, oh buddy, oh pal http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/biggrin.gif
I think they need to fly the top hot dogs and other major decision makers on these airlines -- not necessarily FAs as, after all, at the end of the day, they do what they are trained and told to do...
I stand corrected - you are right. Surely someone in charge must have experience with other airlines to know that their product is not the best.
we may see a new Hospitality Class intercontinental seat with PVTs in the seat backs as many carriers now offer.
Really? News to me, in this period of difficult economic woes.
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