Note: I took this trip to be able to report back on what international travel is like nowadays, since it’s something a lot of people have questions about. If you do choose to travel, please make sure you take appropriate precautions, not just to protect yourself, but also to protect others. Also consider the risks and constantly changing rules surrounding travel, which can significantly complicate things. See the introduction post in this series for more background on the precautions we took, and the potential risks.
Our first flight enroute to Bodrum was from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal on Air Canada. Let me share the itinerary that we booked to get to Bodrum, and then I’ll get into my review of Air Canada’s updated business class service.
Our flight itinerary to Bodrum
Understandably airlines are operating limited schedules at the moment, and most routings to Bodrum involved three connections. We wanted to minimize connections as much as possible, and there were limited options that involved two connections.
Turkish Airlines had no transatlantic business class award availability for the outbound, so we had to look at other options. One of the few international flights into Bodrum at the moment is on Lufthansa out of Munich, on a twice weekly flight. Only one flight per week (on Saturdays) is timed to connect from transatlantic flights.
That meant we needed to cross the Atlantic on Friday, and Lufthansa’s only transatlantic flight on Fridays with the current schedule is out of Montreal (US routes seem to operate on Thursdays and Saturdays).
Long story short, we ended up redeeming miles for the following, all in business class:
7/10 AC913 Fort Lauderdale to Montreal departing 1:25PM arriving 4:44PM
7/10 LH475 Montreal to Munich departing 8:35PM arriving 9:55AM (+1 day)
7/11 LH1772 Munich to Bodrum departing 11:15AM arriving 3:00PM
I ended up redeeming Air Canada Aeroplan miles for this, at the per person cost of 57,500 Aeroplan miles plus $640 in taxes and fuel surcharges.
Those fuel surcharges are rough, so why did I book through Aeroplan? Because the Air Canada flight from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal only had award space through Aeroplan, and not through partner programs.
As much as it frustrates me to pay these surcharges, this ended up being the best option for a pretty direct route. Furthermore, given how empty the Montreal to Munich flight was, I felt like we really got quite a deal, since we were basically chartering a private jet.
Flying Air Canada in the coronavirus era
Our flight from Fort Lauderdale to Montreal was departing at 1:25PM, and we got to the airport at around 11:30AM. We intentionally arrived a bit early, just in case the agent had any issues with our itinerary.
After all, international travel restrictions are complicated right now. We were transiting both Canada and Germany, which are countries that allow Americans to transit, but don’t allow Americans to enter. Fortunately this turned out to be a non-issue.
Despite flights around the same time to both Toronto and Montreal, Air Canada check-in at FLL was deserted. Our temperatures were taken and we were asked if we had any COVID-19 symptoms.
The check-in process was painless, and our boarding passes were issued once the check-in agent confirmed we were allowed to enter Turkey.
Air Canada check-in Fort Lauderdale Airport
Fort Lauderdale Airport check-in hall
There weren’t any other passengers at the security checkpoint, so we were through in less than a minute (CLEAR was closed, but in this case that wasn’t much of a loss).
Fort Lauderdale Airport security checkpoint
FLL Terminal 2 Concourse D isn’t exactly the prettiest departures hall, though it was quiet and there was plenty of space to distance.
Fort Lauderdale Airport gate area
Our flight to Montreal was departing from gate D3, and boarding was scheduled for 12:50PM. The flight had only about 60 people on it, and 10 of those passengers were in wheelchairs, so they were pre-boarded.
Air Canada boarding gate
At around 12:55PM an orderly boarding process started, with business class passengers being invited to board first.
Air Canada 913
Fort Lauderdale (FLL) – Montreal (YUL)
Friday, July 10
Depart: 1:25PM
Arrive: 4:44PM
Duration: 3hr19min
Aircraft: Airbus A320
Seat: 2F (Business Class)
There were two flight attendants at the door wearing gloves and masks, though they didn’t say a word as we (or anyone else) boarded.
Air Canada’s A320 business class cabin consists of 14 seats, spread across four rows in a 2-2 configuration (the right side of the cabin has an extra row, as there’s a closet on the left side).
Air Canada business class cabin A320
Air Canada business class cabin A320
Seats have about 38″ of pitch, so they’re comparable to what you’d find in domestic first class on a US airline.
Air Canada business class seats A320
Air Canada business class seats A320
Air Canada has personal televisions and little footrests in A320 business class.
Air Canada business class legroom A320
There were individual air nozzles at every seat, and also power outlets underneath the seat consoles.
Air Canada business class individual air nozzles A320
Air Canada business class power outlets A320
The tray tables folded out from the far armrests.
Air Canada business class tray table A320
Once settled in, the flight attendants distributed little baggies, each of which had a bottle of water, a mask, gloves, two disinfecting wipes, and hand sanitizer.
Air Canada gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and water
Air Canada gloves, hand sanitizer, disinfecting wipes, and water
The boarding process was quick since there were only about 60 people on the plane, and everyone was onboard within about 10 minutes. There were just nine passengers in business class. We were lucky in that the row behind us, the row to the side of us, and the seat in front of me, were all empty.
The door closed at 1:05PM, 20 minutes ahead of schedule. An Emirates 777 happened to be landing as I took a picture out the window, which put a big smile on my face.
Pushing back from FLL
At 1:10PM we began our pushback, at which point the safety video was played. At 1:15PM we began our taxi, and by 1:20PM we were cleared for takeoff for our 2hr55min flight to Montreal.
View after takeoff from FLL
About 20 minutes after takeoff the seatbelt sign was turned off, at which point the crew changed into PPE. Or at least they wore white gowns in addition to masks, gloves, and glasses.
For some context on Air Canada’s staffing right now, the company has laid off 5,100+ flight attendants during the pandemic, and that was done purely based on seniority. Those flight attendants still flying all have well over 20 years of seniority at the airline. As you might expect, this was a pretty senior crew.
That situation is in stark contrast to what we’re seeing in the US. US airlines have received payroll support through September 30, and at most US airlines it’s the most junior flight attendants flying, rather than the most senior flight attendants (who are getting paid to stay home). That situation will likely change as of October 1, when US airlines start furloughing employees.
Air Canada crew PPE
Earbuds were distributed after takeoff.
Air Canada business class headphones
The crew then distributed snack boxes in business class.
Air Canada business class snack
This included a chicken wrap, some sort of a potato and salmon appetizer (or something), roasted salted almonds, and a Kit-Kat bar.
Air Canada business class snack
We were also offered a bottle of water.
Air Canada business class water
The only further service was that trash was collected. There was no other drink service, no refills of bottled water, etc.
I also found it interesting that the crew never said a word to us. That’s not necessarily a bad thing — it’s my understanding that the crew is supposed to minimize interaction with passengers, and I’m totally fine with that (it’s yet another form of risk mitigation). It’s just not often you take a flight in business class and a crew member doesn’t say a single word. But we’re also living in a new era.
Map enroute to Montreal
I spent most of the flight working. Air Canada has Gogo Wi-Fi, so I was able to stay productive, as there wasn’t much else to do. My Gogo membership worked on this flight, but otherwise a Wi-Fi pass for the flight would have cost 12.95CAD.
I’m trying to avoid using bathrooms as much as possible on planes right now, but checked out the forward lavatory before landing.
Air Canada A320 business class lavatory
At around 3:45PM we began our descent. One thing that hasn’t changed about aviation nowadays is that looking out the window at the world below is still mesmerizing.
View approaching Montreal
View approaching Montreal
We touched down in Montreal at 4:15PM, and had a five minute taxi to our arrival gate from there.
Air Canada A320 Montreal
Suffice to say the journey got much more interesting from this point forward, with our surreal layover and near private jet to Munich…
Air Canada business class bottom line
It’s fascinating to see how different airlines are handling service during the coronavirus pandemic.
Air Canada has made significant adjustments to its onboard service. The flight attendants remaining at the airline right now have 20+ years seniority, as all others have been laid off. These flight attendants wear masks, gloves, and white gowns.
As far as food and drinks go, in business class there was a snack box and a bottle of water, but nothing else. The crew didn’t even say a word to us while providing the service.
Let me emphasize that I’m here to report on what things are like right now, and I don’t necessarily have a strong opinion on how things should be when it comes to airline service.
More so than ever before, airlines are prioritizing safety over all else, and that’s a good thing. In my opinion airlines should do what they can to encourage people to wear masks as much as possible, because we know that can help stop the spread of coronavirus. The less service is provided, the less time people will spend with masks off. Therefore on the surface less service seems like a good thing.
Does that mean airlines should cut service to this extent? I don’t know, though this was in stark contrast to my next flight, where it was more or less business (class) as usual.
What do you make of Air Canada’s updated service protocol?
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