AIR CANADA
-In the Backstage of a Canadian Pride-
Air Canada, the flag carrier from the same country’s name, is an 82-year-old airline. In 1937, Trans-Canada Airlines operates its first operations in the country. Later TCA becomes Air Canada and operates also as an international carrier flying through 5 continents with 194 destinations mainly from Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Today we will make you discover another facet of this Canadian pride. Air Canada invited us in December to discover the backstage of an airline stopover in Paris-CDG. The Canadian company currently operates two flights per day, from Toronto - With the Boeing 787 - and Montreal - With the Boeing 777-300ER -. During the summer, the mapple brand is operating another destination, Vancouver, thanks to the Boeing 787-8 and upgrades its frequencies from Montreal operated twice a day, thanks to the Airbus A330-300 and the Boeing 777-300ER.
2H PRIOR DEPARTURE
Everything starts, two hours before at Terminal 2A where also operate American Airlines, El Al or XL Airways. From there, passengers are able to make their check-in thanks to self-service terminals or traditionally, at the check-in desks. Once past security, Air Canada’s passengers are invited to the small part called « the cherry » at the end of the terminal. This small boarding area offers a quiet space composed of two very discrete shops and obviously, seats.
One of the big advantages for Air Canada’s business travelers is that they can freely enjoy the very large Maple Leaf lounge. The offer is very diversified. While taking your breakfast before flying to YUL -Montreal - you can also work or enjoy one of the numerous magazines available.
1H PRIOR DEPARTURE
During this time, ground handling is already active around AC871 to Montreal to fresh up the cabin and prepare the aircraft for its 8 hours transatlantic flight. Cleaning is done, now the catering is brought to the plane from the airport’s kitchens. In the aircraft, your refreshments are stored in galleys. In the cockpit, engineers consult the report to know if any anomaly has been reported. These engineers are also active on the tarmac, making the aircraft tour to identify a possible technical issue. On ground, Fuel tanks are filling thanks with the precious JET-A1 and cargo holds are loaded with bags, fret, and mail.
In the meantime the second flight operated to Paris as AC880, from YYZ - Toronto - is arriving at its gate. Contrary to YUL’s service which can enjoy a 4 hours stopover, AC880/881 has a short one of 90 minutes. On this flight, teams are more than active, and crew are arriving at the aircraft a very short time after its landing and the cabin has to be ready in about 30 minutes.
30MIN PRIOR DEPARTURE
When the cabin is fully ready, boarding is able to be started. At this time there are 30 minutes left before pushback. After 2 minutes of delay, the airline has to make a report and justify it. Punctuality is one of the fundamental principles in commercial operations. An aircraft not flying is a sad aircraft but is also costing a lot of money. When the last passenger is seated, the main cabin crew is declaring « Boarding completed and count correct ».
A LOOK AT THE CABIN
TIME
While boarding completed, it is now time to close doors and disconnect the jetway. When this is done, pilots can now ask ATC for pushback and start clearance and make their way to the runway to begin the long transatlantic journey.
We would like to thanks Jean-François Raudin, Air Canada’s General Manager and Lea Neuville from GroupExpression for their invitation and their help to show you the backstage of their operations with rare transparency.
- Thank you dear readers for your attention -