From Hawaii to Vancouver aboard an Air Canada 737max: my first in-flight emergency
When the flight attendant asked if there was a doctor on board, silence fell throughout the plane
Air Canada
Star Alliance
YYC
Canada
Recommended by TFC
The last two sections of the my crazy world tour Have been on board Air Canada. The first from Honolulu to Vancouver and the second and last from Vancouver to London.
- Specifications
- Aircraft:
- 737max
- Class:
- Economy
- Treat:
- HNL - YVC
- Price:
- 79 pounds + 75 euros
- Book
I arrived at the airport in Honolulu early, I had completely forgotten my advice, viz. Avoid going to the airport in Honolulu too early. This is because at all airports in America, unlike in most of the rest of the world, In the public area there is no life and often not even a place to sit. And the Daniel K. Inouye International Airport is perhaps the one that has the least, the international terminal has none at all.
Reservation
The special feature of a round-the-world ticket is that it is one itinerary, one NRP that contains all the routes. Mine dates back to spring 2020 and in this 30 months it has been changed several times.
The initial itinerary, for example, was to fly from Honolulu to San Francisco and from there depart for London aboard two United flights. Instead in the various route changes I ended up flying to Vancouver on Canada's national airline.
Check-in
Honolulu's airport reminds me of those in the Caribbean or small destinations in Asia, a larger version of Phuket's.
This is because it has no doors and is almost outdoors: both in the check-in area and once you pass the controls, there are spots where you are open on the runway.
About 3 1/2 hours before departure, the attendants began check-in procedures. Canada has removed all restrictions with respect to When I had been in Toronto in September 2021., the only remaining requirement is to have the ArriveCan app and the relevant QR of successful registration.
In my case it was not even necessary since I was only in transit, but just in case of problems I had done it anyway.
P.S. Of course, you always need the eTA, or electronic visa. It lasts 5 years, there is no need to update it, but if you change passports it lapses and, like all other versions, must be reapplied for.
My itinerary has always forced me to physically check in., except for the first two sections. It also triggered a series of extra checks, the same questions each time, and after the questions, the attendant's curiosity about my trip was triggered each time.
At the airport
In the United States, we are still in the Stone Age when it comes to airport security screening. Hard to find "priority" routes to skip the line when you have status or travel in business. There are services, TSA and GLobal Entry, which are paid for by U.S. citizens only.
It is also, I think, the last place in the world where 100% passengers are made to take off their shoes, no matter if you have flip-flops or steel-toed boots.
Past security I immediately headed for the United Club, i.e., the lounge of the American carrier that participates in the same alliance as Air Canada.
The beauty of status, when you are on the ground, is that you are treated even better than a business class passenger.
The lounge was located at the opposite end from my departure gate. I don't know why Air Canada departs so far from the gates used by other Star Alliance carriers., there is usually an alliance/group logic in the United States.
Little matter, I had time anyway, so I got to see the whole airport. Also because there are 2 terminals for the check-in part, then once you go through security, you are all in one long hallway.
The lounge
The United Club is located on the level above the departure level in the G6 gate area. The lounge overlooks the runway, the planes are only a few meters away. Too bad there is still little movement than usual.
There is a practice in the United States that does not exist in Europe, In lounges there is often a menu for a fee, especially for drinking. Americans drink a lot and at any time of the day or night. So the lounges have a selection of free alcohol and then a longer offer for a fee. It is also good to remember that in the U.S. tipping is as mandatory for the cab as it is at the restaurant, and of course the lounge is no exception.
While the beverage offerings were more than good, the buffet was practically nonexistent or almost nonexistent. All I ended up having was some diced cheddar and a pineapple sorbet.
On board
We left almost 60 minutes late, the reason being that the flight from Vancouver had arrived later than scheduled.
The layout of this 737max includes two classes: business with a 2-2 configuration and economy with a classic 3-3 configuration.
Air Canada, however, offers several rows called "preferred seats" in the first part of the economy class cabin, passengers who sit in this area of the plane have about 2 inches of extra legroom.
Five centimeters may seem small, but instead absolutely make a difference, and for a flight of about 5 hours, they make the trip definitely more comfortable.
This time again I chose the window seat, the reasons being always the same: all in all, short and overnight trip, and then being close to the window I could take photos and some video of the landing.
The flight was absolutely comparable to an international European flight. Once the cruise altitude was reached, service began, or rather, opened the bistro since Air Canada eliminated the free meal on board And offers only a beverage.
The menu can be consulted on the screen, Of course, the price is in Canadian dollars.
I wanted to take a chance and got a 3-cheese pizza that arrived hot in 2 minutes. Let's say comparable to a local speedy pizza.
I would have liked to try Lavazza coffee as well, but the emergency on board closed the bistro early.
Excuse us, is there a doctor on board?
The flight was running smoothly until about 90 minutes after landing, an announcement came from the crew asking if there was a doctor on board.
A woman stood up from one of the last rows and was escorted to the business class cabin where a passenger sitting in the front row was unwell. About 40 minutes later the woman returned to her seat.
Before we began our descent, the captain warned the passengers that when we arrived in Vancouver we would have to remain seated. This was because paramedics would come on board to take care of the passenger and only then would the disembarkation of the other passengers begin.
This is the first time in all my travels that I have heard this announcement And especially that I experience such an emergency on board. On the plane the buzz has ceased, for about 10 minutes it's as if everyone is playing the silent game. Fortunately, the person recovered and when we disembarked we saw her conscious talking to medical staff
IFE
The stark difference with domestic planes is that in North America all the traditional carriers, and several of the low-cost ones, offer in-flight entertainment. Here there is a touch screen with about a hundred pieces of content including movies, TV series, documentaries and music.
If you want to use it, and you don't have headphones, you have to buy them. AC has two options: standard or those with noise cancellation, selling for $4 and $7. I always have my wireless adapter, too bad the jack didn't fit in the socket and I spent 3/4 of the trip holding it in my hand.
No live channels and very basic interactive map, but-considering that over here in Europe on 737s at times we don't even have headrests-this is still a remarkable step forward.
Too bad only that wi-fi was not available on board, Lately it's becoming my curse. Otherwise the system interface is very easy to use, totally in Italian.
The disturbing thing is the commercials before and during the movies, luckily they are skippable after a certain number of seconds like on Youtube.
Each screen has a USB outlet, and for every three seats there are two power strips for charging one's devices, like on domestic airplanes.
In conclusion
Emergency aside, this Was the closest flight to a traditional economy flight in Europe. Few connections to the North American continent from Hawaii are made with wide-body aircraft; most companies use such planes.
In February I flew from Houston to Honolulu and from Honolulu to Los Angeles aboard an American Airlines A321. Granted, you travel more comfortably in Business, but for flights of this duration it is absolutely no problem.
The upgrade from the regular seat to the preferred seats instead were 75$ well spent, a few inches to definitely be more comfortable and be able to stretch your legs are worth a little extra outlay.
Pro
- Preferred Seats
- IFE
Against
- Wi-fi ko
- Damaged headphone jack
- Lounge away from the gate