Reality Check ➔ FLIGHT AIR CANADA, EXECUTIVE FIRST


THE FLIGHT: AC865 from London Heathrow to Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport operated by an Airbus A330-300 with a scheduled departure time of 14.25. THE CHECK-IN: Around 90 minutes before departure the check-in zone was completely free of queues and there were around half a dozen staff waiting for passengers. A friendly and efficient woman dealt with the process. THE LOUNGE: London Lounge B which is shared with SAS and seven other airlines. The spacious two-level lounge offers copious seating options from sofas and easy chairs to bar stools and computer chairs, plus lots of computer terminals, free wireless internet and a sizeable food and drink stations. There are enough newspaper and magazine choices to open a WHSmith, plus a TV room, children’s play room and some table top games. Overall a very pleasant and uncrowded space. THE BOARDING PROCESS: There were no announcements made in the lounge so it’s important to keep an eye on the screens, especially as the gate was about as far away as it was possible to be but, once there, boarding was swift and efficient. My coat was taken and a drink offered as I settled in. THE SEAT: Flatbed seats were in a 1x1x1 configuration, all with the advantage of direct


aisle access. In lie-flat mode, the seat is 6ft 3in long. Seat features include an oversized one- piece tray table for dining and working, pillow and duvet, lumbar support, 12-inch touch- screen TV with noise-cancelling Sennheiser headphones, access to hundreds of hours of entertainment, personal reading light, in-seat power for laptops and ambient mood lighting. THE SERVICE: Calmly efficient and friendly with a five-course lunch served at a leisurely pace. The wine selection included some agreeable Canadian options and the presentation and quality of the food was high.


➔ HOTEL SOFITEL LONDON GATWICK


THE HOTEL: A fantastic location, linked by a walkway from the train platform at London Gatwick Airport's North Terminal. THE CHECK-IN: A busy lobby but an empty check-in area, thankfully. My only challenge was trying to decipher the thick foreign accent of the receptionist. THE ROOM: My Superior room was pleasant, with a queen-size bed, flatscreen TV, stylish and neat wooden unit that combined a desk, mirror, minibar and somewhere to house the tea and coffee-making facilities and luggage rack. There was also a casual leather chair and the same rich oak-coloured, over-size headboard. The addition of an ironing board and iron was useful too. The white-tiled bathroom was small with lavish Hermes toiletries and towelling robe. THE FACILITIES: There are 11 meeting rooms, all with natural daylight, ranging in capacity from six people boardroom style in the Reardon, to 300 theatre style in the Desoutter Suite. Several dining experiences are on offer, all radiating out from the cavernous atrium lobby: the a la carte La Brasserie, ‘British cuisine with a French accent’; Le Café for Mediterranean snacks; La Terrasse lounge and library bar; and the one I sampled, its Chinese/ Thai combo called Gatwick Oriental with great


THE VERDICT: A good quality business travel product, evidenced by the fact that all seats were occupied. The crew were clearly used to working in this cabin and gave the impression of enjoying their tasks. THE DETAILS: Air Canada operates a daily service between London Heathrow and Montréal departing at 14.25. Flight time is seven hours 20 minutes, arriving 16.45 local time. Executive First prices are from around £2,628 and Economy is from £514 (both prices include taxes). www.aircanada.com ALAN ORBELL


food – a really good green Thai curry in my case – and prompt service. The hotel also has a business centre on the Podium floor which has wireless internet. There is extensive car parking, an executive club level called Luxury Club Sofitel on the eighth floor, with the usual free evening cocktails, breakfast and check- out. There is also an express check-out option via your TV or by completing a card and placing it in a box in the hotel lobby. The hotel also has a ‘So Fit’ gym on the ground floor that is open around the clock.


THE VERDICT: The hotel still retains an old Copthorne feel and little of the je ne sais quoi of its French management has filtered through. The reception/lobby area, with its large atrium, looks a little dated too. But it scores with a first class location. THE DETAILS: North Terminal, Gatwick Airport, West Sussex, RH6 OPH. Rates for a superior double are from £139, suites from £206, and the 8th floor Club Sofitel £169, all plus VAT. See: www.sofitel.com. GILLIAN UPTON


FIND MORE REALITY CHECKS AT WWW.THEBUSINESSTRAVELMAG.COM I 81


Page 1  |  Page 2  |  Page 3  |  Page 4  |  Page 5  |  Page 6  |  Page 7  |  Page 8  |  Page 9  |  Page 10  |  Page 11  |  Page 12  |  Page 13  |  Page 14  |  Page 15  |  Page 16  |  Page 17  |  Page 18  |  Page 19  |  Page 20  |  Page 21  |  Page 22  |  Page 23  |  Page 24  |  Page 25  |  Page 26  |  Page 27  |  Page 28  |  Page 29  |  Page 30  |  Page 31  |  Page 32  |  Page 33  |  Page 34  |  Page 35  |  Page 36  |  Page 37  |  Page 38  |  Page 39  |  Page 40  |  Page 41  |  Page 42  |  Page 43  |  Page 44  |  Page 45  |  Page 46  |  Page 47  |  Page 48  |  Page 49  |  Page 50  |  Page 51  |  Page 52  |  Page 53  |  Page 54  |  Page 55  |  Page 56  |  Page 57  |  Page 58  |  Page 59  |  Page 60  |  Page 61  |  Page 62  |  Page 63  |  Page 64  |  Page 65  |  Page 66  |  Page 67  |  Page 68  |  Page 69  |  Page 70  |  Page 71  |  Page 72  |  Page 73  |  Page 74  |  Page 75  |  Page 76  |  Page 77  |  Page 78  |  Page 79  |  Page 80  |  Page 81  |  Page 82  |  Page 83  |  Page 84