We are going on holiday soon to Florida. We are flying with Air Canada from Heathrow to Tampa via Toronto (were we've got a 4 hour stop until get our connection to Tampa). <BR> <BR>Has anyone else done this route? <BR> <BR>Anyone got any comments on Air Canada? We've never flown with them before.

Air Canada is going through a somewhat tumulutous period right now as they merge with Canadian Airlines. The merger has received bad press, particularly in the past few months as the two airlines merged their operations and changed terminals at the Toronto airport. <BR> <BR>Having said that, though, it's a very good airline and a lot of the merger kinks have been worked out. In my opinion, it's head and shoulders above any American airline. (However this subject elicits strong opinions right now in Canada, so it's possible you'll hear conflicting points of view!) <BR> <BR>You'll likely have to change terminals in Toronto - International flights arrive at Terminal 1 and US bound flights leave from Terminal 2 - but there are frequent shuttle buses between terminals and 4 hours is PLENTY of time. <BR> <BR>Have a lovely holiday!

The only experience that we have had with Air Canada is flying our family of six with them from Cleveland to Banff four years ago. We thought they were the best airline we had ever flown on. They had more legroom, better service and food. Haven't flown on them since, but have often wished they had routes to some of the places we have flown because we liked them so much. I don't know how they are currently.

Elizabeth is right about Canadians' opinions on Air Canada. Personally I don't mind them. I had a bad experience with Canadian Air a few years ago (48 hours to get from Canada to Australia and they didn't respond well to complaints) so when they merged with Air Canada, I wasn't too upset. <BR> <BR>I just made flight arrangements using Air Canada frequent flyer miles on the weekend. I spent way too much time waiting to speak to an operator (1 hour plus), but the operator I did deal with was excellent. When we got cut off, she actually tried calling me back 3 times.

We regularly (every 2 months or so) fly Air Canada from Denver to Halifax via Toronto or Montreal. We have flown United from Denver to Boston and then Air NOVA to Halifax, but couldn't stand United so tried Air Canada. What a welcome change! The flight attendants seemed to WANT to assist us with seating, food, beverages, pillows, blankets, etc. Leg room was much better. On time, and all pleasant trips. No U.S. airline can compete.

As an American who has used Air Canada many times I agree with the above poster that they are heads and shoulders above the US based airlines. I spend enough time in Canada to be aware of the bad press they are getting there with the merger activities, but I still feel that their service, both on the ground and in the air, is excellent. I really think you will enjoy your flights with Air Canada and will find them to be a very good carrier.

I'd just like to say thanks for your responses. They sound like a decent airline, I've flown to the U.S with British Airways and TWA so it will be good to compare Air Canada with them. <BR>Thanks again.

Air Canada is going through merger pains but it is an excellent airline. However the major annoyance at the Toronto airport is not the overwhelming crowds and construction chaos but the hassle of finding your luggage just to go to U.S. customs. The bottleneck at U.S. customs is time consuming. Deal with that first rather than visit the airport. I suspect you will have to do this unless things have changed for U.K. travelers.