2022.12 German Christmas Markets (Part 1)

2022.12 German Christmas Markets (Part 1) – Plan & Flight to Amsterdam

Why return to Germany to do the same thing?  To start, our adventure in 2021 was impacted by pandemic restrictions, so we didn’t have the full experience, and we had a return flight to Amsterdam that had to be used.  So let’s combine the two, and go.

Plan

From reading online forums, Air Canada had re-opened its exclusive lounge by mid-2022 for international flights from Toronto, titled the Air Canada Signature Suite.  Access to this lounge is restricted to paid business class passengers, or unrestricted (refundable) business or first class Aeroplan fares flying with Air Canada.

After consideration and discussion on how we both wanted a lie-flat bed to maximize comfort, we worked our budget to enable us to pay and upgrade our fare into business class.  This was not a paid upgrade during check-in, instead it was a conscious decision and purchased well before our day to fly.

For our trip, we had planned a short stay in Amsterdam to try and overcome jetlag, have Dim Sum, before traveling to Germany.  First up would be a visit with relatives.  Then, we’d head east to Berlin, a city we enjoyed visiting twice before.  Dresden, and Nuremberg followed.  Both cities would be new to us.  In Nuremberg we’d meet up with my brother for a few days before we returned to Amsterdam for our flight home.  In addition, at the time of this trip the Hilton Honors loyalty program had a promotion, and after calculating our trip along with our 2023 trip plans not only would we reach their highest loyalty status but would make as full use out of it as possible. 

Now, let’s get on with the trip report.

On the day of our departure the timing of our ride to the airport took place during sunset — not hard as the days are short in late November. Although the terminal had more passengers than our last flight, in the spring, it wasn’t crowded and easy to navigate.

At terminal one we headed to business class check-in where we quickly received our boarding passes, and dropped off our checked luggage.

Security screening for all flights except US-bound flights, continued to be centralized behind this business class check-in area.  Our walk and our line was short, and that meant after completing security, we had a long walk over to the international pier.  The walk is summarized in this slideshow:

Air Canada Signature suite Lounge

Instead of heading to the Maple Leaf Lounge, we traveled down to the main concourse and turned left to visit a new and exclusive lounge offered by Air Canada.  You need to take an elevator up again and the space is sandwiched around the arrivals levels when you initially disembark from the plane and head towards Canada customs and border agency.  This area is also how you get to the Premium Plaza lounge.  For that you exit the elevator and turn right and then straight ahead into their space.  For the Signature suite, it’s a quick right before entering the Premium Plaza lounge.  

Depending on the time of your departure, not only can this lounge fill up, but there could be a line outside of passengers waiting for entry.  We lucked out as we arrived after the early (5-6pm) transatlantic flights had departed and were immediately seated.  The majority of the space is designed like a restaurant, and we were happy to leave our carry-on with their storage by the entrance.  It is staffed so you just hand your items to them, and not worry about passengers randomly going through your carry-on.

The main open area is similar to any lounge with plush seating, a bar, and a self serve buffet.  We were seated in the next area that was setup to serve meals.  Almost all the tables were configured for two, however, on the wall shared with the back of the bar had benches that enabled tables to be quickly and easily combined to accommodate groups greater than 2.  Once seated we were provided with the drink and food menu.  The food menu is seasonal, and available items supposedly are changed.

We had some bubbles to start and the staff encouraged us to order something for each course.  During our stay, the staff even suggested and encouraged us to eat more or try other items on the menu.  This was largely because the portions were smaller.  The appetizers were snack sized, and the main course was smaller than a restaurant sized portion.

I tried the corn fritters and they were quite tasty.  (Tasty enough that we shared a second order before dessert)

She selected the salad as her starter.

I had the beef tenderloin as my main.

She couldn’t skip it, and had to try the asparagus and pea risotto.

After a second helping of the corn fritters, and a few refills of our drinks it was time for dessert.  I elected for the camp-fire ice cream.

And she ordered the coconut cake.

We enjoyed our meal, as the service, presentation, and food quality was good.

We finished off our meals with some tea, and joked to each other that we might already be a little tipsy from the frequent refills of the champagne.

Rest of Signature Suite Lounge

Washrooms are located in the far corner of the lounge.

Each washroom is self-contained with a toilet and sink.  Having fabric towels, instead of paper towels was a nice touch.

Back in the main lounge-like area was the self-serve buffet and bar.

This area made excellent use of being open to the terminal roof above.

I headed over to the buffet before we left.  The selection appeared okay, however if planning to visit, make time for the sit down menu on offer.  Here’s a slideshow of what’s available at the buffet:

Our time at the lounge was over.  We effortlessly picked up our check-in bags, were offered a take-home gift (a cookbook!), thanked the staff and headed for the gate.  One final item of note in the lounge is right behind the entrance area was this crescent shaped sitting area.

Maple Leaf Lounge

Yes, after leaving the Signature lounge we went back upstairs to the main lounge to quickly check it out.  Upon seeing the available food items, we were elated that at the food we got to have as our dinner before our flight.

Before leaving the lounge I did help myself to a sweet treat — the cookies are good in the lounge.

Air Canada, Business Class, Toronto to Amsterdam

Boeing 787-8, AC826
Scheduled departure: 20:50
Scheduled arrival: 10:00 +1
Seats 4A, 5A

Before we arrived at our gate for boarding I had a cool surprise — a former coworker was traveling as well.  After a short chat to catch up, we headed for our respective flights as they weren’t on our flight to Amsterdam.  We arrived at our gate just as our boarding zone was being called, and we joined the line to board the plane.

Like our flight in April from Amsterdam to Toronto, this flight was operated by a 787-8 that has 20 business class seats in the forward section of the plane.  We easily settled into our seats.

Of note for this flight was that Air Canada’s new amenity kit was now available.  Replacing a smaller black kit, this one reminded me of pencil cases from my school days.

Here is a copy of the menu.  As I was full from our time in the lounge, when I was asked for my choices, I informed the flight attendant of my preference to just have dessert.  Truthfully, who doesn’t want a third course of dessert?

Welcome greetings were announced with the Service Director being Paul, and Jeff as Captain.  I didn’t get the name of our first officer.  The cabin door was closed as scheduled, and by 9:10pm the plane was taking off from the north-end’s east/west runway.  Our initial climb had a gentle left turn to point east and gave us a spectacular view of the city lights of Toronto while we flew over Lake Ontario.

Not even 25 minutes after take-off, the crew distributed hot towels, and shortly afterwards drink orders were taken with some mixed nuts delivered by their side.

My dessert request was delivered shortly thereafter while other passengers who had opted for the full meal service were receiving their appetizer.  The chocolate hazelnut cake was divine, it’s texture was trying to be more mousse than cake, and the flavour was a combination of a Ferraro Rocher or Nutella.  I was happy to have not skipped this dessert.

With my meal service complete, I then proceeded to try and sleep.  Overall I got about four hours of sleep, and considering the flight length was only six-and-a-half, that’s a pretty good result.  A special thank you to the service director.  He was working our side of business class and he was outstanding.  From introductions during boarding, he was a pleasant and appeared to enjoy his job.  Not only delivering dessert before others received their appetizer, but also when I got up to use the washroom after service had completed, he informed me before I left the galley area “I left you a glass of port at your seat.  Don’t forget to grab a snack from the baskets on the ledge in front of the first row.”  As well, it felt like he didn’t stop moving during the whole flight assisting passengers and fellow crew.  It wasn’t hectic or hurried, to me I had the impression of a calm and metered pace of constantly providing excellent service.

Awake from my short sleep, breakfast was delivered on a single tray.  I enjoyed it while I watched another movie.

I got to watch the sunrise as we approached the European continent, and at 9:15am Amsterdam time, the pilot gave us a 30 minute warning before landing. In the picture below the tiny white sticks jutting out of the ocean on the right side, is a field of off-shore wind turbines for electricity generation. 

During the descent the sun was brilliant, and it appeared that the Dutch coast wasn’t coated in multiple layers of cloud, with the captain updating us that the weather upon arrival should be sunny and unseasonably warm.

The plane made a few turns to get the approach into Schiphol.  During the descent I grabbed this picture from the moving map as an F1 fan:

We landed at a quarter to ten, on the far runway.  The taxi to the gate took almost fifteen minutes.  The sun was shining and the windows fogged up, hopefully a sign of it being warm in Amsterdam. 

We were quickly off the plane, and made the long walk to passport control, and then another long walk to baggage claim.  In fairness, in 20 minutes after leaving the plane, we had arrived at our assigned baggage carousel.  It felt like we had spent 19-and-a-half of those minutes walking!

Our bags arrived within 10 minutes, and exiting the terminal in Schiphol plaza allowed us to easily mail our annual Christmas letter to European & UK based friends and family before boarding the train to Amsterdam Centraal station.  The train ride was effortless and our hotel for our first night was close by.

Explore other parts of this trip:

Part 1 – Air Canada Signature Class Lounge & Flight Toronto to Amsterdam (this post!)

Part 2 – Doubletree Hotel by Hilton Amsterdam Centraal Station

Part 3 – DB ICE Train Amsterdam to Dusseldorf

Part 4 – A Christmas market in the countryside

Part 5 – Hampton Inn by Hilton, Berlin West (Zoo Station)

Part 6 – Lego Berlin and other stores

Part 7 – Berlin Christmas Markets

Part 8 – Hilton Dresden

Part 9 – Dresden Christmas Market

Part 10 – Nuremberg Christmas Market

Part 11 – Nuremberg Hampton by Hilton

Part 12 – Doubletree by Hilton Frankfurt Niederrad

Part 13 – Hilton Amsterdam Airport Schiphol

Part 14 – Amsterdam Schiphol Aspire Lounge & Air Canada flight Amsterdam to Toronto