Montreal to Algiers Flight Experience
In a column for One Mile at a Time, travel writer Ben Schlappig reported that Air Algérie’s Airbus A330-900neo business class delivered a disappointing product on a flight.
Flying the 6-hour and 50-minute route from Montreal (YUL) to Algiers (ALG) on October 3, 2024, the author confirmed that negative rumors surrounding the carrier proved accurate. “Well, now that I’ve flown Air Algérie I can confirm that everything I heard was true, and then some,” he wrote, noting that the service lacked basic amenities typically expected in international business class. The $1,171 one-way cash ticket covered two segments: flight AH2701 from Montreal to Algiers on an Airbus A330-900neo, followed by an Airbus A320 flight operated by Avion Express from Algiers to Tunis.
Booking required a cash purchase because the airline maintains no useful mileage partnerships due to Algeria’s restrictive visa policies for visitors. Check-in at Montreal-Trudeau International Airport took roughly 30 minutes, during which agents initially questioned the author about an Algerian visa before noting his transit status. Business class passengers received access to the National Bank Lounge, which Schlappig described as a pleasant, sunlit facility with average food and beverage options.
Staggered Seats and Cabin Maintenance
Boarding for flight AH2701 began at 3:20 PM at gate A58 aboard an Airbus A330-900neo registered as 7T-VLB, which featured a special livery celebrating the country’s national football team. The aircraft included 30 secondhand staggered business class seats acquired from the defunct Air Belgium, arranged in a 1-2-1 configuration across eight rows. These Stelia Aerospace Solstys seats offered 44 inches of pitch, a width of 21 inches, and converted into 77-inch flat beds. However, the author observed that the cabin showed poor maintenance and needed a thorough cleaning.
Storage and charging features included an AC power outlet and a USB-A port positioned underneath the seat, while modern USB-C ports and wireless charging were absent. Overhead bins along the windows filled quickly because the cabin lacked central overhead storage compartments.
The aircraft lacked individual air nozzles above the seats, leading to a warm cabin environment throughout the journey. The author noted that the hard product remained acceptable overall, though cabin upkeep fell short of typical premium standards.
Entertainment and Inflight Amenities
The inflight entertainment system lacked a moving map feature, offering only a basic selection of 100 movies and 36 TV shows with limited popular titles. The airline offered no Wi-Fi connectivity, leaving the pre-installed equipment on the ex-Air Belgium aircraft completely unused. Blankets and pillows awaited passengers at their seats upon boarding, but the airline distributed low-quality headphones well after takeoff. The crew provided no amenity kits, printed menus, meal choices, alcohol, or diet sodas during the flight.
Flight attendants served pre-departure orange juice or water in glassware right at the scheduled 4:10 PM departure time without greeting passengers. Meals arrived slowly and failed to satisfy expectations, according to the published review. The author stated that the indifference shown by the flight crew defined the entire onboard experience. Ultimately, the journey left the reviewer with a negative impression of the carrier’s long-haul premium service standards.
Montreal to Algiers Flight Facts
| Flight Detail | Specification |
|---|---|
| Flight Number | AH2701 |
| Route | Montreal (YUL) to Algiers (ALG) |
| Aircraft Type | Airbus A330-900neo |
| Flight Duration | 6 hours and 50 minutes |
| Fare Paid | $1,171 one-way in business class |
Questions about Air Algérie flights and aircraft
Why did the author choose to fly with Air Algérie?
The reviewer booked the flight as the first long-haul segment of an international trip traveling via Africa toward Japan. He was intrigued by the overwhelmingly negative reports he had heard about the carrier.
What kind of aircraft operated the Montreal to Algiers route?
The flight used an Airbus A330-900neo equipped with 30 secondhand staggered business class seats previously operated by Air Belgium. The specific airframe carried the registration code 7T-VLB.
What lounge did business class passengers use in Montreal?
Passengers flying in business class were directed to the National Bank Lounge located in the international departure terminal. The facility offered natural light, seating, and a buffet with hot and cold selections.
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