Whether a first-time flyer or a seasoned traveller, the following checklist will help ensure your journey is safe and comfortable.
Prepare
Check your itinerary
Verify your date, time, fare and seat assignment, and make any necessary changes.
Check your photo IDs
By law, each passenger who appears to be 18 years of age or older must present one (1) piece of government-issued ID with photo, or two (2) pieces of government-issued ID without photo. The name on the ID must match the passenger name as it appears on the ticket. Make sure your identification is valid for the full duration of your travels. Allow adequate time to obtain or renew any identification and/or other travel documentation your travels may require.
Add frequent flyer number
Ensure that you accumulate any points you may be entitled to through Aeroplan or another frequent flyer program.
Provide Advance Passenger Information (APIS)
Some of the countries requiring Air Canada to collect Advance Passenger Information are the United States, the United Kingdom, Japan, and Barbados. Provide your APIS information before you arrive at the airport to save time.
Request special meals
Available on select international flights only, 24 hours notice required.
Get vaccinated
Schedule an appointment with your doctor 6-8 weeks before travelling for vaccinations that are recommended or required for the places you're visiting.
Be aware of security requirements
Be aware of any security requirements in effect for the places and times you're travelling, and be sure the items you are travelling with respect these requirements.
Bring contact information for your embassy and/or consulate abroad
Bring the address and phone number of your home country's Embassy, High Commission or Consulate for each country you plan to visit. View a list of Canadian government offices abroad.
Pack your checked baggage
Familiarize yourself with the latest checked baggage restrictions and regulations, and learn how to pre-register and pack additional baggage, sports and hunting equipment, oversized and overweight baggage, and other special items.
Pack valuables in your carry-on baggage NOT in your checked baggage
Valuables such as money, travel documents nor items such as car keys, medication, etc. should be kept in your carry-on baggage so that in the unlikely event that your checked baggage is misrouted, you will not be without them.
NOTE: Medication must be properly labelled or accompanied by a prescription.
Leave gifts unwrapped
In the event that security and/or customers agents need to inspect the contents of your baggage, all the items in your possession should be unwrapped and easy to access so that the inspection process can be conducted as quickly and efficiently as possible.
Tag your bags
Follow our guidelines for labelling your baggage.
Check in
Check in online or using your mobile device up to 24 hours before departure. Now you can print your own boarding pass from the comfort of your home, receive an electronic one on your mobile device, or use one of our self-serve kiosks at the airport.
Get to the airport on time
Familiarize yourself with official deadlines for check-in and boarding. Failure to meet them may result in reassigned seating and cancellations.
Check your flight status
Check your flight status online. You can also register with aircanada.com's Mobile Services Notification to be alerted via SMS to your cell phone of any schedule changes with regards to your flight.
Look for travel advisories
Check if there are any travel advisories such as weather or security alerts on aircanada.com you should be aware of. These are also posted on our homepage.
