How to prepare for travel

How to prepare for travel

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View entry requirements

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Enjoy a touchless travel experience

Download the Air Canada mobile app for touchless travel, from check-in to takeoff.

Learn more

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Day of travel

Before you travel

Tips on how to pack and prepare to get through airport security efficiently.

Understand your carry-on limitations:

  • Each customer can carry-on one standard article and one personal item. Learn More.

Organize your bags:

Make your airport outfit easy and functional:

How to check in

We offer several simple ways to quickly check in to your upcoming flight, including the Air Canada app.

When to arrive at the airport

Review check-in and boarding times for your itinerary. Arriving less than 2 hours prior to departure for domestic travel and less than 3 hours prior to international/transborder travel could result in a delay to your travel plans.

Expedite your security screening

There are a few things that you can do to make your airport experience more efficient.

  • Keep your boarding pass easily accessible for scanning as you go through security touchpoints.
  • Have your liquids, aerosols or gels stored in a clear plastic bag.
  • Take your liquids bag and electronic devices out and ready to put into separate plastic bins.
  • Remove any belts or items that could be flagged by the metal detector.
  • Put your change, keys and cellphone in your carry-on and other personal items such as your coat in the plastic bins.

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Day of travel

Airports are busier than usual. Learn more about what to expect and how to be prepared for your travel journey.

Before you travel

Tips on how to pack and prepare to get through airport security efficiently.

Understand your carry-on limitations:

  • Each customer can carry-on one standard article and one personal item. Learn More.

Organize your bags:

Make your airport outfit easy and functional:

How to check in

We offer several simple ways to quickly check in to your upcoming flight, including the Air Canada app.

When to arrive at the airport

Airports are much busier than normal and you must arrive for your flight earlier than usual. Review check-in and boarding times for your itinerary. Arriving less than 2 hours prior to departure for domestic travel and less than 3 hours prior to international/transborder travel could result in a delay to your travel plans.

Expedite your security screening

Security lines are longer than usual. There are a few things that you can do to make your airport experience more efficient.

  • Keep your boarding pass easily accessible for scanning as you go through security touchpoints.
  • Have your liquids, aerosols or gels stored in a clear plastic bag.
  • Take your liquids bag and electronic devices out and ready to put into separate plastic bins.
  • Remove any belts or items that could be flagged by the metal detector.
  • Put your change, keys and cellphone in your carry-on and other personal items such as your coat in the plastic bins.

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Health and safety

Learn about how we are helping keep you safe with Air Canada CleanCare+.

Face coverings

Learn more about recommended face coverings for travel

Passengers no longer need to wear masks on board flights within Canada. Although Transport Canada has lifted the mask requirement, all passengers and flight crew are recommended to wear high-quality and well-fitted masks throughout their journey.

High quality face coverings are made with protective layers of absorbent fabric that fit snugly over the nose, mouth, and chin, and are secured to the face with ties or ear loops. To learn more about how to choose a mask, visit the Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) websiteExternal site which may not meet accessibility guidelines and/or language preferences..

International destinations may still require face coverings. Find out your destination travel restrictions.

Health and safety measures

Learn more about how we’re keeping you safe

With the onset of COVID-19, we expanded our aircraft grooming procedures, which already incorporated the use of hospital disinfectant and specialized techniques. All cleaning products we use, including disinfectants, are fully approved for use by Health Canada.

As per PHAC guidelines and other resources, coronaviruses do not readily survive on soft materials (headrest covers, seat covers, carpets, etc.). However, these are replaced if soiled.

With all communicable disease protocols, Air Canada is notified by the appropriate health authority about potential public health issues after a flight. Depending on the transmission profile of the disease, we are given strict protocol towards contact tracing and other health guidance measures.

The health authorities take responsibility for contacting passengers directly and advising them of the situation. In most cases, crews primarily working in the specific rows are also included in the contact tracing. Due to privacy laws, the names cannot be disclosed to anyone other than the public health authority.

As part of our CleanCare+ program, we distribute complimentary Customer Care Kits, which include hand sanitizer packets, two antiseptic wipes, and facemasks (non-surgical) upon request to customers on board all Air Canada and Air Canada Express flights.

For sanitary reasons, the bag used to package these Care Kit items also doubles as a trash bag to dispose of any personal items.

Air Canada is 100% compliant with all Transport Canada and PHAC health and safety directives for crews and employees, including self-isolation.

Any employee who feels ill or experiences any COVID-19 symptoms must stay home and seek medical advice. Employees continue to perform wellness checks before every shift.

We also encourage all customer-facing employees to use Personal Protective Equipment such as face guards, masks and gloves, and all employees have access to hand sanitizer. Our in-flight crew is also additionally provided with safety glasses and gowns.

On-board transmission facts

Find out why the transmission of communicable diseases inside an aircraft are very rare.

Cases of transmission of communicable diseases on aircraft are very rare. The reasons for the low rate of in-flight transmission are not fully determined but are thought to include a combination of factors, such as the inherent characteristics of cabin air flow.

Various government bodies have confirmed the risk of on-board transmission is exceedingly low, which accords with scientific studies on communicable diseases and air travel.

How well does cabin air compare Sitting next to someone on plane

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Changes and cancellations

We have implemented flexible and expanded change and cancellation options.

Booking the right fare for you is simple

Covidhub booking policy unlimited

Enjoy a variety of fare options – From our lowest non-refundable Basic fares when your plans don't change to fully refundable Comfort and Latitude fares with endless benefits - you choose the fare type that meets your travel needs.

Covidhub booking policy unlimited

If your flight is cancelled, you get a refund – If your flight is cancelled for any reason and we don’t rebook you on another flight that departs or arrives within three hours of your original departure or arrival time, or if we add a connection to your itinerary, you can request a refund.

 Covidhub booking policy unlimited

Simplified flexibility with Aeroplan – Aeroplan fare options which include a change fee now have a simplified structure with a new anytime change fee. Learn more.

To change or cancel your booking, contact your original booking source:

  • For bookings made directly with Air Canada (including aircanada.com, the Air Canada app, and our contact centres), or Kayak, Google Flights, and Skyscanner you can manage your booking or call 1-888-247-2262 (for international and other numbers, visit aircanada.com/othernumbers).
  • For bookings made using Aeroplan points you can also manage your booking or call 1-800-361-5373 (for international and other numbers, visit our customer support page).
  • For bookings made with a Travel agent or any online travel agency (for example, Expedia or Priceline), contact them directly for assistance.
  • For Air Canada Vacations bookings, please call 1-800-296-3408 or visit the Air Canada Vacations site.
  • For Air Canada for Business bookings, please call 1-888-335-4189 or visit the Air Canada for Business site.

Looking to make a new booking? Simply visit aircanada.com.

For changing or cancelling your booking:

  • All eligible fare tickets issued on or before July 5, 2022 for original travel between March 1, 2020 and July 5, 2023 can be cancelled and the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.
  • Eligible fare tickets other than Basic issued on or after July 6, 2022 can be cancelled and the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus.
  • Basic fare tickets issued on or after July 6, 2022 are non-refundable and cannot be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher or converted into Aeroplan points.
  • Existing bookings may only be changed or cancelled up to 2 hours prior to departure. 
  • Refundable tickets will be refunded as per the applicable fare rules; a cancellation fee may still apply. 

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