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Holiday travel tips

December 21, 2017

Since the holidays are an important time for everyone, and a very busy period for airlines, we would like to give you some advice on keeping your travel as relaxed as possible.

Planning:

• When booking, make sure that you or your travel agent provide Air Canada with your full contact information, particularly your telephone numbers and email address, so that we can reach you before and during your trip.
• Plan to arrive at the airport one hour earlier than the typically recommended check-in and boarding times to avoid the holiday rush.
• Consult our travel alerts for the latest information on flights that may be disrupted.
• Check the status of your flight regularly: 
  • online,
  • using your mobile device, or
  • by contacting the Air Canada Flight Information System at 1-888-422-7533; TTY (service for the hearing impaired): 1-800-361-8071.
• Register for the Flight Notification Service at aircanada.com and receive real-time updates about your flight by email or directly to your mobile device (including possible delays or cancellations).
• Download our mobile applications free of charge.
• Make sure you have all the travel documents you and your family will need to travel.
• Consider subscribing to Air Canada’s On My Way service, which offers priority services, such as accommodations and other protections, to clients whose trips are disrupted.
• Parents travelling with children:
  • If passports are required, all children must have their own passport.  Remember that parents/legal guardians DO NOT sign their child’s Canadian passport, as doing so invalidates it.
  • Visit IATA Travel Centre and Travel and Tourism Canada or contact the embassy high commission or consulate of all countries you and your child will be visiting to confirm all entry and exit document requirements.
• Is your flight delayed or cancelled?
  If Air Canada informs you that your flight has been cancelled or your flight is expected to be cancelled or delayed due to severe weather conditions:
  • You may be able to access our Self Service Rebooking Tool using your booking reference number and passenger last name.
  • Be patient. Once the storm has passed, it still takes some time to return to normal operations.
  • We will increase capacity as needed if we have the necessary crew and equipment to absorb the delay for passengers.
  • If you do not immediately find an available flight, check back frequently because our schedule may change or spots may become available.
  • In some cases, you may be eligible for free accommodations, especially in the event of an extended delay caused by a situation for which the airline is responsible or for clients who purchased the On My Way service in situations where the airline is not responsible. During circumstances outside the airline's control (e.g. a storm), accommodations are generally not provided (with some exceptions), and you can contact our hotel room provider, who will offer you reduced rates (subject to availability). This policy is consistent with what most North American airlines offer for travel in Canada or between Canada and the United States. Our Airport and Call Centre Agents can provide this type of information.
• Are you travelling to, from or via the United States?
  The Secure Flight Program in the United States requires passengers to provide certain additional information at least 72 hours before their flight or at the time of booking. Read the details on how to provide this information.

  United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint lines can be longer during busy periods. The TSA recommends arriving at the airport two hours before departure if your flight is in the early morning or evening, when wait times for screening can be up to one hour. Members of Known Traveler Programs, such as Nexus or Global Entry, may experience normal wait times. Learn more.

  Eligible Air Canada customers enjoy the benefits of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration’s TSA Pre✓™ program which provides accelerated security screening at most U.S. departure airports by allowing customers to keep shoes, belts and light outerwear on, and laptops and liquids in carry-on baggage. Learn more about TSA Pre^✓ and how it applies to Air Canada flights.

  Traveling to the USA:
  Air Canada customers flying to the U.S (from or via Canada) will clear US Customs at Canadian airports before their flight. Our operations at all four Canadian hubs, Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC) are all under one roof with no terminal transfers, meaning connections are easy, comfortable, seamless, and smooth.

  Traveling from the USA:
  For our customers travelling from the U.S. through our hubs and onwards to any international destination, the seamless connection process and quick passport check means passengers never have to wait in customs lines, pick up bags or transfer terminals. Simply walk to the next departure gate!

Check-in:

• Take advantage of online check-in or mobile check-in at any time within 24 hours of your flight's departure.
• You can have an electronic boarding pass sent to your mobile device or print it in the comfort of your home or at one of our Self-Service Kiosks at the airport.
• Do you need to check your baggage?
  Self-tagging enables you to print your own checked baggage tags. Once you have attached the tags to your baggage, you simply need to visit the Baggage Drop-off counter to give them to one of our agents. This service is available at the Air Canada Self-Service Kiosks at the following airports: Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Québec, St John's, Toronto, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Boston, Las Vegas, New York, San Francisco and London Heathrow.

Baggage:

• Check size and weight allowances when packing at aircanada.com/carryon as carry-on baggage will be screened and tagged. Information on checked baggage allowance is available at: aircanada.com/checked. 
• Take a few moments to read the checked and carry-on baggage policies and restrictions on liquids, gels and aerosols. Remember that medications and valuables must always be packed in carry-on baggage.
• Leave your gifts unwrapped. All items in your possession must be unwrapped and easily accessible to facilitate inspection by security agents or customs.
• Attach a tag with your contact information on each of your bags to make them easily identifiable.
• Are you planning outdoor activities?

Our page on special items will tell you how to pack your skis, snowboard, skates and many other special items.

Air Canada wishes you a happy holiday season and a fun and safe winter.

Travelling with a 'smart bag'?

December 5, 2017

Due to the potential safety hazard that lithium batteries pose when transported in an aircraft's cargo hold, special precautions apply if you are travelling with a bag that has built-in charging, location tracking or other battery-powered technology. This type of bag is commonly known as a 'smart bag'.

Carry-on baggage

• You may bring your 'smart bag' onto the plane with you, provided it meets carry-on baggage size restrictions.
• On smaller aircraft where carry-on bags must be placed in the cargo hold, you will need to remove the battery and bring the battery into the cabin with you.

Checked baggage

• You may check your bag but will first need to remove the battery and bring the battery into the cabinwith you. We will not be able to accept your bag as checked baggage if the battery cannot be removed.
•  

New Primary Inspection Kiosks at Canadian Airports

November 28, 2017

Primary Inspection Kiosks are now available at Vancouver (YVR), Montreal (YUL), Ottawa (YOW), Edmonton (YEG), Halifax (YHZ), and Toronto – Terminal 3 (YYZ) Airports.

These kiosks allow you to verify your travel documents, complete an on-screen declaration, and confirm your identity through facial recognition, which simply compares a photo taken by the kiosk with the one on your passport.

In addition, with the CanBorder – eDeclaration mobile app, you can reduce processing time by 50% when you go through Customs. This app also allows you to create and save your traveller profile, answer questions in advance and create a quick response (QR) code that you can then scan at a Primary Inspection Kiosk upon your arrival at the airport.

To learn more about Primary Inspection Kiosks.

Travel to Lebanon

November 9, 2017

Because of the Government of Canada’s travel advisory regarding travel to Lebanon, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than November 9, 2017 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via an airport in Lebanon between November 9 and November 30, 2017.

If your travel is affected, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and December 15, 2017, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

You may also choose to travel to an alternate destination. Any change fees will be waived, provided you are travelling between now and December 15, 2017. However, any fare difference will apply.

If you purchased your ticket with Aeroplan, or Air Canada Vacations, please contact them directly.

Accepted forms of payment at Ottawa Int. Airport

October 26, 2017

Starting November 1^st, 2017, cash payments will no longer be accepted at Air Canada counters located at Ottawa’s Macdonald-Cartier International Airport (YOW). Customers will have the option of paying tickets as well as baggage and other fees with any major credit or debit card.

Prepaid MasterCard credit cards are also available for purchase at ReadySTATION™ kiosks located at the airport. If you do choose this option, please make sure to keep your prepaid credit card (even if its value has reached zero) until all travel associated with the card has been completed. This is because, in the event of a refund, the amount will be returned to your original form of payment.

Zika virus

Update – December 29, 2016

As a result of the Zika virus that could potentially pose a risk to pregnant women travelling to affected areas, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy that applies to women (and their travel companions) who:

• have obtained a note from a health care professional, and
• who were originally scheduled to travel to an area affected by the Zika virus (as listed on the Opens in New WindowCDC website) on a flight operated by Air Canada with an Air Canada ticket* 

If you are affected by this situation and scheduled to travel on the above dates, you may contact Air Canada Reservations if you have questions about your reservation.

If you purchased your ticket with  Opens in New WindowAeroplan, or  Opens in New WindowAir Canada Vacations, please contact them directly.

Questions or concerns regarding the Zika virus

Should you have any questions or concerns about the Zika virus, please contact your doctor. You can also get more information and updates by consulting the following websites:

• Opens in New WindowPublic Health Agency of Canada
• Opens in New WindowWorld Health Organization

* Air Canada ticket numbers start with 014

Electronic Visa Update System for Chinese Nationals

December 5, 2016

U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) has announced that, beginning on November 29, 2016, nationals of the People’s Republic of China with a 10-year B1/B2, B1 or B2 (visitor) visa will be required to have a valid Electronic Visa Update System (EVUS)Opens in New Windowenrollment when travelling to the United States.

CBP will not collect a fee for an EVUS enrollment at this time, but anticipates that an EVUS enrollment fee will eventually be implemented. Until the fee is implemented, you can complete your EVUS enrollmentOpens in New Windowwithout charge.  

Your EVUS enrollment is valid for two years or until you obtain a new passport or visa, whichever comes first. You must update your visa information at least every two years, or upon obtaining a new passport, or you will not be able to use your 10-year visa.

View Frequently Asked QuestionsOpens in New Windowrelated to EVUS.

New International Maple Leaf Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau

December 1^st, 2016

Air Canada is proud to welcome guests to a newly redesigned international Maple Leaf Lounge at Montréal-Trudeau International Airport.

Conveniently located close to gate 52, near the international departures area, the luxuriously updated space showcases Canadian stone, wood, art and furnishings throughout its spacious living rooms, relaxation and work areas, all designed for guests to re-energize or unwind before their flight.

Amenities also include a fully serviced central bar and chef station, self-serve buffet and specialty coffees, to be enjoyed as you admire spectacular tarmac views from floor to ceiling windows.

Find out more about all of our Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges.

Lufthansa and Eurowings - Labour Disruption

November 28, 2016

As a result of the planned Lufthansa and Eurowings labour disruption, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than November 27^th, 2016, and whose itinerary includes a Lufthansa flight between November 23 and 30, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel with these carriers during the affected dates, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight free of charge, to another date between November 21^st, 2016 and February 28^th, 2017, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

If you purchased your ticket with Aeroplan Opens in New Window, or Air Canada Vacations Opens in New Window, please contact them directly.

Hurricane Otto – Costa Rica

November 23, 2016

As a result of Hurricane Otto approaching Costa Rica, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than November 22, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Liberia (LIR) or San José (SJO) on November 24^th or 25^th, 2016.

If your travel is affected, you may contact Air Canada Reservations  to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and December 5, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window, or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

Board early and settle into your Preferred seat

November 17, 2016

Are you looking for yet another good reason to purchase a Preferred seat for your next flight? How about boarding early, before the rush?

Starting now, when you purchase a Preferred seat - or if you already purchased one* for an upcoming flight - you’ll be invited to board with zone 3, at the very start of general boarding. This means you’ll have more time to store your bag in the overhead bin close to your seat and settle in comfortably for your flight.

Add to that extra legroom to stretch out and relax or work in comfort, and faster deplaning when you reach your destination, and you’re got the ingredients for a smooth and relaxing travel experience.

More about Preferred seats

* Early boarding is offered to Air Canada Vacations customers who purchase a Preferred Seat on or after November 15, 2016.

Electronic Travel Authorization for Flights to Canada

November 30, 2016

Effective December 1^st, 2016, Mexican citizens who do not have a valid visa will be required to have an eTA before they can board a flight to Canada.

November 14, 2016

The Government of Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA), that applies to visa-exempt foreign nationals* travelling to or transiting Canada by air.

Effective November 10, 2016, visa-exempt foreign nationals must have an eTA before they can board a flight to Canada. To complete your application for an eTAOpens in New Window, you will need your passport, a credit card and an email address. An eTA costs $7 CAD and is valid for up to five years.

Among those exempted from this new requirement are U.S. citizens and travellers with a valid visa. As well, entry requirements for travellers arriving by land or sea have not changed.

To see if the citizens of your country need an eTA or to apply for one, visit the Government of Canada’s Electronic Travel Authorization Opens in New Windowwebsite.

_{* A visa-exempt foreign national is a person who is not a citizen of Canada and is not required to obtain a visa for the purpose of travel based on their country of nationality.}

Calgary Airport Now Participates in China Transit Program

November 9, 2016

On October 31, 2016, Calgary International Airport became the third airport in Canada to participate in the Canadian government's China Transit ProgramOpens in New Window (CTP).

Because Air Canada is an approved air carrier participating in the CTP, our customers who are citizens of the People’s Republic of China can now travel to or from the U.S. without obtaining a Canadian temporary resident visa - provided they meet certain conditionsOpens in New Window  - when transiting through one of these three Canadian airports:

• Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1)
• Vancouver International Airport
• Calgary International Airport

Air Canada flies from the following points of embarkation which are eligible for the China Transit Program (CTP):

• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• Seoul Incheon
• Shanghai
• Tokyo Narita
• Tokyo Haneda

Visit the Government of Canada website for a complete list of eligible points of embarkationOpens in New Window.

Air Canada is also an approved air carrier participating in the Canadian government's Transit without Visa (TWOV) program.

Learn more about transiting through Canada without a visaOpens in New Window.

Calgary Airport - New International Terminal Building

October 27, 2016

A new International Terminal is set to open at Calgary International Airport (YYC) on October 31, 2016. The new terminal will feature innovative systems to further enhance the experience of travellers connecting to the U.S. and the rest of the word.

On the date of the opening, all of Air Canada’s international and U.S. departures and arrivals will, of course, relocate to the new International Terminal. So, if you’re flying out of Calgary starting next week, here is the gate information you’ll need:

• Flights within Canada will depart from C gates
• International flights will depart from D gates
• Flights to the U.S. will depart from E gates

If you’re travelling to a U.S. or international destination and are eligible for lounge access, you’re welcome to use our Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge, located in concourse C. To do so, please clear “C” security; our lounge is located immediately past the security checkpoint.

You can find maps and other useful information about the new International Terminal by going to the Calgary International Airport Opens in New Windowwebsite.

You can also go to our Airport Information page for wayfinding and other useful tips on Calgary Airport and other major Canadian hubs.

New checked baggage policy for military personnel

May 29, 2014

Effective immediately, members of the Canadian and U.S. military will benefit from an enhanced baggage allowance whenever they travel on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. Eligible active and retired members of the Canadian and U.S. military are entitled to up to three pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb) each.

If you are an eligible customer, please proceed as follows to benefit from this enhanced baggage allowance:

• When prompted at check-in (online, on your mobile or at an airport kiosk), indicate that you are travelling without checked bags.
• At the airport, see an Air Canada agent to have your bags tagged and checked free of charge, upon presentation of military identification.

Intermittent road closures near McCarran Airport on October 19

October 17, 2016

Because of the next presidential debate that will be held in Las Vegas on October 19, 2016, intermittent road closures* will affect access to McCarran International Airport (LAS) between 4 pm and 10 pm on that date.

The recommended route to the airport from the east side of the valley is westbound Flamingo Road to southbound Paradise Road. The recommended route to the airport from the west side of the valley is eastbound Tropicana Avenue to southbound Paradise Road.

We encourage customers travelling to McCarran International Airport to allow for extra travel time so as to arrive at the airport early enough to check in and go through the security screening process before their flight.

* The intermittent road closures will occur in the following areas:

• Airport connector tunnel (both directions)
• Russell Road between Paradise Road and Maryland Parkway
• Maryland Parkway between Russell Road and Tropicana Avenue
• Swenson Street between Tropicana and Naples Drive
• Westbound Tropicana between Maryland Parkway and Swenson
• Eastbound Flamingo Road between Interstate 15 and Swenson

U.S. Passengers Travelling between Canada and Cuba

October 4, 2016

If you are travelling between Canada and Cuba and are a U.S. citizen, a U.S. permanent resident or other person subject to U.S. jurisdiction, please be advised that you will be asked to complete and sign an Affidavit for Cuba Travel formOpen PDF file at the airport prior to boarding your flight to Cuba. This form will be available at the departure gate.

Find out more

We’re pleased to announce the opening of Air Canada’s third Maple Leaf Lounge in the United States, at Newark Liberty International Airport (EWR).

The lounge is conveniently located in Concourse A, past the security screening checkpoints. Open 7 days a week from 4:30 am to early evening, the lounge offers a serene and elegant oasis amid the bustle of airport activity.

Learn more  about Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge locations, features and privileges.

Update – October 14, 2016

Transport Canada has banned Samsung Galaxy Note 7 devices from commercial aircraft in Canada. As a result, Air Canada ‎informs customers with this device not to travel with it or bring it to the airport. Travellers will not be permitted to board aircraft with this device or in their checked luggage, and it could result in travel disruption, including missing your flight.

If you have a Samsung Galaxy Note 7 please consult www.samsung.comOpens in New Window

As a result of the tropical storm approaching Japan, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than August 20, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Tokyo’s Narita (NRT) or Haneda (HND) airports between August 21 and August 23, 2016..

If you are scheduled to travel on the affected dates, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and August 28, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

LaGuardia Airport Construction

August 11, 2016

Because of the airport redevelopment project that is currently underway at LaGuardia Airport (LGA), terminal roadways are more congested than normal. In addition, the parking garage that is closest to the Air Canada check-in counters is now closed. The nearest parking lots are P4, P5 and P10.

We therefore encourage customers travelling from LaGuardia Airport (LGA) to allow for extra travel time so as to arrive at the airport early enough to check in and go through the security screening process before their flight.

Find out moreOpens in New Window

As a result of the events in Munich, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than July 22, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Munich Airport (MUC) between July 22 and July 29, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected time period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

Travel to the U.S. from Toronto Pearson

July 21

If you're travelling to the U.S. from Toronto Pearson Airport on a flight departing before 10 am, note that wait times are longer than usual at U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP). For this reason, you should arrive at the airport three (3) hours before your flight's scheduled departure time. Pre-board security screening for departures to the U.S. at Toronto-Pearson opens to passengers at 4:00 AM and, as of July 24th, 2016, at 03:30 AM.

Wait times do not affect members of a known traveller program, such as Nexus or Global Entry. 

Air Canada’s Toronto-Istanbul service resumes Sunday July 17 (Monday July 18 from Istanbul).

Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than July 15, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via an airport in Turkey between July 15 and July 22, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected time period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply. You may also obtain a full refund if your final destination is Turkey.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

We are monitoring events as they evolve, and remain in close contact with our international teams and authorities.

Further updates will be provided on aircanada.com as information becomes available.

July 14, 2016
As a result of the events in Nice, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than July 14, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) between July 14 and July 21, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected time period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply. You may also obtain a full refund if your final destination is Nice.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

July 14, 2016

As a result of the events in Nice, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than July 14, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Nice Côte d’Azur Airport (NCE) between July 14 and July 21, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected time period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply. You may also obtain a full refund if your final destination is Nice.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

July 13, 2016

There have unfortunately been some ongoing issues with the baggage sortation system at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ) which could have an impact on the delivery of some bags for customers departing from or transiting through this airport.  The baggage system is owned and operated by the Greater Toronto Airport Authority (GTAA) which has assured Air Canada that it is working hard to resolve this issue and has a plan to improve the situation.

With summer as the busiest travel season of the year, we recognize that any inconvenience is unwelcome and it’s something we try very hard to avoid. Please familiarize yourself with standard cabin baggage allowances which continue to apply:. We also offer a few travel tips to help plan for a safe and comfortable travel experience.

We are in constant contact with the GTAA to help resolve this situation as quickly as possible and to keep to a minimum any impact on our customers, including deploying additional Air Canada teams to assist. We apologize in advance if when travelling through Toronto Pearson you are affected and we’re confident this matter will be resolved soon by the GTAA.  

June 29, 2016

We are deeply saddened by the events at Istanbul airport June 28. We have resumed our regular Toronto-Istanbul daily service but as a result of the events, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than June 28, 2016 and whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Istanbul Airport (IST) between June 28 and July 5, 2016.

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected time period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and September 30, 2016, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply. You may also obtain a full refund if your final destination is Turkey.

If you purchased your ticket with AeroplanOpens in New Window, or Air Canada VacationsOpens in New Window, please contact them directly.

Air Canada operates one flight daily between Turkey and Canada, from Toronto.

Travelling to the U.S. from Toronto Pearson?

May 10, 2016

If you're travelling to the U.S. from Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), you'll want to take note of the following changes to the location in Terminal 1 of Air Canada check-in counters which will be occurring over the next few weeks:

• On May 11, 2016, Air Canada's check-in and baggage drop-off counters for flights to the U.S. will be moved to Aisle 11 (from Aisle 7)
  
• On May 14, 2016, Air Canada's priority check-in counters will move to Aisle 12 (from Aisle 8)
  

Also on May 17, 2016, Toronto Pearson is launching a new process for U.S.-bound passengers whereby Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA) screening will take place before U.S. Customs and Border Protection (US CBP) inspection.

Learn more about process improvements for US-bound passengersOpens in New Window at Toronto-Pearson.

Supporting Fort McMurray

June 17, 2016

Resumption of flights to Fort McMurray
Our scheduled flights to and from Fort McMurray resumed June 10. As always, we strongly recommend customers check the status of their flights prior to departing for the airport.

More seats returning to Alberta
To date since May 30, we have added more than 1,300 additional seats to Edmonton and Calgary by scheduling larger aircraft, including deploying Boeing 777, A330 and B767 wide-body aircraft to accommodate people returning to Alberta from across Canada.  We are working in conjunction with the Canadian Red Cross who is managing the return of Fort McMurray residents. We continue to actively manage this process every day, adding capacity as required to meet demand.

For customers originally booked to fly to/from Fort McMurray
Until June 30, 2016, a flexible rebooking policy remains in place to enable passengers to change their flights without charge, space permitting for flights departing or arriving affected areas. Customers are requested to check the status of their flights on aircanada.com.

Waiving pet, hunting equipment, bag fees:
We are waiving pet carriage fees as well as handling fees for weapons/hunting equipment, surf equipment and bikes for passengers who are in the process of evacuating from or returning to affected areas. Special accommodations have been made for customers travelling on our flights as a result of the wildfires to bring their pet dogs and cats in the cabin without kennels.

Baggage fees are waived for passengers travelling to or from affected areas. Customers who have checked-in online, via their mobile device or via a kiosk at the airport should submit a request for refund of baggage fees via Customer Relations once their travel is complete.

Our initiatives to support Fort McMurray in the aftermath of the devastating wildfires include:

Transporting Team Rubicon’s disaster response team
To date, we have transported members of Team Rubicon’s disaster response team from various points in North America and Australia to Edmonton courtesy of Air Canada. Team Rubicon is assisting with providing incident, volunteer and debris management in Fort McMurray.

Charter flight to bring 300 firefighters
On May 29, Air Canada operated a special Boeing 777-200LR charter flight on behalf of the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre in cooperation with the Alberta Government from Johannesburg, South Africa to Edmonton.

Evacuation charters:
To date, Air Canada and Jazz have operated 23 charter flights, evacuating more than 1,500 people from Northern Alberta oil sands project locations to Edmonton and Calgary.

More seats departing Alberta:
Air Canada added additional capacity daily from Edmonton across Canada to get people home from Northern Alberta following the evacuation of Fort McMurray. Including evacuation charters, larger aircraft and additional flights, we added more than 5,000 additional seats from Edmonton to other points across Canada, which is comparable to deploying more than 33 of our A320 aircraft or more than 12 of our Boeing 777s from Edmonton.

Assisting to deliver medical supplies:
We are working with Global Medic to deliver medical and other supplies to Alberta. So far, we have shipped personal hygiene kits to assist more than 5,000 people, as well as shipping 1,500 personal care packages for emergency first responders in Alberta. We continue to be ready to ship additional supplies as required. 

Red Cross aid
Our thoughts are with the people in Fort McMurray, which includes our own employees and employees of our Air Canada Express partner Jazz, who live in this community.  The Air Canada Foundation has made a $50,000 donation to the Canadian Red Cross to assist with relief efforts. Air Canada continues to work with the Red Cross and their agency, aiding residents in their return to Fort McMurray.

Contrary to allegations in social media, fares were not raised in response to this devastating situation. In some cases, customers booking last minute on May 3 and 4 on flights from Fort McMurray and Edmonton had paid premium fares. This was a result of Air Canada’s computerized revenue management system, which automatically manages fares. Regrettably, we were unable to intervene in advance to manually adjust fares and in those instances we’ve contacted customers who paid a premium to adjust the fare to the normally available, lowest advance fare and refund the difference.

Updates will be continue to be provided on aircanada.com. 

Departing from Brussels?

April 29, 2016

Effective May 2, 2016, Air Canada’s check-in counters will move back to level 3 of the main terminal of Brussels Airport (BRU). To reach the Air Canada counters, please follow the blue signage indicating the number 1. Once on level 3, proceed to row 4, counters 1, 2 and 3.

It you are departing from Brussels, you should continue to arrive at the airport at least 180 minutes prior to departure to ensure adequate time for the potentially lengthy security screening process that is required to gain access to the airport and check in.

Please remember that the Air Canada check-in counters may only be reached upon presentation of an Itinerary-Receipt or a boarding pass.  Air Canada check-in counters open 180 minutes prior to departure.

Departing from the United States?

April 28, 2016

If you're planning to fly out of an airport in the United States, the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) advises that security checkpoint lines can be longer than normal in spring and summer. 

For this reason, the TSA recommends arriving at the airport 2 hours before departure if your flight is in the early morning or evening, when wait times for screening can be up to one hour. 

If you're a member of a known traveller program, such as Nexus or Global Entry, you may experience normal wait times. Find out more about U.S. Trusted Traveler ProgramsOpens in New Window.

For travel between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa

Attention winter sport enthusiasts! You can carry your skis/snowboards and boots at no extra charge provided you are travelling:

• Between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa
• On a flight operated by Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa or SWISS
• Between November 1, 2016 and April 30, 2017

Baggage fees may apply for travel within Canada, between Canada and the U.S. and all other destinations. Please refer to our sports equipment page for details.

Travelling from San Francisco?

April 5, 2016

Effective immediately, Air Canada’s check-in counters located in the International Terminal at San Francisco International Airport will be moved to Aisle 6 (from Aisle 12).

And remember that you can check in online, on your mobile device, or at a self-service check-in kiosk at the airport before you drop off your bags at the counter.

Travelling from Tokyo-Narita?

March 18, 2016

Effective June 2nd, 2016, Air Canada’s check-in counters located in the South Wing of Terminal 1 at Narita International Airport will be moved to Aisle I (from Aisle D).

And remember that you can check in online, on your mobile device, or at a self-service check-in kiosk at the airport before you drop off your bags at the counter.

Stay Connected with Wi-Fi in the Sky

March 15, 2016

Air Canada is proud to be the first Canadian airline to offer Wi-Fi access right at your seat on select North American flights and across all of our 129 narrow-body aircraft. That means more Wi-Fi enabled planes than any other Canadian airline.

New pet carrier size restrictions

January 21, 2016

If you have plans to travel with your cat or small dog in the cabin, please take note that maximum size restrictions have changed, effective immediately, to the following:

• Height: 21 cm (8.25 in)
• Width:  38 cm (15 in) 
• Length: 43 cm (17 in)

These new maximum dimensions apply to both soft- and hard-sided carriers used for bringing your cat or small dog with you in the cabin. The rules that apply to pets travelling in the baggage compartment remain unchanged.

Should you have any questions or concerns about this new policy or anything else related to your upcoming trip with your pet, please feel free to contact us or read more on travelling with pets.

Electronic boarding passes now available for departures from Toronto-Pearson

January 20, 2016

Effective immediately, you can get an electronic boarding pass and board your flight paper free when departing on Air Canada from Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) to the U.S. Simply select from the mobile boarding pass options upon completing your web, mobile or kiosk check-in.  Toronto-Pearson is just the latest Canadian airport from which electronic boarding passes are available for travel to the US, after Montreal, Vancouver, Ottawa and Halifax.

Introducing Business Class Check-in at Toronto-Pearson

January 20, 2016

Business Class Check-in has landed at Toronto-Pearson International Airport. Starting January 21, 2016, select Air Canada customers will enjoy an exclusive check-in experience designed to make their move through Canada’s busiest airport faster and more efficient.

Equipped with 15 check-in counters, 2 customer service desks, 2 self-serve kiosks, and a dedicated seating area, our new Business Class Check-in service will get you on your way without delay.

For flights within Canada and international travel*, you can enjoy expedited Business Class Check-in if you’re:

• Travelling in Business Class or in the Premium Economy or Premium rouge cabins
• An Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K or Elite 50K member
• A Star Alliance Gold member

Within this new Business Class Check-in area, dedicated check-in counters and a concierge office will remain available exclusively for Altitude Super Elite 100K members.

Customers who are eligible for Priority Check-in (including our Altitude Elite 35K and Prestige 25K members, as well as select credit card holders) may use new dedicated Priority Check-in counters located in aisle 3 for domestic flights and aisle 5 for international flights.

^{* The Business Class Check-in service also applies to flights to the U.S. when travelling with only carry-on baggage.}

Small lithium battery-powered vehicles not accepted on board

December 17, 2015

Safety is Air Canada's number one priority. Therefore, effective December 8, 2015, Air Canada will no longer accept small lithium-battery powered vehicles as checked or carry-on baggage given potential safety risks associated with the power of the batteries that power them.

Small lithium battery-powered vehicles are commonly referred to as hoverboards, electric skateboards, airwheels, mini-Segways and balance wheels.

If customers wish to use Air Canada Cargo, please be aware that they will accept small lithium battery powered vehicles; however they must meet enhanced and stringent conditions. Customers should check with Air Canada CargoOpens in New Window well in advance of travel for more information.

Note that mobility aids such as wheelchairs and scooters continue to be accepted in checked baggage but require special handling.

You can also learn more about these and other items, which are either restricted or prohibited on board our aircraft.

New online application for customers travelling to Aruba

In the effort to facilitate your travel to Aruba, the Aruban Immigration Authority in collaboration with the Aruba Tourism Authority offer the first “bon bini” in the form of Aruba’s online Embarkation and Disembarkation (ED) program.

The online application consists of a few easy steps:

• Visit the Aruba websiteOpens in New Window
• Complete your application online
• Submit your application
• Review your application
• Print if desire
• Receive confirmation

Before you begin this process, please make sure that you have a valid passport, and an e-mail address that you have access to. You will need to supply information from your passport to successfully complete the online application form. A confirmation of your application will be sent to the provided e-mail address. 

All information is available on the Aruba websiteOpens in New Window.

Reminder about Priority Rewards

November 27, 2015

In the event that Aeroplan^®  Fixed Mileage Flight Rewards^TM seats are completely booked, Priority Rewards offer eligible Altitude members access to additional seats on flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge. As announced in October 2014, Priority Rewards will be limited to a total of ten (10) reservations per eligible Altitude member, per year. The Priority Rewards tracker will be in place in the coming weeks. 

How it will work

The number of Priority Rewards available to you will be reset every time your Altitude status changes. For instance, if you are an Elite 50K member in 2016 and have completed 5 Priority Rewards, and you then reach Elite 75K through Early Recognition, the number of Priority Rewards available to you will be reset to ten (10), once your status is updated. Alternatively, if your Altitude status does not change throughout the year, your counter will not change either - it will be reset during our annual requalification activities beginning in December 2016, and when your status is updated for the 2017 benefit period.

Keep track of the Priority Rewards available to you by visiting your Dashboard at altitude.aircanada.com. You will also see this information when completing a booking using your Aeroplan miles through aeroplan.com.

Learn MoreOpens in New Window about Priority Rewards

Changes to checked baggage policy

November 19, 2015

Air Canada is revising its checked baggage policy for Economy Class tickets issued on or after November 18, 2015for travel on or after January 6, 2016 as follows:

• The second bag fee is $35 CAD/USD (per direction) when you travel:
  • within Canada
  • between Canada and Mexico, the Caribbean or Central America
• The fee for an oversized and/or overweight bag* is $100 (per direction) when travelling:
  • Within Canada
  • Between Canada and the U.S.

We invite you to view our complete checked baggage policy for exceptions and other important details. 

* If a bag is both overweight and oversized, the $100 fee is charged only once.

Enhancements to Policy on Musical Instruments

September 25, 2015

We are happy to introduce a few enhancements to our carry-on baggage policy that will be of great interest to you if you travel with a musical instrument.

In addition to our current policy that ensures items which meet our carry-on size requirements * can be brought on board and stored in the overhead bins or under the seat in front of you, we now offer a 50% discount off any fare, including the lowest available one, to customers who would like to purchase a seat to accommodate their musical instrument in the same cabin that they are booked in.

And if you’re traveling with a musical instrument as carry-on, you will now be invited to board the plane during pre-boarding in advance of general boarding so you’ll have a little more time to store your precious possession in an overhead bin close to your seat. If you need help with this, our flight attendants will be happy to assist.

We take every care when transporting all of our customers’ belongings. But please remember that, because of their fragile nature, musical instruments should always be properly packaged in a rigid and/or hard shell container . This is especially important in the event that your musical instrument needs to be checked at the gate if it is not possible to accommodate it on board because of passenger loads, aircraft limitations or insufficient storage space.

Read our complete policy on travelling with a musical instrument.

* String instruments (e.g. guitars, violins and violas) can be carried on board - even if their dimensions slightly exceed our carry-on size limits.

For travel between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa

September 23, 2015

Attention winter sport enthusiasts! You can carry your skis/snowboards and boots at no extra charge provided you are travelling:

• Between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa
• On a flight operated by Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa or SWISS
• Between November 1, 2015 and April 30, 2016

Baggage fees may apply for travel within Canada, between Canada and the U.S. and all other destinations. Please refer to our sports equipment page for details.

Air Canada Rouge expands service to sun destinations

July 23, 2015

Starting this fall, Air Canada Rouge expands service on a range of routes serving popular vacation destinations, previously operated by Air Canada.  Customers who have already booked tickets with Air Canada on these routes will be contacted by Air Canada or their travel agent with more information about their flight and travel options.

New Air Canada Rouge routes include:

Montreal to: 

• Fort Lauderdale starting December 16, 2015
• Tampa starting January 15, 2016
• West Palm Beach starting January 15, 2016
• Nassau starting January 17, 2016

Toronto to:

• Sarasota starting October 24, 2015
• Fort Lauderdale starting October 25, 2015
• Panama City starting October 25, 2015
• Barbados starting January 7, 2016

Vancouver to:

• Kona (Hawaii) starting December 19, 2015

The Air Canada Rouge flights will feature a recently updated Premium rouge cabin with larger seats in a 2+2 configuration for more comfort. You’ll also be able to take advantage of new amenities, including in-seat power outlets and iPad Air 2 tablets loaded full of the latest Hollywood releases and games.  
Find out more about Air Canada RougeOpens in New Window. 

Expansion of the China Transit Program

May 22, 2015

Air Canada is an approved air carrier participating in the Canadian government's China Transit ProgramOpens in New Window (CTP), which allows our customers who are citizens of the People’s Republic of China and who are transiting through either Toronto Pearson International Airport (Terminal 1) or Vancouver International Airport to travel to or from the U.S. without obtaining a Canadian temporary resident visa provided they meet certain conditionsOpens in New Window.

Starting June 1, 2015, the China Transit Program (CTP) will expand to include Tokyo Narita, Tokyo Haneda, and Seoul Incheon as eligible points of embarkation. This is in addition to Beijing, Hong Kong, Guangzhou, Shanghai, Manila and Taipei, which are already part of the program.

Air Canada is also an approved air carrier participating in the Canadian government's Transit without Visa (TWOV) program.

Learn more about transiting through Canada without a visaOpens in New Window.

South Africa – new travel document requirements

May 21, 2015

Effective June 1, 2015, the Department of Home Affairs of the Republic of South Africa will implement new regulations which will require parents or guardians who are travelling with children under the age of 18 to, from or via South Africa to produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child regardless of nationality. This is in addition to any other required travel documents such as passports and/or visas.

Travellers are invited to visit the Department of Home AffairsOpens in New Window Republic of South Africa or to contact the South African High Commission at 416-944-8825 for more information.

Update - Travelling from Rome?

October 15, 2015

Effective October 25, 2015, Air Canada check-in counters at Leonardo Da Vinci International Airport (Fiumicino) in Rome will be moved back to Terminal 3 (from Terminal 5 where they were temporarily relocated due to damages caused by a fire).

If you are travelling from this airport, you can check in online or on your mobile device, or at the check-in counters at Terminal 3 starting 3 hours before your flight.

Bringing the right bags on board

June 03, 2015

Ensuring your travel is easy, comfortable and safe is our top priority. We also know how important it is for you to depart for  your destination without delay, with your most important travel items with you onboard. So as of June 1, 2015 we're continuing to introduce a new carry-on baggage process to help make sure that happens. 

Please ensure your carry-on bags meet Air Canada’s carry-on baggage policy both is size and in number of bags. In late May we started checking and tagging carry on baggage at Toronto Pearson and it is reducing delays and creating more comfort onboard. We're continuing to introduce this process across Canada throughout June at all airports served by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge. 

‎We'll  have staff at both check-in and security checkpoints to quickly confirm and tag your carry-on bags that meet Air Canada’s existing carry-on dimensions as “approved”. This will make it easier and safer to stow your personal items on board, may help reduce wait times at security, and will help avoid flight delays caused by larger bags being checked at the gate. 

Here’s what the tag will look like:

If a piece of your carry-on baggage needs to be checked we will be happy to help with that at check in.  If you get to security and need to check a bag that exceeds allowable size limits, not to worry. We’ll give you a special card that will get you quickly back to a check-in agent, and then on to your departure gate.

Please remember that carry-on bags which exceed Air Canada’s policy for size and number will need to be checked, and standard fees will apply.

TSA Pre-Check now available on electronic boarding passes

April 30, 2014

Effective immediately, customers eligible for the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's TSA Pre✓™ program who complete web or mobile check-in no longer need to print their boarding pass at the airport to take advantage of the expedited screening service at all U.S. airports served by Air Canada.

A TSA Pre✓™ indicator is now incorporated into the 2D barcode of their web or mobile boarding pass, thus allowing them to proceed more rapidly to the pre-check lane.

To coincide with this enhancement, Air Canada is making electronic boarding passes available from those U.S. airports. Customers completing web or mobile check-in can now receive their boarding pass via email or text message, or directly to their smartphone.

Air Canada is proud to be the first non-U.S. airline to participate fully in the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's TSA Pre✓™ program. Learn more about TSA Pre✓, and how it applies to Air Canada flights.

Premium Economy cabin: now available when redeeming Aeroplan Miles

March 24, 2015

Aeroplan Members can now use their miles for the Premium Economy cabin on applicable Air Canada flights when booking a ClassicFlight Reward or a Market Fare Flight Reward.

In Premium Economy, passengers can enjoy superior comfort in a dedicated cabin with premium meal service, enhanced amenities, a larger seat with more recline and extra legroom, as well as priority airport services. Consult the Flight Rewards chartOpens in New Window to determine the required mileage level for Premium Economy.

Introducing Business Class - Transcontinental

February 19, 2015

Effective March 1, 2015, Air Canada is pleased to offer the comfort of our International Business Class seats when flying within North America with the introduction of Business Class – Transcontinental. Business Class – Transcontinental will be available on select wide body flights between Toronto and Calgary/Vancouver/Los Angeles/San Francisco, and between Montreal and Vancouver.

Business Class – Transcontinental features Air Canada’s award winning North America Business Class service with the added luxury and privacy of our International Business Class suite that stretches out to fully lie-flat bed, with oversized pillow, plush duvet blanket and noise cancelling headset. Air Canada is the only airline in Canada to offer such industry leading amenities in Business Class on routes where Business Class – Transcontinental is offered. Look for “Business Class – Transcontinental” when you select your next flight. Learn more

Travelling from Fort Lauderdale?

January 13, 2015

We are currently enhancing the customer experience at Fort Lauderdale/Hollywood International Airport (FLL).  Construction work is taking place to increase the number of self-service check-in kiosks available and provide our customers with a more spacious check-in environment. 

In order to ensure a seamless experience, we strongly advise customers departing Fort Lauderdale (FLL) to check in online or on their mobile device prior to arriving at the airport, and also to adhere to the recommended check-in time of 120 minutes prior to flight departure.

Air Canada launches eUpgrades to Premium Economy

December 2, 2014

Air Canada has launched eUpgrades to Premium Economy, which allow Altitude members to upgrade from an eligible Economy Class fare to Premium Economy, giving them even more flexibility in how they wish to use their eUpgrade Credits. eUpgrades to Premium Economy are available for eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge which feature a Premium Economy or Premium rouge cabin.

eUpgrade Credits required for Premium Economy

Other eUpgrade requirements

Altitude members will benefit from the same eUpgrade Booking Window as they do today, and eUpgrade Add-ons will not apply for eUpgrades to Premium Economy.

Requesting an eUpgrade to Premium Economy

As an Altitude member, you will continue to be able to request your upgrades:

• through your eUpgrade accountOpens in New Window,
• by contacting Air Canada Reservations or
• with an Air Canada agent at the airport.

Note that eUpgrades to Premium Economy will not be available when checking in online, via your mobile device or at airport self-service kiosks.

Itineraries with flight connections

If you request an upgrade for one cabin (i.e. entirely in Premium Economy or Business Class) for an entire one-way itinerary that contains flight connections, you will continue to be charged the lesser of the number of eUpgrade Credits required for an upgrade between your origin and destination, or the sum of the number of eUpgrade Credits required per flight segment, as is the case today.

However, if you request your eUpgrade for different cabins for connecting flights on a one-way itinerary, you will be required to make separate eUpgrade requests and the requirements for each of your flights will be assessed separately.

Availability and seat allocation

You will always be given the ability to sit in the best available seat. Should you originally request an upgrade to Business Class but do not receive an upgrade, you will automatically be placed on standby for Premium Economy and offered a seat based on availability.

Learn more about eUpgrades and Air Canada Altitude.

Priority Security Clearance at Copenhagen Airport

December 1, 2014

Effective immediately, Air Canada customers booked in Business Class and Altitude Super Elite 100K customers travelling in Economy Class can take advantage of the dedicated CPH Express Priority Security Lane when departing from Copenhagen Airport (CPH).

Eligible customers can obtain access to the dedicated CPH Express lane by simply scanning the barcode on their boarding pass.

More about Priority Security Clearance

Carry your skis or snowboard at no extra charge

November 28, 2014

For travel between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa

Attention winter sport enthusiasts! You can now carry your skis/snowboards and boots at no extra charge provided you are travelling:

• Between Canada and Europe, the Middle East or Africa
• On a flight operated by Air Canada, Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, Lufthansa or SWISS
• Between December 1, 2014 and April 30, 2015

Baggage fees may apply for travel within Canada, between Canada and the U.S. and all other destinations. Please refer to our sports equipment page for details.

Colombia to charge reciprocity fee

November 27, 2014

Effective December 1st, 2014, Colombia will begin charging a reciprocity fee to citizens of Canada arriving at an airport in Colombia.

The fee of approximately $88 CAD (or 160.000 Colombian pesos) per person is valid for a single entry into the country, and is payable by international credit card or debit card. If made in cash, the payment must be in Colombian pesos. A dedicated counter will be available to Canadian citizens who must pay the reciprocity fee before proceeding to immigration control.

The fee does not apply to Canadian citizens who:

• are under the age of 15 or over the age of 78
• hold a valid visa to enter Colombia
• are connecting through a Colombian airport to another country
• are headed to Cartagena or to the archipelago of San Andres, Providencia and Santa Catalina
• hold a diplomatic passport and are travelling on official duty (this includes delegates)

Passengers who are unable to pay the fee will not be allowed into Colombia.

Holiday travel tips

Because the holiday season is often a challenging period for the operations of an airline, below are a few travel tips to help get you on your way.

Plan ahead

• At time of booking, be sure you or your travel agent provide Air Canada with full contact information where you can be reached prior to and during your trip, including phone numbers and email address.
• Try to arrive at the airport at least one extra hour ahead of normal check-in and boarding times to avoid problems associated with the congestion that comes with winter travel.
• Check our travel advisories for the most up-to-date information on possible flight disruptions.
• Check the status of departing and arriving flights:
  • online,
  • with your mobile device, or
  • by calling the toll free Air Canada flight status line at 1-888-422-7533; TTY (Hearing Impaired): 1-800-361-8071.
• Register for Air Canada's flight notification service; your flight schedules, cancellations, delays and details will be sent directly to your mobile device or e-mail, all in real time.
• Download our free Air Canada Apps:
• Air Canada App for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
• Air Canada App for Blackberry
• Make sure you have all the travel documents you and your family need for your trip.
• Consider purchasing 'On My Way', an Air Canada product that provides priority services, including hotels and other protection, for customers whose travel is interrupted.
• Your flight has been delayed or cancelled?
  If Air Canada advises you that your flight has been cancelled, or if severe weather conditions are expected to bring about a flight delay or cancellation, you may be able to access our Delayed and cancelled flight service to make alternate arrangements using your booking reference number and passenger name. Please be patient. Immediately after a storm it takes time to resume normal operations. If required, we will add extra capacity when aircraft and crew are available to clear the backlog of affected customers. If a suitable flight is not immediately available, check back frequently because our schedule may change and space may open up.
• Travelling to, from or via the U.S.?
  The U.S. Secure Flight ProgramOpens in New Window requires that travellers provide additional Secure Flight information at least 72 hours before their flight or at time of booking. Learn more about how you can provide this information.

Check in early

• Check in online or on your mobile device at any time within 24 hours of departure.
• Get your boarding pass sent electronically to your mobile device, or print it from home or at one of our self-service check-in kiosks at the airport.
• You have bags to check?
  Take a minute to print and attach your own baggage tags, then deposit your bags at the designated airport counter. Self-service tagging is available in Calgary, Edmonton, Halifax, Montreal, Ottawa, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Paris-Charles de Gaulle and London Heathrow.

Pack smartly

• Review your checked and carry-on baggage allowances, then take a few minutes to read the special restrictions that apply to liquids, gels and aerosolsOpens in New Window. And remember to always pack medication and valuables in carry-on baggage.
• Remember to leave gifts unwrapped. In the event that security or customs agents need to inspect the contents of your baggage, all the items in your possession should be unwrapped and easy to access.
• Download and print our Baggage ID card and place one inside each of your bags for easy identification.
• Planning outdoor winter activities?
  Our sports equipment page will tell you everything you need to know about packing skis, snowboards, skates and much more.

We wish you a safe and happy holiday travel season!

Air Canada introduces boarding by zone on December 15

November 17, 2014

On December 15, 2014, a new streamlined boarding process based on zone numbers will be introduced at most airports for flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express. It will replace the previous standard of boarding the aircraft from back to front row seat numbers.

When you check in for your flight, the zone corresponding to your seat will be printed on your boarding pass. At the airport, you'll be invited to board the plane when the gate agent calls for your zone:

• Zone 1*: Priority boarding  for Business Class and Super Elite 100K customers
• Zone 2*: Priority boarding  for Elite 75K, Elite 50K, Elite 35K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and select TD and CIBC credit card holders
• Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding for Economy Class customers

Naturally, customers who requested wheelchair assistance will still be invited to board first, and those travelling with children under the age of 6 can continue to board in advance of general boarding.

So remember to look for updated signage at your gate and to check your Air Canada boarding pass to locate your boarding zone number.

Learn more about the new boarding by zone process.

* Customers who have been assigned zone 1 or 2 may continue to use dedicated lanes to board at any time once general boarding has started.

Removal of Premium Economy on flights within North America

Effective November 3 for travel on or after November 15, 2014, Premium Economy will no longer be available for sale on flights within North America which are operated by our three-cabin B777-300 or B787-8 aircraft. These seats will now be sold as Preferred seats. The change is due to the limited number of aircraft flying within North America featuring our Premium Economy cabin
 
Customers purchasing a Preferred seat will be able to purchase earphones, meals, snacks and alcoholic beverages from our Air Canada Bistro.  
 
Customers who purchased a Premium Economy fare prior to November 3, 2014 for travel within North America will be contacted by Air Canada. 
 
Premium Economy continues to be available on international flights.

Important updates about 2015 Air Canada Altitude privileges

We've recently announced several important updates to Air Canada Altitude for 2015. These include changes regarding privileges such as eUpgrades, Preferred Seats, Priority Airport and Reservation Services, qualification criteria, and more. Stay informed about how this affects you and what to expect next year.

Find out more about these changes.

Incident in Ottawa

October 22, 2014

As a result of the shootings in Ottawa and the subsequent lock-down of several areas of the city, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than October 22, 2014 for travel to or from Ottawa on this date.

If you are scheduled to travel on October 22, 2014, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight free of charge, to another date between October 22 and October 31, 2014, subject to availability in the cabin you originally purchased. Otherwise, any fare difference will apply.

You may also choose to travel to an alternate destination. Any change fees will be waived, provided you are travelling between October 22 and October 31, 2014. However, any fare difference will apply.

New meal offerings for International Business Class Customers

October 1, 2014

To provide our customers with the best possible service, we continually strive to refresh and enhance our onboard offerings.

In the spring of 2014, we conducted extensive research to gather important customer feedback. As a result, the following changes to our International Business Class service were introduced in the fall of 2014:

À la Carte Breakfast

• On flights from Canada to Europe, customers can now fill out an order card to choose from a selection of beverages, as well as hot and cold breakfast items, which will be served to them prior to landing, at a time of their choosing.
• Customers can also indicate if they do not wish to be woken or if they will not be having breakfast, maximizing their sleep time as they will not be disturbed.

Long Haul Service

• On our long haul flights between Toronto and Asia, Toronto and Tel Aviv as well as on flights between Vancouver and Sydney, Australia, we've upgraded our main meal service offering by introducing the following:

•  
  • Entrées will be plated, sauced and garnished in the galley by our cabin crew, elevating the onboard dining experience to a more restaurant-like experience. Meals such as grilled Alberta AAA beef tenderloin with Cabernet peppercorn sauce, served with Yukon Gold lobster mashed potato and sautéed asparagus will be presented on new, stylish white plates.
  • Cheese service is now offered tableside, from a cheese board, where passengers can choose from three cheeses, like Cantonnier, Camembert and Medium Cheddar, served with juicy grapes, crackers and warm bread.
  • For dessert, cake and fresh seasonal fruit will be served tableside from a presentation trolley. Customers can make their selection and even indulge in a bit of both if they wish.

• On all flights between Toronto and Asia, we've introduced a brunch service prior to landing. Customers can still choose between a western style breakfast, such as an omelet with cherry tomato ragout, roasted potatoes and spinach, or an Asian inspired dish, such as Chinese-style rice congee with chicken, shiitake mushroom and spring onion. However, customers who may want something other than breakfast can opt for brunch options such as e-fu noodles with mushrooms, shrimp dim sum and pork siu mai.

Learn more about our International Business Class service.

Meet next year's summer schedule

September 25, 2014

We'd like to share our excitement over our summer 2015 schedule! It's been given a boost with more flights from Montreal and Toronto to great destinations in Europe.

Leading the way are new Air Canada Rouge service between Montreal and Venice, and twice daily Air Canada service to Paris from Toronto and Montreal, featuring Air Canada's award-winning International Business Class service.

Highlights of the Air Canada 2015 summer schedule:

• Toronto/Montreal – Paris: twice daily service from June to September
• Toronto – Amsterdam: Year-round service beginning June 4, 2015, up to six times weekly
• Toronto – Rio de Janeiro/Panama City: Continued operation of new non-stop service introduced for winter 2014-15

Highlights of the Air Canada Rouge 2015 summer schedule:

• Montreal – Venice: New service beginning May 14, 2015
• Montreal – Athens: service doubled to four times weekly
• Montreal – Barcelona: service increased to three times a week from twice weekly.
• Vancouver – Osaka-Kansai: up to five flights per week beginning May 1, 2015
• Toronto – Athens/Barcelona: Service increased to daily from five times a week
• Toronto – Venice: service increased to four times weekly (up from three)
• Toronto – Lima: year-round service operated by Air Canada Rouge beginning May 2, 2015

With so many exciting places to choose from, why wait? Book your flight to your dream destination today!

Changes to checked baggage policy

September 18, 2014

Air Canada is revising its checked baggage policy for customers travelling with an Economy Class ticket issued on or after September 18, 2014 for travel on or after November 2, 2014 as indicated below.

Travel within Canada:

• Tango fares: Check a 1st bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction) and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
• Flex fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
• Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

Travel between Canada and the U.S.*:

• Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

Travel between Canada or the U.S. and Puerto Rico, Mexico, the Caribbean or the U.S. Virgin Islands:

• Tango fares: Check a 1st bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction) and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
• Flex fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for 25$ CAD/USD (per direction).
• Latitude fares: Check 2 bags free of charge.

Between Canada or the U.S.* and Belize, Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua:

• All Economy fares: Check a 1st bag free of charge and a 2nd bag for $25 CAD/USD (per direction).

Please note that the 1st bag fee does not apply when you purchase an Air Canada Vacations package to some of the destinations listed above. You can read more about these latest changes to our checked baggage policyOpens in New Window.

We also invite you to use our convenient checked baggage calculator to determine the exact baggage allowance that applies to your itinerary.

*Includes Hawaii and Alaska.

South Africa – new travel document requirements

September 17, 2014

The Republic of South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs has announced that it is postponing until June 1, 2015its implementation of new regulations which will require parents or guardians who are travelling with children under the age of 18 to/from or via South Africa to produce an unabridged birth certificate of the child regardless of nationality. This will be in addition to any other required travel documents such as passports and/or visas.

Travellers are invited to visit the Republic of South Africa’s Department of Home AffairsOpens in New Window or to contact the South African High Commission at 416-944-8825 for more information.

2013 Corporate Sustainability Report “Citizens of the World” Now Available

August 25, 2014

Air Canada has issued the 2013 edition of Citizens of the World, its third corporate sustainability report. The report evaluates Air Canada’s performance during 2013 in four key areas of sustainability: safety, the environment, the well-being of employees, and the company’s community involvement.

Highlights of 2013 include:

• completion of the Transport Canada Safety Management System Audit;
• continued support for the development of alternative, more environmentally-friendly fuels;
• a 21 per cent reduction in Lost Time Injuries;
• a total of approximately $6.5 million in community investments including contributions from the Air Canada Foundation to a range of charitable causes in the form of in-kind donations and cash.

Air Canada’s 2013 corporate sustainability report was prepared in accordance with principles of the Global Reporting Initiative, an internationally recognized standard for sustainability reporting. The report is framed around the findings of an extensive stakeholder survey undertaken to identify areas of most concern with respect to sustainability.  It also contains a discussion of governance practices at Air Canada and tables of data quantifying the results of our sustainability activities.

More Preferred seats, more legroom

August 15, 2014

Do you find yourself looking for a little extra space when you fly? Then you probably already know that our Preferred seats offer more legroom to stretch out, relax and work in comfort. And because they're typically located at the front of the cabin, they also allow you to deplane and go on your way faster.

What's new is that, for a small fee, you can now purchase a Preferred seat for as many or as few individual flights in your itinerary as you choose. And that adds up to more flexibility for you, the traveller.

We've also made a few minor changes to the way complimentary Preferred seating is assigned to eligible customers.

So take a minute to find out more about these latest enhancements before you choose your seat for your next flight. And make sure to look for the new distinctive Preferred seat logo visible on headrests on many of our aircraft.

At the same time we have made changes to our Tango advanced seat selection. 

New shuttle links Osoyoos to Kelowna

August 14, 2014

Connecting from the South Okanagan to Kelowna International Airport just got a whole lot easier, with the announcement of a new daily scheduled shuttle service.

The new service offers four round trips per day from Osoyoos to Kelowna International Airport (YLW) with 10 inter-community stops at specific pick-up and drop-off times and locations along the way.

It is a wonderfully convenient option for both local residents and visiting customers alike to travel between the airport and the wide array of vibrant resorts, wineries and communities in British Columbia’s Okanagan region.

Visit the Kelowna International AirportOpens in New Window website to learn more.

Mexico City flights feature Air Canada Bistro service

September 16, 2014

Flights to and from Mexico City (MEX) now feature our Air Canada Bistro service in Economy Class.

Customers who booked their travel prior to August 1 will receive a complimentary meal and snack item.

Find out more about our Air Canada Bistro service and view our current menu offerings.

Fly from Vancouver to sunny Palm Springs, California this winter

July 23, 2014

Calling all golfers! Air Canada Rouge is launching new non-stop flights between Vancouver and Palm Springs International Airport (PSP) beginning December 18, 2014.

Book now using the promotion code “Palm20” and enjoy special introductory savings of 20% on bookings made by August 7, 2014. 

Flights are available three days a week on Thursdays, Fridays and Sundays from December 18, 2014 to April 12, 2015, and are timed to offer convenient connections to and from Vancouver.

Web check-in now available at Detroit (DTW) and Portland, Oregon (PDX)

Effective immediately, Air Canada customers departing from Detroit’s Metropolitan Wayne County Airport (DTW) or Portland International Airport (PDX) in Oregon will be able to take full advantage of our convenient Web check-in and Mobile check-in options, starting 24 hours in advance of flight departure.

New Priority Services available at Istanbul (IST)

Effective immediately, eligible customers can take advantage of accelerated exit immigration and security screening when departing on an Air Canada flight from Istanbul Atatürk Airport (IST). International Business Class, Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K, Elite 50K and Elite 35K members must obtain an invitation at the Priority Check-in counter prior to proceeding to the Passport Control (“TAV Passport”) Fast Track lane.

At the same time, accelerated immigration services will be available to International Business Class and Super Elite 100K customers arriving at Istanbul Atatürk Airport and clearing Turkey customs. Eligible customers must obtain an invitation from the “TGA TRANSFER DESK” prior to proceeding to the “TAV Fast Track Passport Control” lane.

New security measures for departures from Europe

July 10, 2014

Transport Canada has implemented strengthened security measures with regard to passengers, carry-on baggage and electronic devices.  Air Canada is complying with these new security requirements.

Effective immediately, screening officers may ask that travellers present electronics for screening and request that some devices, including cell phones, be powered up. Powerless or broken devices will not be permitted onboard the aircraft. For this reason, please ensure that the electronic devices you bring with you are fully powered before you arrive at the airport. 

Travellers and their carry-on baggage may also undergo additional screening. 

Because these new measures may cause delays during security screening, we invite customers travelling on Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge to arrive well in advance of departure, to allow for check-in, baggage drop-off, security screening and boarding. Customers are also requested to arrive at the gate area well in advance since some screening may be performed at that area.

We appreciate your patience and understanding in helping us to comply with the additional regulations, and in ensuring the safety of all travellers.

Electronic boarding passes now available for departures from San Francisco

July 10, 2014

Effective immediately, you can benefit from the convenience of an electronic boarding pass when departing on Air Canada from San Francisco (SFO). Simply select from the mobile boarding pass options upon completing your web, mobile or kiosk check-in.  San Francisco has now become the second airport in the U.S. from which electronic boarding passes are available, after New York (LGA), and we are continuously working on extending the service to other U.S. airports over the coming months.

Please note, however, that if you are eligible for expedited security screening with TSA Pre✓, you will need to continue to have your paper boarding pass reprinted at one of our self-service check-in kiosks, or with an Air Canada agent.

New non-stop service to Panama City

July 8, 2014

Great news! Air Canada is launching new non-stop flights between Toronto and Panama City beginning December 17, 2014. With the launch of the three-times weekly, year-round service, Air Canada will be the only Canadian network carrier operating between Canada and Panama.

Flights will be available for sale as of July 8, 2014 and commence operating, three days a week, on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays beginning December 17, 2014. The service will be provided with an Airbus A319 aircraft with 120 seats. The flights will also be timed to offer convenient onward connections from Tocumen International Airport.

Travelling with a British passport?

Due to lengthy delays affecting delivery of passports, the UK has implemented a temporary measure which provides for a 12 month extension to travellers whose passport has already expired or will expire shortly.

In these cases, travellers are invited to visit their British consulate or embassy to have an extension stamped on the observation page of their passport, as well as to obtain a letter with the revised expiry date.

Learn moreOpens in New Window

Introducing our new Maple Leaf Lounge at London-Heathrow

June 18, 2014

Air Canada is proud to introduce its newest international Maple Leaf Lounge at London-Heathrow’s Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal.
Opening today, the new Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge at Heathrow is designed to provide a sanctuary for the discriminating traveller – a place to regroup, refresh and relax – truly a “home away from home”. Among other amenities, eligible passengers departing London on long-haul flights will enjoy:

• A bistro-style dining area with chef’s cooking station offering hot and cold meals
• A tended bar offering complimentary wines, beer and spirit
• A spa-inspired shower area
• A “quiet zone” with TV-equipped relaxation pods and chaises by Calgary’s Birchwood Furniture.
• A Business Centre equipped with individual flat-screen Dell PCs, colour laser printing and scanning
• Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access throughout

The new lounge is available to:

• Customers travelling in International Business Class
• Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K and Elite 50K customers (accompanied by their spouse or domestic partner, dependent children, and one guest)
• Maple Leaf Club Worldwide members (accompanied by one guest)
• American Express AeroplanPlus Platinum and Corporate Platinum card holders
• American Express Maple Leaf Club card holders

Learn more about Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge locations, features and privileges.

Fort McMurray International Airport - Air Canada moves to new terminal

June 6, 2014

Air Canada wishes to inform its customers that, effective June 9, 2014, all operations will be moved to Fort McMurray International Airport’s new terminal.

Departing Air Canada customers will be invited to use one of the 12 available self-service kiosks to check in and print their boarding pass before proceeding to the bag drop counter.

Priority check-in and security will also be available for eligible customers.

Select Air Canada Express flights will depart from gate 1, while all other Air Canada-operated flights will depart from gates 2 and 3.

New Personal Electronic Device Policy

May 30, 2014

We're happy to announce that as of Wednesday, May 28, 2014, all customers travelling on Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Rouge can use their personal electronic devices at all times during their flight, including during taxiing, take-off and landing, as long as they're not transmitting or receiving data.

Please remember, however, that only earbud headphones connected to the Air Canada in-flight entertainment system (IFE) are permitted at those times, as the IFE system is muted when the public address system is used, in order to ensure that safety announcements are heard by all passengers.

New checked baggage policy for military personnel

May 29, 2014

Effective immediately, members of the Canadian and U.S. military will benefit from an enhanced baggage allowance whenever they travel on a flight operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or Air Canada Express. Eligible active and retired members of the Canadian and U.S. military are entitled to up to three pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg (70 lb) each.

If you are an eligible customer, please proceed as follows to benefit from this enhanced baggage allowance:

• When prompted at check-in (online, on your mobile or at an airport kiosk), indicate that you are travelling without checked bags.
• At the airport, see an Air Canada agent to have your bags tagged and checked free of charge, upon presentation of military identification.

Air Canada moves to London-Heathrow’s new Terminal 2

May 28, 2014

Air Canada is happy to announce that, starting on June 18, 2014, Heathrow Airport’s new Terminal 2, also known as The Queen’s Terminal, will serve as our new home for all flights into and out of London, U.K.

With over 175 daily departures to more than 50 destinations in over 25 countries, London-Heathrow’s state-of-the-art Terminal 2, which opens its doors on June 4, 2014, will welcome up to 20 million passengers each year.

Customers departing on an Air Canada flight will be invited to check in and print their baggage tags using one of the many self-service kiosks located in Zone A of the check-in lobby. Premium desks and dedicated full-service check-in will also be available for eligible customers.

Learn more about London-Heathrow’s Terminal 2.

Electronic boarding passes now available for departures from New York-LaGuardia

May 27, 2014

Effective immediately, you can benefit from the convenience of an electronic boarding pass when departing on Air Canada from New York-LaGuardia (LGA). Simply select from the mobile boarding pass options upon completing your web, mobile or kiosk check-in.

Please note, however, that if you are eligible for expedited security screening with TSA Pre-Check, you will need to continue to have your paper boarding pass reprinted at one of our self-service check-in kiosks, or with an Air Canada agent.

Learn more about electronic boarding passes

Guarulhos Int. Airport in São Paulo - Air Canada moves to Terminal 3

May 20, 2014

Air Canada wishes to inform its customers that all operations have been moved to Terminal 3 of Guarulhos International Airport, in Sao Paulo, Brazil. All Air Canada-operated flights now arrive and depart from Terminal 3, and check-in counters are located at island G.

Travelling to Brazil for the FIFA World Cup?

The 2014 FIFA World Cup is fast approaching, and the Government of Canada has prepared a dedicated web page designed to providing practical safety tips and emergency information for those travelling to Brazil for the event.

Learn moreOpens in New Window

New direct flights between Ottawa and Fort Lauderdale

We're delighted to announce that, every Monday and Saturday from July 5 to September 1st 2014, Air Canada will offer direct non-stop flights between Ottawa and Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

So book your flight right now*, either online or through your travel agent, and remember that you earn valuable Aeroplan Miles every time you travel with Air Canada.

*Don't forget that service begins on July 5, 2014.

Travelling to Turkey?

March 24, 2014

In accordance with new Turkish laws, the option to obtain a visa upon arrival at a point of entry to Turkey will be phased out starting on April 11, 2014.

To facilitate the transition, Turkish border authorities have decided to maintain existing procedures throughout the 2014 tourism season, after which Canadians and other nationals requiring a Turkish visa will need to obtain the document prior to entering Turkey.

Currently, visas can also be purchased online through Turkey's Electronic Visa Application SystemOpens in New Window, or by visiting a Turkish embassy or consulate.

Caracas Flights Suspended

March 19, 2014

Due to on-going civil unrest in Venezuela, Air Canada can no longer ensure the safety of its operation and has suspended flights to Caracas until further notice.

The current situation has exacerbated the challenges of doing business in Venezuela following months of economic and political instability. Among other things, this has resulted in onerous currency restrictions imposed on all airlines preventing them from recovering their funds from Venezuela.

The last flight departed Toronto on Saturday March 15 and Caracas on Sunday March 16, 2014.

Customers holding tickets to or from Caracas and who have not commenced their travel may obtain refunds. Customers who have commenced their travel may be re-booked at no additional charge on other airlines or obtain a refund of the unused portion of their ticket. Customers who purchased their tickets through travel agents should contact their travel agent for assistance.

Air Canada’s reservations and ticketing office in Caracas remains open to assist customers who booked directly with Air Canada in Venezuela.  To contact Air Canada in Venezuela, please visit aircanada.com for further information: contact us

Air Canada and travel agents have begun notifying affected customers in order to re-book them on other airlines to complete their travel via alternate routings (for example, via Bogota, Miami or Houston), or offer refunds on unused portions of tickets.

Air Canada will continue to monitor the situation and will evaluate the re-introduction of flights with the objective of resuming operations on the route once Air Canada is satisfied that the situation in Venezuela has stabilized.  Air Canada has also been working closely with IATA, the international airline association representing the industry on this matter (www.iata.orgOpens in New Window), and the Venezuelan government to address the ongoing currency control measures.  We remain hopeful that this matter can be resolved.  However, it is not sustainable to continue operating given the current circumstances.

Prior to the suspension of flights, Air Canada was operating three return flights weekly between Toronto and Caracas.  As no flights were scheduled on Monday March 17 in either direction, the first cancelled flights are the departure from Toronto to Caracas on Tuesday evening March 18, and the departure from Caracas to Toronto on Wednesday morning March 19.

For further information, travellers should consult the Government of Canada Travel Advisory:http://travel.gc.ca/destinations/venezuelaOpens in New Window

Self bag-tagging at New York LaGuardia and Newark

Are you travelling from New York LaGuardia (LGA) or Newark (EWR) with baggage to check?

Please note that baggage tags for checked baggage must now be printed at one of our self-service kiosks if you are leaving from these airports. Air Canada customer service agents will be happy to help you on site, if necessary.

As soon as you obtain your baggage tags and boarding pass, you can go directly to the Bag Drop counter.

Please see the complete list of airports offering self bag-tagging at the kiosks.

US Airways and TAM to withdraw from Star Alliance Network

On March 30, 2014, two of our codeshare partners, US AirwaysOpens in New Window and TAM AirlinesOpens in New Window will be withdrawing from the Star Alliance network.

For travel completed on or before March 30, 2014, Aeroplan Members will earn Altitude Qualifying Miles and Altitude Qualifying Segments on all eligible scheduled flights operated by US Airways and TAM. Additionally,

• Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K and Elite 50K members will enjoy Star Alliance Gold recognition, including access to US Airways Clubs and TAM VIP Lounges.
• Air Canada Altitude Elite 35K and Prestige 25K members will enjoy Star Alliance Silver recognition./li>
• Air Canada Altitude members who have chosen the Altitude Bonus as a Select Privileges will continue to earn 25% Bonus Aeroplan Miles on all eligible flights operated by TAM.

For travel completed on or after March 31, 2014, Aeroplan members will no longer earn miles.

For travel completed on or before July 2, 2014, on flights operated by TAM Airlines:

• Aeroplan members will continue to earn Aeroplan Miles; however, they will not earn Altitude Qualifying Miles or Altitude Qualifying Segments.
• Aeroplan members will be eligible to redeem miles for Aeroplan Flight Rewards operated by TAM.
• Air Canada Altitude members who have chosen the Altitude Bonus as a Select Privileges will continue to earn 25% Bonus Aeroplan Miles on all eligible flights operated by TAM.

For travel completed on or after July 3, 2014, on flights operated by TAM Airlines, Aeroplan members will no longer earn miles.

Learn more about mileage accumulation
Learn more about earning miles with US AirwaysOpens in New Window
Learn more about earning miles with TAM AirlinesOpens in New Window

Orlando International Airport - Air Canada moves to Terminal B

February 13, 2014

Air Canada wishes to inform its customers that, effective February 19, 2014, all operations are being moved toTerminal B of Orlando International Airport (MCO), in Florida. As of that date, all Air Canada-operated flights will arrive and depart from Terminal B.

Important updates regarding eUpgrades

Effective March 28, 2014, Air Canada will be introducing eUpgrade Add-ons for upgrades from eligible fares to certain international destinations.

Learn more about eUpgrade Add-ons.

Exit requirements for Mexican minors and other residents

January 24, 2014

Effective January 24, 2014, the following persons will be required to complete an exit authorization formOpens in New Window in order to travel outside Mexico:

• Mexican citizens under the age of 18 travelling alone or with someone other than their parent(s)
• Foreign residents (temporary and permanent)
• Temporary student residents

The form can be accessed online, in Spanish, by visiting Mexico’s Instituto Nacional de MigraciónOpens in New Window.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner aircraft now links Toronto to Tokyo-Haneda

July 25, 2014

We’re now operating daily flights between Toronto-Pearson and Tokyo-Haneda (Tokyo International Airport).

The new year-round service is both the only non-stop flight between Canada and Tokyo-Haneda, located less than 30 minutes from downtown Tokyo, and the first daytime flight from Tokyo-Haneda to North America.

With the new Tokyo-Haneda route, Air Canada offers the most flights of any airline between Japan and Canada, with service to three Canadian cities:

• Daily service between Toronto and Narita
• Non-stop service, three times weekly, between Calgary and Narita, increasing to daily service during the summer of 2014
• Daily non-stop service between Vancouver and Narita

If you’re flying from Tokyo-Haneda airport, you’ll find the following information useful:

• The Air Canada check-in counter (Counter D) is located on the third floor – Departures level.
• Check-in at the counter starts 3 hours before departure and closes 1 hour before departure.
• Self-service check-in kiosks are available if you have not already completed your check-in online or on your mobile device.

Earn more Miles with Air Canada Rouge

We’ve got good news for Aeroplan® and Air Canada AltitudeTM members! As of November 28, 2013, we’re changing how you earn miles when you fly Air Canada Rouge. You’ll now earn up to 150% Aeroplan Miles and Altitude Qualifying Miles when you fly with Air Canada’s leisure carrier.

When you choose Air Canada Rouge for travel to the U.S., sun destinations and Europe, you’ll enjoy newly designed cabins and affordable fares, and earn more Aeroplan Miles and Altitude Qualifying Miles than ever before.

Learn more about how you accumulate miles and how many miles you earn when you fly with Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge.

New priority check-in counters at Montréal-Trudeau airport

Effective November 27, 2013, customers eligible for Priority Check-in will be directed to counters A 121 to 128 to complete their check-in when departing from Montréal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL) on a flight within Canada or to an international destination.

This new priority check-in area provides quick access to the Priority Security lane, and is conveniently located to the right of the first terminal access door (Door 2) when entering from outside on the departures level.

There are no changes to the location of priority check-in counters for customers travelling to the U.S.

Learn more about the range of priority services Air Canada offers.

New Rental Car Centre at Boston Logan Airport

A new Rental Car Centre has opened at Boston Logan Airport (BOS). All car rental companies are now located in a new customer service centre, which is accessible via a unified shuttle bus system.

The Rental Car Centre shuttle is available at all terminals from the baggage claims/arrivals level.

Proud to be Canada’s preferred business airline

Air Canada is proud to be named Canada’s preferred airline by business travellers. This year’s Ipsos Reid Canadian Business Traveller survey confirms that Canada’s business travellers recognize Air Canada as their preferred airline by a growing margin.

Learn more about why Air Canada is the perfect choice for all your business needs.

Introducing our new Maple Leaf Lounge at Frankfurt

Air Canada is proud to introduce its newest international Maple Leaf Lounge at Frankfurt Airport.

Opening today in Terminal 1, Departures Area B, our Frankfurt lounge is a serene stylish oasis that showcases the artistic talent, contemporary design and natural beauty of Canada. Designed as an inspiring environment in which to work or relax, our new 726-square-metre Frankfurt Maple leaf Lounge features:

• A Quiet Zone featuring six reclining pods equipped with personal satellite-fed TV screens, USB ports and Sony noise-cancelling headsets
• A spa-inspired shower area featuring showers with large rain-shower heads, ambient music and Canadian Escents spa products
• A Business Centre equipped with individual flat-screen Dell PCs, colour laser printing and scanning
• Complimentary wireless high-speed Internet access throughout
• A bistro-style dining area offering hot and cold food, as well as complimentary German and Canadian wines, beer and spirits

As is the case with all our lounges, access to the Frankfurt Maple Leaf Lounge is complimentary with confirmed, same-day travel on a departing Air Canada or Star Alliance flight for:

• Air Canada Altitude Super Elite 100K, Elite 75K and Elite 50K members,
• Star Alliance Gold members,
• Customers travelling in Air Canada Executive First,
• Select club and card members with proof of active membership

In addition, Latitude and Flex customers will soon be able to purchase access to the Frankfurt lounge at a modest fee.

Learn more about Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge locations, features and privileges.

Air Canada Launches a Major European Expansion

Air Canada is proud to announce the expansion of its international service to great European destinations.

Highlights of our summer 2014 schedule include:

• New year-round non-stop service between Toronto and Milan, with up to 5 weekly flights
• Year-round non-stop service between Toronto and Istanbul increased to daily flights from three times weekly
• The introduction of our new Premium Economy cabin on Vancouver-London Heathrow flights year-round, as well as Montreal-London Heathrow flights during the peak summer travel season
• New seasonal non-stop flights to Barcelona, Lisbon, Manchester and Nice on Air Canada Rouge

So don’t wait: book your flight to one of these exciting destinations today!

Learn more about our summer 2014 scheduleOpens in New Window.

Air Canada Issues 2012 Corporate Sustainability Report

September 3, 2013

Air Canada has released Citizens of the World, its second corporate sustainability report.  The document evaluates Air Canada's performance during 2012 in four key areas of sustainability: safety, the environment, the well-being of employees, and the company's community involvement.

Air Canada's 2012 corporate sustainability report is available at www.aircanada.com/csr.  The report is framed around the findings of an extensive stakeholder survey undertaken to identify areas of most concern with respect to sustainability. Highlights of the 2012 report include:

• completion of our biennial IATA Operational Safety Audit with a result of "no findings";
• operating two biofuel flights and taking steps to save an estimated 54 million litres of fuel during the year;
• introducing an internal portal, HR Connex, to make human resources programs and policies more accessible and easier to use for Air Canada's 27,000 employees;
• creating the Air Canada Foundation to support charitable causes within communities in the form of in-kind donations and cash.

Important Air Canada Altitude updates

Stay up to date with a few important changes we’re making to Air Canada Altitude.

Starting August 20, 2013, you’ll earn even more Altitude Qualifying Miles on many Air Canada fares, helping you reach a higher Altitude status even faster.

Learn more about the changes to Altitude Qualifying Miles

As of March 2014, Altitude members will see the introduction of eUpgrade Add-ons when upgrading from Flex fares to certain international destinations. eUpgrade Add-ons are a supplementary payment, in addition to the required number of eUpgrade Credits. Altitude Super Elite 100K members are exempt from this policy.

Learn more about eUpgrade Add-ons

As of March 2014, the eUpgrade Travel Companion benefit will be expanded and will replace eUpgrade Nominees. On the day of departure, all Altitude members will be able to upgrade one companion who is not travelling on the same reservation, as long as they are travelling on the same flight.

Altitude Super Elite 100K members can continue to share their upgrade privilege with eUpgrade Nominees. Altitude Super Elite 100K members will be entitled to two nominees, in addition to the new expanded travel companion benefit. Please note that Aeroplan ClassicFlight Reward travel will no longer be eligible for eUpgrades (as per 2013 Super Elite 100K benefit).

Learn more about eUpgrade eligibility and transferability

Travelling to Belgium, France, Germany, Spain or Italy?

New European Union regulations affect entry requirements for Belgium, France, Germany, Spain and Italy

August 7, 2013

If you're travelling to one of these destinations, you'll need to ensure that your passport is valid for at least three (3) months beyond your return date.

We invite you to visit the Travel.gc.caOpens in New Window website for more information on entry requirements for your destination, or view our travel documents page for other essential information.

Fly from Halifax to Fort Lauderdale this winter

Soak up even more sun this winter with new weekly seasonal flights between Halifax and Fort Lauderdale, Florida, beginning December 14, 2013 until the end of April, 2014.

Air Canada will operate flights on Saturdays using 97-seat Embraer E190 aircraft offering a choice of Executive or Economy Class service and featuring complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft. Flights are timed to offer customers easy connections to and from major Air Canada destinations in Atlantic Canada.

Our new Fort Lauderdale service complements Air Canada's existing Halifax winter weekly seasonal service to Tampa and twice weekly service to Orlando, and adds to your choice of popular holiday destinations to escape the winter cold.

New non-stop flights between Toronto and Vail, Colorado

August 6, 2013

Great news! Air Canada is launching weekly seasonal non-stop flights between Toronto and Vail and Beaver Creek, Colorado just in time for the 2013-2014 winter ski season.

We'll be operating our new seasonal service to Vail on Saturdays beginning December 14, 2013 until April 5, 2014, with 120-seat Airbus A319 aircraft offering a choice of Executive or Economy Class service, and featuring complimentary seatback entertainment throughout the aircraft.

Our flights from our main hub at Toronto Pearson International Airport to Eagle County Airport (EGE), just 30 minutes from Vail and Beaver Creek, are timed to offer customers easy flight connections throughout our extensive network in Eastern and Atlantic Canada including Ottawa, Montreal and Halifax.

And our partners at Vail and Beaver Creek offer a complimentary afternoon of skiing the day you arrive, so book today!

Web check-in now available at Philadelphia (PHL)

July 25, 2013

Effective immediately, Air Canada customers departing from Philadelphia International Airport (PHL) will be able to take full advantage of our convenient Web check-in options, starting 24 hours in advance of flight departure.

In addition, customers eligible to upgrade to Executive Class using eUpgrades will now be able to request their upgrade at time of check-in.

New daily service between Red Deer and Calgary

We’re delighted to announce that, beginning September 3, 2013, Air Canada will offer scheduled service between Red Deer and Calgary, Alberta, with three daily flights operated by Air Georgian under the Air Canada Express banner.

If you live in Central Alberta, this new service will provide you with easy business and leisure connections to Canada and the rest of the world through Air Canada and its Star Alliance partners.

So book your flight right now*, either online or through your travel agent, and remember that you earn valuable Aeroplan Miles every time you travel with Air Canada.

*Don’t forget that service begins on September 3, 2013.

Air Canada Gift Cards now available for purchase at Canada Post outlets

July 8, 2013

Exciting news! In addition to purchasing Air Canada Gift Cards online, you can now buy them conveniently at close to 6,400 Canada Post locations across Canada, making it even easier to offer the gift of travel to any of Air Canada's more than 175 destinations worldwide.

And remember that Air Canada Gift Cards can be used to pay for travel options, advance seat selection, change fees and more. They can even be combined with other forms of payment.

Offered in denominations starting at $25*, Air Canada Gift Cards can be customized to suit any occasion.

So purchase the gift of travel online or at a Canada Post outletOpens in New Window in Canada…and offer the world.

*$25 at aircanada.com and $50 at Canada Post locations

http://flyrouge.com/Opens in New Window

http://www.antifraudcentre-centreantifraude.ca/about-ausujet/index-eng.htmOpens in New Window

Travelling from the U.S.?

Please be advised that the U.S. Transportation Security Administration (TSA) has announced that it is temporarily delaying implementation of changes to the Prohibited Items List, changes that would have included allowing small pocket knives on board aircraft.

For more information, visit the TSA websiteOpens in New Window.

Plan better with My Travel Planner

Are you looking for a better way to stay organized and keep all your travel plans in one spot that’s easy to access and share? Are you maybe searching for ideas to inspire you for your next trip? My Travel Planner may be just what you’re looking for.

My Travel Planner is a personalized travel website that lets you:

• View your current flight details and itinerary
• Book accommodations, excursions and ground transportation before and during your trip
• Find weather reports, guidebooks, maps and other useful planning tips for your destination
• Discover attractions, restaurants and shows as you browse up to 15,000 activities and 350,000 traveller reviews
• Share travel details and photos with friends and family via social media

So look for your invitation to link to My Travel Planner the next time you book a trip with us, and make your travel plans better!

Offer the world with an Air Canada Gift Card

The best gift in the world is the world itself. And now you can give the gift of travel with an Air Canada Gift Card.

Air Canada Gift Cards give the freedom to fly to any of Air Canada’s over 175 destinations worldwide, and can be used to pay for travel options, advance seat selection, change fees and more. They can even be combined with other forms of payment.

Offered in denominations starting at $25, Air Canada Gift Cards can be customized to suit any occasion.  And they’re available in traditional plastic and eGift Card formats.
So give the gift of travel, and offer the world.

Travelling from Fort Lauderdale?

Construction at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International

Please be advised that, due to construction at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport, there is no seating available in the airport lobby and check-in can only be completed for two flights at one time.

For this reason, passengers can expect slight delays at check-in as well as congestion in the airport waiting area.

Connecting through Toronto Pearson to the U.S.?

February 18, 2013

Effective immediately, when you travel to the U.S. from Canada or an international airport on Air Canada and you have a connecting flight at Toronto Pearson (YYZ), your bags will automatically be transferred to your connecting flight.

That means that you no longer need to collect your bags before proceeding to U.S. Customs and Border protection for processing and security screening, making connecting to the United States at Toronto Pearson (YYZ) faster, easier and more convenient than ever before.

Learn more about connecting through Toronto Pearson International AirportOpens in New Window.
or watch the transfer videos showing how simple it is to connect if arriving on a flight from Canada or arriving on a flight from an International airport.

The same convenient transfer process is also available to Air Canada customers connecting at Montreal (YUL) and Vancouver (YVR).

New Medipak oxygen policy and fees

Air Canada has revised its Medipak oxygen policy and fee structure for international flights and flights between Canada and the U.S.

For details on the new policy and fees, we invite you to contact the Air Canada Medical Assistance Desk:

Phone:   
1-800-667-4732 (Toll-free between Canada and the U.S.)
1-514-369-7039 (long distance charges apply) 

Hours of operation (ET):
Monday to Friday: 6am to 8pm (ET)
Saturday and Sunday: 6am to 6pm (ET)

Remember that, if you require the use of medical oxygen while travelling on an Air Canada flight, you can:

• bring your own approved Personal Oxygen Concentrator on board, or
• purchase Air Canada’s oxygen Medipak service.

Please also remember that, regardless of the option you choose, you will need to provide advance notice and obtain medical approval for travel.

Important change to check-in deadline

April 10, 2013

Please take note that check-in and baggage acceptance for flights within Canada now close 45 minutes prior to departure – with the exception of flights leaving from Toronto’s city airport (YTZ), where check-in and bag drop-off remain available until 20 minutes before departure.

Stand-by early and stand-by later options remain available up to the published boarding gate deadline for eligible customers, including on Rapidair routes.

We invite you to check in online or with your mobile device at any time within 24 hours of flight departure, and to familiarize yourself with our check-in and boarding gate deadlines to allow for a smooth travel experience.

Self-Service check-in now available at Seattle (SEA)

Effective immediately, Air Canada customers departing from Seattle-Tacoma International Airport (SEA) will be able to take full advantage of our convenient Web check-in and mobile check-in options, starting 24 hours in advance of flight departure.

In addition, customers eligible to upgrade to Executive Class using eUpgrades will now be able to request their upgrade at time of check-in.

Air Canada introduces Q400 service in Western Canada

February 1, 2013

We’re introducing new, ultra-quiet regional aircraft for customers in Alberta and Saskatchewan. You can now experience the Bombardier Q400 Next Generation aircraft featuring all-leather seats, spacious overhead bins and comfortable 31-inch legroom when flying on Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz Aviation LP between:

• Calgary and Fort McMurray,
• Calgary and Saskatoon and
• Calgary and Regina.

And this spring, you’ll see this newest aircraft on even more Air Canada Express flights headed to and from British-Columbia, Alberta and the Northwest TerritoriesOpens in New Window!

All of Air Canada’s flights are scheduled to enable convenient, point-to-point, same-day business travel, as well as convenient and easy connections to our extensive domestic, U.S. and international network from Calgary, Edmonton and Vancouver.

For the most choice, make Air Canada your first choice.

Air Canada Altitude – updates and qualification

March 1, 2013 will mark the much anticipated launch of Air Canada Altitude, the new name for the Air Canada Top Tier Program.

Offering a wide range of priority travel services, lounge access, and upgrades to make travel as comfortable and seamless as possible, and featuring the introduction of two new status levels, Air Canada Altitude will allow us to better recognize and reward our most frequent flyers.

Altitude Qualifying Miles and Segments

With the arrival of Altitude, we're also renaming our current Status Miles and Status Flight Segments:

• Status Miles become Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM)
• Status Flight Segments become Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS)

The AQM and AQS you earn between January 1 and December 31, 2013 on eligible flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada Rouge and Star Alliance member airlines will allow you to reach Altitude status in 2014.

And just like Status Miles today, Altitude Qualifying Miles are also Aeroplan Miles which you can redeem for exciting Aeroplan Rewards.

To find out more

To learn more about earning Altitude Qualifying Miles and Segments, click on the dedicated ‘Miles & Privileges’ tab at the top of our site.

We also invite you to discover all the advantages of Air Canada Altitude along with the latest information about the launch.

Flex, a new name for our Tango Plus fare, with the same benefits

January 15, 2013

Air Canada is proud to offer you more fare options than any other Canadian airline. Whether you're flying for business or leisure, our fares are designed to offer you the flexibility and value to suit all your travel needs.

Our new name Flex highlights the flexibility and economy value of this fare option, which includes same-day changes for a small fee, advance seat selection, Aeroplan and Altitude Qualifying Miles and the ability to use e-upgrades and more.

For the most choice, make Air Canada your first choice.

Discover the benefits of Flex and our other fare options.