Travel News and Updates

New International Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver Int. Airport

September 29, 2017

On September 25^th, our new International Maple Leaf Lounge at Vancouver International Airport opened its doors.

Conveniently located directly opposite the priority security lanes for international departures, the newly expanded lounge is a serene, stylish oasis where eligible customers can re-energize or unwind before their flight. It offers an inspiring, contemporary environment that celebrates Canadian design, artistry and craftsmanship against the backdrop of sweeping views and surrounding mountains.

Amenities include:

• Spa-inspired shower rooms with rain shower heads
• A quiet zone with reclining lounge seating
• A VIP room
• A business zone equipped with flat-screen desktop computers and RICOH colour printing and scanning
• A bistro dining area includes banquette seating and community tables. The food area offers hot and cold options along with a chef’s station for individually prepared dishes.
• A Samsung TV Zone
• Wi-fi available throughout the lounge and power outlets with USB conveniently located in all areas.

Find out more about all our Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounges

Erbil Int. Airport – Possible Closure

September 27, 2017

Because of the possible closure of Erbil International Airport, Air Canada has implemented a goodwill policy for customers who wish to make voluntary changes to their itinerary.

The policy applies to customers:

• Who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than September 27, 2017 for travel between September 27 and October 27, 2017
• Whose itinerary includes a flight to, from or via Erbil International Airport (EBL)

If you are scheduled to travel during the affected period, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight free of charge, to another date between now and March 31, 2018, 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; however, any fare difference will apply.

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

Allow extra time when flying to the U.S.

July 14, 2017

Due to security measures implemented by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS), you are encouraged to arrive at the airport at least two hours before your scheduled departure when flying to the U.S. to allow for additional screening time. Heightened security measures have been introduced by DHS that require enhanced screening of personal electronic devices such as tablets and laptops. All personal electronic devices larger than a smartphone will need to be easily accessible and have all cases, cover and/or packaging removed. To learn more about the enhanced U.S. security measures, please visit the Department of Homeland SecurityOpens in New Windowwebsite.

Citizens of Antigua and Barbuda now require a paper visa

June 27, 2017

Effective June 27, 2017, citizens of Antigua and Barbuda require a paper visa to travel to or transit through Canada.

Any existing electronic travel authorization (eTA) issued to Antigua and Barbuda passport holders will no longer be valid, and these travellers will not be able to use their eTA to travel to Canada.

Visit Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship CanadaOpens in New Window for more information.

Buy Wi-Fi before you fly and save

June 26, 2017

You may already know that select Air Canada flights within North America have Wi-Fi, which means you can stay connected in the air using any Wi-Fi enabled device, including your smartphone.

But did you know that you can now purchase Gogo^® Wi-Fi before your next Wi-Fi-enabled Air Canada flight and enjoy quick and easy sign-in and savings*?

And we’ve made sure there’s a pass or plan that’s right for you:

Find out more about inflight Wi-Fi and you’ll see just how easy it is to stay connected in the sky.

*Versus in-air pricing.

Premium Economy Comes to North America

June 22, 2017

We're excited to announce that Premium Economy Class and all the great perks that come with it are now available for some flights within North America.

You have the option to purchase Premium Economy for travel on or after July 1st, 2017 on select Boeing and Airbus aircraft*. And when you do, you'll enjoy:

• Priority check-in, baggage handling and boarding
• An increased baggage allowance compared to Economy Class
• A larger seat with more recline and extra legroom
• Premium meal service on longer flights and snacks on shorter flights
• Bar service, including alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages

Just a few of the many reasons that make travel in Premium Economy an experience you won't want to pass up.

Preferred Seats
If you're travelling on or after July 1st, 2017 and you purchased a Preferred seat which is being converted to a seat in the Premium Economy cabin (rows 12 through 14), you have been rebooked free of charge in the Premium Economy cabin, where you'll enjoy all the services and amenities associated with Premium Economy in North America.  You can see or change your new seat assignment by going to the My Bookings tab on the homepage.

* Premium Economy is available on the following aircraft: Boeing 777-300ER (77W), Boeing 777-200LR (77L), Boeing 787-9 (789), Boeing 787-8 (788), Airbus A330-300 (333).

Our In-flight Entertainment Lineup is Now Bigger and Better

June 1^st, 2017

Starting this month, we're expanding our in-flight entertainment lineup with new programming that showcases what you really want to watch. For starters, we're introducing:

• Improved movie categories
• Premium TV channels like HBO and Viceland
• Themed film series*

And when you add a greater selection of new releases and hit movies, world films* and TV shows, and complete seasons of top TV to the mix, you've got a sure-fire recipe for great entertainment.
See what's coming to a flight near you.

* On certain flights

Los Angeles Int. Airport - Air Canada moves to Terminal 6

Effective May 17^th, 2017 Air Canada flights out of Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will be relocating to Terminal 6 (from Terminal 2^*).

The Air Canada check-in area will be conveniently located immediately upon entering Terminal 6 at the departures level.

We invite you to print your boarding pass at one of the 14 self-service check-in kiosks before proceeding to one of the baggage drop-off counters to deposit any checked bags. From there, head to the expanded security screening area, then onward to your gate.

At Terminal 6, regularly scheduled Air Canada flights will depart from gates 68A, 68B and 69B

Priority Services

Eligible customers will have access to three dedicated priority check-in counters, as well as TSA Pre-Check and Priority Security. More about our priority services.

Maple Leaf Lounge

A state-of-the-art Air Canada Maple Leaf Lounge will also be opening its doors on the mezzanine level of Terminal 6 on May 17, 2017. There, as with all our Maple Leaf Lounges, eligible customers can relax and re-energize in luxury prior to boarding their flight.

^{* Should you arrive at the wrong terminal, airport ambassadors wearing lime green vests will be on hand to direct you to lime green shuttle buses which will escort customers to Terminal 6.}

Choose your seat among the clouds

March 28, 2017

Looking for an aisle seat, one next to a window or a little more space to stretch your legs? Or maybe you and your travel companion want to make sure you're seated together.

You can select your standard seat free of charge at check-in. But if you want to secure the seat that best suits your needs, you can always choose it in advance, free or for a fee.

You can complete your advance standard seat selection free of charge, regardless of your itinerary:

• when you travel in Business Class
• when you purchase a Premium Economy, Latitude or Flex fare
• if you're an Altitude Super Elite 100K member

When you purchase a Tango fare, you can also select your standard seat in advance. A fee will apply when you travel with Air Canada^†:

•  
  • within Canada
  • between Canada and the U.S.
  • to, from or via one of these countries

For all other itineraries, your advance seat selection is free.

Preferred seats

Looking for a little more legroom? Preferred seats are a great option. In many cases, these seats are at the front of the aircraft, meaning you get to deplane much faster upon arrival. And you can board with zone 3, at the very start of general boarding

Travel with young children

Are you travelling with young children? No worries. Our intent is to always seat children with a parent or guardian. For this reason, we offer complimentary seat assignment for parents/guardians and children under the age of 12 who are travelling together. Find out more

_{^† Fees apply to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge or an Air Canada Express carrier.}

Nationals of Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, Syria and Yemen

March 7, 2016

Effective March 16, 2017, new travel document requirements for travel to the U.S. will apply to nationals from the following countries*:

• Iran
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

If you are a national from one of the six countries listed above and plan on travelling to the United States, it is your responsibility to ensure that you have all the travel documents necessary to enter the country.

For more information, visit the U.S. Customs and Border Protection website.

* Iraq, which was part of the travel document policy issued on January 27^th, 2017, is not included in this latest announcement.

New U.S. Entry Restrictions

January 28, 2017

Like other carriers, we are required to ensure passengers have all the travel documents necessary to enter in, or transit through, each country they are travelling to. As a result of new United States entry restrictions for specific passport holders, Air Canada has implemented a policy for customers who purchased an Air Canada ticket no later than January 29, 2017 for travel to or via the United States effective immediately, and who are holders of a passport from one of the following countries:

• Iran
• Iraq
• Libya
• Somalia
• Sudan
• Syria
• Yemen

If you are affected by this policy, you may contact Air Canada Reservations to change your flight, free of charge, to another date between now and January 20, 2018, 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; however, any fare difference will apply. It is also possible to request a refund or credit towards future travel.

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

China Transit Program - Nagoya and Osaka New Approved Airports

January 23, 2017

Effective February 1^st, 2017, Nagoya and Osaka will be added to the list of approved airports from which nationals of the People’s Republic of China must travel to participate in the China Transit ProgramOpens in New Window (CTP), thus bringing to 9 the number of eligible airports from which Air Canada flies:

• Beijing
• Hong Kong
• Nagoya
• Osaka
• Seoul Incheon
• Shanghai
• Taipei
• Tokyo Narita
• Tokyo Haneda

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

Because Air Canada is an approved air carrier, its 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 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 visa.Opens in New Window

New Rules for French Minors Travelling Unaccompanied

January 10, 2017

Effective January 15, 2017, all minors (under age 18) who are French citizens or residents of France (or of French territories such as Guadeloupe and Martinique) and who are travelling unaccompanied out of France must present an authorization to exit the country (autorisation de sortie du territoire) at the exit border controls in France.

The original form (no photocopies), must be presented along with the minor’s identity document and the identity document of the parent who signed the form.

Download the authorization to exit the countryOpens in New Window form.

Zika virus

January 4, 2017

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 CDC website) on a flight operated by Air Canada with an Air Canada ticket*

If you are affected by this situation, you may contact Air Canada Reservations if you have questions about your reservation.

If you purchased your ticket with Aeroplan  or Air 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:

• Public Health Agency of Canada
• World Health Organization

* Air Canada ticket numbers start with 014

Electronic Visa Update System for Chinese Nationals

January 1, 2017

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 Window External site which may not meet accessibility guidelines. enrollment 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 Window External site which may not meet accessibility guidelines. without 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 Window External site which may not meet accessibility guidelines. related to EVUS.