I am hoping to do an SDC from AC 428 to 426 later today but don’t want to do it until I know my inbound—AC 1923—is on time. I am in business lowest and 426 is currently J9/Y9 so there is currently space. If 1923 is on time there will be 45 minutes between flights.

My question is: if I only have 45 minutes, would going to the gate and asking to be put on standby be the only way to do this at YYZ? Do I get bumped above upgrade requests if there is space available?

Or, can I request an SDC while in the air from YQR by cancelling my YYZ-YUL check in and then seeing if the system will offer 426? There is also a weather waiver for YUL today so maybe it’s possible to change the itinerary by cancelling check in and then seeing what is offered?

I can’t recall the last time I did an SDC so am uneasy about messing up my ticket while I figure things out. I have a short overnight in Montreal so getting in an hour earlier would be nice, but I do need to make sure I get out of YQR on time first.

Thanks!