Jul 11, 2023, 8:23 am
Last edit by: blue2002
Rules for Signature Class cabin, as of July 11, 2023:
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...hildren.html#/
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...hildren.html#/
Travelling with an infant or child in the Air Canada Signature Class cabin
- With exceptions, child restraint devices are not permitted. Call Air Canada Reservations for details.
- When occupying a Classic or Executive Pod in Air Canada Signature Class, a child age 2 to 7 must be seated directly in front of, directly behind or in an adjacent seat facing the accompanying parent or guardian.
- The child and the accompanying guardian will receive a mandatory briefing on the safety features of the Air Canada Signature Class cabin prior to takeoff.
- Please contact Air Canada Reservations whenever booking travel with young children in Air Canada Signature Class to ensure the availability of appropriate seating.
Seated... with Children - in AC Business Class Pods
May 2, 2019, 1:56 pm
#62
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: YYC
Posts: 23,804
AC had a policy requiring you to sit directly behind your child when sitting in the business class "pods". This wording disappeared with the newer seats, but I found FAs were still enforcing the rule. Regardless, I find it works quite well, as you can stand up quite easily (assuming seat belt sign is off) to see how they are doing. I'm sure your daughter will love the experience.
But that's up to what age? An eight years old child can actually travel alone a unaccompanied minor. Including in pods.
May 2, 2019, 1:58 pm
#63
Join Date: Sep 2011
Location: Ideally YOW, but probably not
Programs: AC SE*MM
Posts: 1,827
When occupying a Classic or Executive Pod in Air Canada Signature Class, a child age 2 to 7 must be seated directly in front of, directly behind or in an adjacent seat facing the accompanying parent or guardian.
May 2, 2019, 3:37 pm
#64
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
Last year I flew 2 TATL segments with my 7 yr old.
Outbound I took middle, jr took window. Return we both had window.
i found being directly across from each other to be way better (middle and window). Easier to communicate if needed and for me to keep an eye on jr if seatbelt sign on, etc.
As @RatherBeInYOW quoted, you are now permitted to be in an adjacent seat facing your kid (ie across aisle).
Outbound I took middle, jr took window. Return we both had window.
i found being directly across from each other to be way better (middle and window). Easier to communicate if needed and for me to keep an eye on jr if seatbelt sign on, etc.
As @RatherBeInYOW quoted, you are now permitted to be in an adjacent seat facing your kid (ie across aisle).
May 5, 2019, 7:52 am
#65
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
Last year I flew 2 TATL segments with my 7 yr old.
Outbound I took middle, jr took window. Return we both had window.
i found being directly across from each other to be way better (middle and window). Easier to communicate if needed and for me to keep an eye on jr if seatbelt sign on, etc.
As @RatherBeInYOW quoted, you are now permitted to be in an adjacent seat facing your kid (ie across aisle).
Outbound I took middle, jr took window. Return we both had window.
i found being directly across from each other to be way better (middle and window). Easier to communicate if needed and for me to keep an eye on jr if seatbelt sign on, etc.
As @RatherBeInYOW quoted, you are now permitted to be in an adjacent seat facing your kid (ie across aisle).
We have a 4 year old now, and there's no way we could manage it right now.
May 5, 2019, 2:51 pm
#66
Join Date: Aug 2015
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM; SPG Plat
Posts: 424
Just booked a flight in J on a 777 for my disabled son (he's 20). He has a window seat, his attendant (my wife) was given the middle seat beside him (allocated by AE; the process is that I book his ticket online, then call AE to get the attendant's ticket booked). I had expected her to be given the seat behind. I'm not worried about it, because when I book my seat in the next few days I will take the seat behind him, assuming it's still available.
May 5, 2019, 3:49 pm
#67
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,925
On the same trip I also traveled with my wife and daughter (4yr old). My wife opted to travel PY with my daughter as my daughter likely would have found a pod too scary to be on for a TATL flight (she likes to sit right next to a parent on a flight). My daughter has also traveled narrowbody J several times.
Originally I wanted us to all fly J as I was wanting to burn points, and it was available on most segments, but my wife didn't think pods would work for our daughter. It was the right call; when my daughter saw the pods in the plane, she said she was glad she wasn't in one. My wife and I likely wouldn't have enjoyed the J experience if my 4 yr old couldn't handle it well. In then end, my wife and daughter both really enjoyed PY and my wife wants to book that cabin in the future.
On the other hand, a couple years ago I flew YVR-NRT in J and there was a lady travelling with her 2 children (oldest one was 4). The had no issues on the flight - simply put down the beds and the kids slept almost the whole way.
May 5, 2019, 8:30 pm
#68
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,005
My kid has spent each of the last 10 years in pods. Since he was prenatal.
Only once did he leave his seat when he shouldn't have. Just before he turned 3, in KE F.
For weeks leading up to trips, we explain what is going to happen.
When to eat, when to watch tv, when to sleep.
As long as there's a teddy bear, a blanket and a book, things have been fine.
Sitting behind a child has worked best for us.
It's easier to watch and talk to them.
I find I have to talk louder when sitting across the aisle. And no one wants that!
He's done two mini rtw's. Will do two more next year.
When possible avoid domestic red eyes.
Remember, a kid in a pod, can't kick the seat in front of them.
Only once did he leave his seat when he shouldn't have. Just before he turned 3, in KE F.
For weeks leading up to trips, we explain what is going to happen.
When to eat, when to watch tv, when to sleep.
As long as there's a teddy bear, a blanket and a book, things have been fine.
Sitting behind a child has worked best for us.
It's easier to watch and talk to them.
I find I have to talk louder when sitting across the aisle. And no one wants that!
He's done two mini rtw's. Will do two more next year.
When possible avoid domestic red eyes.
Remember, a kid in a pod, can't kick the seat in front of them.
Last edited by tracon; May 5, 2019 at 9:30 pm
Nov 16, 2019, 7:54 pm
#69
Join Date: Jan 2018
Posts: 161
10G: Adult / 10K : Child
11G: Child / 11K: Adult
2 year old will probably stay with me in 11K except when he's sleeping. The other idea is to take all of Row 11 with the kids in the windows, have done that before on AA and it worked out ok..
Nov 16, 2019, 10:03 pm
#70
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: BC, Canada
Programs: Bonvoy Titanium Elite, VSE/MVC Chairman's Club
Posts: 546
Ours was just over 2yrs old for her first intl J.
We somehow convinced her that her soother got lost in the big seats, and that got her off the thing cold turkey...
We somehow convinced her that her soother got lost in the big seats, and that got her off the thing cold turkey...
Nov 17, 2019, 6:21 am
#72
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE100K, *G, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton Gold, Hertz PC, Avis PC, Enterprise Plat
Posts: 671
Important note is that car seats cannot be used in pods.
See this thread for more in depth discussion: Air Canada boots mom, son over seat choice
Jul 28, 2021, 7:49 pm
#73
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
Signature class with a toddler
What do you do if seatbelt sign is on due to take off, landing or turbulence and need to help toddler sitting in Signature Class pod because they are undoing seatbelt or not wearing mask or something else where you normally need to physically intervene ?
Flying soon with my child and want to be prepared in the unlikely event that happens
Flying soon with my child and want to be prepared in the unlikely event that happens
Jul 28, 2021, 8:55 pm
#74
Join Date: Mar 2014
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, UA Silver
Posts: 2,648
What do you do if seatbelt sign is on due to take off, landing or turbulence and need to help toddler sitting in Signature Class pod because they are undoing seatbelt or not wearing mask or something else where you normally need to physically intervene ?
Flying soon with my child and want to be prepared in the unlikely event that happens
Flying soon with my child and want to be prepared in the unlikely event that happens
I don't think it is a good idea to have a toddler seated alone in a pod unless they can fully follow instructions and protocol on their own. having a toddler in J that is misbehaving and you are not able to reach over to help settle will ruin your own J pod experience and not worth the stress.
bottom line. don't put them in J unless you know they can handle it. fly premium economy instead, it'll save you a lot of grief.
Jul 29, 2021, 9:10 am
#75
Join Date: Feb 2020
Posts: 1,204
My daughter flew in pods with me as a lap infant many times until she was 2 years old. then I slummed it in premium economy with her while mom flew in the pod. she's 6 years old now and I think she is finally independent enough to do the pods.
I don't think it is a good idea to have a toddler seated alone in a pod unless they can fully follow instructions and protocol on their own. having a toddler in J that is misbehaving and you are not able to reach over to help settle will ruin your own J pod experience and not worth the stress.
bottom line. don't put them in J unless you know they can handle it. fly premium economy instead, it'll save you a lot of grief.
I don't think it is a good idea to have a toddler seated alone in a pod unless they can fully follow instructions and protocol on their own. having a toddler in J that is misbehaving and you are not able to reach over to help settle will ruin your own J pod experience and not worth the stress.
bottom line. don't put them in J unless you know they can handle it. fly premium economy instead, it'll save you a lot of grief.
Plus, if she becomes "uncooperative", there definitely be someone in PY or Y willing to swap seats with us right ?