Jan 27, 2020, 3:42 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
Key points of AC COVID change/cancellation policy [as of December 10, 2021]:
(see this page under "Changes and cancellations")
Unlimited changes. No change fees. – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your flight, we'll waive the change fee. After December 31, 2021, you can make one change at no extra charge. If your new fare has a higher price, you only need to pay the difference from your original fare.
If Air Canada changes the time of your flight, you make a change for free.*
*Within 3 days for North American destinations and 7 days for international and sun destinations.
If your flight is cancelled, you get a refund – If your flight is cancelled for any reason and we don’t rebook you on another flight that departs or arrives within three hours of your original departure or arrival time, or if we add a connection to your itinerary, you can request a refund.
Need to cancel? Save the value for future travel – If you need to cancel a booking, the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is fully transferrable, or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. Refundable tickets are always refundable.
Flexibility with Aeroplan bookings – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your Aeroplan flight reward, we'll waive all change fees. After December 31, 2021, you can still make one change without a fee.
(see this page under "Changes and cancellations")
Unlimited changes. No change fees. – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your flight, we'll waive the change fee. After December 31, 2021, you can make one change at no extra charge. If your new fare has a higher price, you only need to pay the difference from your original fare.
If Air Canada changes the time of your flight, you make a change for free.*
*Within 3 days for North American destinations and 7 days for international and sun destinations.
If your flight is cancelled, you get a refund – If your flight is cancelled for any reason and we don’t rebook you on another flight that departs or arrives within three hours of your original departure or arrival time, or if we add a connection to your itinerary, you can request a refund.
Need to cancel? Save the value for future travel – If you need to cancel a booking, the full value can be transferred to an Air Canada Travel Voucher, which never expires and is fully transferrable, or converted into Aeroplan points with a 65% bonus. Refundable tickets are always refundable.
Flexibility with Aeroplan bookings – Until December 31, 2021, if you want to change your Aeroplan flight reward, we'll waive all change fees. After December 31, 2021, you can still make one change without a fee.
Master thread COVID-19/Coronavirus; travel waivers, route changes, AC impacts
May 3, 2020, 9:35 pm
#1546
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,759
Seems according to this article that AC will return to CUN in "early June".
I didn't even realize AC flew to CUN in the summer though. Is there really much demand?
May 3, 2020, 10:17 pm
#1547
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,313
Posted the wrong link? The title of that article is "Asked for his economic plan, Trump focuses on his 'feelings'", and it doesn't seem to have anything to do with AC flying to CUN
I didn't even realize AC flew to CUN in the summer though. Is there really much demand?
I didn't even realize AC flew to CUN in the summer though. Is there really much demand?
I wouldn't go to CUN to escape the heat in August, but I might go to relax at an all-inclusive beach resort.
May 4, 2020, 7:37 am
#1548
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,446
Corrected link. My apologies.
CUN has become a year-round destination in recent years with destination weddings and conferences adding to the all-inclusive resort traffic. The article doesn't mention frequency so could be once per week.
I didn't even realize AC flew to CUN in the summer though. Is there really much demand?
May 4, 2020, 12:08 pm
#1550
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,759
Change fees and phone booking fees are still in effect. Cancel and re-book.
May 4, 2020, 12:18 pm
#1551
Join Date: Apr 2016
Posts: 611
I was allowed to make a free change with an agent on May 1st, the rep said they have a waiver in place where existing bookings can get 1 free change prior to May 7th. Changes in taxes and fees apply however, but doesn't seem like it should be a big issue to you.
May 4, 2020, 10:27 pm
#1552
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 8,001
Maybe a nonstop to SIN in the future?
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
Coronavirus: Singapore, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand commit to resuming essential cross-border travel
May 4, 2020, 11:37 pm
#1553
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Maybe a nonstop to SIN in the future?
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
Coronavirus: Singapore, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand commit to resuming essential cross-border travel
* the previous SQ service to YVR wasn't to serve Singapore-Canada, it was to serve SIN-ICN and ICN-YVR traffic separately.
May 4, 2020, 11:44 pm
#1554
Join Date: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,946
It will be a very sensible route once we return to somewhat-normal, but I suspect it might be difficult to justify "essential travel" between Singapore-Canada now, given that we haven't ever had a nonstop (or meaningfully direct*) route before.
* the previous SQ service to YVR wasn't to serve Singapore-Canada, it was to serve SIN-ICN and ICN-YVR traffic separately.
* the previous SQ service to YVR wasn't to serve Singapore-Canada, it was to serve SIN-ICN and ICN-YVR traffic separately.
May 5, 2020, 11:54 am
#1555
Join Date: Sep 2018
Posts: 15
AC Covid-19 Loads and Service
Just some real, but statistically irrelevant, data.
Routing YYC-YYZ (AC), YYZ-FRA (AC), FRA-AMS (LH).
YYC-YYZ A220 Total Pax 6. All pax handed a bottle of water on boarding.
YYZ-FRA Total pax about 84, a few in J, 2 in PY, the rest in Y with most of them in the main Y cabin. A very small AC branded bottle of water handed out, small box shortly after T/O. Appeared to be some sort of wrap, I brought my own eats! Some CC wearing paper costs, looked ridiculous as a good sneeze would go right through. Various water runs later with warnings that drinking your own alcohol was verboten. My first taste of HD Y. OK in the exit row with no neighbours but can be imagined as pure hell if full. In FRA they only let 40 pax at a time de-board.
FRA-AMS. About 15 on an EJ190. FRA was a ghost town, with most outlets closed and LH with "stored" wide-bodies parked at some gates. Engines taped up, all inlets/outlets sealed, got to keep the birds out! AMS about the same.
Trying to imagine what Post Covid travel will look like does not bear thinking about.
Routing YYC-YYZ (AC), YYZ-FRA (AC), FRA-AMS (LH).
YYC-YYZ A220 Total Pax 6. All pax handed a bottle of water on boarding.
YYZ-FRA Total pax about 84, a few in J, 2 in PY, the rest in Y with most of them in the main Y cabin. A very small AC branded bottle of water handed out, small box shortly after T/O. Appeared to be some sort of wrap, I brought my own eats! Some CC wearing paper costs, looked ridiculous as a good sneeze would go right through. Various water runs later with warnings that drinking your own alcohol was verboten. My first taste of HD Y. OK in the exit row with no neighbours but can be imagined as pure hell if full. In FRA they only let 40 pax at a time de-board.
FRA-AMS. About 15 on an EJ190. FRA was a ghost town, with most outlets closed and LH with "stored" wide-bodies parked at some gates. Engines taped up, all inlets/outlets sealed, got to keep the birds out! AMS about the same.
Trying to imagine what Post Covid travel will look like does not bear thinking about.
May 5, 2020, 12:29 pm
#1556
Join Date: Jun 2009
Location: YUL
Programs: AC*SEMM
Posts: 602
Maybe a nonstop to SIN in the future?
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
https://www.straitstimes.com/singapo...sume-essential
Coronavirus: Singapore, Australia, Canada, South Korea, New Zealand commit to resuming essential cross-border travel
May 5, 2020, 1:08 pm
#1557
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
We can and should all have optimism in being able to return to our "regularly scheduled flying"
I take time to read other media from the Asian and SE Asian countries I travel to frequently, as well las the IATA travel docs page with the TIMATIC rules and other info listing the restrictions for entry. Plus I stay informed from friends and associates in these countries who have local knowledge and language skills.
It doesn't matter if AC or anyone else resumes flying pax to any of these countries. Currently, entry restrictions to some countries are limited to citizens, residents and in some places, specific visas and many other rules.
If we cannot enter Singapore or Taiwan, New Zealand, Australia or elsewhere, we are not likely to be booking travel. Certainly, we can be as optimistic as we want, but there are restrictions we cannot bypass.
***
Singapore and AC have been discussed a number of times in other threads not related to the current pandemic. Everyone from those who love SIN to cabin crew might wish for the route keep saying AC will launch the route. I've posted some reasons why it is NOT about pax for AC, it is about cargo. And, the pilots. So ministers speaking in virtual meetings does not change the issues that existed before the pandemic and certainly, the Singaporean restriction of entry to foreigners adds to the challenge.
AC has maintenance contracts in SIN and many of us fly there partly with AC connecting in TPE, HKG, NRT, HND or weirdly for me sometimes, BNE. If/when AC and the world recovers, SIN and existing routes can be re-evalutated and restarted.
I.M.H.O.
May 5, 2020, 2:00 pm
#1559
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: YVR/ICN
Programs: OZ Diamond *G/AC 35K *S/Marriott Bonvoy Platinum/Hilton Gold
Posts: 90
Just got back after flying on AC64 today.
At check-in, they pointed at a sign and asked you to glance over it. The sign asked questions like "Do you have a fever?" or "Have you been denied boarding in the last 14 days due to COVID?", however, the check-in agent immediately took the sign back after a 3 second glance. I don't see the point of asking the questions if people have the opportunity to be dishonest about it very, very easily. This was the only flight leaving from ICN T1 within a 2 hour timeframe. Terminal was eerily quiet but all shops were open.
Boarding was a mess with no social distancing and a United-esque boarding process with one line for Zone 1/2 and Zone 3-6. The gate agents did not stagger boarding to let passengers clear the jetway, nor did they enforce social distancing. CleanCare+ temperature checks were not implemented yet and the mandatory questionnaire was not asked during boarding.
Passenger loads were about 40% in J, 100% in PY and 40% in Y. The first three May AC63/64 flights got upgraded to the 777-300ER v2 instead of the 787-9. J seat was dirty with food crumbs everywhere. Masks were required throughout the flight, except when eating. The only real good part about this flight was the Korean Air catering, which provided decent meals with acceptable portions compared to YVR catering.
At check-in, they pointed at a sign and asked you to glance over it. The sign asked questions like "Do you have a fever?" or "Have you been denied boarding in the last 14 days due to COVID?", however, the check-in agent immediately took the sign back after a 3 second glance. I don't see the point of asking the questions if people have the opportunity to be dishonest about it very, very easily. This was the only flight leaving from ICN T1 within a 2 hour timeframe. Terminal was eerily quiet but all shops were open.
Boarding was a mess with no social distancing and a United-esque boarding process with one line for Zone 1/2 and Zone 3-6. The gate agents did not stagger boarding to let passengers clear the jetway, nor did they enforce social distancing. CleanCare+ temperature checks were not implemented yet and the mandatory questionnaire was not asked during boarding.
Passenger loads were about 40% in J, 100% in PY and 40% in Y. The first three May AC63/64 flights got upgraded to the 777-300ER v2 instead of the 787-9. J seat was dirty with food crumbs everywhere. Masks were required throughout the flight, except when eating. The only real good part about this flight was the Korean Air catering, which provided decent meals with acceptable portions compared to YVR catering.
May 5, 2020, 2:09 pm
#1560
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, BA Gold, SQ Silver, Bonvoy Tit LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 44,313
So if I am denied boarding for a fever, and then in 10 days try to fly again, and am denied since I was denied within the last 14, and then try again 10 days later... Can I ever fly again?