Covid Relief Flights - Who Gets to Sit in J?
 

Seeing this post on Twitter piqued my curiosity:
For these types of special relief flights, who gets to sit in J? Do they sell tickets at different prices? How does it work?

I'd assume whoever chooses to pay for J? As the PM said, Canadians still have to pay for these flights out of pocket.

Ah ok. Thanks!

We can close / delete this thread now. :)

Are these flights purchased from Air Canada or are they purchased from a government agency/embassy that arranged them? I know the PM said the passengers would have to pay. I can't see a government agency wanting to get into all the different types of seats.

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On the cruise ship evacuations, I read an article that said they used the business cabin as a quarantine area of sort and rest for staff. If anyone developed symptoms in flight they would be moved and isolated there. Not certain that is the case for these flights.

When the evacuation flights for Morocco took place, they announced that it was a regular commercial flight - all the Canadian government really did was arrange for permission to use the airport/airspace. If that is a similar case to this, I think that pax probably bought tickets using the "rescue" fare basis directly from Air Canada, in which case regular processes for eUpgrades, paid business class, or Op Up would apply.

Unless like Fiordland mentioned they are blocking J for an emergency/relief area.

Those who check in last and have GTE on their boarding passes.

I would assume that passengers who originally had confirmed bookings in J on their return trip would get first priority.

I've seen coupon codes posted on Air Canada's Twitter feed for recovery flights, so I believe AC is the one who sells them and can offer J up.

Since we have the real answer, I'm a bit shocked AC isn't trying to upsell people.

For the ex-Morocco repatriation flights, the local Canadian embassy emailed registered Canadians information about the flight as well as a special promo code that allows them to purchase the flight directly from Air Canada's website.

They also flew to Morocco with 4 pilots: 2 were piloting from Halifax to Casablanca while the other two were resting. Then they switched for the return flight back to Montreal. There was no time to rest in Morocco as the arrangement was the crew must stay in the plane and return the same day, which explains the need for 4 pilots

Would be interesting to know how much promo code discount was and reduced cost for J & Y cabins :)

Y was about $1500 one way

The CBC reported that the cost of a ticket was $1,272 plus tax. Restricted to only Canadians and permanent residents.

https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cov...occo-1.5504550

If you’re concerned about what seat you’re sitting in during a time like this then something is seriously wrong with you. Don’t tell me social distancing in J.

Huh? I’m an aviation nerd and was curious about the mechanics of how something like this works — and it seems like I wasn’t the only one. Makes sense given the purpose of this forum.

Enough with the virtual signalling.

I have a reply involving American, concern and back yard but I will be nice :D