Aug 21, 2021, 5:45 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
This thread originally contained any and all information relating to flying with AC in the times of COVID. As travel has picked up, much of the discussion has been moved to dedicated threads to make topics easier to follow. Threads that may be of particular interest to those travelling during COVID:
Meal threads:
Schedule changes/refunds - temporary COVID-related policies:
The above threads are in the process of winding down as AC moves away from temporary COVID-related policies. Most questions on schedule changes/refunds should be directed to the thread on AC's new permanent schedule change policies
Other AC-related threads:
Pre-travel e-mails:
Information on immigration rules and procedures, and other government requirements, from the Canada forum:
Airport-related threads containing information that may be relevant to AC passengers, but that are not specific to AC (there are many others in the Canada forum; these are a few that have come up frequently):
(Other threads with immigration/government-related questions not specific to AC can be found on the Canada forum, and experiences and questions on those topics should be posted there)
Meal threads:
- Air Canada Meals (Jul 2021 - ???) - Business Class - North America
- Air Canada Meals (Jul 2021 - ???) - Premium Economy - North America
- Air Canada Meals (Jul 2021 - ???) - Economy - North America
- Air Canada Meals (Jul 2021 - ???) - Business Class - International
Schedule changes/refunds - temporary COVID-related policies:
- Master thread COVID-19/Coronavirus; travel waivers, route changes, AC impacts
- Master thread Air Canada Refunds vs credits; Class action lawsuit filed
The above threads are in the process of winding down as AC moves away from temporary COVID-related policies. Most questions on schedule changes/refunds should be directed to the thread on AC's new permanent schedule change policies
Other AC-related threads:
- Air Canada Clean Care+ program
- MLLs in the time of COVID - re-openings, food, distancing, etc
- Upload your COVID documents online (trial)
Pre-travel e-mails:
Information on immigration rules and procedures, and other government requirements, from the Canada forum:
- Canada entry rules changing; fully vaccinated air travelers allowed
- Canada Will Require Negative COVID-19 Test 72 Hours Before Arrival
- Federal government to require vaccinations for all air and train passengers
Airport-related threads containing information that may be relevant to AC passengers, but that are not specific to AC (there are many others in the Canada forum; these are a few that have come up frequently):
- Flying through YYC 2021 Q3/Q4 (security, connections, construction impact, etc)
- YYZ International Arrivals
- Recent/Current YYZ-USA Preclearance Weekday morning times
(Other threads with immigration/government-related questions not specific to AC can be found on the Canada forum, and experiences and questions on those topics should be posted there)
Is anyone actually flying AC domestic or international in these Covid-filled days?
Feb 20, 2022, 11:12 am
#1501
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
i guess I forgot to mention the NA SS snack basket, since I have yet to receive one in J... but have received it in PY during covid ops. So that one seems a bit confusing to me.
Feb 20, 2022, 1:17 pm
#1502
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Onboard AC1286 PHX-YYZ right now.
A couple interesting observations and perhaps one question:
1. One passenger did not have the requisite Covid documents (sounded like it was a missing or ineligible test result) at the gate and was denied boarding.
2. 1D next to me remained empty until doors almost closed. Just before I was about to stretch out though, the SD went into Y to bring up a passenger. So not YBYL!
3. As we took off, I suddenly realized no one at PHX requested to see my ArriveCAN. Was this a miss on the part of the AC gate agent or is this not required anymore?
A couple interesting observations and perhaps one question:
1. One passenger did not have the requisite Covid documents (sounded like it was a missing or ineligible test result) at the gate and was denied boarding.
2. 1D next to me remained empty until doors almost closed. Just before I was about to stretch out though, the SD went into Y to bring up a passenger. So not YBYL!
3. As we took off, I suddenly realized no one at PHX requested to see my ArriveCAN. Was this a miss on the part of the AC gate agent or is this not required anymore?
Feb 20, 2022, 1:23 pm
#1503
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: YVR
Programs: AC SE 2MM; UA MP Premier Silver; Marriott Bonvoy LT Titanium Elite; Radisson; Avis PC
Posts: 35,255
Feb 20, 2022, 1:32 pm
#1504
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
Programs: AC 75K, A3*G, AS MVPG, AA LT Gold 1MM, JL/JGC (OWS) , Marriott Titanium, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 3,697
Why do it differently? Who knows???
The Arrivecan, the PCR testing doesn't apply to you at all.
You are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements, as long as you remain in the secure transit area to complete your connection within 24 hours.
If you need to leave the airport or the secure transit area due to a flight cancellation or delay, you become subject to mandatory quarantine until your flight departs.
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/tr...ictions/border
Feb 20, 2022, 1:36 pm
#1505
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
Onboard AC1286 PHX-YYZ right now.
A couple interesting observations and perhaps one question:
1. One passenger did not have the requisite Covid documents (sounded like it was a missing or ineligible test result) at the gate and was denied boarding.
2. 1D next to me remained empty until doors almost closed. Just before I was about to stretch out though, the SD went into Y to bring up a passenger. So not YBYL!
3. As we took off, I suddenly realized no one at PHX requested to see my ArriveCAN. Was this a miss on the part of the AC gate agent or is this not required anymore?
A couple interesting observations and perhaps one question:
1. One passenger did not have the requisite Covid documents (sounded like it was a missing or ineligible test result) at the gate and was denied boarding.
2. 1D next to me remained empty until doors almost closed. Just before I was about to stretch out though, the SD went into Y to bring up a passenger. So not YBYL!
3. As we took off, I suddenly realized no one at PHX requested to see my ArriveCAN. Was this a miss on the part of the AC gate agent or is this not required anymore?
Feb 20, 2022, 1:40 pm
#1506
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
I do not. What I observed was the gate agent coming onboard manifest in hand, speaking to the SD, and then the SD going to the back to bring up the pax. You’re right; the YBYL comment was some editorializing on my part.
I’m entering Canada today though.
The way I read the regulations were, as long as you stay airside and not enter Canada.
The Arrivecan, the PCR testing doesn't apply to you at all.
You are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements, as long as you remain in the secure transit area to complete your connection within 24 hours.
If you need to leave the airport or the secure transit area due to a flight cancellation or delay, you become subject to mandatory quarantine until your flight departs.
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/tr...ictions/border
The Arrivecan, the PCR testing doesn't apply to you at all.
You are exempt from testing and quarantine requirements, as long as you remain in the secure transit area to complete your connection within 24 hours.
If you need to leave the airport or the secure transit area due to a flight cancellation or delay, you become subject to mandatory quarantine until your flight departs.
https://travel.gc.ca/travel-covid/tr...ictions/border
Feb 20, 2022, 1:47 pm
#1507
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: HKG/YVR/NYC
Programs: AC 75K, A3*G, AS MVPG, AA LT Gold 1MM, JL/JGC (OWS) , Marriott Titanium, Hertz 5*, Avis PC
Posts: 3,697
Ok that is strange.
Defacto, yes either the check-in counter or at the gate, someone should've check it.
Dejure, chances are someone is lazy...
This is in timatic, via EF visa/health/passport section
Passengers must submit their information electronically, at most 72
hours before arrival, through the ArriveCAN app or the website
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...arrivecan.html
Passengers must present an ArriveCAN receipt before boarding.
Defacto, yes either the check-in counter or at the gate, someone should've check it.
Dejure, chances are someone is lazy...
This is in timatic, via EF visa/health/passport section
Passengers must submit their information electronically, at most 72
hours before arrival, through the ArriveCAN app or the website
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...arrivecan.html
Passengers must present an ArriveCAN receipt before boarding.
Feb 20, 2022, 1:57 pm
#1508
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Ok that is strange.
Defacto, yes either the check-in counter or at the gate, someone should've check it.
Dejure, chances are someone is lazy...
This is in timatic, via EF visa/health/passport section
Passengers must submit their information electronically, at most 72
hours before arrival, through the ArriveCAN app or the website
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...arrivecan.html
Passengers must present an ArriveCAN receipt before boarding.
Defacto, yes either the check-in counter or at the gate, someone should've check it.
Dejure, chances are someone is lazy...
This is in timatic, via EF visa/health/passport section
Passengers must submit their information electronically, at most 72
hours before arrival, through the ArriveCAN app or the website
https://www.canada.ca/en/public-heal...arrivecan.html
Passengers must present an ArriveCAN receipt before boarding.
Feb 21, 2022, 10:58 am
#1509
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,222
I was asked to show my ArriveCAN barcode when checking in at SFO yesterday.
It was a bit odd, since the AC agent who was checking me in asked to see it and the agent who was standing behind her told her not to bother. Training, perhaps?
It was a bit odd, since the AC agent who was checking me in asked to see it and the agent who was standing behind her told her not to bother. Training, perhaps?
Feb 21, 2022, 11:13 am
#1510
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: YEG
Programs: UA 1K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 755
Feb 21, 2022, 11:23 am
#1511
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
Feb 21, 2022, 1:01 pm
#1512
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC E75K, Amex Plat, NEXUS, Aman-user (not really a -junkie)
Posts: 1,721
The whole thing seems to be becoming quite random. As mentioned, no one at PHX ask to see it. Shortly before landing, the FA did mention we all needed to have this ready (too late for anyone who wasn't aware of this before getting onboard and didn't want to pay for for onboard wifi). Upon landing in YYZ, no one asked to see it. Also, when I filled it out inflight, I noticed I wasn't asked to upload my test result. Maybe I'm misremembering, but I recall being asked to do this in the past? In any case, I also can't wait until all this theatre is abandoned.
Feb 21, 2022, 2:39 pm
#1514
Join Date: Jun 2010
Location: MEX
Programs: AC E75K
Posts: 4,171
ArriveCan never asked for the actual download of the test. The only download was of the vaccination receipt. If you show up to CBSA and you don't have the arrivecan receipt, that's your problem. Sure, the airllines are supposed to check that you've done it - you get the fine for not having it filled out. It's connected to your passport so they're likely already aware if you don't have it when you show your documents.
Feb 21, 2022, 4:05 pm
#1515
Join Date: Aug 2013
Location: YVR - MILLS Waypoint (It's the third house on the left)
Programs: AC*SE100K, wood level status in various other programs
Posts: 6,222