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?
Jun 17, 2022, 11:02 am
#1651
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC*SE 2MM
Posts: 16,617
I got that e-mail for a Sunday flight to LAS a couple of weeks ago. Security took 2 minutes and US Customs with NEXUS under 5 minutes... but the regular US Customs line was huge. Plenty of lounge time for me. YMMV.
Jun 18, 2022, 4:38 pm
#1652
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,415
Not sure if this is the right thread..... does anyone know if you have to collect your bags in DEL and clear immig/customs before heading to a domestic flight ? It was booked on one PNR. YYZ-DEL-BOM.
Jun 18, 2022, 9:30 pm
#1653
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,562
I suspect this email was a "AC covering its behind" with people showing up late
Jun 20, 2022, 7:18 am
#1654
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,358
Don't know the best thread for this. I noticed that AC has a flexible change policy in place for travel to/from/via YYZ.
1. Free change to switch to YTZ if the itinerary is to/from via YOW or YUL
2. Free change to extend the connection time between flights
1. Free change to switch to YTZ if the itinerary is to/from via YOW or YUL
2. Free change to extend the connection time between flights
Jun 20, 2022, 7:31 am
#1655
Join Date: Nov 2015
Location: YOW
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 582
Originally Posted by Air Canada
Due to longer than usual delays at Toronto Pearson Airport (YYZ), we’ve implemented new policies that make it easier for you to change your flight(s). These options are available for Air Canada tickets purchased for travel between June 15 and no later than June 30, 2022.
Jun 20, 2022, 8:11 am
#1656
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: 35,254
From the anecdotal stories (excluding weather-related ones) I've heard in person, or read about here and elsewhere, it seems that many of these delays occur after boarding... is this somewhat correct?
Jun 20, 2022, 10:40 am
#1657
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,415
Got the answer from the DEL concierge. You have to pick up your bags, clear customs and then drop off to your connecting airline if your final destination is in india. All airside so no need to clear security again. And you can hand carry duty free including liquor provided its in a duty free sealed bag.
Jun 20, 2022, 11:18 am
#1658
Join Date: Mar 2001
Location: Toronto, ON
Programs: AC 75K
Posts: 6,358
Got the answer from the DEL concierge. You have to pick up your bags, clear customs and then drop off to your connecting airline if your final destination is in india. All airside so no need to clear security again. And you can hand carry duty free including liquor provided its in a duty free sealed bag.
There are things that you can carry in your checked bags that are prohibited in the cabin. I'd be surprised if this was the case.
Jun 20, 2022, 1:31 pm
#1659
Join Date: Dec 2019
Programs: Air Canada - Super Elite, Marriott Platinum
Posts: 590
On the other hand…
I may have just lucked out, but here’s a data point from my FRA-YYZ today. I wasn’t connecting, and was in J with no checked bags, and don’t currently have NEXUS as I let it lapse during Covid and only just got around to re applying…. But with all that said things were quick.
The flight was a little delayed, but the door opened at the gate at 13:27. They let connecting passengers off first, which was a lot of people but that makes sense for the route and they did check boarding passes. I was the first to the door after the connecting passengers disembarked and at 13:37 they let off 50 people, and I was the first.
I walk fast, but I was through Customs by 13:47.
I know it doesn’t always go so smoothly, but good to provide data when the system “works” too. As much as I have come to expect the J Cabin to disembark first, honestly there is a part of me that wonders if, with tweaks, this could end up being a better system permanently. I speak only from having had tight connections and a back row of Y, and maybe this is a small courtesy that could be afforded.
If they disembark 50 people after connections within 10 minutes that also seems reasonable as it clears out J and likely all of Premium Economy (I was in the back J cabin and was the only one that didn’t have a connecting flight, not sure what the front J cabin looked like).
I may have just lucked out, but here’s a data point from my FRA-YYZ today. I wasn’t connecting, and was in J with no checked bags, and don’t currently have NEXUS as I let it lapse during Covid and only just got around to re applying…. But with all that said things were quick.
The flight was a little delayed, but the door opened at the gate at 13:27. They let connecting passengers off first, which was a lot of people but that makes sense for the route and they did check boarding passes. I was the first to the door after the connecting passengers disembarked and at 13:37 they let off 50 people, and I was the first.
I walk fast, but I was through Customs by 13:47.
I know it doesn’t always go so smoothly, but good to provide data when the system “works” too. As much as I have come to expect the J Cabin to disembark first, honestly there is a part of me that wonders if, with tweaks, this could end up being a better system permanently. I speak only from having had tight connections and a back row of Y, and maybe this is a small courtesy that could be afforded.
If they disembark 50 people after connections within 10 minutes that also seems reasonable as it clears out J and likely all of Premium Economy (I was in the back J cabin and was the only one that didn’t have a connecting flight, not sure what the front J cabin looked like).
Jun 22, 2022, 9:52 pm
#1661
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: London & Sonoma CA
Programs: UA 1K, MM *G for life, BAEC Gold
Posts: 10,220
Four out of four flights on my itinerary late, with random, and mutually incompatible excuses, so neither honesty or timeliness are part of AC’s DNA.
And, as for the MLL at YYZ, I have never seen such a shocking excuse for a lounge.
AC may be half the price of other airlines but their general awfulness means never again.
And, as for the MLL at YYZ, I have never seen such a shocking excuse for a lounge.
AC may be half the price of other airlines but their general awfulness means never again.
Jun 23, 2022, 12:29 pm
#1662
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,415
Four out of four flights on my itinerary late, with random, and mutually incompatible excuses, so neither honesty or timeliness are part of AC’s DNA.
And, as for the MLL at YYZ, I have never seen such a shocking excuse for a lounge.
AC may be half the price of other airlines but their general awfulness means never again.
And, as for the MLL at YYZ, I have never seen such a shocking excuse for a lounge.
AC may be half the price of other airlines but their general awfulness means never again.
The Signature lounge is quite good. The International lounge can get packed with food a complete hit and miss, specially the bar code ordering. Domestic is ok. TB is the worst.
Jun 23, 2022, 12:32 pm
#1663
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: 44,282
Which lounge at YYZ ? They have 4 lounges at YYZ. Domestic, Transborder (US), International and Signature (International).
The Signature lounge is quite good. The International lounge can get packed with food a complete hit and miss, specially the bar code ordering. Domestic is ok. TB is the worst.
The Signature lounge is quite good. The International lounge can get packed with food a complete hit and miss, specially the bar code ordering. Domestic is ok. TB is the worst.
Jun 23, 2022, 12:35 pm
#1664
Join Date: Sep 2009
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE MM, Bonvoy Plat, Hilton G,Nexus, Amex MR Plat,IHG Plat
Posts: 4,415
Jun 23, 2022, 1:05 pm
#1665
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SEMM / HH Diamond
Posts: 3,143
I know of two domestic (normal + cafe), two international (normal + signature), and two transborder (normal + shed). Am I missing any?
