Aug 21, 21, 6:45 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 4, 20, 12:45 am
#63
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, AA PPro, UA Gold, Bonvoy Tit LT Sil, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond, Accor Silver
Posts: 43,482
8737 looks like it was full in Y (granted there are blocked middles), and half full in J. So while your statement is correct, that flight had the most pax of the 3 you listed.
Jun 4, 20, 8:42 pm
#65
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,860
Anyone else find it weird AC has basically abandoned YYC-YWG/YXE/YQR this summer? I don't expect a ton of frequency but those flights are gone till September. If you want to take AC you have to route via YVR (wrong way). Of course, I suppose WS has done the opposite with YVR.
Jun 4, 20, 9:09 pm
#66
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, DL PM, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,081
Anyone else find it weird AC has basically abandoned YYC-YWG/YXE/YQR this summer? I don't expect a ton of frequency but those flights are gone till September. If you want to take AC you have to route via YVR (wrong way). Of course, I suppose WS has done the opposite with YVR.
Jun 4, 20, 10:06 pm
#67
Join Date: Apr 2015
Location: YVR
Programs: UA Premier Platinum
Posts: 3,745
For those of you flying, what are your observations on mask compliance?
Heard from someone who flew this week that only half of the people on their flight wore masks despite announcements that it is mandatory.
Heard from someone who flew this week that only half of the people on their flight wore masks despite announcements that it is mandatory.
Jun 4, 20, 10:26 pm
#68
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: AC 75k
Posts: 698
I had honestly wondered how there were going to enforce/police this. Easy to stop you getting on the flight without a mask, but how will they enforce you taking it off? Diverting to have you hauled off at the nearest airport seems excessive and beyond unlikely. What accommodation am I given while eating my delicious Signature class wrap or drinking that sublime bottled water? Plus no one wants melted KitKat goo on their nice new mask that Nana sewed with such care.
Jun 4, 20, 10:31 pm
#69
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,849
I've seen signs at security says it's mandatory to wear a mask "past this point."
From Transport Canada. Step 4.
From Transport Canada. Step 4.
- AIR OPERATORS require passengers to wear a face mask during the flight when the person is 2 metres or less from another person, unless both persons are occupants (subject to the list of exceptions contained in the Interim Order).
- If, during a flight, a passenger refuses to comply with an instruction given by a crew member with respect to wearing a face mask, the AIR OPERATOR must keep a record of the following information and inform the Minister, as soon as feasible, of this record:
- the date and flight number;
- the passenger’s name and contact information;
- the passenger’s seat number on the flight; and
- the circumstances related to this refusal to comply.
Jun 4, 20, 10:36 pm
#70
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: YYC, SFO, OAK
Programs: AS MVP 75K, AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 733
That said, AC is giving away little amenity kits with gloves, mask and hand sanitizer. The mask is very cheap and starts turning fuzzy after a few minutes of wear, and eventually becomes so irritating I had to take it off.
Jun 4, 20, 10:46 pm
#71
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: AC 75k
Posts: 698
I've seen signs at security says it's mandatory to wear a mask "past this point."
From Transport Canada. Step 4.
From Transport Canada. Step 4.
- AIR OPERATORS require passengers to wear a face mask during the flight when the person is 2 metres or less from another person, unless both persons are occupants (subject to the list of exceptions contained in the Interim Order).
- If, during a flight, a passenger refuses to comply with an instruction given by a crew member with respect to wearing a face mask, the AIR OPERATOR must keep a record of the following information and inform the Minister, as soon as feasible, of this record:
- the date and flight number;
- the passengers name and contact information;
- the passengers seat number on the flight; and
- the circumstances related to this refusal to comply.
Jun 5, 20, 7:48 am
#72
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
Flew last week YYZ-YYC and mask compliance was near 100%. That said, they never explicitly mention once you're on board that wearing a mask is mandatory for the whole flight - I do seem to recall them announcing that if your mask gets wet/soiled to put it in to the paper bag in the seat pocket. And that's why this is so difficult to enforce - what do you do when someone's mask gets dirty? They throw it out and don't necessarily have another one.
That said, AC is giving away little amenity kits with gloves, mask and hand sanitizer. The mask is very cheap and starts turning fuzzy after a few minutes of wear, and eventually becomes so irritating I had to take it off.
That said, AC is giving away little amenity kits with gloves, mask and hand sanitizer. The mask is very cheap and starts turning fuzzy after a few minutes of wear, and eventually becomes so irritating I had to take it off.
Air Canada explicitly announces mask use in flight is mandatory at least twice: once during the boarding process and again during the manual safety demonstration. There has not been a safety video on any of my flights.
They do issue replacement masks within the Clean Care kit, and yes they're cheap and designed for single use. They should last the duration of any domestic flight unless you're speaking very moistly.
Last edited by tcook052; Jun 6, 20 at 10:25 am Reason: off topic
Jun 5, 20, 10:00 am
#73
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: YYC, Canada
Programs: AC 35k
Posts: 1,860
Jun 5, 20, 2:05 pm
#75
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,921
There were announcements that keeping face mask on was mandatory while onboard. They also stated that there is a face mask in the "clean care" kit, and if you need to dispose of your previous mask, to use the air sickness bags in the seat pocket. I haven't seen any pushback from passengers on wearing face masks.
