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 5, 20, 5:33 pm
#76
Join Date: May 2014
Location: YYJ/YYT
Programs: AC 75K (*G), NEXUS
Posts: 652
Just flew YYJ-YVR on a 319, we stayed at about 3000ft the whole way. At 15 mins in the air it must be one of the shortest ever scheduled mainline flights!
The cabin was immaculate and smelt of cleaning products, it was nice to see an AC aircraft so clean. There were about 15-20 pax on the short hop. Despite the promises of cleancare+ I was greeted to a used empty water bottle in my seat pocket which makes me question the thoroughness of cleaning done at outstations. There were also no enRoute magazines; I wonder if AC even printed them for June?
Flying tcon shortly so I will report back on my experience.
The cabin was immaculate and smelt of cleaning products, it was nice to see an AC aircraft so clean. There were about 15-20 pax on the short hop. Despite the promises of cleancare+ I was greeted to a used empty water bottle in my seat pocket which makes me question the thoroughness of cleaning done at outstations. There were also no enRoute magazines; I wonder if AC even printed them for June?
Flying tcon shortly so I will report back on my experience.
Jun 5, 20, 5:40 pm
#77
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: YYC / random hotel in YYZ
Programs: Back of the bus
Posts: 914
Jun 5, 20, 10:16 pm
#78
Join Date: Feb 2014
Location: YYC, SFO, OAK
Programs: AS MVP 75K, AA Platinum, IHG Platinum, Club Carlson Gold
Posts: 733
On my last flight, mask compliance was 100% (26 of 26 pax) on board. Roughly 80% wore the masks while in the gate area prior to boarding. Nobody seemed fussed at all. Roughly half the passengers were Asian, so perhaps there was an element of cultural familiarity amongst some of them.
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.
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 10:32 am Reason: restore post & edit quote
Jun 5, 20, 11:57 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
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.
There needs to be a better way for WS and AC to cross sell on each other flights. The way airlines worked in the 1940s to 1990s.
Jun 6, 20, 12:58 am
#82
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,921
I just got off of a flight YVR-YEG. A319. Y apparently oversold by 22 (I think the flight got swapped out from an A320 as the GA's were trying to deal with a bunch of seat reassignments). I was lucky to get an op up. J was full. Y was full (except for middle seats). I don't know if anyone got bumped. I was sitting near the GA's and I'd overheard one make a question to another GA if they could put a child in the middle between 2 parents, etc.
I went on a walk to the washroom at the back. Everyone had their masks fully on, except for 3 people. 1 person had their mask off and was asleep. 1 person had their mask covering their mouth but not their nose. 1 person had their mask off, but put in on as I walked by.
Regarding announcements, I paid attention based on some comments up thread. After boarding was complete but before the door was closed the SD announced that wearing of masks on board was mandatory for the duration of the flight. She mentioned a few exceptions (I think she said medical conditions that would prevent the wearing of a mask as well as children under the age of 6). She also announced that if there was anyone who would be unable to wear their mask for the duration of the flight that the were to identify themselves to an FA immediately.
On an unrelated note, I don't know what flight landed at approximately the same time as mine, but there were lots of people walking from the far end of YEG towards the baggage claim area - whatever flight that was must have been very full.
I went on a walk to the washroom at the back. Everyone had their masks fully on, except for 3 people. 1 person had their mask off and was asleep. 1 person had their mask covering their mouth but not their nose. 1 person had their mask off, but put in on as I walked by.
Regarding announcements, I paid attention based on some comments up thread. After boarding was complete but before the door was closed the SD announced that wearing of masks on board was mandatory for the duration of the flight. She mentioned a few exceptions (I think she said medical conditions that would prevent the wearing of a mask as well as children under the age of 6). She also announced that if there was anyone who would be unable to wear their mask for the duration of the flight that the were to identify themselves to an FA immediately.
On an unrelated note, I don't know what flight landed at approximately the same time as mine, but there were lots of people walking from the far end of YEG towards the baggage claim area - whatever flight that was must have been very full.
Jun 6, 20, 12:49 pm
#83
Join Date: Dec 2002
Posts: 7,849
Swoop landed a few minutes before your flight.
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/CYEG/arrivals
https://flightaware.com/live/airport/CYEG/arrivals
Jun 6, 20, 12:54 pm
#84
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YVR
Programs: Bottom feeder Star Gold
Posts: 2,652
I just got off of a flight YVR-YEG. A319. Y apparently oversold by 22 (I think the flight got swapped out from an A320 as the GA's were trying to deal with a bunch of seat reassignments). I was lucky to get an op up. J was full. Y was full (except for middle seats). I don't know if anyone got bumped. I was sitting near the GA's and I'd overheard one make a question to another GA if they could put a child in the middle between 2 parents, etc.
I went on a walk to the washroom at the back. Everyone had their masks fully on, except for 3 people. 1 person had their mask off and was asleep. 1 person had their mask covering their mouth but not their nose. 1 person had their mask off, but put in on as I walked by.
Regarding announcements, I paid attention based on some comments up thread. After boarding was complete but before the door was closed the SD announced that wearing of masks on board was mandatory for the duration of the flight. She mentioned a few exceptions (I think she said medical conditions that would prevent the wearing of a mask as well as children under the age of 6). She also announced that if there was anyone who would be unable to wear their mask for the duration of the flight that the were to identify themselves to an FA immediately.
On an unrelated note, I don't know what flight landed at approximately the same time as mine, but there were lots of people walking from the far end of YEG towards the baggage claim area - whatever flight that was must have been very full.
I went on a walk to the washroom at the back. Everyone had their masks fully on, except for 3 people. 1 person had their mask off and was asleep. 1 person had their mask covering their mouth but not their nose. 1 person had their mask off, but put in on as I walked by.
Regarding announcements, I paid attention based on some comments up thread. After boarding was complete but before the door was closed the SD announced that wearing of masks on board was mandatory for the duration of the flight. She mentioned a few exceptions (I think she said medical conditions that would prevent the wearing of a mask as well as children under the age of 6). She also announced that if there was anyone who would be unable to wear their mask for the duration of the flight that the were to identify themselves to an FA immediately.
On an unrelated note, I don't know what flight landed at approximately the same time as mine, but there were lots of people walking from the far end of YEG towards the baggage claim area - whatever flight that was must have been very full.
Jun 6, 20, 2:22 pm
#85
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: YYC - not the centre of the universe
Programs: AC*S100K 1MM, LH FTL, Hyatt Globalist, Accor Plat
Posts: 4,766
YYC YYZ AC144 today very full.
J no empty available seats. Four pilots. One pax headed to LHR. Not sure about other three pax.
Y is pretty full too.
lots of restaurants open at YYC.
J no empty available seats. Four pilots. One pax headed to LHR. Not sure about other three pax.
Y is pretty full too.
lots of restaurants open at YYC.
Jun 8, 20, 10:56 am
#86
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: YEG
Posts: 3,921
I've been on several flights since the mask regulation was introduced, and not once has there been any onboard announcement about it being "mandatory," just that "we thank you for wearing one." I've generally removed my mask as soon as takeoff and not a single FA has ever said anything. Again, I assert that it's "mandatory" officially but unofficially not really enforced. And how would they enforce it anyways? Divert the plane and arrest you?
Jun 9, 20, 12:54 am
#87
Join Date: Mar 2020
Programs: AC 75k
Posts: 698
Recenty landed in YYZ. Just about everything closed in YVR C except Tims, Starbucks, Joe and the Juice and Vera's for food. With other restaurants open elsewhere in the Province, I was disappointed Monks couldn't come up with something.
Plane was busy. I saw 5 empty seats in J. We got our wraps and a designated KitKat for all! At least 7 (maybe 8) in the cabin were definately crew - based on their convos with each other and flight crew. Fun part was that one person who was told to "please wear your mask properly Sir" turned out to be a pilot based on chatter. Not sure if it was just protocol with no knowledge, or "You're in my domain, son! You follow the rules." FWIW it was stated with no emotional inflection whatsoever and purely professional. Overhead announcements were specific that masks were mandatory. Zero hassles for taking my mask off to eat or drink. Everyone else was very compliant and 90% wearing masks waiting at the gate
I didn't get to see Premium or Y during the flight but there was still a solid flow of humanity coming out of the gate after my WC stop,so pretty full.
Earlier in the day 36 pass. of a possible 39 on the Dash 400 to start the trip.
YVR-YYZ had the regular safety video, but this time I had a sudden realization. The creator is a visionary! He saw ahead to a COVID time where you board an empty plane and have tons of bin space in Y and no one takes the window seat next to the charming couple going to Paris.
Once landed, one person in the middle of UP Express car when I boarded next to the luggage racks, so I took the rear seat by the doors. 20' away. A third person boarded right before departure and proceeded to sit one row in front of me. Dude really?!!
Amazingly, after 3 months of drought and absolute neglect, 4 of our 5 houseplants in the condo look great.
Plane was busy. I saw 5 empty seats in J. We got our wraps and a designated KitKat for all! At least 7 (maybe 8) in the cabin were definately crew - based on their convos with each other and flight crew. Fun part was that one person who was told to "please wear your mask properly Sir" turned out to be a pilot based on chatter. Not sure if it was just protocol with no knowledge, or "You're in my domain, son! You follow the rules." FWIW it was stated with no emotional inflection whatsoever and purely professional. Overhead announcements were specific that masks were mandatory. Zero hassles for taking my mask off to eat or drink. Everyone else was very compliant and 90% wearing masks waiting at the gate
I didn't get to see Premium or Y during the flight but there was still a solid flow of humanity coming out of the gate after my WC stop,so pretty full.
Earlier in the day 36 pass. of a possible 39 on the Dash 400 to start the trip.
YVR-YYZ had the regular safety video, but this time I had a sudden realization. The creator is a visionary! He saw ahead to a COVID time where you board an empty plane and have tons of bin space in Y and no one takes the window seat next to the charming couple going to Paris.
Once landed, one person in the middle of UP Express car when I boarded next to the luggage racks, so I took the rear seat by the doors. 20' away. A third person boarded right before departure and proceeded to sit one row in front of me. Dude really?!!
Amazingly, after 3 months of drought and absolute neglect, 4 of our 5 houseplants in the condo look great.
Jun 9, 20, 10:50 pm
#88
Posting Legend, Moderator, Manufactured Spending
Join Date: May 2002
Location: YEG
Programs: HH Silver
Posts: 56,218
Please note a few posts regarding face masks have been relocated to the Air Canada Clean Care+ program thread which is the preferred venue for more detailed discussions on face masks, social distancing, or any other airline efforts to minimize infection that are part of this program.
If we can save this thread for first hand observations from those of us flying AC domestically these days it may help those who haven't been but may in the coming weeks or months.
Regards,
tcook052
Ac forum moderator
If we can save this thread for first hand observations from those of us flying AC domestically these days it may help those who haven't been but may in the coming weeks or months.
Regards,
tcook052
Ac forum moderator
