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?
Aug 29, 2021, 11:02 pm
#1171
Join Date: Nov 2020
Location: YVR/YYZ
Programs: AC50K, *A Gold, Marriott Titanium (LGE), Hilton Diamond
Posts: 376
Could not be more excited to head out for my first intl flight this year. Question about YUL transfers as I never have transferred there.
I'm transiting AC to AC, US to Domestic with less than a one hour layover. Think this is doable given the newest flight/customs delays?
I'm transiting AC to AC, US to Domestic with less than a one hour layover. Think this is doable given the newest flight/customs delays?
Aug 30, 2021, 1:16 am
#1172
Join Date: Aug 2000
Location: ZRH / YUL
Programs: UA, TK, Starwood > Marriott, Hilton, Accor
Posts: 7,295
Aug 30, 2021, 6:37 am
#1173
Join Date: Oct 2015
Programs: AC SE 100K, Marriott Titanium
Posts: 142
"Could not be more excited to head out for my first intl flight this year. Question about YUL transfers as I never have transferred there.
I'm transiting AC to AC, US to Domestic with less than a one hour layover. Think this is doable given the newest flight/customs delays?"
Should be if you have nexus. Harder to say if you don't.
I had a one hour layover from INTL-DOM and it was the baggage transfer that got me to miss the flight.
I'm transiting AC to AC, US to Domestic with less than a one hour layover. Think this is doable given the newest flight/customs delays?"
Should be if you have nexus. Harder to say if you don't.
I had a one hour layover from INTL-DOM and it was the baggage transfer that got me to miss the flight.
Aug 30, 2021, 7:17 pm
#1174
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
Aug 30, 2021, 7:52 pm
#1175
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,727
So I've got my first US trip since lockdown this weekend, flying YOW-ORD-YYZ.
I'll be flying carry-on only, with a 1h30 connection at Pearson, and Nexus. Any guesses on how make-able that connection's going to be? In other words, just how hard should I be working to standby or SDC onto an earlier flight YOW-YYZ?
I'll be flying carry-on only, with a 1h30 connection at Pearson, and Nexus. Any guesses on how make-able that connection's going to be? In other words, just how hard should I be working to standby or SDC onto an earlier flight YOW-YYZ?
Aug 31, 2021, 4:26 am
#1176
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: 44,331
So I've got my first US trip since lockdown this weekend, flying YOW-ORD-YYZ.
I'll be flying carry-on only, with a 1h30 connection at Pearson, and Nexus. Any guesses on how make-able that connection's going to be? In other words, just how hard should I be working to standby or SDC onto an earlier flight YOW-YYZ?
I'll be flying carry-on only, with a 1h30 connection at Pearson, and Nexus. Any guesses on how make-able that connection's going to be? In other words, just how hard should I be working to standby or SDC onto an earlier flight YOW-YYZ?
I haven't had any trouble in that direction.
Aug 31, 2021, 5:37 am
#1177
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,618
Flying soon for the first time since 2019. AC YHZ-YYT. Dropping off kid #2 to university. Really glad to be travelling again, even though it is a very short trip. Shame that I'll be crammed in to a Q400.
Aug 31, 2021, 10:34 am
#1178
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,727
Aug 31, 2021, 10:53 am
#1179
Join Date: Oct 2012
Location: YVR
Programs: AC E75K, IHG Plat, Bonvoy Tit, HH Silver, BW Gold, Avis President's Club
Posts: 220
Turned out to be pretty painless. Antigen test was around 45 min. start to finish, security was 5-10 min. (no Nexus or priority), and US Customs was empty. It was around 1h10min from the Skytrain to the gate.
Sep 1, 2021, 10:44 am
#1180
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
Almost all evening flights into YYZ seem delayed. I got lucky flying XXX-YUL-YYZ that my first flight was only an hour late, and could easily rebook for a later YUL-YYZ.
40+ minutes waiting for a domestic gate, and then this
Domestic AC luggage at YYZ. People were waiting 2+ hours.
Can AC somehow blame customs for this?
40+ minutes waiting for a domestic gate, and then this
Domestic AC luggage at YYZ. People were waiting 2+ hours.
Can AC somehow blame customs for this?
Sep 1, 2021, 10:48 am
#1181
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 302
Almost all evening flights into YYZ seem delayed. I got luck flying XXX-YUL-YYZ that my first flight was only an hour late, and could easily rebook for a later YUL-YYZ.
40+ minutes waiting for a domestic gate, and then this
Domestic AC luggage at YYZ. People were waiting 2+ hours.
Can AC somehow blame customs for this?
40+ minutes waiting for a domestic gate, and then this
Domestic AC luggage at YYZ. People were waiting 2+ hours.
Can AC somehow blame customs for this?
Sep 1, 2021, 11:48 am
#1183
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,305
I dunno... but from what I heard people who did not fly in on AC did not have any issues. Doesnt AC do their own luggage unloading while others use contractors?
Sep 1, 2021, 12:14 pm
#1184
Join Date: Apr 2018
Programs: BA (GGL-GFL); AC (SE)
Posts: 57
Flew YUL to LHR in J last night. Antigen testing at YUL was pretty smooth - very clever to use the mezzanine level for that. Oddly didn’t need to show the test result to anyone at YUL or LHR. Check-in was straight forward - did the much faster automated bag check rather than wait in longish priority queue. Refurbished MLL made a very positive impression. The flight attendants were great notwithstanding the Covid restrictions and a nearly full cabin. I stayed up for dinner which was a massive mistake given short duration of flight and truly mediocre catering. Immigration at LHR was a half hour or so slower than usual given that only a minority of the egates were functioning.
Sep 1, 2021, 12:54 pm
#1185
Join Date: Dec 2018
Location: Seattle
Programs: ASMVP100K, Bonvoy Platinum
Posts: 116
I have a YUL-YVR-SEA flight booked on AC, with a 1 hour layover in November. I have global entry. My understanding is I would show my test results at check-in in YUL, and complete immigration/customs at YVR, is that right? Secondly, would this be enough time? Thanks in advance!