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?
Sep 3, 2021, 12:53 pm
#1201
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: 6,232
AC checks travel docs at point of origin. Otherwise it would be on them to fly you back to the point of origin if you aren't able to fly to Italy.
Today we were (initially) denied boarding on to our first AC segment despite meeting all the requirements for our transit points and final destination. United let us board our first flight after agreeing we met all the TIMATIC requirements. AC wouldn't let us on the second flight until we raised hell and delayed the flight.
Good to see not much changed in 17 months.
Today we were (initially) denied boarding on to our first AC segment despite meeting all the requirements for our transit points and final destination. United let us board our first flight after agreeing we met all the TIMATIC requirements. AC wouldn't let us on the second flight until we raised hell and delayed the flight.
Good to see not much changed in 17 months.
Not a requirement for us, but figured we'd take the belt and braces approach just in case we encountered and agent who is less than enlightened.
Sep 3, 2021, 2:20 pm
#1202
Join Date: Mar 2015
Location: YVR
Posts: 1,085
Just curious, do you fall under some exception where you don't need a negative test? My understanding is that Italy now requires fully vaccinated travelers from Canada to also have a negative test.
Sep 3, 2021, 5:41 pm
#1203
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
Well isn't that swell. I was hoping AC would have let us get to YYZ at least before checking the test results. Was originally thinking of doing a PCR test in Vancouver and then overnighting in YYZ to ensure my test results are still valid by time of arrival in Italy.
If AC's going to be checking docs in YVR... Not sure I like cutting it that close.
If AC's going to be checking docs in YVR... Not sure I like cutting it that close.
Sep 3, 2021, 5:46 pm
#1204
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: 6,232
Interesting strategy, but if you get the wrong person ...
Last edited by Bohemian1; Sep 3, 2021 at 5:56 pm
Sep 4, 2021, 2:45 am
#1205
Join Date: Jan 2021
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 459
I flew YYZ-FRA-KEF last week and the agent at check-in almost denied me boarding. First, she said Iceland was closed unless you had friends and family there. I told her to read the rules fully and eventually she agreed. And then she told me I couldn't go because I didn't have a return flight. I'm traveling indefinitely and planned to book a flight out of Iceland once there. After more discussion, she let me through but said I might be fined upon arrival in Iceland for not having a return ticket. I booked a random ticket with points which I cancelled immediately upon arrival at my hotel. I didn't even end up going through immigration upon arrival in Iceland since I entered at FRA first. Frustrating!
Sep 4, 2021, 5:57 am
#1206
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
I flew YYZ-FRA-KEF last week and the agent at check-in almost denied me boarding. First, she said Iceland was closed unless you had friends and family there. I told her to read the rules fully and eventually she agreed. And then she told me I couldn't go because I didn't have a return flight. I'm traveling indefinitely and planned to book a flight out of Iceland once there. After more discussion, she let me through but said I might be fined upon arrival in Iceland for not having a return ticket. I booked a random ticket with points which I cancelled immediately upon arrival at my hotel. I didn't even end up going through immigration upon arrival in Iceland since I entered at FRA first. Frustrating!
Wonder if they ll ever catch up with others and fully implement getting verified via app prior to getting to the airport.
Sep 4, 2021, 6:07 am
#1207
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: 44,354
Sep 4, 2021, 7:08 am
#1208
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: LAX
Programs: UA Plat MM, CM Plat, Amex Plat, Hertz CP, Hyatt Globalist, SPG Gold, Vons Club
Posts: 6,852
What?? I’m flying SFO-YYZ-ZRH-BCN in a few weeks. My originating flight is on UA from LAX and I was just gonna stay in the terminal before my departure 7 AM departure I get into SFO at 1:30 AM). I sure hope I don’t have a hassle at the check-in gates.. Amy thoughts. The EU entry requirements are still up in the air…
Sep 4, 2021, 10:18 am
#1209
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
(and yes I understand they are piloting it for a few select routes)
Sep 4, 2021, 12:09 pm
#1210
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: 44,354
And it's available on every? AC TB route.
Sep 4, 2021, 12:36 pm
#1211
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
The use of it was for me the fact that the agent had no authority once verified and I didnt need to show anything to them. I made similar use of AA Verifly.
Sep 4, 2021, 12:45 pm
#1212
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: 44,354
I had a green check beside every box (UK. Switzerland, Germany), and I had to show the agent every document.
Basically the same as AC. I get the ADOC, and I still have to show everything. Maybe with v5.19 of the app things will change, but I can report back Monday.
But AC is on the verge of announcing a new program that will greatly simplify a bunch of issues with tests, so hopefully that actually works.
Basically the same as AC. I get the ADOC, and I still have to show everything. Maybe with v5.19 of the app things will change, but I can report back Monday.
But AC is on the verge of announcing a new program that will greatly simplify a bunch of issues with tests, so hopefully that actually works.
Sep 4, 2021, 3:06 pm
#1213
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: 6,232
Sep 4, 2021, 7:11 pm
#1214
Join Date: Mar 2010
Posts: 614
Not holding my breath for AC to implement a logical efficient system like that...
Sep 5, 2021, 9:12 am
#1215
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,605
That seems correct that Italy does now require a negative test done within 72 hours of arrival.