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 5, 2021, 9:51 am
#1216
Join Date: Oct 2013
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE, FOTSG Platinum
Posts: 5,731
Woke up early, took a standby in the back row of a 220 and arrived at Pearson in plenty of time to... sail through US customs in under a minute.
Oh well, if I hadn't done that, I'm sure my scheduled flight would have gone mechanical or something.
Oh well, if I hadn't done that, I'm sure my scheduled flight would have gone mechanical or something.
Sep 5, 2021, 9:55 am
#1217
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
Hey, on the bright side, you now have more time in the TB MLL! Oh wait, nevermind.
Sep 6, 2021, 1:32 am
#1218
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: 44,353
Meanwhile, my friend flying UA has everything "approved", and is checked in, but they won't issue a boarding pass until they manually verify his documents at the airport.
So... I don't think AC is that bad. At least I can go through security without visiting the check-in counter.
So... I don't think AC is that bad. At least I can go through security without visiting the check-in counter.
Sep 6, 2021, 5:55 am
#1219
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: 44,353
To follow up on another post, LHR check-in explicitly told me the SQ lounge was closed.
I'm currently in the SQ lounge, awaiting my flight to YVR.
I'm currently in the SQ lounge, awaiting my flight to YVR.
Sep 6, 2021, 6:17 am
#1220
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
Sep 6, 2021, 7:17 am
#1221
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: 44,353
They told us they were waiting for connecting pax
Also the missing booking reference made this much easier to share.
Also the missing booking reference made this much easier to share.
Sep 6, 2021, 8:37 am
#1222
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: YOW
Programs: AC-SE100K, AC-3MM, Marriott- LT Titanium, SPG RIP
Posts: 2,959
For many years the mantra was “we can’t (and won’t) hold flights for connecting passengers”. That seems to have changed, I guess due to a smaller number of flights available to accommodate missed connections.
Sep 6, 2021, 8:52 am
#1223
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: 44,353
Oh I have no issue waiting. I have a (deliberate) 4.5 hour connection.
It's just the fact that the text suggested it was "not our fault".
But it very much seems like a conscious choice they made.
It's just the fact that the text suggested it was "not our fault".
But it very much seems like a conscious choice they made.
Sep 6, 2021, 10:31 am
#1224
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
* disclaimer: I haven't checked-in there in person in awhile, so maybe things have changed for the better.
Sep 6, 2021, 4:11 pm
#1225
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: 44,353
I've found the SE checkin agents there have been abysmal for the most part. When they're civil or even pleasantly mannered, they often give incorrect information, and when they are in a DGAF mood... well... DGAF. Occasionally a concierge would be standing nearby and I would begin engaging them instead to get the real deal on things.
* disclaimer: I haven't checked-in there in person in awhile, so maybe things have changed for the better.
* disclaimer: I haven't checked-in there in person in awhile, so maybe things have changed for the better.
But I'd read this thread, and the digital signs post-security were very clear on which lounges were open.
But at the gate, I mentioned this all to the concierge, and she said she'd make sure everyone was aware.
Sep 6, 2021, 4:46 pm
#1226
Join Date: Apr 2016
Location: YHZ/YQM
Programs: Aeroplan
Posts: 1,618
I had the most bizarre de-boarding experience in YYT on Saturday. Nobody stood up from their seat until the people in the row in front of them had retrieved their belongings and started to move up the aisle. It was almost like a military manoeuvre, or something organized by an elementary school teacher. A Q400 full of patient people.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
Sep 6, 2021, 6:48 pm
#1227
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
I had the most bizarre de-boarding experience in YYT on Saturday. Nobody stood up from their seat until the people in the row in front of them had retrieved their belongings and started to move up the aisle. It was almost like a military manoeuvre, or something organized by an elementary school teacher. A Q400 full of patient people.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
Sep 6, 2021, 7:02 pm
#1228
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2021
Posts: 27
I had the most bizarre de-boarding experience in YYT on Saturday. Nobody stood up from their seat until the people in the row in front of them had retrieved their belongings and started to move up the aisle. It was almost like a military manoeuvre, or something organized by an elementary school teacher. A Q400 full of patient people.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
It was a cool welcome to a cool city.
Sep 7, 2021, 8:35 am
#1229
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YYZ-YYC
Programs: AC50K, OZ*G
Posts: 280
I guess the learning worked?
The one thing I didn’t understand is why they were checking immunization papers for Canadians. Regardless of the Canadians status we can enter Canada… just changes the quarantine requirement upon entering. Also agents were misinformed about needing a “QR Code” on the immunization documents which none of mine had.
Long way to go, but slowly it will be behind us.
Sep 7, 2021, 10:05 pm
#1230
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: YQR
Posts: 2,743
I hope they figure that one out quickly. None of my immunization records have a QR code. Indeed, they look remarkably amateurish but they are nevertheless what Sask Health issues so there is no alternative.