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 11, 2021, 1:45 pm
#1246
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I feel like this has been discussed here somewhere before, but what’s up with the YYC gate situation these days? Arrived at D92 and connection was out of B39. Lots of time so the walk wasn’t an issue but why are WS and AC flights spread out all over the place?
Noticed some pad work being done which had blocked off a few gates, but I don’t see how that could have caused it. Was there some other construction just finished recently ? I don’t connect through YYC that often, so could have missed some reno’s.
Noticed some pad work being done which had blocked off a few gates, but I don’t see how that could have caused it. Was there some other construction just finished recently ? I don’t connect through YYC that often, so could have missed some reno’s.
Indeed, you're right that it was discussed. @Adam Smith posted this upthread on Aug 16;
Apparently the WS pier at YYC is going to be reopened fairly soon. There are a couple flights a day going out of there now, but according to YYC Concierge, the hold-up in moving WS back over there in a material way is getting the meep meeps up and running again.
They have been testing the meep meeps over the last couple of days - the corridor is no longer roped off at the crossings, so that makes sense - and supposedly they could be up and running in the next couple of days.
Once that's done, hopefully AC will no longer be scattered over hell's half acre. The C ramp construction will be going for a while, but at least if WS gets moved back where it belongs, it will free up some space at C, and hopefully this nonsense of AC domestic flights going from both A2x and D9x can end.
But as usual, the incompetence of the YYC airport authority will likely mean some other mess to deal with.
They have been testing the meep meeps over the last couple of days - the corridor is no longer roped off at the crossings, so that makes sense - and supposedly they could be up and running in the next couple of days.
Once that's done, hopefully AC will no longer be scattered over hell's half acre. The C ramp construction will be going for a while, but at least if WS gets moved back where it belongs, it will free up some space at C, and hopefully this nonsense of AC domestic flights going from both A2x and D9x can end.
But as usual, the incompetence of the YYC airport authority will likely mean some other mess to deal with.
.
Sep 11, 2021, 2:37 pm
#1247
Join Date: May 2012
Location: YYZ-YYC
Programs: AC50K, OZ*G
Posts: 280
Just got a seat change for AC224 today (YVR-YYC). Investigated it and an aircraft swap from a MAX to the Jetz A319. Was thinking of standing by early to get home… is it worth it checking it out?
EDIT: never mind decided to go home early to better G&Ts
EDIT: never mind decided to go home early to better G&Ts
Last edited by WannabeSE; Sep 11, 2021 at 3:07 pm
Sep 13, 2021, 3:20 pm
#1248
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, DL GM, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Silver
Posts: 16,779
In response to member feedback about the length and breadth of this thread, and in trying to make information that's not specific to AC accessible to those flying with other airlines, a new thread has been created in the Canada forum to discuss current experiences at YYC.
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cana...mpact-etc.html
For any future questions about or reports on experiences at YYC that are not specific to AC, please use that thread.
Adam Smith
AC Forum Co-Moderator
https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/cana...mpact-etc.html
For any future questions about or reports on experiences at YYC that are not specific to AC, please use that thread.
Adam Smith
AC Forum Co-Moderator
Sep 18, 2021, 10:44 am
#1249
Join Date: Sep 2017
Programs: AC E50K (MM) FB (Platinum)
Posts: 216
Report from Ms SWMBO Stanbury on AC8596 YWG-YUL this morning. Hope this helps somebody.
YWG was noticeably busier than in July (when she last flew) but noticeably less busy than pre-COVID (when I last flew!).
There was a priority check-in desk. Very helpful and friendly agent -- who knew how and was very willing to check bags onto an AF flight out of CDG on a separate ticket -- and to issue an AF BP.
There was a priority line at security.
Drop off to a seat at gate (including the somewhat complex baggage check in) about 25 minutes.
Lounge not open, but confirmation that it will open on Monday Sept 20.
Full flight. Friendly and helpful i/c. Omelette (ah la nostalgie...) etc. for b'fast.
Push-back delay of 40 minutes, but YUL connections are, thankfully, short and simple.
YWG was noticeably busier than in July (when she last flew) but noticeably less busy than pre-COVID (when I last flew!).
There was a priority check-in desk. Very helpful and friendly agent -- who knew how and was very willing to check bags onto an AF flight out of CDG on a separate ticket -- and to issue an AF BP.
There was a priority line at security.
Drop off to a seat at gate (including the somewhat complex baggage check in) about 25 minutes.
Lounge not open, but confirmation that it will open on Monday Sept 20.
Full flight. Friendly and helpful i/c. Omelette (ah la nostalgie...) etc. for b'fast.
Push-back delay of 40 minutes, but YUL connections are, thankfully, short and simple.
Sep 24, 2021, 12:32 pm
#1250
Join Date: Jan 2019
Location: VIE/PRG
Programs: FB Platinum, Marriott Platinum Elite
Posts: 1,592
Considering flying VIE-YYZ with AC (never been on before and want to try). It is 787 direct flight against 767 Austrian with one stop. I dont mind stop but 200% miles with AC comes handy meanwhile I've done OS before, I know they are good but 100% miles and AC wish-to-fly makes me wonder. My biggest concern = is champagne flowing on AC nowadays?
Sep 24, 2021, 12:38 pm
#1251
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,567
The more I travel, the more things are going back to normal. Negative COVID + ArriveCan is inputted at the US Station.
Now it is Nexus/Agent/Exit. Those 4 new Nexus machines are working. They seem out of place but they work.
ORD has no BoB yet but I always thought it was unusual on such a short flight.
Now it is Nexus/Agent/Exit. Those 4 new Nexus machines are working. They seem out of place but they work.
ORD has no BoB yet but I always thought it was unusual on such a short flight.
Sep 24, 2021, 1:20 pm
#1252
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 24, 2021, 5:23 pm
#1255
Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Vancouver
Programs: AC SE100K 1MM, FB Platinum, Bonvoy Platinum Elite, IHG Gold Elite, Hilton Gold
Posts: 1,605
Considering flying VIE-YYZ with AC (never been on before and want to try). It is 787 direct flight against 767 Austrian with one stop. I dont mind stop but 200% miles with AC comes handy meanwhile I've done OS before, I know they are good but 100% miles and AC wish-to-fly makes me wonder. My biggest concern = is champagne flowing on AC nowadays?
AC has the better hard product that OS. OS has an older version of what has been routinely referred to as "coffin" class based on the narrow footwell and the lack of room in the narrow seat. With the 767 the seats are all aisle access, which isn't the case on the 777 where there a few seats without direct aisle access, so that's a toss up. Plus you are flying on a 787 with AC versus a 767 - better humidity which I do think makes a difference. The AV is better on AC as the system is newer (although with no new movies as of late - not AC's fault).
Having flown intra-Europe recently on OS, the DO & CO catering is far superior to AC's. The champage on AC is flowing again and the beverage selection is ok, but the food continues to need some attention. I had a very lively discussion about it with the SD on the VIE-YYZ flight I took (really excellent SD and crew), and he provided some insight into why AC may be struggling with this, but the OS catering is superior.
The final wild card in this is that customs and immigration in Canada is presently a bit unpredictable. You have the possibility of misconnecting should you be delayed or stuck at immigration.
So if you have flown OS before, I would take the direct flight on AC. You get to experience a better seat and fly on a 787. And you don't have to worry about a misconnect. My two cents (for what it's worth).
Sep 24, 2021, 8:38 pm
#1256
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
Sep 24, 2021, 9:23 pm
#1257
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: YWG / NRT
Programs: AC*SE 100K
Posts: 159
Sep 24, 2021, 9:27 pm
#1258
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
Anyone know if priority security for AC status/J pax is back at YVR C-pier security?
Sep 24, 2021, 11:13 pm
#1259
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Jan 2002
Location: Canada
Programs: UA*1K MM SK EBG LATAM BL
Posts: 23,314
TATL delayed today... surprise! (not)
inbound coming late from YYZ due to "cleaning of aircraft"
Reading the menu, does PY really just get the same pre arrival snack as Y??
Counting down the days until we are able to transit the US again from Europe.
inbound coming late from YYZ due to "cleaning of aircraft"
Reading the menu, does PY really just get the same pre arrival snack as Y??
Counting down the days until we are able to transit the US again from Europe.
Sep 24, 2021, 11:23 pm
#1260
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
Int'l PY pre-arrival meal has always been the Y thing, so nothing new there. (Yes, it's lame).