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?
Oct 11, 2021, 9:01 pm
#1321
Join Date: May 2020
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE, AA PlatPro, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Plat & LT Gold, Hilton Gold, National EE
Posts: 878
May be an odd question, but how is everyone handling eating on planes these days? Family and I flying business in a few weeks and i am trying to find the best strategy to eat (don't wanna risk any exposure)...maybe wait till other pax are done eating and have their mask back on? Just wondering people's thoughts.
Oct 12, 2021, 8:19 am
#1322
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 302
May be an odd question, but how is everyone handling eating on planes these days? Family and I flying business in a few weeks and i am trying to find the best strategy to eat (don't wanna risk any exposure)...maybe wait till other pax are done eating and have their mask back on? Just wondering people's thoughts.
Oct 12, 2021, 8:28 am
#1323
Join Date: Jul 2021
Location: Doha, Qatar
Programs: Asiana Club
Posts: 12
Having just flown from YYC to YYZ, YYZ to DOH on the 787-9 back in July in Business, eating wasn’t too much of an issue. Just remove your mask and enjoy. It’s the in-between you’re mandated to keep your mask on. If you’re vaccinated you should be fine.
Oct 12, 2021, 10:06 am
#1324
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
Oct 12, 2021, 10:47 am
#1326
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
Oct 12, 2021, 10:56 am
#1327
Join Date: Jun 2004
Location: I'm From Here
Programs: AC*SE & MM/*Wood Gold/HHonors Diamond/Marriott Silver/AirMiles Gold
Posts: 4,565
Listen. It happens. I wasn't entitled to that seat and they did what they did to get the plane going on time.
Would it have been nice...of course. Should it be SOP...probably.
Will I live to tell the tale...absolutely
Oct 12, 2021, 11:10 am
#1328
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: 44,302
If W&B opups are likely, take a seat as far back as possible.
Sometimes W&B opups are done before boarding though, in which case, I've seen them done by status.
Sometimes W&B opups are done before boarding though, in which case, I've seen them done by status.
Oct 12, 2021, 11:50 am
#1329
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 wish the this stuff could be automated a bit more... or maybe when the status-based-op-ups happen, the algorithm already does the remaining musical chairs in Y to meet W&B req?
Oct 12, 2021, 12:06 pm
#1330
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: 44,302
I guess you know it's gate-driven W&B status-based op-ups when you board the flight and it's not full? But how do you know it's truly by status pecking order?
I wish the this stuff could be automated a bit more... or maybe when the status-based-op-ups happen, the algorithm already does the remaining musical chairs in Y to meet W&B req?
I wish the this stuff could be automated a bit more... or maybe when the status-based-op-ups happen, the algorithm already does the remaining musical chairs in Y to meet W&B req?
As with all op-ups, non-revs have priority over status. But then it's done by status (or rather, cabin then status, but I assume we're talking mostly about Jazz flights). If moving the STR up from 12 to 4 isn't sufficient, it will move other people around, like someone from 27C to 12C.
But I don't have the full algorithm in front of me, so I don't know whether it would prefer moving 4 people from row 12 to J, or moving 1 from 12 to J and 1 from 27 to 12.
Oct 12, 2021, 12:11 pm
#1331
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
PDM handles it.
As with all op-ups, non-revs have priority over status. But then it's done by status (or rather, cabin then status, but I assume we're talking mostly about Jazz flights). If moving the STR up from 12 to 4 isn't sufficient, it will move other people around, like someone from 27C to 12C.
But I don't have the full algorithm in front of me, so I don't know whether it would prefer moving 4 people from row 12 to J, or moving 1 from 12 to J and 1 from 27 to 12.
As with all op-ups, non-revs have priority over status. But then it's done by status (or rather, cabin then status, but I assume we're talking mostly about Jazz flights). If moving the STR up from 12 to 4 isn't sufficient, it will move other people around, like someone from 27C to 12C.
But I don't have the full algorithm in front of me, so I don't know whether it would prefer moving 4 people from row 12 to J, or moving 1 from 12 to J and 1 from 27 to 12.
Oct 12, 2021, 12:15 pm
#1332
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: 44,302
If two people in J no-show, there's going to be some last-minute balance required.
Oct 12, 2021, 12:20 pm
#1333
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 can see that when it gets to an on-board last minute W&B shuffling, doing it by pecking order of "privilege" (non-rev/status/etc) could end up being a real PITA.
Oct 12, 2021, 1:37 pm
#1334
Join Date: Feb 2006
Location: YUL
Programs: Super Elite 100K
Posts: 830
EDIT: Wow, just looked up the FIN and it says 3.5 years old. Has not aged well.
Oct 12, 2021, 1:49 pm
#1335
FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2000
Posts: 12,068
I guess you know it's gate-driven W&B status-based op-ups when you board the flight and it's not full? But how do you know it's truly by status pecking order?
I wish the this stuff could be automated a bit more... or maybe when the status-based-op-ups happen, the algorithm already does the remaining musical chairs in Y to meet W&B req?
I wish the this stuff could be automated a bit more... or maybe when the status-based-op-ups happen, the algorithm already does the remaining musical chairs in Y to meet W&B req?
Flight was near capacity but required to leave gate