Aug 26, 2022, 5:21 pm
Last edit by: Adam Smith
AC link:
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
UPDATED HERE January 2, 2022
Boarding Process
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...g-by-zone.html
Pre-boarding: Customers who have requested wheelchair assistance
Zone 1: J and SE customers
Zone 2: 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, Star Alliance Gold, Premium Economy, Latitude and Primary or Secondary Cardholder on Aeroplan black credit cards
Zone 2.5:
- Passengers travelling with children under the age of 6 or who require additional time to board the aircraft
- Passengers travelling with a musical instrument as part of their carry-on baggage
Zone 3: Comfort fares, passengers who purchased preferred seats in advance
Zones 3, 4 and 5: General boarding (back to front). AC Express flights will not have Zone 5.
Zone 6: Economy Basic
Companions travelling on the same PNR as an Aeroplan Elite/*Gold member will receive the same priority boarding zone.
Original thread covering 2014-2019 can be found here
Zoned Boarding (2020 onwards)
Jun 15, 2020, 3:47 pm
#76
Suspended
Join Date: Sep 2014
Programs: AC SE100K-1MM, NH, DL, AA, BA, Global Entry/Nexus, APEC..
Posts: 18,877
I must have missed the news about AC's 8 Boarding Zones. 
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
Also, I'm not sure if someone posted somewhere in the https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...c-impacts.html thread
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
Also, I'm not sure if someone posted somewhere in the https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...c-impacts.html thread
Jun 15, 2020, 4:09 pm
#77
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: 16,741
Jun 15, 2020, 4:11 pm
#78
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: 6,213
I must have missed the news about AC's 8 Boarding Zones.
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
Jun 15, 2020, 6:21 pm
#80
Join Date: May 2019
Posts: 302
Jun 15, 2020, 7:06 pm
#81
Join Date: Oct 2015
Location: Canada
Programs: Aeroplan E50/MM, HH gold, Nat Exec Elite, Kimpton Karma
Posts: 2,350
I must have missed the news about AC's 8 Boarding Zones.
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
Also, I'm not sure if someone posted somewhere in the https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...c-impacts.html thread
This AC page doesn't have a date on it.
https://www.aircanada.com/ca/en/aco/...uidelines.html
Also, I'm not sure if someone posted somewhere in the https://www.flyertalk.com/forum/air-...c-impacts.html thread
Jun 16, 2020, 8:28 am
#82
Join Date: Jan 2008
Location: YYZ
Programs: All Accor Plat, 1865 Voyager, AE E35K, HH Gold,Hyatt, Hrtz Gold, Marriott Gold, NEXUS
Posts: 1,669
It says zone 3 to 8 window to aisle. Does that mean they do all the window seats first then the aisle seats? If so are there in fact 14 bording zones? Zone 1 and 2 followed by 3 to 8 window then 3 to 8 aisle. Could make for a tedious process if there was a full load (unlikely right now).
Jun 16, 2020, 8:50 am
#83
Join Date: Feb 2004
Location: USA
Programs: AC SE100K, F9 100k, NK Gold, UA *S, Hyatt Glob, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 5,187
It says zone 3 to 8 window to aisle. Does that mean they do all the window seats first then the aisle seats? If so are there in fact 14 bording zones? Zone 1 and 2 followed by 3 to 8 window then 3 to 8 aisle. Could make for a tedious process if there was a full load (unlikely right now).
zone 3 are all the "A' side windows on the back half of Y.
zone 4 are all the 'K' side windows
zone 5 are all the 'C' aisles
zone 6-8 repeats this for the front half of Y
So a family of 3 together in the same row will be split into 3 bording zones.
A non-status group of 6 in Row 24/25 would get zone 3,4,5,6,7,8.
The look on an agent's face would be priceless when the print out as a nearly complete set....
Jun 16, 2020, 8:55 am
#84
Join Date: Aug 2014
Location: YQB
Programs: AC SE
Posts: 2,139
on the A220 example AC illustrates this:
zone 3 are all the "A' side windows on the back half of Y.
zone 4 are all the 'K' side windows
zone 5 are all the 'C' aisles
zone 6-8 repeats this for the front half of Y
So a family of 3 together in the same row will be split into 3 bording zones.
A non-status group of 6 in Row 24/25 would get zone 3,4,5,6,7,8.
The look on an agent's face would be priceless when the print out as a nearly complete set....
zone 3 are all the "A' side windows on the back half of Y.
zone 4 are all the 'K' side windows
zone 5 are all the 'C' aisles
zone 6-8 repeats this for the front half of Y
So a family of 3 together in the same row will be split into 3 bording zones.
A non-status group of 6 in Row 24/25 would get zone 3,4,5,6,7,8.
The look on an agent's face would be priceless when the print out as a nearly complete set....
Jun 16, 2020, 11:33 am
#85
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
Jun 16, 2020, 3:33 pm
#86
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: YYZ / LHR
Programs: AC SE100k
Posts: 262
I've read that US airlines are now more forcefully enforcing back-to-front boarding, to minimize the amount of time you're sitting in your seat during boarding with other passengers walking by you. Interesting paradigm shift -- for health reasons, it actually now makes sense to board as late as possible! Obviously impractical if you've got any significant carry-on luggage, so perhaps more people will check their bags and Js/SEs/Es will self-demote themselves to Zone 8? Will certainly make for a much more civilized and less stressful boarding experience. Maybe some good will come from all of this!
Jun 16, 2020, 3:34 pm
#87
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've read that US airlines are now more forcefully enforcing back-to-front boarding, to minimize the amount of time you're sitting in your seat during boarding with other passengers walking by you. Interesting paradigm shift -- for health reasons, it actually now makes sense to board as late as possible! Obviously impractical if you've got any significant carry-on luggage, so perhaps more people will check their bags and Js/SEs/Es will self-demote themselves to Zone 8? Will certainly make for a much more civilized and less stressful boarding experience. Maybe some good will come from all of this!
Jun 16, 2020, 3:36 pm
#88
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location: YYZ / LHR
Programs: AC SE100k
Posts: 262
Jun 16, 2020, 4:37 pm
#89
Join Date: May 2015
Location: Vancouver
Programs: Aeroplan, Mileage Plus, WestJet Gold, AMEX Plat
Posts: 2,026
I remember many years ago, TAP Air Portugal approach was business cabin is called last to provide more time to enjoy the lounge and airport amenities. Not certain if AC ever had that phase is in its history.
The proper approach would be please enjoy the lounge, when we are ready to board we will come get you. Wait. That would require lounges to be open and concierge types to bring passengers to the gate. We could not have that could we.
The proper approach would be please enjoy the lounge, when we are ready to board we will come get you. Wait. That would require lounges to be open and concierge types to bring passengers to the gate. We could not have that could we.