Adam Smith

I flew YYC-YUL-YYT a few weeks ago. Around the time we arrived in YUL, I received an e-mail with the subject "Welcome to your connection in Montreal (YUL)".

It had details on my next flight, including gate, scheduled start of boarding, and scheduled gate closing time. A text message arrived about the same time with just the gate number and scheduled departure time.

I believe that's the first time I've received such an e-mail or text from AC, and didn't find any record of these here on FT.

Anyone else gotten them? I didn't receive one the next day when connecting through YYZ, so I'm not sure whether they're testing this out or what.

vancouver25k

Searching my inbox, I can find two such emails, the oldest one from 18 AUG. They do represent 100% of my connections since 18 AUG. Both connections were through YYZ.

PaulYK

I've received both a text and email on my last two flights, which were today and September 13th, both connected in YVR. I think it's useful for a short connection. Today's text which I received on arrival at YVR telling me to make my way to my Gate was a little "inaccurate" given I have about an 8 hour layover before my next flight. The email is better in that it just gives the Gate number and tells you it closes 20 minutes before departure.

asovse1

Have only gotten it once in my last five connections throughout August/Sept

HNL-YVR-YEG

"Welcome to Vancouver! Your connecting flight AC242 is departing at 16:05 PDT. Please make your way to Gate C43. You will need to clear customs and clear security."

Except I didn't need to clear security because the ITD facility was open that morning :P

But also, there was a gate change to C41 (understandable, they sent the text an entire workday before I was due to depart) which happened when I was in the MLL so I didn't know about it until they sent the "boarding" SMS message. So that'd be a nice thing to fix

King Chung Huang

I got them on Saturday connecting in YYZ to IAH, and again today in YYZ to YYC.

I wonder what the messages say in the case of a misconnect or irrops?

c224488

I've gotten them recently for my connections in YUL and YYC. Seems to be consistent

Bohemian1

I got a few over the last two weeks as well. Not 100% of the time though.

kalderlake

Got one on Friday transiting YVR.

IronJuice

First one received on June 23, it's helpful indeed for short connections.

Vancouver to Toronto – AC 126
Jun 23, 10:25 PM–Jun 24, 5:48 AM

emcampbe

UA does this for sure. Did not get this either way transiting YVR in summer.

politico_pk

I got one this morning connecting through YYZ and was surprised to see it. I agree with the earlier post about the inaccurate suggestion of heading to my gate given a two hour layover, but I actually don’t mind this initiative at all. A US carrier (I think it was United but I’m sure others here would know better than me) had something similar but more comprehensive when I connected through IAH this past spring: I got a notification welcoming me to my connection and inviting me to click for further details. When I did, the airline app opened and I was guided step by step from one gate to the next - Ie follow this hallway, turn right, etc. For frequent fliers or those super comfortable in airports, perhaps overkill. But for many travelers, probably some welcome support!

[edit: after posting I noticed the post right above mine confirming it was United!]

YUL_Around_The_World

Connecting from USA -> YUL -> LHR

trek604

I received this email on my last international connection... Problem was it was 24 hours late

CA_Traffic

Received at all my connections on a recent YYZ-YEG-YVR/YYJ-YVR-YYZ.

Only problem was, as noted above, the YEG stop was a 20 hour stop, so being told to "please make your way to your gate" was a bit much...

Adam Smith

I got one of these the other day doing FRA-YUL-YYC. It wasn't particularly helpful, as it made no mention of OSS. Now, I had a 7-hour layover (to have lunch at Schwartz's and visit a friend), so OSS wasn't all that important to me (although I did use it as it was empty vs a small queue down in the main hall), but for the FOTSGs I assume these e-mails are mostly oriented at, I think that would have been very useful.

Shockingly with that long of a layover, the gate mentioned in the e-mail ended up being correct, although I believed it changed a couple of times in the interim.