Oct 26, 2015, 2:06 am
Last edit by: Adam Smith
General WiFi Tidbits
Detailed WiFi roll-out info compiled by FTers:
Planes with WiFi (confirmed by FTers):
Remaining planes planned for WiFi that are still without WiFI or unknown:
Planes with no plans to install WiFi:
Air Canada Status WiFi Benefit
- WiFi is managed by "WiFi Onboard", formerly known as "Gogo"
- If you have a pass from WiFi OnBoard for their entire fleet that will generally work
- You can redeem Aeroplan points for various packages ranging from one hour to the entire flight and at different speeds
- Only one device at a time can use the plan. Once you log in with another device with your WiFi Onboard or Aeroplan account the other device will drop
- Rouge J customers are now getting a one-time WiFi Onboard code for free WiFi on the flight instead of getting an iPad
Detailed WiFi roll-out info compiled by FTers:
Planes with WiFi (confirmed by FTers):
- GoGo 2Ku satellite-based system (fast, large coverage area, including over water - coverage map):
- 223
- 319 (rouge)
- 320 (rouge)
- 321 (rouge)
- 333 (except 946 and 948)
- 788
- 789 (except 860)
- 77L
- 77W
- Gogo ATG system (old, slow, only works over land in North America, and not very far north - coverage map)
- CR9: 701-721, 780-784 (note: a recent report from a Jazz pilot suggests the system may be disabled on 780-784)
- E75
- 319 (mainline)
- 320 (mainline)
- 321 (mainline)
Remaining planes planned for WiFi that are still without WiFI or unknown:
- CR9: 722-730 (note: a recent report from a Jazz pilot suggests the system may be disabled on 780-784)
- 7M8: all (AC had an embarrassing escapade with a Thales system that was completely inadequate. As of March 2023, they appear to have given up on this system. What they plan to replace it with is uncertain)
- 789: 860
- 333: 946, 948
Planes with no plans to install WiFi:
- DH4s
- CRJs
Air Canada Status WiFi Benefit
- The benefit lasts for 12 months from the date of activation, which is the first date you sign into Gogo on an AC flight using your Aeroplan account. Date of benefit selection is irrelevant. It must be activated by the end of the calendar year.
- Benefit currently works on all aircraft with WiFi, except possibly rouge. Some rouge aircraft have reported having access to the Aeroplan sign in which was required for the Aeroplan benefit to work. It's unknown whether the benefit will be extended to those fleets in the future.
- The benefit says you can have up to 5 users but that is five unique devices in a one month period and not simultaneous usage. You will need to log off one device to use another device on the same flight. GoGo will apparently block if it sees too many devices in a one month period to avoid credential sharing.
- There are huge problems with the Aeroplan login for this benefit. There is a high likelihood that you will need to attempt to log in numerous times for it to work, and it may not work at all. Chatting with WiFi Onboard support should get you a one-time code for free WiFi for the flight.
On-Board WIFI (2013-2022)
Dec 14, 2022 | 4:41 pm
#1741
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,943
The process is described in the wiki. If there's something unclear, please let us know what your specific questions are.
Dec 14, 2022 | 5:20 pm
#1743
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,943
Dec 15, 2022 | 6:25 am
#1744
Join Date: Mar 2005
Programs: Air Canada Elite, Continental Gold, IC Royal Ambassador, SPG Gold
Posts: 711
I was on the 737Max 3 times this week. On my longest flight (5 hrs) I was excited to be on one of the FINs that has wifi (and the flight status in the app indicated it would). The lead attendant refused to even try to turn it on, saying that the plane absolutely did not have Wifi. Ironically my connecting flight was on the same plane and the new crew had the wifi on when I rebounded an hour later.
Dec 15, 2022 | 8:21 am
#1745
Join Date: Jun 2005
Programs: AC
Posts: 3
Thanks
Dec 22, 2022 | 8:33 am
#1747
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 446
This past month flying on AC, I've been having a very rough time using their WIFI onboard (SE100k benefit).
The devices I'm using are: (All running latest OS updates)
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro (50/50 chance of it working)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (lots of problems, more often than not unable to use WIFI)
- Apple MBP 14" (no issues at all connecting/using)
Basically, it seems to connect to ACWIFI with no issues, but takes 5-10m to get to the Aeroplan login screen. Sometimes, it won't even get to the Aeroplan login screen. Other times it'll go to a GOGO Wifi login, in which I don't have a login and AC SE100k benefit isn't there so I'm stuck.
Also noticing that if my iPhone does connect successfully, it'll disconnect itself if I'm not actively doing something after 5-10m forcing me to reconnect.
I've tried a lot of different things, killed the Private Wi-Fi Address and Limit IP Address Tracking stuff, forcing DNS and HTTP Proxy updates, etc. Nothing seems to make a difference aside from dumb luck it feels like to me.
This seems to have been happening most of November and December for me on A321 and 787 going between YYC and YYZ. I don't know if something has changed but its pretty annoying.
Any tips or tricks anyone has come across to help the situation?
The devices I'm using are: (All running latest OS updates)
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro (50/50 chance of it working)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (lots of problems, more often than not unable to use WIFI)
- Apple MBP 14" (no issues at all connecting/using)
Basically, it seems to connect to ACWIFI with no issues, but takes 5-10m to get to the Aeroplan login screen. Sometimes, it won't even get to the Aeroplan login screen. Other times it'll go to a GOGO Wifi login, in which I don't have a login and AC SE100k benefit isn't there so I'm stuck.
Also noticing that if my iPhone does connect successfully, it'll disconnect itself if I'm not actively doing something after 5-10m forcing me to reconnect.
I've tried a lot of different things, killed the Private Wi-Fi Address and Limit IP Address Tracking stuff, forcing DNS and HTTP Proxy updates, etc. Nothing seems to make a difference aside from dumb luck it feels like to me.
This seems to have been happening most of November and December for me on A321 and 787 going between YYC and YYZ. I don't know if something has changed but its pretty annoying.
Any tips or tricks anyone has come across to help the situation?
Dec 26, 2022 | 12:41 pm
#1748
Join Date: Dec 2022
Posts: 7
This past month flying on AC, I've been having a very rough time using their WIFI onboard (SE100k benefit).
The devices I'm using are: (All running latest OS updates)
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro (50/50 chance of it working)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (lots of problems, more often than not unable to use WIFI)
- Apple MBP 14" (no issues at all connecting/using)
Basically, it seems to connect to ACWIFI with no issues, but takes 5-10m to get to the Aeroplan login screen. Sometimes, it won't even get to the Aeroplan login screen. Other times it'll go to a GOGO Wifi login, in which I don't have a login and AC SE100k benefit isn't there so I'm stuck.
Also noticing that if my iPhone does connect successfully, it'll disconnect itself if I'm not actively doing something after 5-10m forcing me to reconnect.
I've tried a lot of different things, killed the Private Wi-Fi Address and Limit IP Address Tracking stuff, forcing DNS and HTTP Proxy updates, etc. Nothing seems to make a difference aside from dumb luck it feels like to me.
This seems to have been happening most of November and December for me on A321 and 787 going between YYC and YYZ. I don't know if something has changed but its pretty annoying.
Any tips or tricks anyone has come across to help the situation?
The devices I'm using are: (All running latest OS updates)
- Apple iPhone 13 Pro (50/50 chance of it working)
- Apple iPad Pro 11" (lots of problems, more often than not unable to use WIFI)
- Apple MBP 14" (no issues at all connecting/using)
Basically, it seems to connect to ACWIFI with no issues, but takes 5-10m to get to the Aeroplan login screen. Sometimes, it won't even get to the Aeroplan login screen. Other times it'll go to a GOGO Wifi login, in which I don't have a login and AC SE100k benefit isn't there so I'm stuck.
Also noticing that if my iPhone does connect successfully, it'll disconnect itself if I'm not actively doing something after 5-10m forcing me to reconnect.
I've tried a lot of different things, killed the Private Wi-Fi Address and Limit IP Address Tracking stuff, forcing DNS and HTTP Proxy updates, etc. Nothing seems to make a difference aside from dumb luck it feels like to me.
This seems to have been happening most of November and December for me on A321 and 787 going between YYC and YYZ. I don't know if something has changed but its pretty annoying.
Any tips or tricks anyone has come across to help the situation?
Dec 26, 2022 | 12:50 pm
#1749
Moderator, Air Canada; FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2015
Location: YYC
Programs: AC SE MM, FB Plat, WS Plat, BA Silver, Marriott Plat, Hilton Gold, Accor Gold
Posts: 18,943
That's different. It's quite clear that you're only allowed to have one device connected at a time.
Dec 26, 2022 | 1:14 pm
#1750
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 446
Yes, I'm aware of the limit of devices -- but I'm not even at that point of worrying about that kind of thing. I just can't connect for the most part -- getting to the Aeroplan/Air Canada login unfortunately!
Dec 26, 2022 | 1:31 pm
#1751
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Programs: Aeroplan 75K, Bonvoy Titanium
Posts: 1,458
The basic WiFi itself works, because I was able to get to aircanada.com on both devices the entire time. But, the service is useless without being able to log in. Very frustrating!
Dec 26, 2022 | 1:55 pm
#1752
A FlyerTalk Posting Legend
Join Date: Sep 2012
Location: SFO
Programs: AC SE MM, SK Gold, Bonvoy Plat LTG, Hyatt Glob, HH Diamond
Posts: 47,291
I had this problem, yesterday. Flew YYC-SFO. The login screen wouldnt load on my MacBook Pro the entire flight. It only loaded on my iPhone about half way there.
The basic WiFi itself works, because I was able to get to aircanada.com on both devices the entire time. But, the service is useless without being able to log in. Very frustrating!
The basic WiFi itself works, because I was able to get to aircanada.com on both devices the entire time. But, the service is useless without being able to log in. Very frustrating!
I think I've only had one or two flights (ever) where I couldn't get to the login page, period, but like in your case, AC.com loaded fine. Though even in those cases I think it started working partway through.
I have no idea what caused the issue or what fixed it.
Dec 26, 2022 | 3:13 pm
#1753
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Calgary, AB
Programs: AC SE100k, Marriott Titanium, Accor Platinum, Hilton Diamond
Posts: 446
Yes -- exactly my problem.
The other issue is that when you do get through to the aircanada.com or whatever it is showing the in-flight stuff; it'll allow you to get to the WIFI packages but then its only the gogoair.com login -- no option to use aircanada.com/aeroplan to login.
The other issue is that when you do get through to the aircanada.com or whatever it is showing the in-flight stuff; it'll allow you to get to the WIFI packages but then its only the gogoair.com login -- no option to use aircanada.com/aeroplan to login.
Dec 27, 2022 | 1:02 pm
#1754
Join Date: May 2020
Location: ORD
Programs: AC SE, BA Gold, Hyatt Globalist, Bonvoy Plat & LTG, Hilton Gold, National EE
Posts: 898
Yes -- exactly my problem.
The other issue is that when you do get through to the aircanada.com or whatever it is showing the in-flight stuff; it'll allow you to get to the WIFI packages but then its only the gogoair.com login -- no option to use aircanada.com/aeroplan to login.
The other issue is that when you do get through to the aircanada.com or whatever it is showing the in-flight stuff; it'll allow you to get to the WIFI packages but then its only the gogoair.com login -- no option to use aircanada.com/aeroplan to login.
Dec 27, 2022 | 1:41 pm
#1755
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Ottawa, Ontario
Programs: Marriott Bonvoy - Ambassador, Air Canada Aeroplan - Super Elite
Posts: 86
Activate wifi before dec 31
I just chose the 12 months of wifi as one of my choice benefits ( I just met SE a couple of days ago ) however , I didnt realize this had to be activated while on a flight , AND before dec 31 !
is there anyone flying that can activate for me if we can share info via DM ?
is there anyone flying that can activate for me if we can share info via DM ?