Oct 11, 2023, 11:55 am
Last edit by: Adam Smith
Wi-Fi ON AIR CANADA, AC EXPRESS, AND AC ROUGE (on equipped aircraft)
Within North America (including Mexico and Caribbean), complimentary Wi-Fi is available from gate-to-gate to Business Class passengers, and Aeroplan members.
Wi-Fi on international flights is available gate-to-gate for a fee using a credit card or Aeroplan members can use points. Free texting is available to Aeroplan members. Complimentary Wi-Fi is planned for 2026.
Once connected to ACwifi, navigate to ACWifi.com, and log in with seat number and last name.
Service is available on a single device at a time, but easily transferred from one device to another.
More information on AC's website.
________________________________________
AIRCRAFT INSTALLATION STATUS
Information below is kept as current as possible. Please see the technology section for more information on technologies/speed, verifying Wi-Fi availability for your specific flight, or to review the current fleet status.
________________________________________
Air Canada narrowbodies:
Airbus A220-300 (223): All equipped with 2Ku
Airbus A319 (319): All equipped with ATG4
Airbus A320 (320):
Airbus A321 (321):
Boeing 737-8 (7M8): All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada widebodies
Airbus A330-300 (333): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 787-8 (788): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 789-9:
Boeing 777-200LR (77L): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 777-300ER (77W): All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada Express
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9):
Embraer 175 (E75): All equipped with ATG4
Bombardier Q400 (DH4): Wi-Fi installation scheduled to begin in 2025
________________________________________
Air Canada Jetz: All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada Rouge: All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
WIFI TECHNOLOGIES
________________________________________
REAL-TIME TRACKING OF INSTALLATION STATUS
Every time you load a flight on the Cowtool Flight Status page (see this thread for more info), it displays the Wi-Fi status of that FIN. Cowtool now stores this information in the giant CSV of Wi-Fi data on a Github page. GitHub provides a simple and free way to track revision history, and it allows users to filter the table using the search box. Results from the Status Checker are scanned hourly, and the CSV will reflect any updates with a timestamp when:
Within North America (including Mexico and Caribbean), complimentary Wi-Fi is available from gate-to-gate to Business Class passengers, and Aeroplan members.
Wi-Fi on international flights is available gate-to-gate for a fee using a credit card or Aeroplan members can use points. Free texting is available to Aeroplan members. Complimentary Wi-Fi is planned for 2026.
Once connected to ACwifi, navigate to ACWifi.com, and log in with seat number and last name.
Service is available on a single device at a time, but easily transferred from one device to another.
More information on AC's website.
________________________________________
AIRCRAFT INSTALLATION STATUS
Information below is kept as current as possible. Please see the technology section for more information on technologies/speed, verifying Wi-Fi availability for your specific flight, or to review the current fleet status.
________________________________________
Air Canada narrowbodies:
Airbus A220-300 (223): All equipped with 2Ku
Airbus A319 (319): All equipped with ATG4
Airbus A320 (320):
- 18/24 equipped with 2Ku
- ATG4: Fins 235, 401, 402, 405, 415
- On these aircraft, you should expect only free texting, not free WiFi, even if you have selected the Aeroplan Elite WiFi plan as a benefit, and even though the splash screen will tell you you'll get free WiFi
Airbus A321 (321):
- 28/34 equipped with 2Ku
- ATG4: 458, 459 and 461-464
Boeing 737-8 (7M8): All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada widebodies
Airbus A330-300 (333): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 787-8 (788): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 789-9:
- 29/32 equipped with 2Ku
- Wi-Fi not yet installed: FIN 860-862 (newest aircraft)
Boeing 777-200LR (77L): All equipped with 2Ku
Boeing 777-300ER (77W): All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada Express
Bombardier CRJ-900 (CR9):
- 33/35 equipped with Wi-Fi
- No Wi-Fi: 725, 727
- ATG: Fins 705, 710, 712, 713, 780-784
- Balance of fleet equipped with ESA
Embraer 175 (E75): All equipped with ATG4
Bombardier Q400 (DH4): Wi-Fi installation scheduled to begin in 2025
________________________________________
Air Canada Jetz: All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
Air Canada Rouge: All equipped with 2Ku
________________________________________
WIFI TECHNOLOGIES
- ESA satellite system (<275 Mbps, Electronically Steered Antenna, nearly global coverage - similar to 2Ku below)
- 2Ku satellite system (<100 Mbps, nearly global coverage - coverage map)
- ATG/ATG-4 ground-based system (<15 Mbps per user, restrictive community bandwidth, service over major centres in N.A. only)
________________________________________
REAL-TIME TRACKING OF INSTALLATION STATUS
Every time you load a flight on the Cowtool Flight Status page (see this thread for more info), it displays the Wi-Fi status of that FIN. Cowtool now stores this information in the giant CSV of Wi-Fi data on a Github page. GitHub provides a simple and free way to track revision history, and it allows users to filter the table using the search box. Results from the Status Checker are scanned hourly, and the CSV will reflect any updates with a timestamp when:
- A new FIN is logged (some FINs won't be on the CSV until they are part of a status check)
- The FIN's Wi-Fi status or technology has changed
On-Board WiFi (2023 onwards)
Jan 1, 2025 | 5:02 pm
#496
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
My 2023 SE WiFi benefit expired a few weeks ago. I didn't select it for my 2024 benefits because of the stupid requirement to activate it in-flight by year-end and having no AC flights remaining for the year.
Since I can't choose my 2025 benefits yet, I can't get a new pass.
Maybe I should buy WiFi on today's flight and send AC the bill...
I actually had one of the WiFi-less 787s on the same route a couple of months ago. I was initially quite annoyed to be without WiFi on such a long flight, but I slept for most of it, and it wasn't a big deal in the end. How did you feel about it in the end?
Since I can't choose my 2025 benefits yet, I can't get a new pass.
Maybe I should buy WiFi on today's flight and send AC the bill...
I actually had one of the WiFi-less 787s on the same route a couple of months ago. I was initially quite annoyed to be without WiFi on such a long flight, but I slept for most of it, and it wasn't a big deal in the end. How did you feel about it in the end?
I've had other long flights where I'd already seen all the interesting content on IFE, and instead watched Netflix for 6 hours. I'd be even more pissed if I couldn't do that.
Jan 1, 2025 | 6:18 pm
#497
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
I think there were a couple of reports earlier about Signal working on free WiFi, but definitely wasn't working for me on a 7M8 today. Couldn't send or receive messages.
I'm not saying I liked it, and I'm on the record numerous times in this thread and its predecessor criticizing AC for its amateurish WiFi roll-out and willingness to put planes in service for extended periods of time without WiFi.
What I'm saying is that because the flight left so late at night, this didn't end up impacting me nearly as much as I had thought it might. On a daytime flight like FRA-YYC (if it were ever to come back), I'd be extremely unhappy with no WiFi. In this case, I was only somewhat unhappy.
I've had 8+ hour flights where I "only" used wifi for a few minutes to send/receive messages, but I'd still be pissed if I couldn't do that in 2025.
I've had other long flights where I'd already seen all the interesting content on IFE, and instead watched Netflix for 6 hours. I'd be even more pissed if I couldn't do that.
I've had other long flights where I'd already seen all the interesting content on IFE, and instead watched Netflix for 6 hours. I'd be even more pissed if I couldn't do that.
What I'm saying is that because the flight left so late at night, this didn't end up impacting me nearly as much as I had thought it might. On a daytime flight like FRA-YYC (if it were ever to come back), I'd be extremely unhappy with no WiFi. In this case, I was only somewhat unhappy.
Jan 2, 2025 | 7:25 pm
#498
Join Date: Apr 2023
Location: YVR
Posts: 217
My 2023 SE WiFi benefit expired a few weeks ago. I didn't select it for my 2024 benefits because of the stupid requirement to activate it in-flight by year-end and having no AC flights remaining for the year.
Since I can't choose my 2025 benefits yet, I can't get a new pass.
Maybe I should buy WiFi on today's flight and send AC the bill...
I actually had one of the WiFi-less 787s on the same route a couple of months ago. I was initially quite annoyed to be without WiFi on such a long flight, but I slept for most of it, and it wasn't a big deal in the end. How did you feel about it in the end?
Since I can't choose my 2025 benefits yet, I can't get a new pass.
Maybe I should buy WiFi on today's flight and send AC the bill...
I actually had one of the WiFi-less 787s on the same route a couple of months ago. I was initially quite annoyed to be without WiFi on such a long flight, but I slept for most of it, and it wasn't a big deal in the end. How did you feel about it in the end?
I think there were a couple of reports earlier about Signal working on free WiFi, but definitely wasn't working for me on a 7M8 today. Couldn't send or receive messages.
I'm not saying I liked it, and I'm on the record numerous times in this thread and its predecessor criticizing AC for its amateurish WiFi roll-out and willingness to put planes in service for extended periods of time without WiFi.
What I'm saying is that because the flight left so late at night, this didn't end up impacting me nearly as much as I had thought it might. On a daytime flight like FRA-YYC (if it were ever to come back), I'd be extremely unhappy with no WiFi. In this case, I was only somewhat unhappy.
I'm not saying I liked it, and I'm on the record numerous times in this thread and its predecessor criticizing AC for its amateurish WiFi roll-out and willingness to put planes in service for extended periods of time without WiFi.
What I'm saying is that because the flight left so late at night, this didn't end up impacting me nearly as much as I had thought it might. On a daytime flight like FRA-YYC (if it were ever to come back), I'd be extremely unhappy with no WiFi. In this case, I was only somewhat unhappy.
Jan 6, 2025 | 8:32 am
#500
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: LAX
Programs: AC SE, UA S, AA Plat, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 333
Another year, another set of IT issues.
Just boarded AC551 to find my wifi pass has expired odd, I selected my benefit in early December and activated it by connecting both on Dec 26 and 30th.
Im connecting to AC003 later today so this is highly frustrating.
I hope they havent changed the wifi plan to be tied to the benefit year and not 12 months from activation, or that it wont activate until the old one is expired - in which case that 3 month extension screwed a lot of people over.
Just boarded AC551 to find my wifi pass has expired odd, I selected my benefit in early December and activated it by connecting both on Dec 26 and 30th.
Im connecting to AC003 later today so this is highly frustrating.
I hope they havent changed the wifi plan to be tied to the benefit year and not 12 months from activation, or that it wont activate until the old one is expired - in which case that 3 month extension screwed a lot of people over.
Jan 7, 2025 | 12:45 am
#501
Join Date: Feb 2012
Programs: AC SE, MB Titanium
Posts: 621
My 75K/SE Wifi Benefit, which was activated Dec 30, was not working out of the box on my flight today. Logged in with name and seat number and was only given free texting. Didn't have the energy to chat and try to figure anything out.
Jan 7, 2025 | 5:27 am
#503
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 479
Interesting to see that this years SE options describe the wifi as lasting until the full international fleet has free wifi in mid 2026. I guess this means there is no benefit to delaying selection to extend the term of the wifi.
Jan 7, 2025 | 5:03 pm
#504
Join Date: Sep 2018
Location: LAX
Programs: AC SE, UA S, AA Plat, Bonvoy Titanium, Hyatt Explorist
Posts: 333
I was able to get this fixed with concierge help. Sharing the findings as this may be helpful if submitting through the form:
We sent Aeroplan a request yesterday with the information you provided us, to investigate why your plan was inactivated.
We did get a positive response and you'll be able to enjoy your WIFI Plan till January 7th, 2026.
The problem was caused by your 2023 plan which had a 3 months extension and expired on January 5, 2025 and prevented you from activating your 2024 Plan.
Your December trips were still on you 2023 plan!
So it seems with the new system you cant activate the new plan until the old one expires which is great for most people who maybe have an early or mid year expiring and lets them select their benefits early on without causing it to override the existing plan but in my case (and I suspect for a few others) creates a weird edge case that needs manual intervention.
We sent Aeroplan a request yesterday with the information you provided us, to investigate why your plan was inactivated.
We did get a positive response and you'll be able to enjoy your WIFI Plan till January 7th, 2026.
The problem was caused by your 2023 plan which had a 3 months extension and expired on January 5, 2025 and prevented you from activating your 2024 Plan.
Your December trips were still on you 2023 plan!
Jan 7, 2025 | 5:14 pm
#505
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 was able to get this fixed with concierge help. Sharing the findings as this may be helpful if submitting through the form:
So it seems with the new system you cant activate the new plan until the old one expires which is great for most people who maybe have an early or mid year expiring and lets them select their benefits early on without causing it to override the existing plan but in my case (and I suspect for a few others) creates a weird edge case that needs manual intervention.
So it seems with the new system you cant activate the new plan until the old one expires which is great for most people who maybe have an early or mid year expiring and lets them select their benefits early on without causing it to override the existing plan but in my case (and I suspect for a few others) creates a weird edge case that needs manual intervention.
Jan 8, 2025 | 2:01 pm
#507
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Vancouver, BC
Programs: Aeroplan 75K | Latitude Flight Pass junkie
Posts: 1,808
Jan 9, 2025 | 5:54 pm
#508
Join Date: Dec 2006
Location: Lima Sierra Zulu Hotel
Programs: AC*SM, LX HON, AA PlatPro, DL Gold; Marriott Titanium
Posts: 812
Hi all,
Read the wiki and the last few pages of this thread, but can't find my answer. While I've been SE for many years, I haven't selected the WiFi benefit until this year. When I needed it, I would just buy it on occasion. But I always activated the free texting on my phone.
Now that I have the benefit, when I sign in on my phone (seat number and last name), it activates the WiFi, removing it from my laptop. Of course, if I reactivate it on my laptop, the phone is cut off entirely - not even texting works. This is pretty awful. Am I missing something? How can I use the benefit on one device and still keep free texting on the other?
Thanks!
bawm
Read the wiki and the last few pages of this thread, but can't find my answer. While I've been SE for many years, I haven't selected the WiFi benefit until this year. When I needed it, I would just buy it on occasion. But I always activated the free texting on my phone.
Now that I have the benefit, when I sign in on my phone (seat number and last name), it activates the WiFi, removing it from my laptop. Of course, if I reactivate it on my laptop, the phone is cut off entirely - not even texting works. This is pretty awful. Am I missing something? How can I use the benefit on one device and still keep free texting on the other?
Thanks!
bawm
Jan 10, 2025 | 6:03 am
#509
Join Date: Sep 2024
Location: YOW
Programs: AC SE.
Posts: 557
I connect with my phone, and then plug the phone (USB-C) into my laptop computer to allow the computer to share the phone's connection. One might instead use a BlueTooth connection for that, when permitted during flight.
Jan 15, 2025 | 4:29 pm
#510
Join Date: Nov 2021
Location: YYZ
Programs: AC SE100K
Posts: 479
DP - A223 FIN 133 wifi was inop on AC610 15 Jan 2025. SD commented that it was "not working today, they're fixing it on this aircraft". Submitting for compensation - expecting another 15% code which seems to be the usual result.
(edit - 15% code received less than 24 hours after submitting).
(edit - 15% code received less than 24 hours after submitting).
Last edited by warpdryv; Jan 16, 2025 at 6:35 pm