Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline of Canada. With scheduled and chartered flights to 178 destinations worldwide, it is also the seventh–largest passenger airline in the world by fleet size. Originally founded in 1936 as Trans–Canada Airlines, the air service formed part of the government–operated Canadian National Railway Company. Trans–Canada Airlines changed its name to Air Canada in 1965, adopting the name to use in French Canada at the time. Air Canada was privatized in 1988 and, in 1997, became a founding member of Star Alliance. In addition to its membership with Star Alliance, the airline also operates codeshare agreements with numerous other international airline companies. Air Canada maintains its corporate headquarters in Montreal, Quebec. Regional service is provided under the name Air Canada Express. Air Canada also operates award–winning Air Canada Vacations, a tour company offering vacation packages, all of which include accommodations and return airfare through Air Canada and Star Alliance partners. Destinations include hundreds of locations throughout the Americas, Asia, the South Pacific, and Europe.

Online Check-In

Air Canada offers a range of convenient check–in services. Passengers can check in by web or mobile check–in as early as 24 hours before flight departure. These services also allow any required payment of checked baggage fees and print out of boarding passes for up to 1 hour before flight time. For those who prefer airport service, check–in is available 12 hours before flight departure at self check–in kiosks within the airport or at the Air Canada check–in counter. Baggage can be checked in at the baggage counter 4 hours before flight departure for flights from Canada or the US and 3 hours before departure to other destinations.

Recommended check–in times for flights within Canada: Check–in: 90 minutes before departure, checked baggage drop–off deadline: 45 minutes before departure, boarding gate cut–off: 20 minutes before departure. Note: Passenger should check exceptions for flights departing from the Toronto city airport.
Recommended check–in times for flights to and from the US: Check–in: 120 minutes before departure, checked baggage drop–off deadline: 60 minutes before departure, boarding gate cut–off: 20 minutes before departure
Recommended check–in time for international destinations (including Mexico and the Caribbean): Check–in: 120 minutes before departure, checked baggage drop–off deadline: 60 minutes before departure, boarding gate cut–off: 30 minutes before departure. Note: Passengers should check exceptions for flights to and from Caracas, Venezuela and Tel–Aviv, Israel.

Boarding information

Passengers are advised to respect the times listed above. Passengers should also familiarize themselves with the identification documents required for the flight and be aware of the restrictions on carry–on and checked luggage items. Liquids or gels exceeding 3.4 oz (100 ml/100 g) will be confiscated from carry–on items at the security checkpoint. Other restrictions apply to items such as sharp objects, batteries, medical oxygen, and lighters. The Air Canada website provides a fairly comprehensive list of prohibited items within Canada. For a full list, passengers should consult the website of the Canadian Air Transport Security Authority (CATSA). Passengers traveling to and from international destinations, including the US, should familiarize themselves with regulations within these countries to avoid travel delays.

Frequent Flyer Information – Air Canada Altitude

Air Canada's frequent flyer rewards program is called Air Canada Altitude, which partners with the Aeroplan Program, allowing passengers to accrue points which can be considered for either. Members redeem points on airline ticket fares, car and hotel reservations, other merchandise or for charitable donations. Members qualify for privileges according to five membership levels. Rewards include priority airport services, ticket upgrades, access to Air Canada's Maple Leaf lounges and other Star Alliance lounges, and personalized concierge services for making arrangements for restaurants or theaters within cities of arrival. Points can also be exchanged for inflight services. The membership application is available on the Air Canada website.

Hand Baggage Allowance

Passengers are permitted one standard carry–on baggage and one personal article. Definitions of these items are largely determined by size. Some carry–on items such as coats and small purses are also permitted without counting towards these baggage limits. Passengers traveling with infants on their laps are allowed one additional standard item without charge.

Maximum dimensions of standard article: 9 in x 15.5 in x 21.5 in (23 cm x 40 cm x 55 cm)

Maximum dimensions of personal article: 6 in x 13 in x 17 in (16 cm x 33 cm x 43 cm)
Maximum weight for standard article or personal article: 22 lb (10 kg)

Examples of items which may be either classified as standard or personal baggage depending on their size include carry–on bags, roller bags, briefcases, laptop computers, large purses, sports racquets, cameras, diplomatic bags, consular bags, and garment bags of limited size. Small pets in carriers, registered in advance, may also travel as standard baggage items either in–cabin or in the baggage compartment of the plane, generally with the payment of an additional fee. Please consult the airline for specific requirements regarding proper documentation and carrier size, etc. For musical instruments and most sporting equipment, please consult the airline's website for the options available for carry–on or checked baggage and applicable fees.

Checked Baggage Allowance

Baggage allowances for checked baggage vary depending on the flight destination and the type of seat purchased. In general, economy fare seats within Canada and to international destinations other than to/from the USA include one free piece of checked baggage, though some taxes may apply. On flights to and from the United States, passengers with economy fare seats generally must pay for all baggage checked. Seating types other than economy include more generous allowances for checked baggage, though all baggage exceeding the maximum linear dimensions or weight will require payment of surcharges.

Maximum linear dimensions (length x width x height) for checked luggage is 62 in (158 cm)
Maximum weight for checked baggage is 50 lb (23 kg)

Passengers can obtain personalized baggage allowance information for booked flights by consulting the Air Canada website and entering their flight numbers. Note: passengers traveling on codeshare itineraries which include flights with other codeshare airlines are advised that different baggage restrictions may apply for those traveling on an itinerary which begins on another airline.

Air Canada latest reviews from customers

3.7 /5

Total reviews based on: 18

Singapore

Fredericton

Singapore Changi Airport - Fredericton Municipal Apt ( SIN - YFC )

5.0 /5

Chill

Date 2020-03-11 City Singapore Age 31-50 Class Economy

Great travel experienced. Highly recommended. Smooth service!

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Calgary

Delhi

Calgary Intl Airport - Indira Gandhi International Airport ( YYC - DEL )

5.0 /5

Terry

Date 2020-01-07 City Alberta Canada Age 51-70 Class Economy

The whole trip went very well.

5.0 /5

1 reviews

Tunis

Toronto

Carthage - Pearson International Airport ( TUN - YYZ )

4.0 /5

Judge

Date 2019-09-19 City Libya Age 51-70 Class Economy

No food varieties for people with different religions.

4.0 /5

1 reviews

Tel Aviv

Montreal

Ben-Gurion International - P Trudeau International ( TLV - YUL )

1.0 /5

Anne

Date 2019-06-12 City Israel Age Over 70 Class Economy

When I arrived inParis everything was damp. Apparently the luggage stayed outside while it was raining and all our clothes were damp. We had to be in Cannes for the Festival and my dress and my husband Toledo were destroyed as well as all silk garments

1.0 /5

1 reviews

Mexico City

Washington, D.C. (Arlington County), VA

Juarez Intl Airport - R Reagan National ( MEX - DCA )

1.0 /5

Karen

Date 2020-01-22 City Mexico Age Under 30 Class Economy

The worst service ever! A flight of 8 hours become in one of 24 hours!! What a pain!

1.0 /5

1 reviews

Best flight deal $157 The cheapest flight available with Air Canada is $157