Make Your Air Canada Flight Smooth: Understand Its Multiple Policies And Information

Air Canada is the largest carrier in terms of size and passenger traffic in Canada. It was founded in 1937 and established its main base in Saint-Laurent, Montreal. One of the founding members of Star Alliance, Air Canada, covers a wide range of destinations. The airline not only flies to all six inhabited continents, but it also offers direct flights to them. Air Canada covers 50 Canadian, 50 transborder, and over 85 international destinations. It is the only airline in North America that offers an international network, which is recognised with a Skytrax Four-Star rating.

Air Canada's hub

A single airline, Air Canada, has covered over 185 destinations worldwide, requiring it to maintain its flights through various hubs, so that all of its flights can be conducted smoothly. Its popular hubs are:

Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ)
Montreal-Trudeau International Airport (YUL)
Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Air Canada's Top International Destinations

While covering such an array of destinations across the globe, you can learn about the top international destinations covered by the airline, so that you can fly to such well-known destinations to explore from Canada with the help of Air Canada, including:

Heathrow Airport (LHR), London
Dublin Airport (DUB), Dublin
Haneda Airport (HND), Haneda
Havana Jose Marti International Airport (HAV), Havana
Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), Los Angeles
Sydney Airport (SYD), Sydney

Air Canada's Code Share Partner

Though offering flights to over 185 destinations worldwide, Air Canada has signed code-share partner agreements with various other airlines so that its loyal passengers can fly to any destination they want and earn points in its frequent flyer program at the same time. Though there are various code-share partner airlines of Air Canada, some of the most popular ones are:

AirBaltic
Air India
Aviance
Cathay Pacific
Canadian North
Emirates
Ethihad Airways
Lufthansa
United Airlines
Virgin Australia

Air Canada's Types of Classes and their facilities

Air Canada provides various facilities to its travellers based on their flight and fare. Some of the significant features of Air Canada, based on your chosen seat, can be seen as follows:

Economy Class

You can enjoy the airline's complimentary meals, spirits, and wines on international flights.
Moreover, you will be given various entertainment sources on demand during your flight.

Premium Economy Class

You will receive premium meal service and enhanced amenities on your flight.
The airline will provide you with priority service at the airport.
On selected international and North American flights, premium economy cabins offer large seats with extra legroom and reclining space.

Business Class

The Business class is available on your Air Canada flight to the Caribbean and North America.
The airline will provide you with personalised services.
You can enjoy seatback entertainment in any Air Canada business class seat.

Air Canada Signature Class

This class is exclusively offered on international flights within South America, the Pacific, Europe, and Asia.
It is the luxurious class of Air Canada.
You will enjoy exceptional services and exquisite dining throughout your journey.

Air Canada's Booking process

To experience such a delightful travel experience with Air Canada, you have to book a flight with the airline, which can be done in the following simple steps as provided below:

Visit Air Canada's official website at aircanada.com
Choose the basics and required details of your flight itinerary, so that you can book your desired flight.
Pick your desired flight based on your suitable timings, and choose your fare class.
You can continue as a member or a guest based on your loyalty status.
Follow the instructions provided by the airline based on your login status.
Choose any additional service you want on your flight during your journey.
Provide them with your payment card information if you are paying with the card.
Transfer the final payment based on the services in your flight and itinerary.
Receive the confirmation of your itinerary at your registered email address.

Air Canada's Change or cancellation policy

In case you need to amend your itinerary details because of some unavoidable circumstances, you must be aware of the change and cancellation policy of Air Canada, so that you won't face any issues afterwards. Thus, to know what you are going to face after amending your booking, you can learn about Air Canada's change and cancellation policy, as follows:

You can cancel your Air Canada ticket without paying a cancellation fee if you do so within 24 hours of buying it.
However, if you change your itinerary within 24 hours of buying your ticket, you don't have to pay a change fee for a refund, but you must pay the difference in the fare on both flights.
If you cancel or change your flight within 24 hours of buying your airfare ticket, you must follow the cancellation or change fee based on your fare type and flight route.
To determine the change or cancellation fee based on your specific flight details, you can check your trip review page while booking and your itinerary receipt after completing your purchase.
You can change your flight schedule up to 2 hours before your departure.
Air Canada allows you to change your flight date, timing, arrival or departure airport, or pick a different fare for your current flight.

Air Canada's Change or Cancellation Process

Just comprehending the change and cancellation policy of Air Canada isn't enough when you can't inform the airline through the prescribed procedure, as your ticket would be treated under its no-show policy. Thus, you can amend your Air Canada flight in the following steps:

Visit Air Canada's official website at aircanada.com
At the top right corner of the screen, you can tap on the option of "My Bookings."
Enter your eligible booking reference number and last name in the provided space, and open your flight itinerary.
Select the option based on your preferred changes.
Please adhere to the upcoming guidelines depending on the modification you desire.
Make the payment if required.
Get the verification of your modifications sent to your registered email account.

Air Canada's loyalty program

The loyalty program of Air Canada is popularly known as Aeroplan. You can join it freely. The airline allows you to earn points in the program through various means, including booking Air Canada flights and car rentals, or enjoying your vacations at its hotel stays. Moreover, you can also earn points in your program by travelling with Air Canada's partner airlines or shopping for your favourite articles through the Chase Aeroplan Card. And after earning various points, you can use them to make your travel easy and convenient, apart from making it cheaper.

How do you join the Aeroplan of Air Canada?

Air Canada allows you to earn and redeem various points by spending your vacation with their help. However, if you want to earn the points in the program, the first step you have to take is to join the program, which can be done in the following steps:

Visit Air Canada's official website at aircanada.com
Navigate to the "Aeroplan" area located on the left side of the screen.
Click on "Join, it's free."
Kindly give them the details as directed to move forward.
Once you have shared all the information, press the "Create my account" button.
You will get all the information about your membership status at your registered email address.

What are the benefits of joining the Aeroplan program?

Joining the Aeroplan program is advantageous and beneficial for its members, whose benefits increase with every tier of the program. Some of the significant benefits of joining the Aeroplan program include:

The reward for your flight starts at only 6000 points.
You can use your collected points with Air Canada or its over 45 partner airlines.
You are allowed to carry free checked bags.
The airline will enable you to access its Maple Leaf Lounges, subject to attaining a certain tier status level in the program.
You can upgrade your travel class or even book your flight using the earned points.
Air Canada offers complimentary texting services to its Aeroplan Members.

Air Canada's Refund Policy

If you cancel your flight with Air Canada, you may or may not be eligible to get a refund based on Air Canada's refund policies. So, to understand what the basis of getting a refund is and how much they offer as a refund, you have to look at their refund policy, which can be seen as follows:

You will receive the full amount of your ticket if you cancel your airfare ticket within 24 hours of when you made your Air Canada booking.
However, if you cancel your ticket 24 hours after making your Air Canada booking, the refund amount will vary based on your fare class.
When booking your flight through Air Canada's app, website, call centre, Aeroplan, Skyscanner, Google Flights, or Kayak, you can apply for a refund directly from the airline.
Typically, your refund will be processed within 30 days of the time the airline receives your refund request.
Imagine your travel plans involve a location within the United States. In that case, the airline will most likely process your refund within seven working days if you purchased using a credit card and 20 days for any other payment method.
Should you qualify for a refund, it will be processed using the same payment method you employed to purchase your flight with Air Canada.

Air Canada's Seat Upgrade

Irrespective of who has booked a lower-class fare on your flight, Air Canada allows you to choose an upper-class fare. However, you must know about the airline's seat upgrade policy before proceeding further to avoid difficulty travelling in a higher class. Thus, Air Canada's seat upgrade policy can be seen as follows:

Air Canada allows you to upgrade your seat through the bid method, but you can't pay for the upgrade instantly.
The airline decides the flights that are eligible for an upgrade based on the availability of seats in the cabin class.
You are only allowed to make your bid up to 48 hours before your scheduled departure.
However, you are not allowed to make a bid for your upgrade if you have booked a group booking or have an Economy Basic fare class.
After your offer is approved, the airline will email you 36 to 48 hours before your flight.
After the upgrade, you can enjoy the premium services offered in the upper cabins, including receiving the extra baggage benefits, priority check-in and boarding facility, more space with large seats, and an in-flight dining experience.
However, the conditions of your original fare ticket, including the rebooking and cancellation fee, will remain the same.
The airline also allows you to upgrade your seat at the last minute during check-in.
If your flight departs from Canada, you can upgrade your seat between 1 and 24 hours before departure.

Air Canada's Pet Policy

Every airline has its own separate pet policy, which you have to abide by to make your little furry friend travel in comfort. Thus, you should also learn about the pet policy of Air Canada, while travelling with it, which can be seen as follows:

Air Canada allows small cats and dogs to travel in the cabin, provided they reside inside a soft-sided carrier and fit under the seat before you. The exact requirements vary depending on the aircraft you are travelling on.
Depending on where you are flying, your pet might need to pay as much as USD 100 to travel in cabin class.
Per passenger, only one small pet is allowed.
To carry your pet with Air Canada, your pet must be at least 10 weeks old.
You are allowed to transport your pet in the cargo area, as long as the carrier's maximum linear dimensions do not exceed 292 cm, and the total weight of your pet along with the carrier is limited to 45 kg.
Depending on your flight route, you may have to pay up to USD 270 to carry your pet in the hold.
You can send up to two pets in the same carriage in the hold, provided that both animals belong to the same species, are fully weaned, and your pet's age should be between 12 weeks and 6 months.
Two pets in the same carriage in the hold are counted and charged as separate animals, regardless of their combined weight.

Air Canada's Name change and date of birth change policy

You may have booked your Air Canada ticket, but after receiving the confirmed booking, you have noticed some minor errors in your booking, which are essential to correct for your smooth boarding process. Thus, you have to know about the name and date of birth change policy of Air Canada, which can be seen as follows:

The airline allows you to change your name on your airfare ticket if you have to make minor changes in your first or last name due to a mismatch in legal travel documents.
Air Canada also allows you to change your name on your airfare ticket if you have changed your name due to a change in your legal marital status.
Generally, changes are allowed to your ticket if your ticket number starts with 014.
You are required to make changes before your first flight segment.
When applying for a name change with Air Canada, you must also submit proof of your original name.
You must pay the name change fee based on your airfare ticket.
Passengers with basic fare tickets cannot change their names on the ticket.
Though there is no specific policy for changing the date of birth with Air Canada, you can call the airline's customer support team, and within their discretion, they may change your date of birth on your airfare ticket.

Air Canada's Group booking

While planning a leisure or work trip with a designated number of people, you have to book your flight under the group booking of Air Canada. It has various perks as well, which will aid you in making your flight journey convenient. Here are some key policies for group bookings with Air Canada:

If ten or more people are planning to fly to the same destination on the same date and time, you can book your group booking with Air Canada.
When you book your group travel 11 months before your travel date, the airline will offer you reduced fares.
You can secure the reservation for your group with a small deposit, and you are required to pay the full amount just before your travel dates.
At the time of your booking, you can select your desired seat without paying any additional charges.
The airline may also provide you with some complimentary tickets, based on the total number of travellers in your booking.
While travelling in a group, the airline allows you to check a bag per passenger free of cost.

Air Canada's Types of Discounts or Offers

You would be glad when you are allowed to travel with a discounted fare. Thus, to attract travellers to its flights, Air Canada also provides various discounts and offers to its various sections of passengers. Let's check out if you fall into its provided discounted fare through the following section:

Student discount—Air Canada offers up to a 50 per cent discount to student travellers who are residents of Canada, registered in a Canadian school, and have booked an Economy base fare. Moreover, they are also allowed to bring one additional free checked bag in addition to the standard one.
Military discount—Air Canada allows eligible retired and active US and Canadian personnel to carry up to three pieces of checked baggage, each weighing up to 32 kg, so they can travel while carrying all the required luggage without any extra cost.
Special fare discount—Air Canada offers various discounts to specific destinations from time to time. It does not contain any specific group or discount. You just have to stay updated to know about the special fare discount offered by the airline to get the benefit of it.

Air Canada's Coupon (Festival Coupon)

It may happen that you have found the coupon code of Air Canada, and it guarantees you a cheaper flight, but you are not sure about how to use the coupon code. Thus, you can look at the section below, which will provide you with the process to book your flight using the coupon code:

Visit Air Canada's official website at aircanada.com
Proceed to make your booking with the airline.
Provide them with all your required itinerary details, and fill in the promo code as well in the provided space.
Follow further steps as usual as you book your flight with Air Canada.
At the end, the airline will show you the price after applying the discount.
Make your final payment and receive your discounted itinerary at your registered email address.

Air Canada's Last Minute Deals

Though it is generally believed that last-minute flight bookings are costly, there are some tricks through which you can make them affordable. The following section will help you get the last-minute deals on your Air Canada flights:

Subscribe to Air Canada's newsletter- Air Canada offers various discounts and offers on various itineraries from time to time. And you get timely information about its special deals when you subscribe to its newsletters. Thus, you can book your cheap flight to your desired destination even at the last minute after getting the timely information.
Join Aeroplan membership- To get the best last-minute flight deals, you can join the loyalty program of Air Canada, Aeroplan. After joining the program, the airline provides you with various offers based on your loyalty status. Moreover, you can also book your desired flight with Aeroplan points, so that you don't have to pay a higher amount of money for your last-minute flights.
Look for Air Canada's low-fare calendar- Air Canada provides a low-fare calendar for its travellers, through which they can look for the best deals around the date they are planning to travel. Thus, by being a bit flexible about their travel dates, they can book a cheap flight ticket even at the last minute.

Air Canada's International Travel Rules

While travelling internationally, you have to take care of various things, including the documents that you can't forget at any cost and various international travel rules. Thus, Air Canada helps you to remember such an essential part of your travel, which can be seen in the following section:

Carry your valid passport and visa, if required.
Learn about the immigration and customs information for the country you are visiting.
Read all the other travel documents that you are required to carry to your desired destination based on its travel rules.

Air Canada's Cheapest Time or Date of Booking a Flight

You can book a cheap flight with Air Canada during the midweek on Tuesday and Wednesday, as it is the time when there is lower demand for airfare travel, as it comes under midweek travel, which most people avoid. Moreover, you can also book a cheap flight with the airline by reserving your ticket 1 to 3 months in advance of your actual travel, while booking a domestic flight ticket and 2 to 6 months in advance for your international travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I change my itinerary details with Air Canada if the online method isn't working?

If your online method of itinerary changes isn't working with Air Canada, you can contact its customer support team, which will help you to make the desired changes in your flight itinerary.

Does Air Canada charge any administration fee while processing my refunded amount?

Though you must pay the cancellation charges based on your airfare ticket, the airline does not charge additional charges or a refund processing fee to customers or the travel agency.

If my journey covers more than one segment, do I have to bid for each segment separately, or will one bid cover all my segments?

You have to bid for each segment separately while travelling with Air Canada, and thus your one bid covers only one segment for your flight and not the other one.

I own a breed of dog that is small and has a flat nose. Can I travel with my pet on hold with Air Canada?

No, whether short or large, snub-nosed breed dogs are not allowed to travel in the hold with Air Canada, as they are susceptible to developing issues of breathing and heat stroke when exposed to extreme heat and stress.

Can I book my group travel if I want to take my flight in the next two days?

Yes, you can even make your group travel possible with Air Canada if you want to travel in the next two days. Provided that you complete the "urgent request form," the airline will contact you within one hour and help you make your urgent travel possible.