Air Canada Online Check In (AC) And Boarding Pass

Air Canada is one of the leading airlines in Canada and the United States. As a traveler, you need a seamless and hassle-free travel experience. Air Canada does its best to deliver the same. From check-in to boarding the plane, everything needs to have a flawless experience. Here we will discuss every detail that will make your transition through the airport a breeze.

What Are The Timings For Air Canada?

Air Canada has a systematic procedure that allows users to check in at any airport within a minimum Air Canada check-in time in hand. Although there are certain limitations to certain destinations and routes, the time allotted is fair enough to ensure you successfully enter the plane before taking off.

Here are all the times you need to keep in mind before flying with Air Canada-

  • If you are flying within Canada-
    • You must arrive at the airport at least 120 minutes before departure.
    • Remember the Air Canada baggage drop-off and check-in deadline is 45 minutes. 
    • The boarding gate deadline is 30 minutes prior to the departure. 
    • The boarding gates will close 15 minutes before the scheduled departure.
  • If you are flying to/from the U.S.-
    • You need to arrive at the airport 120 minutes prior to your scheduled departure. 
    • The flight check-in and baggage drop-off deadline are 60 minutes before departure. 
    • The deadline for arriving at the boarding gate is 30 minutes before departure.
    • The boarding gates will close 30 minutes before the scheduled departure.
  • Flying from Toronto & Montreal-
    • The arrival time at the airport is 180 minutes before the departure.
    • The check-in for Air Canada Airlines and baggage drop-off deadline is 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure if you are traveling from Toronto. 
    • You must arrive at the boarding gates within 30 minutes at the max. 
    • The gates will close 15 minutes prior to the departure.
  • If you are traveling internationally including Mexico and the Caribbean-
    • You must arrive at the airport 180 minutes prior to the departure.
    • The Air Canada flight check-in and baggage drop-off time is 60 minutes before departure. 
    • Get to the boarding gates 45 minutes at max before the departure.
    • The gates will close 30 minutes prior to the departure.
  • If you are traveling from any International airport-
    • You need to get to the airport 240 minutes(4 hours) prior to departure. 
    • You must get to the check-in and baggage drop-off latest by 90 minutes if you are traveling from Toronto.

Note: If you are traveling to the U.S., you must clear U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) prior to departure in Canada. Here are the opening times for early morning departures:

  • The opening of the Pre-board security screening is at 4:15 at Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) and at 5:00 at Montreal-Trudeau (YUL).
  • The timing for opening and closing of U.S Customs and Border Protection (CBP) is 4:30 - 20:30 at Toronto-Pearson (YYZ), and 4:30 - 20:00 at Montreal-Trudeau (YUL).

What Are The Methods For Air Canada Check-In?

Passengers traveling through any national or international destination must be at the airport on time for their check-in, security/custom screening, and boarding.

The first step is the check-in for Air Canada Airlines which can be easily done in two major ways.

  • Air Canada Check-in Offline- Self-service Kiosk and Counter Agent.
  • Air Canada Check-in Online- Via mobile check-in(using the Air Canada App)  and Web Check-in(using the Air Canada Website).

Not everyone has the same taste and choice, so some prefer online while others prefer offline check-in. However, this ultimately helps both passenger types by reducing the time consumed in the process.

How early can you check in for a flight with Air Canada?

There are actually two answers for that- 24 hours via web and mobile check-in &12 hours via Kiosk.

Air Canada Offline Check-In

You can check in offline by visiting the airport’s self-service kiosks. The self-service Kisoks is open 12 hours up until the deadline mentioned above. You can check-in and then wait for your security and boarding process. 

The advantage of Kiosks is that you don’t need to wait long before checking in. The Kiosks can not only help with check-in but also with many other added advantages. You can print your Air Canada boarding pass print, and tag bags, change your itinerary, cancel air canada flight, and pay for extra service fees.

Air Canada Web Check-In

Online check-in is basically done in two types, mobile check-in, and web check-in. Both of these two types involve the same process. The only difference is that you need to visit the official Air Canada website for web check-in and open the Air Canada App for mobile check-in. 

After opening the app or visiting the official website, 

  • click on the check-in option.
  • You must enter your first name, last name, identification number (Aeroplan number or booking reference), and departure city.
  • Select the number of passengers traveling.
  • Follow the instructions and select your seat, enter your number of checked bags, and complete your Air Canada Airlines mobile check-in.
  • Your boarding pass details will appear, look for the option to download the pass. You can also get the boarding pass via your email or phone via text message your phone number.
  • You can print the pass or keep Air Canada Airlines mobile boarding pass on your mobile device to use at the airport. However, passengers traveling from Algeria, Cuba, or Morocco will have to get their pass printed at the airport itself by visiting an airport agent.

What Services Can You Use After Check-In?

After you have successfully checked in, you will have various options to tamper with- 

  • You can select your seats based on your preference or upgrade them. 
  • If eligible, you can make same-day changes or get on standby for earlier flights.
  • If you have collected eUpgrade credits, you can request to upgrade your class, seats, and amenities.
  • If any upgrade is available for you at the last moment, you can upgrade to that. 
  • You can add or change your Aeroplan with a frequent flyer number.
  • You can also upload your Air Canada Airlines check-in documents if applicable.

Who Need To Check In At Airport Agent?

There are certain conditions for which you might not be eligible to use Air Canada Airlines online check-in and Kiosks for check-in. So you will have to manually process your check-in via the counter agent at the airport. Here are the types of travelers who need to check in at the airport counter

  • Passengers who wish to travel with their pets on board.
  • Passengers who have special assistance requests, need medical assistance, or require wheelchair assistance.
  • Passengers traveling under unaccompanied minor services.

What Is The Minimum Connection Time For Air Canada?

If you are traveling to a destination that does not have a direct flight, you must be patient during the connection procedures. This might take some time and it's not always the same as you may need to change the terminal as well as pass through security checks. So if you are not sure how much time you will have to wait check out the list below describing the time taken at different airports(We will mention a few destinations here, for a complete list visit Air Canada Connection Time)

Within Canada

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Calgary

35 Minutes

Montreal

40 Minutes

Thunder Bay

15 Minutes

From Canada To The U.S.

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Edmonton

50 Minutes

Halifax

45 Minutes

Quebec City

30 Minutes

From Canada To An International Destination

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Ottawa

45 Minutes

Vancouver

60 Minutes

Edmonton

35 Minutes

From the U.S. To Canada

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Saint John, NB

90 Minutes

Regina

60 Minutes

Toronto

1 Hour 10 Minutes

From The U.S. To An International Destination

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Edmonton

60 Minutes

Halifax

45 Minutes

Montreal

40 Minutes (50 Minutes between June 1 and September 5)

International To Canada

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Toronto

1 Hr 15 Minutes (1 Hour 40 minutes between June 1 and September 5 Connecting to Montreal, Ottawa and Vancouver)

Ottawa

60 Minutes

Halifax

60 Minutes

International To The U.S.

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Calgary

75 Minutes

Montreal

70 Minutes

Toronto

85 Minutes (105 Minutes between June 1 and September 5 connecting to La Guardia New York)

International To International

Connecting Destination

Connection Time

Montreal

40 Minutes

Toronto

60 Minutes

Vancouver

60 Minutes

Note: The flight's connections mentioned above are flights operated by-

  • Air Canada
  • Air Canada Rouge 
  • Air Canada Express is operated by Jazz.

The connection time for other airlines may vary.

How to Download an Air Canada Boarding Pass?

If you have completed your check-in process, you will be eligible to get your boarding pass. These are the certain ways how you can download or print boarding pass Air Canada Airlines.

  • Download via your phone and print the boarding pass on letter-size paper.
  • Get your boarding pass via Email.
  • Receive the boarding pass via text message on your mobile phone.
  • Print the boarding pass via Kiosks self-service.
  • Get the boarding pass downloaded right on your mobile device.

Boarding With Air Canada

If you are arriving at the airport either checked in or have to check in, you must complete the step first. Proceed to the security screening and thereafter board your plane. 

The boarding procedure is divided among different zones available at most airports. This will be mentioned on the itinerary next to the seat details. Here are the zones that different types of passengers can have access to

  • Pre-boarding- This type of boarding is available to passengers requesting wheelchair assistance or proving self-disability. They also are eligible for Air Canada early check-in.
  • Zone 1- Passengers traveling in Business Class or Premium Rouge on a domestic or Caribbean flight and Aeroplan Super Elite Members can use the Zone 1 boarding.
  • Zone 2-
    • Passengers traveling via Premium Economy class or Premium Rouge on an International flight can board Zone 2. 
    • Passengers buying a Latitude fare as Aeroplan 75K, 50K, 35K, 25K, or Star Alliance Gold member can board from Zone 2.
    • Passengers holding Primary or Secondary cardholders on Aeroplan black credit cards can board the plane from Zone 2. 
  • Family Boarding / Musical Instruments- You can have the advantage of boarding before the general boarding if-
    • You need more time to board in case you are traveling with a child under the age of 6.
    • You have carry-on baggage including musical instruments.
  • General Boarding / Zone 3- The boarding for Zone 3 starts at the very beginning of general boarding. You can board from here if-
    • Your itinerary states Zone 3.
    • You have purchased a comfort fare.
    • You have purchased a preferred seat (excluding purchases made at the agent at the counter or at the gate).
  • General Boarding / Zone 4,5- You can board the plane from Zone 4,5 if the flight is operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, and from Zone 4 if the flight is operated by Air Canada Express.
  • General Boarding / Zone 6- If you are traveling via Economy Basic fare you will board the plane from Zone 6.

Note: Make sure to check out all the boarding deadlines mentioned above in the article. This will help you get on board on time without any difficulty.

Publish Date: 06/01/2023