Ask me anything about flying with Air Canada

Do they still have modified Covid boarding zones, up to zone 8?

yesnomaybe wrote: ↑ Do they still have modified Covid boarding zones, up to zone 8?

Zone 6, 7, and 8 were removed back in September. Depending on the aircraft there's currently up to 5 boarding zones. There's also a "silent" pre-boarding that occurs before the priority zones for people with wheelchairs or other disabilities but anyone is allowed to board then as long as they self-identify to the gate agent beforehand and we have been trained not to question this or ask details about it.

avgeek wrote: ↑ Zone 6, 7, and 8 were removed back in September. Depending on the aircraft there's currently up to 5 boarding zones. There's also a "silent" pre-boarding that occurs before the priority zones for people with wheelchairs or other disabilities but anyone is allowed to board then as long as they self-identify to the gate agent beforehand and we have been trained not to question this or ask details about it.

So it's back to boarding based on fare class and not on where your seat is located?

yesnomaybe wrote: ↑ So it's back to boarding based on fare class and not on where your seat is located?

It's based on the fare you have and your row number
Zone 1 is for business class and Aeroplan Super Elite
Zone 2 is for premium economy, latitude fare, Elite 75K, 50K, and 35K

Zone 3 is for Comfort fares, Elite 25K, or your row number
Zones 4-5 are just based on your row number.
If you know the aircraft you're flying on I can tell you which rows get zone 3, 4, or 5

First and last time I use AC. Delays.



Never had this much problem with other airlines.

bembol wrote: ↑ First and last time I use AC. Delays.



Never had this much problem with other airlines.

100%

Only flight I had with AC in like 10 years got delayed in toronto for no reason for 2 hours.

And they always say they don’t know what’s the issue…..

bembol wrote: ↑ First and last time I use AC. Delays.
Never had this much problem with other airlines.

Eh - before the pandemic I flew 60,000+ miles per year with AC. Did I run into issues? Yeah. But to say I had no issues with other airlines would be a lie.

I will say that right now I feel that Air Canada customer service has hit an all time low. They have a lot of new employees that have very little training.

However - the OP said they could answer questions, and so far they have been very informative - so personally I think we should stick to the question asking and leave the complaining for another thread.

What's the best way to get upgraded to Business Class or Premium Economy?

avgeek wrote: ↑ It's based on the fare you have and your row number
Zone 1 is for business class and Aeroplan Super Elite
Zone 2 is for premium economy, latitude fare, Elite 75K, 50K, and 35K

Zone 3 is for Comfort fares, Elite 25K, or your row number
Zones 4-5 are just based on your row number.
If you know the aircraft you're flying on I can tell you which rows get zone 3, 4, or 5

The window seats get assigned Zone 3; the aisle seats get assigned Zone 5.

Jamal2207 wrote: ↑ What's the best way to get upgraded to Business Class or Premium Economy?

The best way to get upgraded is to hold status with Air Canada and then you will get some eUpgrade credits but the amount of credits vary depending on your original booking class (Standard, Flex, etc) and the distance flown.

The other option is to bid on an upgrade. I have had some luck with this in the past.

I would also keep an eye on prices. If the price of business becomes acceptable to you, you can call in and upfare to business and just pay the difference with no change fee.

When using e upgrades and getting waitlisted, how does the prioritization of who gets the upgrade work? Is it based on who was first? Or status level? Other?

GottaFocus wrote: ↑ When using e upgrades and getting waitlisted, how does the prioritization of who gets the upgrade work? Is it based on who was first? Or status level? Other?

Status level

avgeek wrote: ↑ Zone 6, 7, and 8 were removed back in September. Depending on the aircraft there's currently up to 5 boarding zones. There's also a "silent" pre-boarding that occurs before the priority zones for people with wheelchairs or other disabilities but anyone is allowed to board then as long as they self-identify to the gate agent beforehand and we have been trained not to question this or ask details about it.

Can you elaborate? If I walk up to the agent and identify myself, which I assume means showing the boarding pass and the passport, I can just board before priority boarding starts?

Joeflix wrote: ↑ Status level

Status level and fare. So if you have 2 Elite 50Ks and one has a Flex M (highest flex) and one has a Flex G (lower fare) then the Flex M will have higher priority than the Flex G.
If you have 2 people with the same status and fare (not that likely) then the tie break will be based on check in time, so always best to check in right at T-24h.

Also, if you really want to be skeptical you should wait until everybody has boarded because if somebody in J does not show up then the next person on the waitlist will be picked and you are removed from the list when you board.

bembol wrote: ↑ First and last time I use AC. Delays.



Never had this much problem with other airlines.

I fly lots internationally and it's usually AC to get there. Yes there are issues sometimes, but they are there with every airline. Anyone who says otherwise is just lucky. Everyone has a hardon for WestJet, but I fly WestJet often enough for work....and if it was up to me I would never use them again. In the last 4 trips 3 flights were delayed by over two hours..my last one was to Mexico and that was a 6 hour delay...

canoek wrote: ↑ Can you elaborate? If I walk up to the agent and identify myself, which I assume means showing the boarding pass and the passport, I can just board before priority boarding starts?

Why would anyone want to do that though? What's the advantage of preboarding? You just spend more time sitting in the aircraft seat and less time sitting in the gate seat. You aren't arriving at your destination any faster.

bembol wrote: ↑ First and last time I use AC. Delays.



Never had this much problem with other airlines.

You obviously don't really fly much if you actually believe this.

As a frequent business traveler (pre-Covid), would only ever take Air Canada if I had the choice. They are by far the best for business travelers - WestJet is a joke in comparison. All of the smaller Canadian airlines such as Air Transat are for only leisure tourists - irrelevant for any real travelers.

The only other Canadian airline I might take is Porter, but their destination list is limited in comparison, and they don't have the perks that Air Canada does for frequent travelers with status.

For going to US and international, would also stick with Star Alliance affiliated airlines that gives you and recognizes Air Canada status.

Kiraly wrote: ↑ Why would anyone want to do that though? What's the advantage of preboarding? You just spend more time sitting in the aircraft seat and less time sitting in the gate seat. You aren't arriving at your destination any faster.

More relaxed instead of waiting in line, and you are guaranteed getting overhead bin space for your carry-on luggage. There's a reason why Aeroplan members with status are given Zone 2 Boarding (as well as preferred seating near the front of the plane so you leave first upon arrival) - it's considered a perk.

Kiraly wrote: ↑ Why would anyone want to do that though? What's the advantage of preboarding? You just spend more time sitting in the aircraft seat and less time sitting in the gate seat. You aren't arriving at your destination any faster.

To ensure we get an overhead space.