Air Canada

Air Canada flights and information

• Air Canada Check-in
• Air Canada baggage allowance
• Air Canada legroom

One hour before departure for flights within Canada, one-and-a-half hours before U.S. departures and two hours before for international flights. You are asked to arrive two hours in advance if checking in extra bags or overweight or oversized pieces.

Carry on: One standard article weighing up to 22lbs is permitted plus one personal piece, such as a handbag or laptop, also weighing up to 22lbs.

Checked baggage: Baggage fees are determined by your fare, destination, date of travel and frequent flyer status. For economy class passengers traveling within Canada, one bag weighing at max 50lbs is complimentary, and the second is $20.

Economy class passengers traveling between Canada and the continental United States are permitted one complimentary bag not exceeding 50 lbs and pay $35 to check a second.

Economy class passengers traveling between Canada and the United States are charged $25 for the first bag not exceeding 50 lbs and $35 to check a second.

Economy class passengers traveling between Canada and Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Bermuda are permitted one complimentary bag not exceeding 50 lbs and pay $20 to check a second.

Economy class passengers traveling between Canada and all other locations are permitted at least one complimentary checked bag with an allowance of at least 50lbs. 

Excess baggage: For economy class passengers traveling within Canada, $75 is charged per item for overweight or oversized bags but if a bag is both oversized and overweight it will only be charged once. $20 is charged for a second bag, and $100 is charged for each additional bag.

For economy class passengers traveling between Canada and the United States, $75 is charged per item for overweight or oversized bags but if a bag is both oversized and overweight it will only be charged once. $35 is charged for a second bag, and $100 is charged for each additional bag.

For economy class passengers traveling between Canada and Mexico, Costa Rica, the Caribbean and Bermuda, $100 is charged per item for overweight or oversized bags but if a bag is both oversized and overweight it will only be charged once. $20 is charged for a second bag, and $225 is charged for each additional bag.

See Air Canada's Baggage Guide for more information of fees and baggage restrictions.

Seat pitch: varies by destination, plane and class. Economy is between 30 and 34 inches for North American and International routes.

Pre-assigned seating is available at check-in and may be available online. Alternatively, call the reservation line for seat selection.

Bookings made on aircanada.com may be amended up to two hours before the scheduled departure of the flight. Passengers can change the departure or arrival city, date, add a flight, change seat selection or modify sports equipment or additional baggage allowance. For bookings not made via aircanada.com, contact Air Canada's reservation line or your travel agent.

Children under two years travel for free when seated on an adult's lap on domestic flights. The adult must be older than 16 and only one child is allowed per adult. If one adult is traveling with more than one infant under two, a seat must be purchased for each additional infant, at full adult cost. Children under two years traveling internationally on an adult's lap pay 10 percent of the adult fare. There is no child fare for children aged two through 12 except on international flights. Other than that, they pay the adult fare.

None, but companion fares are available on select routes. Call Air Canada's reservation line for details.

Cats and small dogs weighing no more than 22lbs are the only animals accepted in the cabin with you on Air Canada and Jazz flights provided they fit under the seat in front of you. It costs $50 or $100, depending on your itinerary. Other animals go as cargo and there is a $105 charge each way. Pre-register your pet by calling Air Canada’s reservation line within 24 hours of making your booking.

Air Canada will try to accommodate passengers with smaller instruments, like violins, by permitting them on board as a carry-on item, as long as it fits in an approved area for cabin storage. Standard baggage allowance applies. A separate seat may be purchased to carry a large instrument instead of checking it.

Air Canada provides a complimentary meal service with a choice of two main meals, breakfast service, complimentary hot and cold drinks and alcohol on all international flights. For flights within North America, a cafe with snacks and drinks to purchase is available. There are also touch-screen TVs at every seat with over 300 hours of on-demand entertainment including XM Satellite Radio, TV shows, movies and games.

Aeroplan Miles is Air Canada's frequent flyer program. Miles are awarded to members and can be redeemed for rewards on airline tickets (primarily Star Alliance), reservations at hotel chains an  d car rental agencies, or for merchandise or charitable donations. Aeroplan miles expire after seven years, unless the member is a minor or has Top Tier status (Prestige, Elite or SuperElite). Accumulated miles also expire if an account does not show any activity, earning or redemption, for one full year. Members can resuscitate their points but will have to pay a charge.

See a menu for the North American in-flight cafe on Air Canada's site.

Air Canada's in-flight magazine, En Route, is available on all flights and can be read online.

Star Alliance

Air Canada is the flag carrier and largest airline in Canada. It is recognized as one of the world's safest airlines and provides scheduled and charter air travel for passengers, cargo service to more than 150 destinations, vacation packages to more than 90 destinations and maintenance, ground handling and training services to other airlines. Air Canada’s main base is Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport. The airline also has hubs at Toronto Pearson International Airport and a Pacific hub at Vancouver International Airport. Calgary International Airport in Western Canada is a mini-hub. Air Canada Jazz is a regional partner, and there is also a premium jet charter service for corporate and professional sports teams called Air Canada Jetz.