Air Canada Check-In Policy

Air Canada’s check-in process is very convenient because it saves passengers from waiting in long lines at the airport. This makes it easy for them to board their flight without any problems. Passengers can choose their seats before their flight and buy things like meals and seats with extra legroom.

Air Canada wants passengers to check in on time and arrive at the airport early. This gives passengers enough time to check in, drop off their bags, and go through security.

• Air Canada Check-in Deadlines: To make sure you don’t have to wait at the airport, the airline suggests that you check in 24 hours before your flight using either the Air Canada mobile app or the website. Passengers should arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before their international flight’s scheduled departure time, and 2 hours before their domestic flight’s scheduled departure time if they want to check in at the airport. Minors can not check online beacuse there are some security issue related minors. Read out Air Canada Unaccompanied Minor Policy.
• Baggage Check-in Drop-off: Make sure to arrive at the airport before the baggage drop-off counter closes. If you miss the Air Canada check-in deadline, you won’t be able to check-in. Passengers should be aware that if their luggage is too heavy, it may take longer to check-in. If you dont want to pay extra amount for your baggage, then read out full Air Canada Baggage Policy.

Air Canada Check-in Types and Times

Passengers can always choose to check in at the airport. Passengers can check-in for their Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge flights online or using their mobile devices.

• Online check-in
• Mobile check-in
• Self-check-in kiosk

Online Check-In:

You can check in on the Air Canada website 24 hours before your flight. For international flights, you need to check in at least 3 hours before your scheduled departure time. For domestic flights, you need to check in at least 2 hours before your scheduled departure time.

Within Canada:

• You need to be at the airport 90 minutes before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• Before the boarding gate closes, passengers need to get their Air Canada boarding pass and give their bags to the airline staff. This should be done at least 45 minutes before the gate closes.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

To/From the US:

• You need to reach the airport three hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• To make sure you don’t miss your flight, you need to get your Air Canada boarding pass and give your luggage to the staff at the check-in counter at least 60 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean:

• You need to reach the airport at least 2.5 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time.
• To make sure they can leave on time, passengers need to get their Air Canada boarding pass and give their luggage to the staff at the check-in counter at least 60 minutes before the plane is supposed to take off.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Mobile Check-In

You can use the Air Canada app to check in for your flight on your phone. You can do this starting 24 hours before your flight and up until 60 minutes before it leaves.

Within Canada:

• Use Air Canada’s mobile check-in service and arrive at the airport at least 1.5 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• To make sure you don’t miss your flight, you need to do two things. First, get your boarding pass on your phone using the Air Canada app. Second, take your luggage to the check-in counter at least 45 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

To/from the United States:

• You need to be at the airport 3 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• You need to get your Air Canada electronic boarding pass receipt and baggage tags at least 45 minutes before your flight is scheduled to leave.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean:

• You need to reach the airport 2.5 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• To make sure you don’t miss your flight, you need to get your Air Canada boarding pass and give your luggage to the check-in counter at least 60 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Kiosk Check-in:

You can check in for your Air Canada flight using a kiosk starting 12 hours before your scheduled departure time. The check-in period ends 3 hours before your flight.

Within Canada:

• The Air Canada check-in kiosk lets passengers in Canada check-in for their flight at least 90 minutes before it’s scheduled to leave.
• Air Canada passengers need to get their boarding passes and baggage tags at least 90 minutes before the flight is supposed to leave.
• Passengers need to get to the boarding gate before it closes 30 minutes prior to departure.

To/From the United States:

• If you’re flying to or from the United States, make sure to arrive at the airport at least 3 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave.
• Air Canada passengers need to get their boarding passes and baggage tags at least 2 hours before the flight’s scheduled departure time.
• Passengers need to get to the boarding gate before it closes, which is 30 minutes before the plane takes off.

Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean:

• You need to reach the airport 2.5 hours before your flight’s scheduled departure time.
• To make sure you don’t miss your flight, you need to get your Air Canada boarding pass and give your luggage to the staff at the check-in counter at least 60 minutes before your flight is supposed to leave.
• Passengers should arrive at the boarding gate no later than 30 minutes before the scheduled departure time.

Air Canada Flight Check-in Services

Air Canada provides the following services before your flight during check-in:

• Travelers have the option to select regular seats or pay extra to upgrade to seats with more leg space.
• Travelers can let Air Canada know about their baggage and make sure it meets the size requirements. They can also pay any fees for their baggage.
• When you check-in, you can ask to change your flight to an earlier one or wait for an available seat on an earlier flight.
• Travelers have the option to use eUpgrade credits to move up to a higher class of service.
• Travelers can ask for an upgrade just before their flight.
• Travelers can update, extend, or modify their Aeroplan or other frequent flyer account number.
• Air Canada passengers can receive their boarding passes on their mobile devices.
• If you finish checking in for your Air Canada flight, you can use the delayed and canceled flight service if your flight is affected by bad weather.

Air Canada Pre-Boarding Check-in

When you fly with Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express, you will board your flight in the designated zone at most airports. Your boarding pass has information about which boarding zone corresponds to your seat on the Air Canada flight.

Pre-Boarding: If you asked for a wheelchair or any other special service, or if you have a disability, you can board the flight first. This is because you might need more time to check-in.

Zone 1: Customers who check in for Air Canada business class or Air Canada Premium Rouge on domestic or international flights.

Zone 2: If you’re flying internationally with Air Canada in Premium Economy Class or Premium Rouge, you can check in on their website. Additionally, if you booked a Latitude fare or are traveling with a Star Gold Alliance member, you can also check in online.

Zone 3:

• If you buy a comfort fare on Air Canada, you can check in for your flight.
• This refers to a passenger who either paid extra to upgrade their seat or chose to pay for a preferred seat.

If you paid extra for a specific seat or asked to upgrade your class at the check-in counter, you cannot board the plane early in Zone 3.

Zone 4&5: If you’re flying with Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, or on a flight operated by Air Canada Express, you need to check in for your flight.

Zone 6: If you have bought a Basic Economy ticket, you will be asked to board the flight from zone 6.

Methods to Check-in with Air Canada

Air Canada passengers can check in for their flight in different ways. They can do it online using a computer or a mobile app, or they can call Air Canada. They can also use a self-check-in kiosk at the airport or go to the Air Canada check-in counter at the airport terminal. Let’s learn how to check-in using these three methods, with step-by-step instructions.

Web Check-In:

You can check in for your flight online 48 hours before it departs. This will save you time at the airport and help you avoid waiting in line at the check-in desk. To check in on the Air Canada website, just follow these steps:

• Go to aircanada.com and find the ‘Manage My Booking‘ section.
• To start, click on the tab that says ‘Air Canada flight check in online‘.
• Please provide the last name of the passenger and the six-digit booking reference.
• Look at the map of the cabin and choose your seat before you get to the airport. You can either print your boarding pass or save it on your device to download it later. Air Canada passengers can send their boarding pass link to their email and download it later.
• Air Canada requires passengers to complete online check-in at least 2 hours before domestic flights and 3 hours before international flights.

App Check-In:

The Air Canada mobile app lets you check in for your flight using your phone or tablet. You can either use the app to sign in at the airport kiosk or complete the check-in process on your mobile device. Air Canada’s mobile check-in app lets passengers check in for their flight without having to touch the kiosk. They can do it from their phone instead. To check in for your Air Canada flight using your mobile device, just follow these steps:

• Download the Air Canada app from the PlayStore or iOS and open it. Then, go to the check-in tab to move forward.
• Enter the six-digit ticket reference and the passenger’s last name to find the reservation.
• Look at the map of the cabin and choose your seat. You can also choose your meals and add any special service wishes you might have.
• You would get an Air Canada boarding pass that you could save on your phone and use later.

At Airport:

You can start checking in at the airport before your flight between 24 hours and 3 hours before it’s scheduled to leave.

• Make sure to have your Air Canada booking confirmation with you and go to the Air Canada self-check in desk.
• Please tell us which seat you would like and what meal you prefer so we can finish your check-in.
• Attach the luggage tag to your bags and go to the security checkpoint to get on the plane.

Check-In Requirement

Make sure to read and follow these rules and limitations when checking in for your Air Canada flight:

• You can check in for your Air Canada flight online anytime between 24 hours and 2 hours before your flight is scheduled to leave. Also, you can use the Air Canada self-check in kiosk starting 12 hours before your flight.
• When you arrive to check in, you must get your Air Canada boarding pass and give all your luggage to the check-in counter. Air Canada will take your luggage if you give it to them at least 60 minutes before your international flight or 45 minutes before your flight within Canada.
• Air Canada passengers can use the online check-in feature to print their boarding pass at home using their desktop or smartphone.
• If you check in online with Air Canada, you need to follow their rules for luggage size and drop off your bags at least 45 minutes before the boarding gates close.

FAQs

How Can I Check in for My Air Canada Flight?

Air Canada provides various ways to check-in. You can use the Air Canada website or mobile app to check in for your flight online. You can do this up to 24 hours before your flight. You can either check-in using the self-check-in kiosks at the airport or go to the Air Canada check-in counter. Select the option that is easiest for you.

What Are the Recommended Check-in Deadlines for Air Canada Flights?

Air Canada suggests checking in 24 hours before your flight to have a smooth check-in process and avoid delays. If you’re flying to another country, make sure to get to the airport at least 3 hours before your flight is supposed to leave. If you’re checking in at the airport for a domestic flight, it’s best to arrive 2 hours before your departure time.

Can I Choose My Seat and Purchase Additional Services During the Check-in Process?

Air Canada lets you choose your seats and buy extra services like meals and seats with more legroom when you check in. You can choose how you want your flight experience to be by customizing it online, through the mobile app, or at the airport, no matter how you check in.