Air Canada Check-In: Passengers’ Step-by-Step Handbook

Written By Amy Lancelotte

Last Updated: November 28, 2024

In September 2024, Air Canada changed the check-in times for all their flights to 60 minutes - an increase from the previous 45 minutes for domestic routes, according to CTV News. The change is meant to help avoid delays and missed flights. In a statement, the airline said:

This change ensures a smoother, more efficient boarding and baggage loading process, and gives everyone peace of mind in preparation for takeoff.

Since check-in is an ultra-important part of any flight, it’s crucial not to miss out on any details like this. Here is everything a passenger needs to know about the Air Canada check-in process before their next trip:

Why is Air Canada Check-in So Important?

Without completing Air Canada check-in, passengers cannot travel. By checking in, you confirm your seat and luggage and get the all-important boarding pass. Without the pass, you won’t be permitted to board the aircraft.

Air Canada Boarding Passes

When we say that your Air Canada boarding pass is essential, we mean it. Without it, you won’t be able to check bags, go through security, or board at the gate. On your boarding pass, you’ll find information like your name, the flight number, your seat, and your boarding group.

Air Canada Seat Selection

During Air Canada check-in, you have the option to select a seat if you haven’t already done so during the booking process. If you do not choose to pay for seat selection (some fares like Comfort, Latitude, and Flex include free seat selection), one will be assigned to you at check-in. So, you can choose your seats with Air Canada when you book, after booking by managing your reservation (up to 2 hours before the flight departs), and at check-in.

Adding Checked Luggage

Similar to selecting a seat, you can also add checked bags, sometimes for an additional fee, during Air Canada check-in.

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Checking in and Arriving at the Airport

Once you check in, you can focus on other travel essentials like packing and solidifying your sightseeing itinerary. A quick Air Canada online check-in has its benefits, especially if you do it as soon as the option becomes available (24 hours ahead of the flight):

• Better choice of seats.
• Checking in online means no lines at the airport check-in desks.
• Increased selection of chargeable upgrades.
• Less chance of getting bumped from the flight.

Air Canada Check-in Policy

As mentioned, the new check-in rules for Air Canada have increased the cut-off time to 60 minutes for domestic flights from 45 minutes previously.

• Air Canada online check-in opens 24 hours before the flight.
• Check-in closes one hour before both domestic and international Air Canada flights.
• Bag drop also closes 60 minutes before every flight.

Air Canada Check-in Regulations

1. Valid ID required: For domestic flights, a valid government-issued photo ID is needed to board the flight. If no photo ID is available, two pieces of government-issued ID with the passenger’s name and date of birth can be accepted. For international flights, a valid passport and applicable visas are mandatory. 
2. Gate arrival time: Passengers must be at the departure gate at least 30 minutes prior to departure for flights within Canada or to or from the US. This deadline increases to 45 minutes for international routes.
3. Checked bag deadlines: Ensure you drop off your checked baggage at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure.
4. Large group check-in: For Air Canada check-in online with large groups of 10 or more, be aware that only 9 passengers can be checked in during one check-in session. Additionally, for in-person airport check-in, allow extra time for groups.
5. Special assistance requests: If you or a travel companion requires assistance, such as courtesy transport, or have a special request linked with the Air Canada booking, plan to arrive at the airport earlier than the standard check-in time to ensure all arrangements are accommodated.

Timing Your Airport Arrivals for Air Canada Flights

While anything can happen at an airport to cause a delay, it’s recommended that you arrive at least three hours before the flight if you’re flying from Toronto’s Pearson Airport to the USA and your flight leaves before 9 AM. 

In general, for domestic departures, arriving at the airport two hours in advance is sufficient and for international flights, three hours ahead is recommended.

Available Methods for Air Canada Check-in

Air Canada offers four ways to complete check-in. Two can be done online in advance and two are available at the airport. As to whether it’s better to check in online or at the airport, online usually wins out due to the convenience, lack of paper, and generous timeframes. And perhaps best of all, you avoid the airport queues. But the choice is yours:

Air Canada Online Check-in

Online check-ins are becoming more and more popular and to complete your online check-in with Air Canada, you can start a full day (24 hours) before the flight. Simply go to the website and look up your reservation. 

You’ll need an identifier - either your booking reference (6 characters), your Aeroplan number (9 digits), or your ticket number (13 digits that starts with 014). Enter that and your last name and click continue.

You can check in all passengers on the same reservation at the same time as long as the total number of passengers does not exceed 9. You’ll follow the prompts and be required to complete these sections:

• Declaration of hazardous materials/banned items.
• Your ID documents for international flights.
• The address where you will be staying for US-bound flights.
• Seat selection (and payment if applicable).
• Checked bags (and possible payment).
• Opt in or out of last-minute upgrades.
• Print your boarding pass or send it to your device. 

Unable to Check-in Online with Air Canada

If there is a system issue and you can’t get the online check-in to work, download the Air Canada app to see if that will work. Aside from that, you can still check in at the airport, so there’s no need to panic. Some bookings are not eligible for Air Canada online check-in in the first place, and they involve:

• Unaccompanied minors
• Pets
• Medical or wheelchair assistance
• Any special requests
• Flights operated by another airline
• Routes from Cuba, Algeria, or Morocco, which require you to get your boarding pass in person at the airport.

Air Canada App Check-in

Source: aircanada.com

When there’s an issue checking in with Air Canada online or you travel frequently with the airline, downloading the mobile app is recommended. Aside from being able to check in this way, passengers can check flight status, take advantage of Aeroplan offers (and see their number of points), book and manage flights, and get real-time updates in transit.

To do the Air Canada app check-in, the process is pretty much the same as using the website. You’ll need to click through the same prompts, but the system will remember your travel documents to save a bit of time on international flights.

Once complete, the app will generate your Air Canada mobile boarding pass, which will function the same as any other paper or downloaded one. 

Air Canada Airport Check-in

When you can’t check in online or don’t want to, Air Canada allows passengers to check in at the airport. You’ll line up and the desk agent will ask you a few questions (like the prompts for online check-in) and they’ll issue your boarding passes and check your bags if you have any.

At busy times, the lines for this service can be exceedingly long, especially at Air Canada’s hub, Toronto Pearson. So, passengers should really try to make this option their last resort. 

Air Canada Kiosk Check-in

Source: aircanada.com

Your final option is to use the self-service kiosks at the airport - it’s a hybrid between checking in with an agent at the counters and using the app or website. The questions and selections are the same.

The machine will print your boarding pass and luggage tags if you have any checked bags. Note that passengers who have already used online or app check-in and have bags will need to use these machines to print tags before heading to the bag drop.

Managing an Air Canada Booking

Aside from calling in to manage your Air Canada booking, there are three ways to retrieve your reservation and make changes to it at home or while traveling: by logging in to Aeroplan, using the mobile app, or finding an existing reservation. 

To log into your existing Aeroplan account, use either your email or your Aeroplan number and password. Once logged in, locate the trip in question to be able to make changes. 

Similarly, if you have the app, open it and find the appropriate trip. Lastly, if you are not an Aeroplan member and don’t want the app, you can retrieve your booking with your booking reference and last name, as you would do for Air Canada check-in. 

Here are some of the ways you can manage your trip ahead of departure:

Seat Changes and Selection

If it’s not quite check-in time and you want to select (and potentially pay for) a seat, you can do so up to two hours before the flight. Also, if you’ve already selected a seat and have changed your mind, this is where you can update it. Note that if the new seat is bookable at a higher price, you’ll need to pay the difference.

Cancellations

If for any reason you need to cancel your Air Canada flight within 24 hours of the purchase, you can do so with no penalty. If it’s beyond the initial 24 hours, cancellations are still possible online, but whether or not you receive a flight refund will depend on the fare type you purchased. 

The Comfort and Latitude fares are always refundable, as are the “Flexible” options for both Premium Economy and Business Class. Others depend on your destination or are not refundable at all.

But you can always cancel as long as it’s at least two hours ahead of the scheduled flight.

Extras and Other Changes

If you want to change your fare type or request an upgrade, you can also complete this online. And if you want lounge access or onboard refreshments, you can purchase those ahead of time, too.

Air Canada Check-in Deadlines

Air Canada’s deadlines for check-in are 60 minutes, with very few exceptions (more on that later). In-person airport check-in opens four hours before a flight and kiosk check-in at the airport opens 12 hours ahead.

Bag Drop Timing with Air Canada

You can check your bag as early as four hours before a flight with Air Canada. Bag drop closes 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes for international ones.

Air Canada Gates

The Air Canada boarding gates require passengers to be ready to board no less than 30 minutes ahead for flights within Canada or involving the USA. For international flights, passengers should be at the gate at least 45 minutes in advance.

Officially, the gates close 15 minutes before departure for all flights, after which no one will be permitted to board.

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Air Canada Check-in Exceptions

There are two notable exceptions to be aware of:

• Flights from Toronto City Airport have a check-in deadline of only 30 minutes before departure. The checked bag drop-off deadline is 25 minutes ahead of takeoff.
• With Air Canada’s Landline service for bus connections to Pearson from Waterloo and Hamilton, you can check in up to 30 minutes ahead. Note that when you check in, you receive your boarding passes for the bus and all your flights at the same time.

Missed Deadlines - The Consequences of Missing the Air Canada Check-in Window

Air Canada sets the check-in deadlines to ensure passengers have enough time to go through security and get to the gate. When you miss this window, you’ll likely miss the flight.

That said, delayed flights happen regularly, so you should always try to check in as soon as you arrive at the airport.

Expert Tips for Seamless Air Canada Check-in

1. Start ASAP: It’s best to check in as soon as the Air Canada online check-in becomes available. This will let you know well ahead of time if there are any issues and allow you to prepare accordingly.
2. Use the Air Canada mobile app: Download the app and use this to check in as well as manage and track your flight. Your boarding pass will always be readily available.
3. Don’t pack too much: Make sure you know the carry-on and checked baggage policies associated with your specific Air Canada fare. Avoid exceeding these limits as this will cost you time at the airport and could result in extra fees.
4. Double-check your documents: Ensure you have your ID, passport, and/or visa and that all are valid beyond your travel dates. Keep them somewhere safe but handy.
5. Get to the gate early: Be ready to board at your assigned gate before the minimum of 30/45 minutes. This will allow time for any changes or extra document/security checks.
6. Track your flight: Use the app or the Air Canada website to make sure there are no schedule adjustments, gate changes, or other disruptions