Air Canada Check-In

The Air Canada check-in process is said to be the most convenient one as it spares passengers from the trouble of waiting in long queues at the airport, and allows them to board their scheduled flight hassle-free. It also allows passengers to pre-select their desired seats, purchase essential travel amenities like meals, extra legroom seats, etc. 

Air Canada flight check-in guidelines ask passengers to complete their check in process on time as it is important to arrive airport well in advance, as passengers would be having plenty of time to check in, drop-offs the baggage, proceed to the security screening –  

• Air Canada Check-in Deadlines – To avoid delays at the airport, the airline encourages passengers to check in 24 hours prior to the scheduled departure using either Air Canada mobile check in app or via web check in. If check-in at the airport, passengers need to arrive at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure for international flights, and 2 hours for domestic flights. 

• Air Canada Baggage Check-in Drop-off – passengers need to ensure to arrive well before the baggage drop-off counter closes, as passengers are not allowed to check in once the Air Canada check-in deadline passes. Also, passengers must note that overweight luggage may take a longer time to check in.

Air Canada Check-in Times and Deadlines

With the option of checking in at the airport, it is always available at the passengers’ disposal. Besides that, passengers can do the check in online as well as through mobile devices, and passengers can complete the check in for Air Canada, Air Canada Express, and Air Canada Rouge flight via – 

• Air Canada online check-in
• Air Canada mobile check-in
• Air Canada self-check-in kiosk

Air Canada Online Check-in

Air Canada website check in gets active 24 hours prior and the deadlines end 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure for international flights, and 2 hours for the domestic flights.

Within Canada – 

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada boarding pass and drop off their bags up to 45 minutes before the boarding gate closes
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

To/From the United States – 

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada boarding pass and drop off their luggage at the check in counter at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

For all international routes including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean – 

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada boarding pass and drop off their luggage at the check in counter at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

Air Canada Mobile Check-in

Passengers can complete the Air Canada mobile check in via the app and it gets active 24 hours before and closes 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure.

Within Canada – 

• Mobile Air Canada check-in online which reaches the airport at least 1.5 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada mobile boarding pass receipt and submit their luggage at the check in counter at least 45 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

To/from the United States – 

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada electronic boarding pass receipt and the baggage tags up to 45 minutes prior to the scheduled departure. 
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

For all international routes including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean –

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada boarding pass and drop off their luggage at the check in counter at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

Air Canada Self-Check-In Kiosk

Air Canada pre-flight check in via kiosk starts 12 hours and ends 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure. 

Within Canada – 

• Air Canada pre-flight check in kiosk allows passengers to check in within Canada at least 90 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must have collected the Air Canada flight check in boarding pass and baggage tags up to 90 minutes prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate as it closes 30 minutes before departure

To and From United States – 

• For the flights going to and from the United States, the passengers must arrive at the airport at least 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must have collected the Air Canada flight check in boarding pass and baggage tags up to 120 minutes prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate as it closes 30 minutes before departure

For all international routes including Mexico, Puerto Rico, and the Caribbean –

• Passengers must arrive at the airport up to 2.5 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• Passengers must collect the Air Canada boarding pass and drop off their luggage at the check in counter at least 60 minutes before the scheduled departure
• Passengers must reach the boarding gate at most 30 minutes before the scheduled departure

Air Canada Flight Check-in Services

Here are the following services offered during the Air Canada pre-flight check in services – 

• Passengers can choose the standard seats or can upgrade to extra legroom seats
• Passengers could also indicate and check baggage, assess Air Canada baggage size check in, and pay the required baggage fees
• At the time of check-in, passengers can also make the same-day changes or can stand by for an earlier flight
• Passengers can upgrade the class of service using eUpgrade credits
• Passengers can also request a last-minute upgrade
• Passengers can add, renew, or change the Aeroplan or other frequent flyer number
• Passengers can have their Air Canada boarding pass sent on their mobile device
• If completed the Air Canada flight check in process, passengers could have access to the delayed and canceled flight service if the flight has been affected by severe weather.

Air Canada Pre-Boarding Check-in Zones

All the flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express are boarded in the zonal areas as prescribed at most of the airports. The Air Canada flight check in boarding zones corresponding to your seat are clearly printed out on your issued boarding pass. 

Pre-boarding

• Passengers who have requested the wheelchair survive or any other special service or who self-identify as having a disability need more time to complete the check-in, and are invited to board the flight first.

Zone 1 – 

• Passengers who complete Air Canada business class check in or in Air Canada Premium Rouge on domestic or international flights

Zone 2 – 

• Air Canada check-in for the passenger who are traveling with Premium Economy Class or in Premium Rouge on an international flight
• Air Canada website check in for the passengers who booked Latitude fares or passengers who travelled with Star Gold Alliance members. 

Family Boarding

Passengers would be invited to board before the general boarding initiates if – 

• Passengers are traveling with passengers under the age of 6 or require the additional time to board the aircraft
• Passengers are traveling with the musical instrument as part of the carry-on baggage

Zone 3 –

• Passengers who complete the Air Canada flight check in when purchased a comfort fare
• Or, the passenger who upgraded the class of service or purchased a preferred seat. 

Passengers who purchased a preferred seat or requested the class of service upgrade via the check-in counter are not eligible for early Zone 3 boarding.  

Zone 4 and 5 – 

• Passengers who complete the Air Canada flight check in with the flights operated by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, or the flight operated by the Air Canada Express.

Zone 6 –

• Passengers would be asked to board a flight from zone 6 if traveling on the Basic Economy fare. 

Check-In Requirement for Air Canada

Take a note of the following requirements and restrictions for the Air Canada flight check-in – 

• Air Canada web check in option is available between 24 hours and 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure. Add to that, the Air Canada self-check in kiosk available 12 hours prior to the scheduled departure
• At the time of check in, passengers need to obtain the Air Canada boarding pass, submit all the baggage at the check in counter. Air Canada accepts the baggage up to 60 minutes prior to the scheduled departure for international flights, and 45 minutes before for flights within Canada. 
• Passengers can print the boarding pass at home from the convenience of their desktop/smartphone, after using the Air Canada online check in feature. 
• After using the Air Canada web check in service, and obtaining further the boarding pass, passengers are required to tag luggage as per Air Canada baggage size check in guidelines and deposit the luggage at least 45 minutes before the closure of the boarding gates.

How to Check in with Air Canada?

Passengers can access the Air Canada check-in features online via desktop or mobile app, over the phone, as well as the airport via Air Canada self-check in kiosk as well as through the Air Canada flight check in counter at the airport terminal. Let understand how you can check-in via these three methods, step-by-step navigation – 

Air Canada Web Check-in

Passengers can check in online 48 hours prior to the flight departure, and save time at the airport, avoiding queues at the check in desk Follow these steps to complete the Air Canada website check-in  – 

• Visit AirCanada official website, and navigate to the ‘manage booking’ section
• Click on the ‘Air Canada flight check in online’ tab to proceed.
• Enter the six-digit booking reference along with the last name of the passenger.

• Review the cabin map, and select the seat before arriving at the airport. Print the boarding pass, or save it on the device to download it later. Passengers can also send the Air Canada boarding pass link to the registered email to download it later.
• Passengers need to note that Air Canada online check in closes 2 hours prior to the scheduled departure for the domestic flights, and 3 hours prior for the international flights.

Air Canada App Check-in

Air Canada mobile check in app allows passengers to quickly sign in to the Check-in kiosk or complete the check in with Air Canada via the mobile device. The mobile check in app with Air Canada allows passengers to sign up for their boarding process without touching the kiosk and allows them to complete the request remotely. Follow these steps to complete mobile Air Canada check-in online request – 

• Download and launch the Air Canada mobile app via PlayStore/iOS, and go to the check in tab to proceed
• Enter the six-digit booking reference along with the last name of the passenger to retrieve the booking.
• Review the cabin map, and select the seat. You also have the option to select your meals, as well as to add special service requests, if any.
• You would be issued the Air Canada boarding pass that you can save on your smartphone for later use. 

Check-in at the Airport

Pre check in at the airport starts between 24 hours and 3 hours prior to the scheduled departure. 

• Keep your Air Canada booking confirmation alongside other travel documents handy, and head to the Air Canada self-check in desk.
• Provide your seat selection and the meal preference to complete the check-in request. 
• Add the baggage tag to your luggage and head to the security checkpoint to board the flight. 

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

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