Air Canada Check-in

  • Overview
  • Planes & Seat Maps
  • Check-in
  • Baggage
  • Infants
  • Minors
  • Pets

How can I check in for my Air Canada (AC) flight?

You may check-in for your Air Canada (AC), including Air Canada rouge and Air Canada Express, flight with the following options:

  • Online check-in (Web check-in)
  • Mobile check-in
  • Self-service kiosk check-in at the airport
  • Ticket counter check-in at the airport

Does Air Canada (AC) have online web check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Air Canada (AC) flight online starting 24 hours before the scheduled departure time to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device or a printable boarding pass. You may use this option if:

  • you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on Air Canada (AC)
  • you know your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
  • you are not a special needs passenger (for example an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)
  • if you are part of a group reservation then you may check-in up to nine passengers at a time

Can I check bags with the Air Canada (AC) online web check-in?: Yes, you may check bags but you must drop them at the airport baggage drop before the check-in deadline for your flight.

Can I pay bag fees with the Air Canada (AC) online web check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the Air Canada (AC) online web check-in?: Yes

Does Air Canada (AC) offer mobile check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Air Canada (AC) flight with your mobile device starting 24 hours before the scheduled departure time to receive a mobile boarding pass on your mobile device. You may use this option if:

  • you have an electronic ticket and the first flight is on Air Canada (AC)
  • you may access your reservation with your confirmation code, e-ticket number, or frequent flyer account
  • you are not a special needs passenger (for example, an unaccompanied minor or traveling with a pet)
  • you are part of a group reservation (you may check-in up to nine passengers at a time)
  • you are departing from an airport which accepts mobile boarding passes (if not, then you may check-in and print a boarding pass at the self service kiosk or ticket counter)
  • you are not traveling with an infant (a printed boarding pass is required)

Does Air Canada (AC) offer curbside check-in? (US Carriers only)

No

Does Air Canada (AC) offer self-service kiosk check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Air Canada (AC) flight at the airport kiosk from 45 minutes to 12 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags with the Air Canada (AC) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes, within 4 hours of your scheduled departure time for flights from Canada or the U S, 3 hours for international flights (except Tokyo-Narita - 2 1/2 hours)

Can I pay bag fees with the Air Canada (AC) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat with the Air Canada (AC) self-service kiosk check-in?: Yes

Does Air Canada (AC) offer ticket counter check-in?

Yes, you may check-in for your Air Canada (AC) flight at the airport ticket counter from 30 minutes to 4 hours before the scheduled departure time and receive a printed boarding pass.

Can I check bags at the Air Canada (AC) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I pay bag fees at the Air Canada (AC) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Can I select or change my seat at the Air Canada (AC) ticket counter check-in?: Yes

Does Air Canada (AC) charge a fee for a seat assignment?

Yes, Air Canada (AC) will charge $10 to $40 CAD per one-way segment for an advance seat assignment if you are traveling on a Tango fare within Canada and the U S. However, seat selection within 24 hours of departure time is complimentary.

When do I need to check-in for my Air Canada (AC) flight?

The minimum time to check-in for an Air Canada (AC) flight is:

  • 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for Canada flights (20 minutes for Toronto City Airport YTZ).
  • 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights.

When do I need to arrive at the airport for my Air Canada (AC) flight?

Suggested arrival time:

  • 90 minutes before scheduled departure time for Canada flights
  • 2 hours before scheduled departure time for international flights (including U S, Mexico, and the Caribbean)
  • 3 hours before scheduled departure time for flights from Lisbon and Tel Aviv

Minimum required check-in time with carry-on baggage:

  • 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for Canada flights (20 minutes for Toronto City Airport YTZ
  • 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights.)

Minimum required check-in time with checked baggage:

  • 45 minutes before scheduled departure time for Canada flights (20 minutes for Toronto City Airport YTZ
  • 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights.)

When do I need to be at the boarding gate?

Boarding closes at the following times for Air Canada (AC) flights:

  • 20 minutes before scheduled departure time for Canada and to/from the US flights
  • 30 minutes before scheduled departure time for international flights to/from Canada (not including the US and Israel)
  • 60 minutes before scheduled departure time for flights from Tel Aviv, Israel.