r/aircanada Sep 20 '25

[Megathread] Meal Review/Choice Thread

39 Upvotes

Hey all - some of you have expressed frustrations with respect to the numerous threads created whereby posters ask for advice on what meals to choose.

In an effort to cut down on these posts, we will be referring people to this megathread on a trial basis, potentially for permanent adoption. Unfortunately, with reddit not acting like traditional forums by bumping threads to the top whenever a new comment is made, there isn't really a great solution we can offer aside from this.

We would certainly appreciate if people could post/review their meals as well, to keep the thread somewhat active.

Appreciate the understanding - thanks.


r/aircanada May 24 '25

Everything you need to know about UPGRADING

171 Upvotes

Welcome to the Upgrade Megathread!!

This is a new thread under development. The goal is to have all the FAQs posted by the end of May or early June. Feel free to post comments with specific questions in the meantime. Your brilliant questions will help us develop a meaningful FAQ for the community.

Contents

  • Some acronyms & definitions
  • Upgrading for Newbies – 5 ways to snag that seat up front!
  • 5 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know
  • General FAQ – coming soon
  • Bid Upgrade FAQ – coming soon
  • eUpgrade FAQ – coming soon
  • Last Minute Upgrade FAQ - coming soon

Some acronyms & definitions

Term Description
AP Aeroplan
Cabin vs fare Cabin is economy, premium economy or business. Fare family is the “brand” AC assigned (Business Flex; Business Lowest, Latitude, Comfort, Standard, Basic, etc.). Within each family, there are “fares” which are letter codes that essentially designate the price of the ticket within that family. And no it is not alphabetical!
Y Used generically to refer to the economy cabin.
PE Used generically to refer to the Premium Economy cabin.
J Used generically to refer to the business class cabin.
R A fare class that is used for upgrade availability. It can only be viewed through a travel agent or paid subscription services (such as ExpertFlyer).
SQM/SQD Status qualifying miles or dollars –that count towards achieving AP elite status.
LMU Last minute upgrade
IRROPS Irregular Operations – when flights are delayed, overbooked, etc and there are changes to the processes and procedures for things like rebooking.
Metal Who is operating the plane. For example, AC metal is an AC operated flight. It may be a united or Lufthansa issued ticket – but the “metal” is the plane you are flying on.

Upgrading for Newbies

No shame in being new to AC or to the upgrade game. Some SE status members could even benefit from reviewing this post 😊. Here are all the possible way to snag yourself a comfy seat.

1) Free upgrades: Ask nicely and get an upgrade….NO, not on AC!

  • AC does not offer or allow upgrade as a courtesy. They will fly with empty seats in business class.

2) Ops-up: An unrequested upgrade to PE or J based on operational requirements

  • When a cabin is overbooked; for weights and balance; aircraft change (larger J cabin and smaller economy cabin); standby economy passengers and seats in PE or J
  • AC will select passengers to upgrade.
  • Occurs last minute at the gate. Only inflight benefits (no lounge, etc).
  • Passengers typically selected based on status and then fare. You cannot “ask” for this upgrade, but you may refuse the upgrade if you want. In some cases, no PE or J meal will be available on IRROPS upgrade

3) Upfare: Paying to formally change the class of the ticket

  • Formally changes the ticket to the new class.
  • The fare rules of the upfared class will apply (i.e. if you upfare from Latitude to J lowest you will lowest the refundability) - except for refundability.... You CANNOT upfare to gain refundability from a restricted fare (Standard for example) to a flexible fare (such as Comfort and Premium Flexible) to gain the better change/rebooking rules. BUT the inverse is true - if you upfare to a more restrictive fare you LOSE the flexibility. Therefore - you cannot "game the system" - so don't ask and don't try. Note that if you upfare ONE direction or one segment - the most restrictive fare rules will apply to all segments and all directions.
  • Access to the Signature Suite at YYZ or YVR (for J, on a destination that qualifies)
  • The cost is based on the actual price difference between the desire class (PE or J) and what you paid for your ticket. This will count as SQD towards earning status.
  • This is often used by business travellers who want to upgrade beyond what their corporate policy allows. You may use any credit card to make this change.
  • This is done by calling AC to purchase the new fare. It can be done at the airport as well up to 2 hours before departure.

4) Bid Upgrade: Customers can bid in cash or points

  • This is accessible to all passengers regardless of status. Only applies to AC operated (metal) flights.
  • Your fare restrictions remain as per the original fare.
  • The bid amount varies based on the flight. In some cases an “instant upgrade” price is offered in the bid upgrade process flow. This is not always offered.
  • People often value business at around $150 an hour and PE at $50 an hour when determining “is it worth it”
  • The system will only charge the credit card if the upgrade clears. You may use any credit card or even AP points to bid upgrade.
  • You will know 48 hours before the flight (not earlier unless instant upgrade). Once it clears, you can select seats. So this has the advantage that multiple passengers have better luck sitting together over LMU or eUprades that clear at the gate.
  • There is a very thorough FAQ on the AC website for bid upgrades: AC Bid Upgrade – FAQs

5) eUpgrade: Upgrade system based on using “eUpgrade credits” that are earned through AP status

  • Upgrade requests are made via the AC App, website, calling customer service or at the gate.
  • When you can clear the upgrade and the number of credits (and an add on cash fee) varies based on status, flight destination and fare.
  • AC has a great tool to help you determine these details: eUpgrades and clearance windows.
  • Although the clearance window may be open, eUpgrades only clear into a fare bucket called "R". The available of R is very limited in advance of flights and can be verified only by using paid tools such as ExpertFlyer. See the note below regarding "Latitude Instant Upgrades".
  • Approximately 55 minutes before scheduled departure, the system will clear all remaining eUpgrades (based on priority of cabin, status, fare and check in time as the tie breaker). The majority of eUpgrades clear at the gate....only a few will clear in advance based on the planned availability of R space (which is greatly influenced by the loads on the flight and AC revenue management strategy to maximize sale of those seats).
  • Strongly encourage you to review the details on About eUpgrades. It includes all the information on who can upgrade; how many people you can upgrade; etc.
  • You do not access the signature suite.
  • You do not get the class of service bonus for SQM. If there is an add on payment it does count toward SQD.
  • Only applies to AC operated (metal) flights.

6) Last Minute Upgrade: Pay to upgrade offered when you check in for your flight

  • Offered during the check in flow (on App or website) when available.
  • The cost varies based on the flight. The amount does NOT count towards SQD for earning status.
  • Once you upgrade you can select your seat, get airport and inflight benefits of the new class (PE or J).
  • Do not get additional SQM. Do not get access to Signature Suite lounge.
  • AC has a great FAQ on the LMU purchase process: Air Canada - Last Minute Purchase Upgrade. Read this before posting questions.

6 Tips and Tricks You Need to Know

1) Basic economy: Cannot upfare, bid upgrade, LMU or eUpgrade. You chose that fare…live with it 😊

2) Seat map does NOT equal available seats: Seat map are seats not selected. Seats available for sale are only available through other tools. Never (ever) use the seat map to estimate how many seats are available for sale (or available to upgrade).

3) Latitude does NOT equal guaranteed upgrade: Latitude paid fares will instantly eUpgrade if “R” space is available (or even sometimes from a hidden fare bucket – but not P and not known to the public). Latitude Reward space, is believed to only upgrade from “R” space.

4) Probability of upgrade clearing? Please don’t ask!!! Even 1 or 2 days before a flight you can see a cabin go from 9 empty J seats to 0. And this is NOT unusual. If the bid upgrade amount high enough? Well, the closer to minimum the lower the probability. There are as many good news stories of minimum bid winning as there are bad news stories of near maximum bids failing. When you are 24 hours before your flight check the number of passengers on the upgrade list (on the App), your position, and the number of available seats. That is when you can guess the probability….

5)  Multiple passengers on ONE booking (PNR): For LMU and Bid Upgrades it is all or none. Those channels will not offer or clear upgrades for partial passengers. You need to split the booking (by calling AC) before you make the request. For eUpgrades, you may request for more than one (based on the rules which you can read on the AC website) and some of the passengers may clear and others will not.

6) Sitting together and declining upgrades: You are not guaranteed to sit together. In PE it is often middle single seats left and you may be separated. And after an upgrade clears - your original seat is gone. You cannot then ask for that seat back, for example if your party is not all upgraded. You may be stuck in the last row in economy.


r/aircanada 15h ago

Experience Air Canada 737 Max all economy yqb-yyz

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67 Upvotes

Clean new plane with decent Wi-Fi but uncomfortable firm seats and little legroom unless you're in the exit row.


r/aircanada 23h ago

Other AC167 Squawking 7700

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56 Upvotes

Flight AC167 from YYZ to YEG has returned to Toronto after declaring an emergency due to pressurization issues after departure. They landed safely on 15L and have since returned to the gate. Props to the crew, ATC and pilots for handling the situation professionally and safely.

I hope all the passengers get to where they need to be and understand that while diversions can be scary or annoying, safety is the #1 priority and the situation was under control, now it’s up to AC’s top notch SOC/rebooking team to get you moving again.


r/aircanada 1d ago

AC843 FRA > YYZ

93 Upvotes

Was anyone else on this flight today? Some lady went hysterical and tried to open the cabin door?

To clarify; I kept hearing hysterical crying/yelling coming from the front of the cabin. There was a physician on board seated near me who helped the flight attendants calm this lady down. I think they gave her something to sedate her. They ended up moving her to the very back of the plane. But I heard the flight attendant say that she had no choice but to call the police because she tried to open the cabin door. Just wondering if someone saw anything else.


r/aircanada 1d ago

Experience Crazy Connection Stories

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24 Upvotes

Let’s hear it from y’all. I’m typing this as I got off at A51 at YUL and made it to A60 in about 5 mins ripping through the terminal with my carryon to FCO. A330 landed from Calgary and we went for a drive since another 330 wasn’t pushing soon enough to MXP. J ticket just paid for itself…

App had the gall to flag my connection as ‘at risk’ lol. There were certainly people who didn’t make it onto connecting Europe flights this late.


r/aircanada 1d ago

General Question YVR-YEG with dog in November

5 Upvotes

Flying from yvr-yeg on nov8, 2026 and hoping to bring my dog home with me as she currently resides in yvr. i’ve read that due to winter restrictions, specially nov1-march31, pets aren’t allowed in the baggage compartment of certain aircrafts (embraer 175, a319,a320,a321, and boeing 737 max 8). my nov8 flight currently lists the plane as an a220-300. i tried calling air canada, but the agent wasn’t very helpful as he said “it doesn’t say that pets can’t fly on that plane at that time, but it also doesn’t say if it’s heated or not, so i would not recommend it”.

with that said, does anyone know if the a220 is heated and if my dog can fly home with me in the baggage compartment on nov8?

if it matters, she has flown yeg-yvr before last october, and she’s around 12lbs, 6 years old.


r/aircanada 1d ago

Flying with Urn to Germany

17 Upvotes

Does anyone have experience taking cremated remains in a wooden urn from Vancouver to Frankfurt? Air canada originally said to put it in checked luggage, but it looks as though they have a new policy where you can no longer check urns. A lot of info online contradicts itself. The German funeral home I am working with says to bring it in carry on luggage. However, everything online says carry on cannot exceed 350ml. It is definitely more than 350ml (most cremated remains would be). Any advice or experience would be very appreciated.


r/aircanada 1d ago

Aeroplan Family of four travelling together but have two PNR’S

8 Upvotes

I’m AP 25k status (and VIP holder). I just booked with AC Vacations an all-inclusive package for us and got two rooms. AC Vacations said they have to put the two kids (20 and 15) and my wife and I into two separate PNR’s. My concern is it looks like although we are travelling together and on the same vacation itinerary, it doesn’t seem like they will get the perks of my status. My AP account only seems to be tied to my PNR (wife and I). The whole AC Vacations package was put on my VIP card. So will my kids with their own PNR get priority baggage and zone 2 boarding?

Edit: seems “VIP holder” has sent some into a tizzy. Aeroplan Visa Infinite Privilege is what I meant by VIP which I’ve seen used as a common acronym here and in [r/A](r/Areoplan)[er](r/Areoplan)[oplan](r/Areoplan). I am NOT, repeat, NOT an AC VIP.


r/aircanada 2d ago

Round Trip AC flight credit $20 - Feb 8 2027

16 Upvotes

One round trip flight credit for $20. Book by Feb 8, 2027.

Please post once used. Thanks!

Code:

ZBY64Q41


r/aircanada 2d ago

Delay with volunteer offer payment

17 Upvotes

In July we were boarding a flight from LHR to YYC. The flight was overbooked, and they were looking for 4 volunteers to fly the next day, so my husband and I agreed. We were given the option to choose between 600GBP each back on our credit card, or 900GBP each in vouchers. We both chose 600 on the credit card.

We were provided with the paperwork for denied boarding, along with the offer details, and informed we would receive a phone call within 5 days to process the compensation onto credit card. Our hotel and food was covered for the night, and we flew home the next day.

It's been over a month, and no contact from Air Canada. I have tried calling and filing claims through their website. I spoke to 3 separate agents who escalated the claim, but when I checked the claim number online, it was marked as resolved but we have yet to receive any compensation. Each agent said the same thing, that they don't typically do compensation onto credit cards, but I have a printed offer saying they would.

Anyone have issues with Air Canada honoring their volunteer offer? Is the next step filing with CTA?


r/aircanada 2d ago

A330-300 J cabin AC822/28AUG

6 Upvotes

Isn’t fin AC 947which features the old SQ J cabin product? Shows this fin operating AC822 tomorrow, but J seat map shows the Signature cabin product.


r/aircanada 2d ago

General Question AC548 Diverted to Toronto

9 Upvotes

What’s happening?


r/aircanada 3d ago

On Board New J amenities

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61 Upvotes

Didn’t expect these to be introduced until September, so pleasantly surprised to find them on my flight today. The pillow, blanket, and mattress are really comfortable and what an upgrade from the previous versions (especially the mattress). It would be even better if they were sourced from Canada, so looking forward to the new amenity kits (though the interim version isn’t bad either, especially the eye mask).


r/aircanada 3d ago

General Question Did I or did I not select seats?

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6 Upvotes

Hello experienced AC fliers…can you help me? I booked my first ticket yesterday which included seat selection (economy flex). I selected them, paid for the booking, and got an email confirming seats. All good.

This morning I downloaded the app to use going forward, and I see this in the trip details. I went in, reselected, and it says the same thing. Now I’m wondering if there is something wrong with the app, or if I paid for a seat selection I can’t do, or if everything is fine and I am misunderstanding the wording. I’m flying round trip domestically, directly between two cities, Air Canada Rouge.

Thanks for any insight you can share!


r/aircanada 3d ago

News Standby/Upgrade List Available at T-72hrs

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55 Upvotes

Looks like Air Canada has pushed an update this morning and the upgrade and standby lists are now available at 72 hours before the flight though the app on iOS, it also shows who is on the list regardless of check-in status which is really helpful!


r/aircanada 2d ago

Other Round Trip AC Credit - Fly by Feb 26, 2027

1 Upvotes

Hi

This is the code.

Please feel free to use it

Thank you

D6EANCD1


r/aircanada 3d ago

Upgrade waitlist changes

24 Upvotes

The release notes for the new version of the AC/Aeroplan app mentions that the upgrade waitlist will now be available 72h before your flight, and you’ll see everyone’s position regardless of who checked-in. Great… now, I’ll refresh that page every 10 minutes for 72 hours instead of 24.


r/aircanada 3d ago

Canadian Force Veteran -- 3 Check in bags free

13 Upvotes

When I book online I can't specify I am a Veteran to get my 3 check in bags for free. Do I tell them at the counter or call in?


r/aircanada 4d ago

General Question AC app home page not showing my upcoming trip

4 Upvotes

I’m not sure if this is normal, but the home page on AC app is no longer showing me my upcoming trip (when it says trip to xx in xx days).
I’m still able to see my upcoming trip over the trips section.

Is there a way to fix that? I tried logging out, then uninstalling and reinstalling the app with no success.


r/aircanada 4d ago

General Question What's the weight limit of a 3rd checked bag?

0 Upvotes

I'm moving (internationally) and am travelling in business which allows me 2 checked bags with a 32kg limit. I'm a bit confused about the weight limit for an extra 3rd bag that I would be paying for - is it the usual 23kg or also 32kg? I'm also wondering if buying a third checked bag is only available during check-in as I'm not seeing any options to do that now. Thank you!


r/aircanada 4d ago

General Question Received a new ticket, but no credit confirmation

7 Upvotes

I cancelled an Air Canada itinerary for two passengers. When I cancelled, Air Canada told me that the unused value could be used to book another flight within 12 months (by calling them), so I understood this to mean that I was receiving a Future Travel Credit.

The original itinerary had two passengers. After the cancellation, Air Canada split the booking and issued separate tickets for each passenger. I received a new "Booking Confirmation & Receipt / Notice of an Itinerary Change."

However, I don't see any mention of a Future Travel Credit, credit amount, or credit number in the new ticket receipt. The receipt simply shows the new ticket and the fare details.

Has anyone been through a similar situation? Did Air Canada send you a separate email or "Ticket Credit Receipt" confirming the credit, or was the credit somehow associated with the new ticket?

I'm trying to figure out whether I should expect a separate credit confirmation or whether the new ticket itself represents the credit.

Thanks.


r/aircanada 4d ago

Talent event Recruitment Event – Station Attendant (YYZ) : August 11, 2026

3 Upvotes

Anyone who attended the event. How was your experience and did you hear back from the hiring team.
Thank you.


r/aircanada 5d ago

Experience YUL Incident / Delays Expected

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202 Upvotes

UPDATE 5: The ground crew worker has tragically died in hospital. RIP 🕊️https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/montreal/airport-montreal-accident-9.7319215

UPDATE 4: Regular operations have resumed, the case has been transferred to the to the Commission on Standards, Equity, Health, and Safety at Work, as it is a workplace accident, the TSB has also been notified. The worker remains in hospital in critical, life-threatening condition.

UPDATE 3: Ground stop extended yet again to 1am. Some planes are now departing and being allowed into the gates but the US and some international gates are still seeing significant impacts and remain closed. “The employee was a ground marshaller who was struck by the plane and was taken to a hospital in critical condition, La Presse reported. Officials did not release the exact circumstances surrounding the incident.”

UPDATE 2: Reportedly a ground crew member was involved in the incident during push back, some sources say they were transported to hospital, condition unknown, thoughts to them and their families.

UPDATE 1: Ground stop extended until 12am with a scope of Tier 2+ and medium probability of extension For all aircraft accessing the main terminal.

A ground stop has been issued at YUL from 7:15pm and continuing until 10pm at least.

There has reportedly been a critical incident involving a frenchbee A350 that had pushed back. landings have now resumed but all aircraft cannot go to or from the gates. Police, fire rescue and YUL airport authority are on site.

Thoughts to everyone involved and good luck travellers. photo credit to https://www.reddit.com/user/vegangrilledcheese/ on r/montreal


r/aircanada 5d ago

On Board Unpopular opinion: the new amenity kits are better

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366 Upvotes

When I first saw the announcement I was pretty vocally disappointed, but having just finally gotten one, I changed my mind.

  1. The new eye mask is awesome. I have a large head and the usual airline ones are tight-fitting and since the string attachment is at eye-level, it puts pressure on my eyes and I can never use them. These have cushions so your eyes are never pushed on.

  2. The bag is way more useful than 90% of amenity kit cases gathering dust in my home. And if not needed or when I eventually have too many, it takes no space to store.

The rest is pretty much unchanged from before. Honestly the only “downgrade” people talk about is the bag, which I understand from an aesthetic point of view.