Check-in and boarding gate deadlines
It&s important to always arrive at the airport well in advance of your flight. This will ensure you have plenty of time to check in, drop off your bags and go through security screening.
The table below will help you determine at what time you should arrive at the airport, based on your destination or point of departure.
Check-in and boarding gate deadlines
Within Canada
90 minutes
45 minutes&
20 minutes
To/From the U.S.
120 minutes
60 minutes
20 minutes
International (including Mexico and the Caribbean)
120 minutes
60 minutes
30 minutes
Caracas, Venezuela
180 minutes
90 minutes
60 minutes
Lisbon, Portugal
180 minutes
60 minutes
30 minutes
Tel-Aviv, Israel
180 minutes
75 minutes
60 minutes
Check-in/baggage drop-off and boarding gate deadlines are important. Failure to respect these deadlines may result in the reassignment of any reserved seats, the cancellation of reservations, and/or ineligibility for denied boarding compensation.
Codeshare flights: If you are travelling on a , you&ll need to familiarize yourself with the other airline&s policies on check-in times and procedures.
How early can I check in?
You can check in for your flight as early as:
24 hours before departure when you check in
12 hours before departure at one of our self-service
When can I drop off my bags?
You may check your bags at the baggage drop-off counter at the earliest:
4 hours prior to departure for flights from Canada or the U.S.
3 hours prior to departure for flights from all other locations.
I have a connecting flight. What should I know about minimum connection times?
For a smooth connection between flights, it's important to give yourself adequate time between your first flight's arrival and your next flight's departure, in order to allow for security checks and any necessary terminal changes. Learn more .
Related topics:Air Canada eUpgrades
Air Canada eUpgrade Credits allow you to enjoy the comfort of our Business Class and Premium Economy cabins. Your eUpgrade Credits are deposited directly to your eUpgrade account soon after you qualify for them, giving you access to them at all times .
Here's what you need to know:
eUpgrades are based on credits.
They can be used for any eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Express and Air Canada rouge itinerary or flight segment across our network which features a Business Class or Premium Economy cabin.
eUpgrade Credits can be shared.
Depending on your
Air Canada Altitude status, you can designate eUpgrade Nominees, for whom you can then request an upgrade using your credits,
even when you are not travelling with them.
You?ll also be able to request an upgrade at the airport on the day of departure for one companion travelling on the same flight as you (and not necessarily on the same reservation).
eUpgrades can be requested online.
Regardless of
where you complete your booking, whether online, with a travel agent, or
elsewhere, you can make upgrade requests and view your eUpgrade transaction
eUpgrade waitlist requests
are carried through until flight departure.
If your waitlisted
upgrade request does not clear before you check in, it is automatically
transferred to the airport upgrade standby list for clearance at the gate.
If you have your booking reference handy, you can request an upgrade for an eligible itinerary by accessing your .
Learn more about:
Become a Member
Signing up to earn Aeroplan Miles is easy.
Important tip
Make sure you have your booking reference handy when you
to request an upgrade for an eligible itinerary.Photos & Logos
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner operating as flight AC7008 lands and receives a water cannon salute at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014.
Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new International Business Class cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new Premium Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new Premium Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Air Canada's new Economy cabin on the 787 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Flight AC7008, Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner, lands at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner receives a water cannon salute at Toronto's Pearson Airport, Sunday May 18, 2014.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Air Canada's first 787 Dreamliner parked at the hangar at Toronto's Pearson Airport.
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner
Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner and 777-200LR
Boeing 777-200LR
Air Canada renews international wide-body fleet with Boeing 777s.
Boeing 777
Boeing 777-300ER
Boeing 777-200LR
Boeing 777
Embraer 190 a new era for space and comfort
Choice of spacious Business Class or Economy Class cabins
Embraer 175 a new era for space and comfort
Embraer 175 - Spacious Business Class
Embraer 175 - Business Class
- New Air Canada Cabin Interior
Embraer 175 - Economy Class cabin in-seat entertainment
Embraer 175 - Montréal
Spacious Economy Class cabin
New in-seat entertainment system
Contemporary new design for the fleet, inside and out
Cabin Interior
Vintage Trans-Canada Airlines Canadair DC-4M North Star
An Air Canada Boeing 777-300ER unveling the livery of the Vancouver 2010 Winter OlympicsMAKE YOUR MILES COUNT
With over 150 retail, financial and travel partners, Aeroplan& is Canada's most rewarding loyalty program offering you many opportunities to earn
Aeroplan Miles. Thanks to their partnership with Aeroplan, Air Canada and its
27 Star Alliance member airline partners allow you to quickly and easily earn
miles towards exciting travel rewards and privileges.
You'll earn Aeroplan Miles when you:
Fly on eligible Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada
rouge or other Star Alliance member airline flights
Purchase other travel products and services online
Register for Bonus Aeroplan Mile promotions
Use your &or&
about how you can earn Aeroplan Miles.
You can use your Aeroplan Miles to:
Book a flight reward with Air Canada, Air Canada Express, Air Canada rouge
or another Star Alliance member airline
Enjoy onboard and airport travel perks
Redeem for other Aeroplan Rewards
about redeeming your Aeroplan Miles.
Become a Member
Signing up to earn Aeroplan Miles is easy.
Important tip
It's easy to track your Altitude Qualifying Miles (AQM) and Altitude Qualifying Segments (AQS). Simply login to
and visit your Dashboard.