Canada · AC / ACA · Star Alliance
Air Canada Online Check-in Guide
Canada's flag carrier and Star Alliance founding member. Online check-in opens 24 hours before departure on aircanada.com or in the Air Canada app.
Opens on aircanada.com in a new tab.
Is Air Canada check-in open right now?
Pick your departure time — we'll show you whether the check-in window is open, when it opens, or whether it's already closed. Your input never leaves the page.
When does Air Canada check-in open and close?
How to check in online with Air Canada
-
Have your booking reference and ID ready
You'll need a 6-character booking reference (PNR) and a valid travel document (passport or EU/EEA national ID).
-
Open the official check-in page
Use the button at the top of this page or visit aircanada.com directly. Avoid third-party "check-in" sites.
-
Enter passenger details
Add passport / ID number, expiry date, and country of issue if travelling internationally. This step is mandatory and blocks check-in if skipped.
-
Choose seats and add extras
Random seats are free in the 24-hour window; named seats and priority boarding cost extra. Skip if you don't need them.
-
Save the boarding pass
Add to Apple Wallet or Google Wallet. The Air Canada app stores it offline once downloaded.
Mobile vs desktop check-in
| Feature | Mobile (app) | Desktop (web) |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding pass in Wallet | Yes (recommended) | Email link only |
| Passport scan | Yes (camera) | Manual entry |
| Push gate updates | Yes | No |
| Print boarding pass | Via email link | Yes |
| Best for | Day-of-travel use | Troubleshooting, family bookings |
Air Canada baggage at a glance
| Type | Dimensions | Weight | Included? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Personal item | 33×16×43 cm | 18 kg | Yes |
| Carry-on | 55×40×23 cm | 18 kg | Yes |
| Checked | — | 23 kg | From €35 |
Common Air Canada check-in problems
Standard fare on intra-Canada routes excludes free seat selection
Problem: Air Canada's 'Standard' fare on domestic / North America routes blocks free seat selection until check-in opens.
Solution: Either accept random seat at the 24-hour mark, pay for advance seat selection ($15–$50), or upgrade to Flex fare (includes free seat).
US-bound flights have pre-clearance
Problem: Some Canadian airports (YYZ, YVR, YUL) have US Customs pre-clearance — you clear US Customs IN Canada before boarding.
Solution: Allow 2.5 hours total at airport for US-bound flights. Pre-clearance is faster on arrival but adds time at departure.
Air Canada check-in FAQ
When does Air Canada check-in open?
24 hours before scheduled departure. Closes 60 minutes before for international, 45 minutes for transborder (US), 30 minutes for domestic.
Does Air Canada include free checked baggage in basic fare?
Standard fare on domestic/transborder routes does NOT include checked baggage (CAD 30–35 first bag). All Flex, Comfort, Latitude fares include 1 checked bag. International economy includes 1 bag on most routes.
