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MONTREAL, Dec. 19, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - Air Canada is expecting higher volumes of customers onboard during this year's peak holiday travel ending January 15, 2018.  Air Canada recommends six important travel tips to help all customers travel across our network of over 200 cities across six continents.

1. Save time. Check-in online at aircanada.com, mobile.aircanada.ca or via the Air Canada app (be sure to download the app for iOS or Android).

• Check-in, select/change your seat, select the number of checked baggage and pay any baggage fees in advance, within 24 hours of departure.
• Be sure to share your contact information (email or mobile number) when checking-in (mobile‎/kiosk/web) so that we can easily contact you in case of travel disruptions such as weather or other conditions.

2. Is your flight on time? Confirm online 24/7 at aircanada.com/flightnotification.

• Stay informed of flight status for all Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express flights by signing up for Flight Notifications or calling the toll free Air Canada flight status line at 1-888-422-7533; TTY (Hearing Impaired): 1-800-361-8071.
• See our Daily Travel Outlook for possible disruptions due to forecasted weather or other conditions.
• Use the Self-service rebooking tool in the event of flight disruptions.

3. Arrive early. Here's when: aircanada.com/deadlines.

• Arrive early at the airport to be at the gate on time and avoid congestion that may occur during peak periods.

4. Review baggage rules. Here's what to carry-on and check-in.

• Bring all valuables including electronics, documentation, medication, car keys, money, jewelry in carry-on bags and not in checked bags.
• Bag Tags - Place identification INSIDE bags as well as on the outside, as external baggage name tags sometimes become detached.
• Gifts – when travelling with gifts in your carry-on, remember to keep them unwrapped to facilitate security inspection.
• Check size and weight allowances when packing at aircanada.com/carryon as carry-on baggage will be screened and tagged. Information on checked baggage allowance is available at:http://www.aircanada.com/checked.

5. Avoid unnecessary surprises before your vacation takes off. Double check your travel documents are valid at: aircanada.com/traveldocumentation.

Travel within Canada

• All Domestic travel
• Valid government-issued photo identification that includes date of birth and gender for all passengers 18 years of age and older.

Travel from Canada to an international destination

• All international travel
• Requires a valid passport
• Visas may be needed to enter the country of destination and/or when connecting via certain countries. Check IATA Travel Centre search tool for country-specific passport, visa and health entry requirements.

Travel to Canada from an international destination

• Canadian citizens
• Canadian passport for travel to Canada.
• Dual nationals may no longer use a non-Canadian passport to arrive in Canada.
• Friends and family from outside Canada
• Reminder to visiting friends and family from outside Canada that the Government of Canada has introduced a new entry requirement, known as an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) that must be obtained prior to travel. More information is here:  www.aircanada.com/eta.

Parents travelling with children

• If passports are required, all children must have their own passport.  Remember that parents/legal guardians DO NOT sign their child's Canadian passport, as doing so invalidates it.
• Visit IATA Travel Centre and Travel and Tourism Canada or contact the embassy high commission or consulate of all countries you and your child will be visiting to confirm all entry and exit document requirements.

6. Air Canada's global hubs make flying to the U.S seamless. Here's why.

Traveling to the USA

• Air Canada customers flying to the U.S (from or via Canada) will clear US Customs at Canadian airports before their flight.  Our operations at all four Canadian hubs, Toronto (YYZ), Montreal (YUL), Vancouver (YVR) and Calgary (YYC) are all under one roof with no terminal transfers, meaning connections are easy, comfortable, seamless, and smooth.

Traveling from the USA

• For our customers travelling from the U.S. through our hubs and onwards to any international destination, the seamless connection process and quick passport check means passengers never have to wait in customs lines, pick up bags or transfer terminals. Simply walk to the next departure gate! 

What else to know:

• United States Transportation Security Administration (TSA) security checkpoint lines can be longer during busy periods. The TSA recommends arriving at the airport two hours before departure if your flight is in the early morning or evening, when wait times for screening can be up to one hour. Members of Known Traveler Programs, such as Nexus or Global Entry, may experience normal wait times. Learn more.
• The United States requires that travellers provide additional Secure Flight information at least 72 hours before their flight or at time of booking. Please note that this requirement applies to many international flights which are deemed to over-fly the US. For more information, please consult aircanada.com/secureflight.
• Eligible Air Canada customers enjoy the benefits of the U.S. Transportation Security Administration's TSA Pre✓™ program which provides accelerated security screening at most U.S. departure airports by allowing customers to keep shoes, belts and light outerwear on, and laptops and liquids in carry-on baggage. Learn more about TSA Pre✓ and how it applies to Air Canada flights.

Thank you for choosing to fly with Air Canada!

SOURCE Air Canada