Offers tips for smooth travel experience

    Highlights

    - Increased network capacity including between Alberta and Newfoundland
      and Labrador; Toronto and Thunder Bay
    - Web, mobile and kiosk check-in made easier
    - aircanada.com has all the information for a one-stop easy travel
      experienceMONTREAL, Dec. 9 /CNW Telbec/ - With the holiday travel season almost
upon us, Air Canada is gearing up to ensure customers a smooth travel
experience during the peak holiday travel period between December 17, 2008 and
January 6, 2009.
    In order to meet the demands of high passenger loads expected during the
holiday season, the airline has increased capacity with added frequencies or
bigger aircraft on key city pairs in the East-West corridor between
Newfoundland and Labrador and Alberta, as well as between Toronto and Thunder
Bay:- Select flights between Calgary and St. John's (via Toronto) will be
      operated with Boeing B767 aircraft
    - Select flights between Calgary and Halifax (via Toronto) will be
      operated with Boeing B767 aircraft
    - Select flights between Calgary and Toronto will be operated with Boeing
      B767 aircraft
    - Select flights between Edmonton and Toronto will be operated with
      Airbus A319 aircraft
    - Select flights between Toronto and Halifax will be operated with Boeing
      B767 aircraft
    - Select flights between Toronto and St. John's (some via Halifax) will
      be operated with Boeing B767 aircraft
    - Select flights between Toronto and Thunder Bay will be operated with
      Airbus A319 aircraft
    - Select flights between Halifax and Deer Lake will be operated with
      Embraer E190 aircraftIn addition the airline has identified third party storage facilities in
Edmonton and Fort McMurray available for customers who work in the oil fields
and would prefer to store their personal effects rather than carry these back
and forth on their journey. Information is available at
store387@theupsstore.ca for Edmonton, and at wbministorage@telus.net for Fort
McMurray.
    The airline is ready to proactively adjust its schedule and implement
contingency plans in response to any cancellations or delay due to weather or
other external factors impacting its operation. To take the uncertainty out of
weather-related delays and cancellations, Air Canada offers customers "On My
Way," a comprehensive travel assistance service for flight delays or travel
disruptions beyond the control of the airline. Details are available at
www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/traveller/onmyway.html

    Check flight status on-line

    Customers can keep abreast of the latest daily operational news by
checking the Daily Operational Outlook in the Travel Advisory section on the
opening page at aircanada.com. Air Canada customers should also check the
status of departing and arriving flights before leaving for the airport by
either consulting the Air Canada website at
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/traveller/flightstatus/index.html , by
using a internet-enabled mobile device at mobile.aircanada.com, or by calling
the toll free Air Canada flight status line at 1-888-422-7533; TTY (Hearing
Impaired): 1-800-361-8071.

    Web check-in at AirCanada.com

    Air Canada customers can save time by checking in for their flight from
their home or office before leaving for the airport. Air Canada's web check-in
service at aircanada.com is available 24 hours prior to departure time and
offers customers many options including changing their seat assignment and
selecting the number of checked-baggage.

    Mobile check-in on your mobile device

    Mobile check-in can be accessed through mobile.aircanada.com by clicking
on the check-in option. Once check-in is completed, passengers will receive an
electronic boarding pass or check-in confirmation on their mobile device. To
learn more go to:
    http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/traveller/mobile/mci.html

    Electronic boarding pass

    If eligible, customers can choose to receive an electronic version of the
boarding pass on their mobile devices. This option is available for mobile and
web check-in. Electronic boarding passes may be sent via email or SMS. The Air
Canada electronic boarding pass is a 2D barcode image that is sent to mobile
devices and contains flight details. It can be used for domestic flights as
well as international flights departing from Canada (not available for flights
to and from the US). To learn more:
    http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/traveller/mobile/ebp.html

    Kiosk self-tagging

    Customers departing Montreal, Toronto, Vancouver, Paris Charles de Gaulle
and London Heathrow can save even more time at the airport by using Air
Canada's quick and convenient self-tagging option available at Air Canada
kiosks. The self-tagging option allows passengers to print and attach their
own baggage tags and then simply deposit their bags at the designated counter.

    Flight Notification

    Air Canada customers can receive flight delay and cancellation
information directly on their mobile devices or via e-mail. To register or for
more information, simply visit:
http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/traveller/mobile/notification_app.html

    Recommended check-in times during peak travel days

    During peak travel days, Air Canada recommends that customers arrive
early at the airport to avoid problems associated with holiday congestion.
Details of check-in and boarding times are available at:
    http://www.aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/checkin.html

    BAGGAGE INFORMATION
    --------------------

    Air Canada recommends that customers pack valuables including medication,
car keys, documentation required for travel, money, etc., in their carry-on
bags rather than in checked luggage. To facilitate security inspection,
customers carrying gifts on board the aircraft should keep them unwrapped.
    The carry-on baggage allowance is one standard article 23cm x 40cm x 55cm
weighing a maximum of 10 kg, and one personal article 16cm x 33cm x 43cm
weighing a maximum of 10 kg. More information is available at:
aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/carry-on.html.
    Information on checked baggage allowance is available at:
aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/checked.html.

    Strollers

    Air Canada recommends the use of a small, umbrella type stroller as
facilities are not designed to accommodate larger, heavy strollers.
Collapsible strollers may be checked at the gate and will be delivered to you
at the aircraft door. Details of the stroller policy are available at:
aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/before/youngtravellers/infant-child.html

    Sporting Equipment

    In order to benefit from a waiver on the excess and oversize fees for
certain sporting equipment, customers are asked to register their sports
equipment, either on aircanada.com or through the Air Canada call center up to
24 hours prior to departure. Customers who elect not to pre-register their
sporting equipment will be subject to all applicable excess fees at check-in.
Sporting equipment over and above the free baggage allowance is subject to
excess fees. Details are available
at:aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/checked.html#r1s0

    External and Internal Name Tags

    As external baggage name tags sometimes become detached, Air Canada
recommends that passengers place identification inside their bag. A baggage ID
template is available at:
aircanada.com/en/travelinfo/airport/baggage/baggageid.html

    SECURITY
    --------

    Security measures for carry-on luggage

    Government regulations stipulate customers can only carry on a limited
amount of liquid, gel and aerosol items through passenger screening points.
The quantity of liquids, gels and aerosols permitted is 100ml/100g (3.4 oz)
per article or smaller. Containers have to be placed in one clear, closed and
re-sealable plastic bag no larger than 1 litre (1 quart), with only 1 bag per
person. Larger containers must be placed in checked luggage.
    Standard carry-on baggage allowance is restricted to one article for
passengers departing London Heathrow. A purse, satchel or similar type of bag
is counted as one article for the purposes of a traveller's carry-on
allowance. Regulations vary from country to country. Consult local authorities
for other destinations.

    For more information, please consult the following official web sites:
    Transport Canada at www.tc.gc.ca
    Canadian Air Transport Security Agency (CATSA)
    http://www.catsa-acsta.gc.ca/english/
    USA Transportation Security Administration at www.tsa.gov
    British Airports Authorities at www.baa.co.uk

    TRAVEL DOCUMENTATION
    --------------------

    All passengers, including Canadian and U.S. citizens, will be required to
present a valid passport when travelling by air between Canada and the United
States.
    All International travel also requires a valid passport and in some cases
other documentation, such as visas, essential to enter the country of
destination.
    Domestic travel requires government-issued photo identification for all
passengers 18 years of age and older.
    Children travelling outside of Canada with one parent may require legal
documentation proving the other parent or guardian's consent that the child
may leave the country. Consult the Department of Foreign Affairs and
International Trade at 1-800-267-8376 to determine if such documentation is
necessary.
    Air Canada encourages customers to complete any travel information form
ahead of time at aircanada.com.Air Canada wishes you a safe and happy
                               holiday season!