Holiday Travel Tips

MONTRÉAL, December 9, 2008 - 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 aircraft

In 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 the UPS Store (store387@theupsstore.ca) in 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.

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 departures and arrivals page, using a internet-enabled mobile device at mobile.aircanada.com, or 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. Learn more about Air Canada's mobile services.

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).

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 register to receive flight delay and cancellation information directly on their mobile devices or via e-mail.

Recommended check-in times during peak travel days
During peak travel days, Air Canada recommends that customers familiarize themselves with check-in and boarding times, and arrive early at the airport to avoid problems associated with holiday congestion.

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 baggage. 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.

You can also view Air Canada's checked baggage allowance policy.

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. Learn more about Air Canada's stroller policy and get useful information on travelling with young children.

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 checked baggage allowance is subject to excess baggage fees.

External and Internal Name Tags
External baggage name tags sometimes become detached. Air Canada recommends that passengers place identification inside their bag, and offers a baggage ID template to download and print.

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
Canadian Air Transport Security Agency (CATSA)
USA Transportation Security Administration
British Airports Authorities

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 learn more about travel documentation requirements and complete any travel information form ahead of time at aircanada.com.

Air Canada wishes you a safe and happy holiday season!