In order to allow plenty of time for check-in procedures, baggage drop-off and security checks, please familiarize yourself with the check-in and boarding gate deadlines (see table below) as they apply to your destination.
Failure to respect check-in and boarding gate deadlines may result in the reassignment of any pre-reserved seats, the cancellation of reservations, and/or ineligibility for denied boarding compensation.
- If you are travelling on a codeshare flight, please familiarize yourself with the other airline’s policies on check-in times and procedures.
Check-in Tip: To avoid airport line-ups, try our convenient Web Check-in, Mobile Check-in or our self-service Check-in kiosks available at most airports used by Air Canada.
Understanding the tables
Recommended check-in time
The recommended check-in time allows you plenty of time to check in, drop off your checked baggage and pass through security.
Check-in deadline
This is the check-in and checked baggage drop-off deadline.
You need to have obtained your boarding pass and deposited all checked baggage at the baggage drop-off counter before the check-in deadline for your flight.
Boarding gate deadline
You must be available for boarding at the boarding gate by the boarding gate deadline.
| Travel | Recommended Check-in Time |
Check-in Deadline |
Boarding Gate Deadline |
| Within Canada | 60 minutes | 30 minutes | 20 minutes |
| To/From the US | 90 minutes | 60 minutes | 20 minutes |
| International (including Mexico and Caribbean) |
120 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
Exceptions Due to local conditions, some airports suggest longer recommended check-in times. Please take note of specific check-in and boarding gate deadlines for flights departing from those locations. |
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| Flights departing from: | Recommended Check-in Time |
Check-in Deadline |
Boarding Gate Deadline |
| Beijing and Shanghai | 150 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Caracas | 180 minutes | 120 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Grand Cayman | 180 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| London Heathrow | 180 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Paris | 150 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
| Tel Aviv | 180 minutes | 60 minutes | 30 minutes |
Passengers may check in as early as 24 hours prior to departure. Please note, however, that baggage may only be checked in at the baggage drop-off counter at the earliest:
- four (4) hours prior to departure from destinations in Canada and the U.S., and
- three (3) hours prior to departure from all other destinations.