Article: What to expect flying from Sydney to Canada on AC34

[MEL_Traveller]

Haha yeah that sounds about right.
I just meant that there were several reviews on this specific route that I read and it was never mentioned. I just found that a tad surprising as I would have thought it's something worth mentioning.

Anyway luckily for us they started checking in passengers today a bit earlier, perhaps because there was quite a line building up lol

I’m in two minds about that!

I would have expected three hours to be the ‘norm’.

I know airlines and airports are now saying 4 hours, but that’s getting ridiculous! Not that long ago we were being advised to arrive two hours before departure, then three, now four.

I suppose airports benefit because more forced shopping, and more restaurant time for those without lounge access.

Airlines and airports could cut those times right back by opening an extra check in counter and having another lane or two of security.

 

[lovestotravel]

Arriving at the airport 3 hours early is more than enough, about 1 hour too much in fact

 

[MEL_Traveller]

Arriving at the airport 3 hours early is more than enough, about 1 hour too much in fact

That’s the thing… you either arrive three hours before and spend an hour in the queue, or you arrive two hours before and spend no time in a queue!

Seems the sweet spot is to either be the first person in line if you’re looking to maximise lounge time, or be the last.

 

[Harthagan]

Ive checked into flights more than 3 hours prior to boarding many many times. Like I alluded to before, it's not a big deal as long as you know. I also think there is a big difference between expectations of business travellers and leisure travellers, which is probably the dividing point on this subject.

 

[outthere1000]

it’s on air canada’s website… check in opens 4 hours prior, with a few exceptions… Sydney and Brisbane being two of those where it says check-in opens 3 hours prior: Air Canada - Check-in / Boarding Times

It's happened to me that I've shown up four hours before and the airport (I forget which) was't even open. It's possible AC hasn't gotten around to updating their website. But SYD and BNE are definitely 3 hours before, though they sometimes open a bit earlier. The four-hour check-in requirement dates from Covid times, when there was extra paperwork (e.g., vaxx status) to process. Anyone with AC status (and Star Alliance Gold) has a priority check-in line, and SuperElites have a priority line all to themselves.

 

[outthere1000]

Typical for many international airlines, particularly where the only have one or two departures a day. Be aware that AC may also do this at Canadian domestic airports where the desks are staffed all day but you won't be checked in until three hours before the flight. Happened at Calgary in April. I was told it was about baggage storage space but likely it is also to limit lounge occupancy.

Note that one can't access the Maple Leaf lounge anywhere more than three hours before scheduled departure time, unless in transit, or SuperElite. (SuperElites can also use domestic lounges on arrival also, as I did in Calgary a couple of months ago because of a long wait for the Banff Airporter bus.)