I’m writing to share my deep frustration with a recent experience, which I feel reflects a troubling trend in the airline industry—one where customer care often takes a backseat to profit maximization. First, I do want to acknowledge a positive aspect: I appreciated that your team accommodated a seat change due to my medical needs without charging an additional fee. This gesture made a genuine difference during my trip, and I’m thankful for that. That said, the overall experience left me extremely disappointed. The ticket I purchased for myself and a companion turned out to be “basic”—a fare category I now understand to be non-refundable and non-transferable. Unfortunately, my travel companion was involved in a car accident and could not fly. Not only was I unable to receive any kind of reimbursement, but I also couldn't transfer the ticket to someone else, despite the flight being overbooked by three passengers. This inflexibility felt exploitative. To add to the frustration, I had to shoulder additional unexpected expenses: overpriced in-flight food and a costly baggage fee on my return trip. The entire process felt more like a profit-maximizing scheme than a customer service experience. I understand that airlines, like any business, need to remain financially viable. However, creating fare structures that penalize customers during emergencies, while simultaneously overbooking flights, comes across as deeply unfair. It’s hard to feel like a valued passenger in this environment. While I don’t expect much will come of this message, I do hope Air Canada takes this feedback seriously. There’s an opportunity to lead with integrity in an industry where choices for consumers are becoming more limited and experiences increasingly transactional.
2.0 MediocreN, May 2025YVR - YYZ
I’m writing to share my deep frustration with a recent experience, which I feel reflects a troubling trend in the airline industry—one where customer care often takes a backseat to profit maximization. First, I do want to acknowledge a positive aspect: I appreciated that your team accommodated a seat change due to my medical needs without charging an additional fee. This gesture made a genuine difference during my trip, and I’m thankful for that. That said, the overall experience left me extremely disappointed. The ticket I purchased for myself and a companion turned out to be “basic”—a fare category I now understand to be non-refundable and non-transferable. Unfortunately, my travel companion was involved in a car accident and could not fly. Not only was I unable to receive any kind of reimbursement, but I also couldn't transfer the ticket to someone else, despite the flight being overbooked by three passengers. This inflexibility felt exploitative. To add to the frustration, I had to shoulder additional unexpected expenses: overpriced in-flight food and a costly baggage fee on my return trip. The entire process felt more like a profit-maximizing scheme than a customer service experience. I understand that airlines, like any business, need to remain financially viable. However, creating fare structures that penalize customers during emergencies, while simultaneously overbooking flights, comes across as deeply unfair. It’s hard to feel like a valued passenger in this environment. While I don’t expect much will come of this message, I do hope Air Canada takes this feedback seriously. There’s an opportunity to lead with integrity in an industry where choices for consumers are becoming more limited and experiences increasingly transactional.
It was a good flight- but it is not clear to me why AC suggests to come to the airport 4 hours (!) before the flight. Even the locals said that’s a bit of an exaggeration. We were there 2 hours before as usual and that was more than enough.
Boarding is a mess. The lines all jammed together and no one knows which line was for which zone. The flight was delayed and the plane taxied on tarmac for more than 30 mins before we could get off. Overall not a bad flight. But the boarding part can do better.
the fact air Canada changed my flight from 850 PM to 815 AM with zero regard to the plans i made that last day, the cost i lost out on as things were non refundable amd shortening my first vacation in 7 years sickened me. when we purchase a service thats whats we expect. when we want to change the service we have to pay for that option but you do whatever you want . i called accessibility dept as i have a cpap and an implanted loop recorder first person said no problem just let security know you cant go thru scanners. then i got an email saying i had to fill out a fit to fly form . which again there was NO need to have that none. But that cost me money and time to have a doctor fill it out. then when i went to check in online i was declined i had to see a person at the airport instead. i couldnt get my boarding pass like everyone elseso here I was contacting air canada so I would have a easy travel experience and it ended up being a nightmare with more work for me, more cost and time. the flight itself was great the nightmare around it i will never subject myself to again. i tried to stick with supporting Canada but Air Canada was not worth supporting. very disappointed especially with a dept that is supposed to help disabled people not make an already challenging event not worth going thru at all.
Most courteous, helpful employees and all flights were on time.
I think it went very well. We flew international and felt safe and well cared for. We were on time both leaving and returning.
Three of four legs of our trip to and from Japan involved delayed flights. Hours and hours of delay. Food poor quality and inedible particularly on the Japan to Toronto segment. Two planes on the Japan to Washington return trip required replacement aircraft to be flown in from somewhere. Boarding in the dark on the field, one passenger fell and was injured. Overall bad experience.
2.5 hour delay sitting in the plane on the tarmac, you tell me how the experience was
This was my first time flying Air Canada. My first flight was delayed and then cancelled due to maintenance issues. They kept us informed and put me up in a nice hotel along with 2 food vouchers for my flight the next day. I understand things happen and they took care of the problem very well.I also like the fact that they don't charge for your first checked bag. The food was also hot, fresh and good.
There is not enough room for people over 6 feet in the seats for a flight that long. Crew only came by when it was meal/snake time, in the 11 plus hour flight we did not see anyone walk around, on our flight to Japan we did not know where the call button was to ask for water, on the flight back we finally pushed enough buttons to find the call button
Late departure. When the flight arrived in Medellin the plane sat at the gate for 20 minutes waiting for a bus for us to get off the plane.
i think the flight was late because they were so strict about measuring everyone's personal items to try and charge them $119. It was really petty and made us late.
Terrible, We had to stay in Bogota for two days due to weather but the airline did not provide for the same day flight. Only two days later
Business class seats did not lie flat. There was only powdered milk for your coffee....in Business Class!! Food was good.
Boarding was somewhat confusing in that the wrong messages were being displayed at the gate. It was somewhat annoying that I got off one flight and straight onto another (from the same gate), but in between they re-checked my hand luggage and made me get rid of my water (which they charge for on the plane). I was sitting in their 'Plus' seating, but the leg room was still too small to be able to sit square. The food options on the flights are pretty cheap quality (but not price). They got me from 'A' to 'B' on-time and for a relatively good price, but the experience itself was below average.
So so, you feel like you have to pay for everything each time
COP 7,000 for a cup of mediocre coffee. I thought I was on Spirit Airlines for a minute. Otherwise the flight was fine. Nothing exceptional to report.
Overpriced checked bag price of $120 and they charge you for carryon if the size is not minimal of $120.
Be very careful of the initial low price because Avianca wil bill you for a carryon of $120 or a checked bag for $120. Also, be careful with connections because the customs entry process is slow and the connecting terminal is not close.
My whole return flight itinerary, 3 flights, got canceled without any warning to me because I missed one of the earlier flights 3 weeks ago
