With US Customs Pre-Clearance at eight Canadian airports, does Air Canada offer the most seamless service to the US? Karryon took flight from Brisbane to Miami, via Vancouver, to find out.
It seems fitting to jet to Miami with Air Canada for a Virgin Voyages Caribbean cruise. Not only because they are both red and white brands with a cool aura that others try to mimic, but because the Canadian national carrier offers a seamless connection via Vancouver, avoiding the headache of transiting the US.
Check in
Guess who skim-read the Air Canada pre-departure email about visas and thought, “Yup, I have a valid ESTA”, missing that I would also need a valid eTA for Canada?
You’ve guessed it, me.
Thankfully, the service desk is ready for the inattentive, politely directing me to a QR code to begin the (also thankfully) swift application process.
A few minutes later, I was able to complete my check-in with ease, with my bags whisked all the way to Miami. Which you KNOW is a huge win if you’ve ever transited via the US!
The Air Canada self-service kiosk queues at Brisbane International Airport moved efficiently. Ideal, as I had an Air New Zealand Lounge pass, which hosts Air Canada’s business class guests.
The lounge access was my only connection to business class on this flight; however, the comfort of economy class, 1000+ movies, and in-flight Wi-Fi* made the 14-hour leg to Vancouver feel decidedly shorter.
Cabin & comfort
Not all heroes wear capes, btw: some wear Air Canada crew uniform. And one such heroine switched me to a row with an empty middle seat, further upgrading my in-flight comfort.
Travel to Vancouver is aboard a Boeing 787-9 Dreamliner. Economy class seats have a 79cm pitch and 12cm recline. Even with my 1-litre water bottle, headphone case, and shoulder bag in the seat-back pocket, there was still space for my knees.
`When you have neck issues, a headrest can make or break your flight experience. Air Canada’s 4-way-adjustable hammock-style headrest held firm when I was ready to settle into sleep, giving my neck support that my osteopath will celebrate.
The headrest was a little smaller on my Vancouver to Miami leg – aboard the narrow-body Boeing 737 Max 8 – though the need to beat jet lag meant this was a blessing. Instead, I stayed awake thanks to the complimentary Wi-Fi and procrastination-inducing entertainment options (so. many. options!).
Pro tip: Aeroplan is Air Canada’s free-to-join frequent flyer programme. Add your Aeroplan number to your booking before departure to receive complimentary Wi-Fi on Canada and the US flights. *On the BNE-YVR leg, Wi-Fi is available for purchase, though stay tuned for news soon about free international Wi-Fi in 2026!
Inflight meals
As someone with an onion and garlic allergy, it’s a win when a Vegetarian Jain meal is available (Jainism avoids eating underground food). It’s one of Air Canada’s many special meal options, including vegan, gluten-free, and diabetic.
A slight hiccup with the meal service saw someone else say yes to “Ms Macfarlane?” in my former seat, and they enjoyed my delicious curry and rice. A kind cabin attendant rectified this with spoils from Business Class, and snacks were also available.
The snacks you really want, though, are on the Canada to USA flights: a delectable chocolate-topped Leclerc biscuit. I’d solely fly Air Canada again for them. There are pretzels, too (though seriously, get the biccies).
Transiting
One of the premium selling points of travelling to Miami with Air Canada is how effortless the transit process via Vancouver is.
Yes, I said effortless when talking about arriving to the US!
Where Los Angeles, San Francisco, Dallas, and other hubs have you collecting your luggage and standing in the longest lines known to mankind, in Vancouver, I disembarked from the back of the plane, cleared customs,and was at my next gate in 30 minutes. And on my return via Montreal? Seven minutes!
Only 16 airports worldwide have US Customs Pre-Clearance for expedited entry, and eight of them are Canadian airports.
All that time saved meant I could enjoy a refreshing shower, meal, and opportunity to rehydrate in one of Air Canada’s three Vancouver lounges. A definite win.
Communication
Air Canada does comms as well as it does in-flight entertainment; the airline is far more communicative than any human in my life. From pre-flight information to boarding announcements and connecting gates, I received regular updates across my return trip.
On my return to Brisbane, I experienced Air Canada’s communication prowess as delays at Miami International Airport created a squeeze in Montreal with my connecting flight. Fine for me, thanks to that 7-minute transit through US customs and security in Canada; not so much for luggage.
Was I the last person standing at the carousel to discover this delay? Nope, I received an email mid-flight notifying me that my bag would be on the next flight to Brisbane, adding my address as I soared over the Pacific. It was incredible how relaxed I felt about my luggage just from this simple email.
Further updates informed me where my bag was last scanned (Montreal), the next available flight, and the process that would follow should the delay extend more than 48 hours. Fortunately, I didn’t need to speak to the dedicated sleuth who tracks wayward luggage as it was delivered to my door 48 hours later.
Compared to previous luggage woes, Air Canada’s process was outstanding.
The verdict
Flying via Canada is the perk I didn’t know existed to avoid the drudgery of collecting luggage and long-as, impatience-inducing customs lines.
Besides managing the heft of your belongings, those extra steps at a US gateway can mean missed connections, running for the first time in decades between terminals, and the kind of panic I consider exclusive to US airport queues (LAX, I’m looking at you).
Flying Air Canada means saying yes to stress-free travel. It’s ideal for destinations without direct flights from Australia, especially when you can get free Wi-Fi and those Leclerc cookies, too!
Zoe was a guest of Air Canada.
