Air Canada
 

I'm flying home on leave in December from Germany to Virginia and both of my flights TO VA are Air Canada (layover for ~4 hours in Toronto) how bad of an idea was this, or is Air Canada decent...anyone have any experience?

So, you are flying to Canada, eh?

I flew Air Canada round trip from JFK to Calgary back in June. The airline/plane/crew was all fine - certainly at least as good as any of the big American carriers. At the time, they didn't charge you for checked bags, which probably saved me $90-100.

Can you clear US Customs in Toronto? We could in Calgary.

I haven't been through Toronto, but it HAS to be better than laying over and going through Customs someplace like NY. I don't think Canadians hate Americans as much as the TSA employees do.

According to my research my first checked bag is free, which will be more than enough for me. Clearing customs in Toronto would be awesome since I have 4 hours to kill, I assume I will though because I fly into Richmond, VA after that and I'm not sure they have customs there...or do all airports, I dunno.

I assume it will be better than or at least on par with all the Delta flights I've taken in the past two years.

Weird thing is both of my flights BACK to Germany are United Airlines.

I just looked - US Customs has a preclearance center in Toronto, so that will help fill up some of your 4 hours.

United and Air Canada are both part of Star Alliance, some sort of code-and-route sharing deal among 5 or 7 int'l carriers, probably why they're part of your trip.

I've flown them twice internationally. one time they lost my wife's bags. one time they lost mine. we have a lot of travel pictures with one of us in one outfit...

but otherwise they're fine. I'm sure it was a fluke.

Air Canada won some North American "customer best airline" award last year. They are no better and no worse than most international airlines.

If you are coming through Toronto you will likely have to clear Canada Customs, claim your checked luggage and then check-in to your USA flight, clear airport security and US Customs. (You may be able to go directly to your connecting flight (doubtful) but you will still have to clear US Customs in Toronto).

Here is a link to connecting flight info.

http://www.gtaa.com/en/travellers/co...nnection_tips/

If you decide to leave the airport there's the usual assortment of fast food, roadhouses and strip bars. Most take US cash.

Air Canada is great, I live in Virginia but work but for a Co. based in QB. City. so I fly Air Canada alot never had any issues in 5 years !

Awesome to here. Thanks everyone else for your input, making me feel slightly better about my trip for sure.

I've has zero issues with Air Canada.. Flown Delta many times and would pick Air Canada any day!