Flying via Montreal

[Carole]

We've just booked for next year and this time are going via Montreal with Air Canada. Just for a change, and because we got a decent price on PE

This is the first time we've gone via Canada though so I wondered if anyone knew the procedure for getting from one plane to the next. Do we do security in Montreal as well as Orlando?

Anyone got any experience/tips for Montreal?

Thanks

[Guest]

Montreal is an easy airport so you will have no problems.

Just bear in mind that AC PE is not a patch on Virgin or TC its more like slidely wider exit seats - its not great and often very similar in price to ECO.

If you haven't booked (or can change) I wouldn't be going via Montreal just to get AC PE

[Melbatb]

Don't forget you need to do your Canadian ETA (like the Esta).

Montreal is hit and miss. From memory there is a separate queue for transfer passengers to USA. If you do a search on this sub forun there were some posts about this route in the summer.

AC are ok - nothing special. And the food is very hit and miss!

[ChrisS]

Originally Posted by Carole

We've just booked for next year and this time are going via Montreal with Air Canada. Just for a change, and because we got a decent price on PE

This is the first time we've gone via Canada though so I wondered if anyone knew the procedure for getting from one plane to the next. Do we do security in Montreal as well as Orlando?

Anyone got any experience/tips for Montreal?

Thanks

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Do you know what aircraft type your flight is scheduled to use Carole? Depending on type their PE isn't bad, circa 20" of width and 37" of pitch. You can check AC's aircraft via SeatGuru - seatguru/airlines/Ai...nformation.php

$7pp for eTA - site; cic.gc.ca/english/visit/eta.asp

[Carole]

Thanks for the info

We'd already checked out SeatGuru before booking. We're on a 777-300 for the long haul flights and we'll be in business class on the short hops in an A319. Priority security, check in and boarding in Orlando so it's worth the extra few quid just for that

We've flown with Air Canada before and rather like them.

I've got the ETA on my To Do list but thanks for the reminder. I don't think that was in force last time we went to Canada.

I shall look for those other threads.

[JoS]

Have used AC a lot Carole, and have gone through Montreal lots of times. A small airport compared to Heathrow or Gatwick. Very easy to navigate. Maybe just luck, but lines for security were good and no problems there at all. If you have flown AC before you know about the planes, and if you are in business class on the little hops you wont be squashed in on what may be a Rouge flight? May not be as some are not, and I believe Rouge do not have BC. We do PE but really only because I have back issues so more comfy for me. Going through Montreal in January again. Dont think you will have any issues at all. I know another dibber went through Montreal maybe in October, and the flight was delayed, due to something being wrong with the plane, but being realistic that could happen with any airline and was nothing to do with Montreal itself. I believe AC held back the connecting plane for them or something, which most airlines would not do. Will see if I can find the post... Just found it:

http://www.thedibb.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?t=961278

The post is at the end of the thread.

You will clear US immigration in Montreal, a lot of DIY, but there are staff on hand to help and its easy to follow if you take your time. You wont collect your bags, then upon arrival at MCO no checks, just pick up your bags and off you go.

[snowbelle]

Montreal is a fairly small airport, by our standards in the uk .
Connection signs are easy.
We are in Canada at the moment and Air Canada did ask for our Eta printouts, so that's a quick heads up.
We have come up from the USA this time.
Montreal airport hadn't got much to do so if your layover is long I would load up a tablet with some stuff to watch.
One other thing is food there absolutely extorniate as long as you don't have meat/ fruit/dairy I would bring some crisps and or snacks from home.

[Carole]

Originally Posted by JoS

Have used AC a lot Carole, and have gone through Montreal lots of times. A small airport compared to Heathrow or Gatwick. Very easy to navigate. Maybe just luck, but lines for security were good and no problems there at all. If you have flown AC before you know about the planes, and if you are in business class on the little hops you wont be squashed in on what may be a Rouge flight? May not be as some are not, and I believe Rouge do not have BC. We do PE but really only because I have back issues so more comfy for me.

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It is a Rouge flight. Apparently they don't have PE so that's why we're in business class. Glad we're not in standard Rouge seats. They look very cramped.
The main reason for us doing PE is that we're both feeling our age and have back and leg issues. Comfy seats and leg room are needed

You will clear US immigration in Montreal, a lot of DIY, but there are staff on hand to help and its easy to follow if you take your time. You wont collect your bags, then upon arrival at MCO no checks, just pick up your bags and off you go.

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Brilliant. That's exactly what we needed to know. Thanks!

[Carole]

Originally Posted by snowbelle

Montreal is a fairly small airport, by our standards in the uk .
Connection signs are easy.
We are in Canada at the moment and Air Canada did ask for our Eta printouts, so that's a quick heads up.
We have come up from the USA this time.
Montreal airport hadn't got much to do so if your layover is long I would load up a tablet with some stuff to watch.
One other thing is food there absolutely extorniate as long as you don't have meat/ fruit/dairy I would bring some crisps and or snacks from home.

See more...

I usually print out the Estas so probably would have printed the Etas too. Thanks for the heads up though. Always good to know.

We don't have long layovers but I always have plenty of entertainment on me - kindle, spare book, puzzle books, laptop, phone etc

I'll take snacks though. Just in case. Ta for the info!

[JoS]

Originally Posted by Carole

It is a Rouge flight. Apparently they don't have PE so that's why we're in business class. Glad we're not in standard Rouge seats. They look very cramped.
The main reason for us doing PE is that we're both feeling our age and have back and leg issues. Comfy seats and leg room are needed



Brilliant. That's exactly what we needed to know. Thanks!

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I think you will be fine going through Montreal. Its all very easy. Yes Rouge is very cramped and have done it a few times, in economy. Good thing is its just a short hop. Would not like to do it long haul, although we did on a flight with Monarch from Newcastle a few years ago. That was very tight for room. We find the IFE great on the ipad. Enough choice. Anything else I can help with just ask. Hope it goes ok