Air Canada ruins couple's "dream vacation" after refusing to remove bags off flight

A B.C. couple says Air Canada ruined their dream vacation after the airline refused to take their bags off a flight.
Alyssa Yell and her partner Paul Suter had booked a horse trekking adventure in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. However, the Vancouver Island couple says the trip began unravelling before they arrived at the airport on Sept. 1, 2023.
The day they were scheduled to depart Vancouver International Airport, Suter and Yell say they received a notice from Air Canada early that morning stating their scheduled flight was delayed. That was later followed by another notice indicating the same flight would be further delayed due to pilot scheduling issues.
Global's Anne Drewa has their story.
For more info, please go to globalnews.ca/news/9992591/bc...
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#GlobalNews #Travel #AirCanada

[@vincentrochette3907]

Wow, since 9/11 it’s mandatory to remove bags from plane when the passengers are not onboard. Air Canada is stupid to not follow that rule.

[@robertbmcneill3758]

How is this point not getting more attention?

[@ChucklesMcGigglestein]

Not if it's due to delays. If it's the customers wrong doing it is. No terrorist could plan a delay so it's not part of that.

[@Ben-xe8ps]

Not only that but it is claimed that the bags had been outside Canada. Even allowing for the possibility of the highly unusual situation of the bags not having been unloaded from the domestic flight (to avoid a last minute further delay?), how did they get loaded onto the INTERNATIONAL flight ex Montreal when the passengers were not only no-show's at the gate but logically would have been un-checked-in for the flight (assuming that they had been checked-in for it in Vancouver) when they were re-routed? Not only should this absolutely NOT have happened but there is no reason for it. As I have pointed out in a separate lengthy comment, there are a lot of things very off about this whole situation.

[@rickpapineau5939]

Bad planning. Period. If you're traveling to an unusual destination and DON'T anticipate delays, you clearly don't understand air travel. Funny that this same advocacy group didn't take up my case when AC got me to Vancouver late, resulting in me not being in time for my connecting flight.

[@melodeev5487]

I don't even know why this is a story. This happens every day all day long for hundreds of people. Gone are the days when you can expect to travel half way around the world and expect absolutely no complications whatsoever. In fact, you have to plan for them. If you're spending multiple thousands of dollars on a vacation why on earth would you not plan ahead for a delay of a flight and plan to arrive at your destination two or even three days ahead of time? If that's not possible then divide your arrival and departure in half and get as close as you can with a couple of days to spare. And booking a tour at your destination that's worth thousands of dollars that is completely non-refundable? Well, that's just asking for trouble and in my opinion not very smart. Not only that, but Air Canada has the reputation of being one of the worst airlines in the world. Pretty much every traveller with any smarts knows that if you are planning a complicated trip the first thing you have to do is get out of Canada to whichever city is closest to you and plan your trip from there. And some people don't even don't trust that! They will drive down across the border to the nearest airport.

[@ouimetco]

Seems like lack of experience for sure. When one books cheap tight schedule flights it’s highly risky. I rather have days between and even sleep in airport a few times for this reason.

[@cityboyis2]

Maybe this wouldn't happen if Air Canada didn't offer garbage service. They are a horrible company with virtually a monopoly of the market.

[@julietodd3781]

Catch a train no rather goby shanks pony

[@gigistrailsandtales7203]

When I book things like this, I book to arrive a couple of days ahead. Travelling post pandemic is much different.

[@user-db6wv4rd9m]

Air Canada continues to be a complete joke when it comes to flight outcomes, inflight service, customer rebates for service failures, ability to connect with customer service post-flight failures, on board cleanliness, etc., etc.

[@budzen13]

Think this couple did not plan well and had things way too tightly planned. Should have arrived 2 days before as delays are common now a days.

[@ESUSAMEX]

This story highlights three important things: Air Canada sucks, it has a monopoly in Canada with flights, and always leave earlier for far away expensive trips.

[@elisa7881]

Remember Canadian Airlines Int.? The very good old days

[@TH-tl6sy]

It's their own fault for flying Air Canada. What do you expect? Haven't flown them for 20 years. I will take 2-3 additional connections to Avoid flying Air Canada. Never dealt with Lost bags or canceled flights since. Both were a regular occurrence with Air Canada decades ago already. Worst Airline in aviation history.

[@JimMacintosh]

What other airlines do you fly with? Which ones do you find best? I need to mix things up myself.

[@speciallevo3170]

It is common knowledge on trips like this to go a couple days earlier.

[@GlueNotGlitter]

I won't be flying Air Canada ever again. This is the umpteenth situation Air Canada finds themselves at the center of. It's only a matter of time that it would happen to me or any one else.

[@ericeandco]

It happens on all airlines. Plan accordingly.

[@BrightElk]

I have flown on a lot of airlines. Air canada is the one that always gives me problems though. Always always.

[@millissagould2674]

Honestly, you have to plan for this kind of thing. Get as close as possible to your destination & spend 1 or 2 days there. If you miss that first portion you’re still ok. It’s not like the old days. There are constant delays due to weather, staff shortages, etc.

[@kevinbudgetkitchen551]

yes I always fly a day or two before an event...just to be sure

[@MKMcDonald287]

Omigosh! They planned for four years, spent thousands of dollars and then your airline screws it up?? It’s a date they could NOT miss! This isn’t a trip to Vegas, good god.

[@Flickit100]

Yeah as much as I hate Air Canada's attitude, if you plan to get there three days early, you're good

[@JJ-bp5dj]

Yes, but it’s sad that consumers must expect bad service/quality and plan accordingly.

[@jakejimstone5029]

Nothing gets done. Back in March, Caribbean Airlines delayed 9.5 hours. After giving them my Bank Acct. # - twice, it's been 6 months sine the airlines has said (in an email) that I will get compensated $500. Filed a complaint with the so called, Air Passenger Protect months ago - nothing done so far.

[@miwacst8323]

why you go from Vancouver to Montreal, to Instanbul to Mongolia??? My geography might not be the best but your initial itinerary is too much. The second itinerary makes more sense. Less time, less connections. Also buying a "vacation of your dreams" and not giving you 1 or 2 days of buffer for connections is not smart. Airlines has it's own responsability as well, they should do better with delays and missed bags.

[@chaffey1479]

Why doesn't the passenger take ownership of their mistakes? People need to realize that things don't go perfectly all the time. Allow yourself time between destinations for delays and cancellations. Plan a layover in one of the cities incase these things happen and flying will be less stressful

[@GTS300Coupe]

Another week, another Air Canada disaster. Why does the government continue to allow big corporations to do whatever they want unchecked?

[@hajaga]

Turkish Airlines is absolutely terrible and I can’t believe they refunded these folks tickets. Air Canada has a reputation for being the worst airline. It makes you wonder how bad is their management system.

[@TentaclePentacle]

This is what happens when airlines are not allowed to fail.

[@ouimetco]

Exactly. Air Canada rather pathetic.

[@purplesprigs]

And when you marry someone half your age.

[@ouimetco]

@@purplesprigs as godly punishment or because she lacks experience in travel arranging or some other reason?? Do tell

[@pth6060]

Boycott Air Canada. Boycott CBC.

[@amitlal8211]

the worst airline ever air Canada

[@BB-nb9ls]

Wow how will you ever get over this tragedy…meanwhile in the real world 😒

[@Tv-ue2yf]

1:06 I saw Seoul, I went on Air Canada to Seoul South Korea this year. It was fun and epic. Seoul is my favourite

[@fazieeee]

Air Canada truly sucks! Seems 30 years behind other major airlines.

[@chachak8978]

They should be reimbursed for more then just their losses. I would add mental anguish to the point of insanity due to having to deal with stressed out workers not giving a $&it, in order to fill the orders of the cheap and filthy crooks running Air Canada. The company is an evil mess.

[@ericeandco]

Stuff happens with connecting flights all the time. It’s amazing their only issue was their bags. Losing bags is just business as usual. It catches up with them eventually.

[@jameslee9233]

Air Canada is the worst airline!

[@ericeandco]

You wouldn’t get anything for that in America. That’s why people buy insurance.

[@robertmahler8894]

Air Canada is the worst when it comes to customer service! They proved that over and over again. I will avoid flying Air Canada as much as possible.

[@d.r.tweedstweeddale9038]

Whine, whine, whine, rich people whining. They're breaking my heart. 🤣

[@bobwoods1302]

Rich? They're going to Mongolia not Monte carlo😂😂

[@JEdwarrd]

@@bobwoods1302 U don't seem to understand the state of the world, It's fascinating how "backpackers" of today are NOT the backpackers of yesterday... 8k for a one way flight....... tells us everything. Doesn't it BOB?

[@d.r.tweedstweeddale9038]

@@bobwoods1302 If you had clue 1 you'd know a trip to Monte Carlo would be cheaper.

[@bobwoods1302]

@@JEdwarrd 8K is not a lot of money for most Canadians. Probably more money than a Russian would see in a year however😂😂

[@JEdwarrd]

@@bobwoods1302 I think u have just exposed yourself without even realizing it. Hubris & arrogance all in one.

[@matthewmcdonald8892]

Trying to feel sympathy for people that can afford a vacation. I couldn't even afford to take the days off let alone afford the trip. I'm trying to feel bad for them. The airlines suck but ffs, it looks like the walking dead around Rideau St in Ottawa and everywhere else for that matter. I just don't care about a ruined trip.

[@waynec9640]

Heard so many negatives about air Canada, why would they still be in business?

[@fllb5987]

Air canada is the worst, they lost me a hotel day because thet change my flight for the next day

[@SteveSamillano]

I will never fly Air Canada again. The stinky attitude of their staff is the main reason. I would cancel a trip if it involved Air Canada.

[@vaska1999]

As a rule, I do my best to avoid flying with Air Canada. Their service is seriously sub-par and is simply not worth it. Better pay a little more for a flight with a decent airline than have to put up with Air Canada rudeness and poor service.

[@hamidesmaili6385]

I have had the worst experience with Air Canada ever. I will never fly with them again.

[@davesawchuk333]

U live on vcr island u have to account for sh$t like this.

[@MKMcDonald287]

UNexcusable! When you can’t go straight to the desk of the CEO of companies, the run around is dizzying

[@ZenCorvus]

Their pilots are on strike so make sure to reward their behavior with future flights.

[@Ben-xe8ps]

A lot of things are odd here. It is very easy to feel sorry for these individuals but there are several factors here which don't entirely add up. From the fact that their tickets were not issued by AC but by another carrier, the assumption must be that, in accordance with normal practice, their ticket was issued by the first international carrier as AC were only providing domestic transportation and they were flying on to Istanbul with another airline. If this is not the case, why were AC tickets not issued? The passengers really should have contacted AC immediately when they discovered the delay especially if their connection was tight. We have no idea of course of how long the actual delay was or how long the connection was. Could they have not contacted AC and requested re-booking on an earlier flight to Montreal on the basis that they had an international same ticket (we assume) connection and would miss the flight.Why did they purchase separate tickets for the return part of the journey? Were they travelling through to Ulan Bator (this is the correct spelling) on a through fare on one ticket? If not, this would have been a separate journey from the point where the new ticket started (Istanbul?) and as such no liability would be accepted for a missed connection. AC however provided very good assistance to the passengers in re-routing them. They could not have asked for more,. Perhaps the original person that they spoke to who appeared to be unhelpful was not ticket desk staff? Concerning the refusal to offload their bags when they were un-checked in for the flight is extremely strange and against all normal procedures. These days it is not difficult to locate bags and the refusal is almost incomprehensible. Furthermore, check-in should have arranged this when they checked -in for the new flight.. Not only that but it is almost impossible that the bags could have just been transferred to the onward International flight (which was not an Air Canada flight I believe) and have been left on board when the passengers were no-show at the boarding gate for the connecting flight. The claim about the baggage tags is confusing. Presumably when they checked in their bags were through checked to Istanbul or Ulan Bator therefore that destination would have been shown on them. So were there additional 'rush' tags on the bags clearly identifiable as having been put there outside Canada? Did these individuals really not take into account the possibility of a delay when undertaking such a long journey to an out of the way place? Did they really not allow any time between their arrival in Ulan Bator after their long journey to rest before starting this 'horse treaking adventure'. Did they not contact the tour operator in Ulan Bator to say they had been delayed and seek advice as to if anything could be done to either delay the horse treaking or perhaps join up with the group?

[@bober1019]

why is this news?

[@JEdwarrd]

Instead of Global doing an investigation into where all our taxpayer $ went- bailing out these companies over their pandemic relief money fraud.... they showcase a couple who can afford 8k one way getting screwed, by the same airlines that did fraud on taxpayers... The lunacy of this all is unbelievable!

[@julietodd3781]

They should have a reality check type of peopke complain about phone signal during tornado

[@Lindygirl68]

Air Canada didn’t ruin their vacation… these people ruined their own vacation. People need to book flights with “buffer” time which would allow for delays, cancellations, etc. If you are flying half way around the world to go on a camping trip, cruise or whatever else. You should always plan to arrive a couple of days early. There are so many things wrong with this story.

[@sp1pilot]

Typical air canada. Open up the market and give consumers options instead of being handcuffed all the time.

[@user-hh1kg8ty5q]

I would like to tell my story about my experience. I would like to be compensated for my luggage, but they are not answering my call or email

[@davesawchuk333]

U live on Vancouver Island for gawd sake.

[@Fatal-_-FN]

They would have had better options flying from Seattle.

[@fireawaysweets8114]

If they miss their flight, they miss their event? Who plans like that for a long haul? i agree with others, you going that far of a distance, plan ahead. Get a few nights before event. So much can happen. This is not a perfect world that is on time, especially travelling in airports. Even if i squint, i cannot find any sympathy on the horizon.

[@dixonyaarmouf4630]

I officially took my first number 2 🚽 at 30,000 feet on an Air Canada flight last year! Usually I find that I’m a little backed up when I fly and don’t even need to go, figured it was due to altitude or something. Is anyone else experiencing similar outcomes?

[@gmwizz]

What’s wrong with Canada ?? Govt n now air Canada stuffing it up 😂

[@julietodd3781]

Is she a 2nd wife looks it when he has a 3rd mistress don

[@gordonsivell6514]

Air Canada and their flight attendants are rude, arrogant and dreadful at customer service.

[@kanzaki0001]

Fly to LA then travel internationally

[@orsitheawesome]

😂

[@ssbein]

Canadian customer service. Most horrible useless service in the world. Disgusting.

[@Twin540i]

Air India lesson not learned here.

[@n.b.3064]

Too big to fail

[@santoshnalawade9965]

Air Canada is worst # even Justin trudo had to wait for few days in India recently because of plane malfunction

[@roydebasis]

Canada is imploding with seams failing at every conceivable joint.

[@user-yj8mg1xm4k]

Maybe he should have planned yo get there a couple days early. Bad planning, don’t bland the airline.

[@brunes007]

Step 1: Never check bags. You should not need to check any bags for a 5 day or less trip. Step 2: If you absolutely must check bags, never put anything essential in them. This way when they inevitability lose your bag you can just buy what you need and worry about the insurance claim when you get home. Step 3: Have a credit card with travel insurance or buy travel insurance for any expensive trip so that when they do lose your stuff you can replace it without having to worry so much about the cost. All airlines lose a ridiculously high percentage of bags and no one should ever, ever count on them. Count on yourself.

[@Joe-Tdot]

Air Canada is getting worse and worse following by West jet

[@wally7856]

The secret to flying is to pick the airline with the best hotel and food vouchers.

[@johntitorii6676]

File it in the nobody cares section 🌞😎

[@user-mc2sf2kt8q]

The shame of Zelensky's Jewish people, in Parliament Bobrov met with a veteran with a Hankook.😊

[@Santanibalak1]

Maybe Canadian terrorist bomb in Canadian Aircraft 😂😂😂 So we don't considered ride in Canadian airlines because Canada is safe haven for terrorist

[@angryanglocanadian7581]

Air canada is one of the worst airlines. Always fly Delta