Air Travel

We traveled into Calgary, Alberta, flying on Air Canada.

Book Early

Air Canada regularly holds ticket sales, several times a year. The prices during these sales are indeed discounted, by 50% or more over regular economy fares. For example, regular fares from Ottawa are in the $400 range, each way. We bought our tickets in early March (for travel in August), and paid about $225 each way, plus the infamous taxes, security fees, etc. In total, each ticket was about $500, both ways.

Another big advantage of booking early is that you get to choose the best flights. I our case, it was a direct flight from Ottawa to Calgary, leaving at 8:45AM, and arriving in Calgary around 11:00AM. It is  about a 4 hour flight and there is a 2 hours timezone difference.

When it gets closer to your actual travel day, other sales will come up, but these don't included the best flights. You will have to do stop-overs, and the total flying time will be considerably longer.

Flight Food 

The fares were on Air Canada's "Tango". You pay for everything. If you want to eat, they charge for it, about $10 for a sandwich. They only offers juices and coffee free. We brought our own snacks with us (crackers, cheese, fruits, cookies, etc.). This is more than appropriate for this type of flight.

The drinks you have to buy after the airport check-in as you are not allowed any bottle of liquid over 100ml, which pretty much included any drink you can buy.

Airport

Arrive early and give yourself extra time. Passing over check-in is a real pain these days, body scanners, manual inspections, turning electronics on. Sigh.

Check-In

Save time and do the check-in from your own home. Then at the airport it is a breeze and you just give them your luggage.

Park and Fly

For a 1 week trip, the Park and Fly parking lots are great. Cost was about $70. The shuttles that bring you to the airport are superb and run 24 hours a day.