Upcoming launch of free messaging - FAQs
Starting May 15, Air Canada and Bell will offer free messaging for all Aeroplan members on all Wi-Fi equipped aircraft across Air Canada’s fleet, including Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express. This will enable customers to send and receive text-based messages using popular messaging apps via onboard Wi-Fi.
This benefit will also be available to members of United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Group Miles & More and Emirates Skywards when their account numbers are associated with an Air Canada booking.
If you are traveling on a booking made through the Employee Travel Site, your Aeroplan number must be added to your Employee Travel Site profile for this benefit to be available to you. Before booking, to add or validate that you have added your Aeroplan number, go to "My Profile" on the Employee Travel Site, and look under the "Personal Information" section for Aeroplan number. If you have already added your Aeroplan number it will appear in the field, if you have not, select “+add” and follow the steps to add your Aeroplan number to your profile. After completing the steps, you will see a confirmation that it has been added successfully.
Important:
Please note: you cannot sign up for an Aeroplan membership onboard or add your Aeroplan number to the Employee Travel Site once onboard to access the free texting service, as it must be attached to your booking before the flight closes.
The Aeroplan number (or loyalty number for United MileagePlus, Lufthansa Group Miles & More and Emirates Skywards) must be on the booking before the flight closes. By ensuring your Aeroplan number is in your Employee Travel Site profile, you’ll avoid any concerns as it will always be there anytime your booking is made through the site.
- Connect to onboard Wi-Fi
- Launch your browser and type acwifi.com into the address bar. For Air Canada Rouge, type in rougewifi.com
- Select "free texting"
- Enter your last name and seat number as they appear on your boarding pass.
- Select "Connect Now."
Once connected you will be able to send messages using these apps: iMessage, Messages by Google, [Meta] Messenger, WhatsApp, and Viber.These apps are available as of launch date, other may be added in the future.
You are able to use the apps mentioned above to send messages (and emojis) only. You will not be able to send photos, videos or attachments.
No, this service is only available to ticketed passengers, however, that does include deadheading crew
When checking into your flight, make sure to “add frequent flyer number” and follow the prompts to add your Aeroplan number, then check-in as usual.
If everyone is traveling on the same PNR, as long as one person is an Aeroplan (or other eligible loyalty program member), everyone on the PNR can enjoy the free messaging service.
Each individual will need to follow the steps above using their unique seat number and last name to gain access to onboard Wi-Fi.
They should use their original seat number and last name to connect to onboard Wi-Fi.
Yes. However, a customer can only connect one device at a time. To switch their connectivity from one device to another they must follow the process outlined above on how to connect the second device, and once they have done so they will lose connectivity on the first device automatically.