MCO to Toronto with stop in Ottawa - do I pick up luggage in Ottawa?

[Spotthecat]

This will be our first time flying Air Canada/Air Canada Rouge from Toronto to Orlando. Our flight down is direct, but on the way back, I couldn't get a direct flight - we have Air Canada Rouge from Orlando to Ottawa, and then 1h40 mins later an Air Canada flight from Ottawa to Toronto.

I'm confused about luggage and customs as I have not travelled through Ottawa ever before on a stop, it's just been either my first or final destination.

Is my luggage checked through to my Toronto destination? Or do I have to pick it up in Ottawa, and re-check it with Air Canada? Do I have to go through customs before or after I do this? https://yow.ca/en/travel-planning/travelling-to-yow this site has me all confused!

 

[bankr63]

You will pick it up here in Ottawa and clear Canada customs before checking it back in for your connecting flight to Toronto. Customs is generally pretty quick here and the airport is a very manageable size. 1:45 should be enough time to catch your connection, and there are flights to Toronto hourly all day if you miss a connection.

 

[ottawamom]

Why the **** do you have to come through Ottawa on your way back to Toronto (not blaming you I know it's the airline). That flight is a much in demand flight for those wanting a direct flight to Ottawa. There are 5 direct flights to Toronto each day. I love (not) the way the airline will route you through (wherever) just so they don't have to give you a direct flight.

Sorry just ranting because they did away with the direct flight for the summer months and I'm still a little annoyed about it.

 

[Spotthecat]

You will pick it up here in Ottawa and clear Canada customs before checking it back in for your connecting flight to Toronto. Customs is generally pretty quick here and the airport is a very manageable size. 1:45 should be enough time to catch your connection, and there are flights to Toronto hourly all day if you miss a connection.

Thanks!

 

[Spotthecat]

Why the **** do you have to come through Ottawa on your way back to Toronto (not blaming you I know it's the airline). That flight is a much in demand flight for those wanting a direct flight to Ottawa. There are 5 direct flights to Toronto each day. I love (not) the way the airline will route you through (wherever) just so they don't have to give you a direct flight.

Sorry just ranting because they did away with the direct flight for the summer months and I'm still a little annoyed about it.

It's airmiles' fault!! Convenient times and non-stops are way many more airmiles and we are a family of 5 - it killed me to book this!! This is actually the first time I'm taking the kids through a connecting flight. I may end up totally regretting this!!

 

[ottawamom]

I seriously thought about booking one of the Orlando-Ottawa-Toronto flights last year when I couldn't get a direct flight back. I was going to just get off in Ottawa and not use the next segment but then I read a lot on doing that and chickened out. I don't know why airmiles does that. It's like they don't want to make it easy on us to travel. For them the direct flight is a cheaper option to purchase from the airline. (trust me I checked the airline when I was looking at AM) I never will be able to figure them out.

Connecting in Ottawa will be easy. Just a little extra time. The Ottawa airport is a nice compact size and the staff are really frinedly. There's a Tim Hortons not just a short distance from the Toronto gates.

 

[hdrolfe]

And unlike in Montreal, you'll be inside It really isn't that far to go, and the kiosk's are easy to use for Customs. I think the longest wait would be for your bags to get off the plane unfortunately.

 

[Best_Vacation_EVER!]

Definitely second what others have said .... the Ottawa Airport is not a daunting place at all. It's all in one building and is relatively small. The baggage is pretty quick to come out on the carousel. With the new kiosks it's pretty quick to get through customs. The US arrival area is on the first floor. As you exit the customs area there are elevators to your left.... just take them to the 3rd floor departure level and you'll be good to check in for your YOW-YYZ leg. Security lines are never usually long so you shouldn't have any issues...