When we were planning our trip to Ecuador, the cheapest flights we found were on Air Canada out of Toronto, ON which is only a couple of hours from Buffalo, NY. There was just one short layover in Bogotá, Colombia before we continued on to Guayaquil, Ecuador. Having never flown with the airline before, we had no idea the effect that Air Canada employees would have on our journey.
Oh, Canada!
Early to the Airport, Early to Board
Due to the schedule of the airport shuttles from our hotel, we arrived for our flight early. This didn’t bother us though since we were able to get through security quickly and grab some Tim Horton’s coffee and breakfast. Extra bonus for getting there so early: we were assigned to the Zone 1 boarding group, aka the first group to board.
Spoke Too Soon
So excited for our trip and at the airport ready to go!
Everything was going smoothly and we were called to line up in our boarding groups to board. Suddenly the gate agent announced that our flight would be delayed due to a fire/smoke detector. They advised that our new departure time would be 10:00am. This was a 1 hour 40 minute delay from our original departure time of 8:20am and would land us in Bogotá too late to catch our connection.
We’re Delayed, Now What?
As everyone does when there’s a change to a flight, my husband went to talk to the gate agent regarding our connection and what we were to do about it. Unsurprisingly, the gate agent was unable to assist us. Instead they directed him to the Air Canada employees at the customer service desk. They also advised that they wouldn’t be able to do anything about the delay and missed connection. We were told that there was a later flight from Bogotá to Guayaquil at 11:00pm, but that meant we would not land in Ecuador until 1:00am instead of 4:30pm.
While this meant we wouldn’t be stranded in Colombia, it did mean that we would be exhausted when we arrived in Guayaquil and for our first day there.
So You’re Saying There’s a Chance?
Luck finally found us as the issue with the plane was resolved earlier than anticipated! Instead of a 10:00am departure, we would now depart Toronto at 9:30am. Still late, but there was a chance we could catch our connection!
Can’t go to Canada without getting Tim Horton’s
Despite our stress levels it was a pleasant flight with comfortable seats, a decent meal, and some good entertainment options. Whenever we get meals together on a plane, my husband and I order different options so we can try them. For our breakfasts, he won with the tasty pancakes while my omelette was passable. Most of our nearly 6 hour flight was spent eating, watching a movie together, napping (him), and reading (me).
Status Update?
As we got closer to landing, I was watching our anticipated landing time of 2:15pm and we asked the flight attendant if they had any information regarding our connecting flight which was scheduled to depart Bogotá at 2:44pm.
She said she would check into it for us and disappeared up to the cockpit for a few minutes. When she returned to our seats, she said that they would have Air Canada employees waiting for us at the gate to guide us to our connecting flight’s departing gate which would wait for us!
Wow. We were pretty blown away by this and able to breathe a bit easier for the remainder of the flight.
The Race is On
Once we landed in Bogotá, we hurried off plane as quickly as we could without being rude to other passengers. There was indeed one of the Air Canada employees waiting for us who quickly confirmed we were the passengers looking for our connecting flight to Guayaquil, Ecuador. The word ‘Yes’ had barely passed our lips when she took off running through the airport. Carry-on luggage in hand, we sprinted after her so we didn’t lose sight of her.
The amount of luggage we were each carrying.
Learn Something New
Fun fact: Did you know Bogotá has a HUGE airport? It’s ranked as one of the world’s top 50 megahubs…
Another fun fact: Did you know that Bogotá is also one of the highest altitude capital cities in the world? When traveling somewhere at a higher altitude than you’re accustomed to, you should take it easy and not participate in strenuous activities while your body acclimates.
We were not aware of those fun facts as we raced through the entire length of El Dorado International Airport (probably not accurate, but that’s certainly how it felt.)
How Fast Can You Scan?
Our Air Canada guide hardly slowed her pace when we approached a security check point. She waved at the security personnel in acknowledgement and at us to keep going. We basically threw our backpacks at the scanner before rushing through the metal detectors. A few minutes later we arrived panting at the gate of our connecting flight. We profusely thanked our hero, the fleet of foot Air Canada employee, between gasps. After a brief nod, she quickly disappeared (probably to run a marathon or scale a mountain, I presume.)
Gate, Sweet Gate
Made it to Ecuador.
The gate agent informed us that our flight to Guayaquil had been slightly delayed. We collapsed to the ground in relief to catch our breath. You don’t realize how out of shape you are until you cannot catch your breath after running through an airport carrying your luggage desperately trying to catch your connecting flight. Looking back, the altitude likely played at least a minor role in my lungs screaming for oxygen.
We had made it though, thanks to the amazing customer service and dedication of the Air Canada employees.
Our flight from Bogotá to Guayaquil was blissfully uneventful.
Interested in my experiences with other airlines?
Have you ever had an experience with an airline that will forever affect the way you think of it?
Glad you at least had time in Toronto to get your Tim Horton’s coffee! 🙂
We knew we’d be without for the 10 days we were in Ecuador, so we made sure to get our fix before takeoff!
Wow! What a story. So glad air Canada was helpful.
We have running stories of our own, but that was Philadelphia, so not high altitude. But our complicating factors were my multiple sclerosis and me having to pee so badly!
In the airplane I begged to use the first class toilet and luckily that was no problem 🙂
Running through airports is never at the top of my list of fun things to do! MS just makes everything more difficult, but oh no your poor bladder hahaha! At least you got to pee in style 😉😂
Yay Air Canda! I feel like Japan Airlines is another helpful one. Unfortunately, the United States lags vastly behind on service.
I agree, I haven’t been nearly as impressed by domestic flights I’ve taken as with most of my international travels. The exception being Southwest, I absolutely love Southwest Airlines. That’s a post for a different day though 😉
I had a similar experience going through Beijing – another MASSIVE airport! Glad you made it and that Air Canada was so helpful!!
Oh man, Beijing’s airport is nuts… I wouldn’t want to be racing through there, or really any airport, ever, if I could avoid it! Thanks, it was a huge relief when we got to our gate & knew we’d catch the flight.
You ran a high-altitude marathon, powered by stress hormones! Congratuwelldone!
That’s exactly what I did! haha Thanks so much!
It’s great when someone goes out of their way to help. Connections can be a stressful business without delays. Thanks for the enjoyable read and the few giggles in there.
Yes! Travel can get so stressful when things start going wrong, and it’s sooo appreciated when folks working in the industry go out of their way to be helpful. You’re most welcome, I’m glad you liked it (and found it as funny as we do 😉)!