Your rights;
If your flight was cancelled or delayed, or you were denied boarding, you may be entitled to compensation under Canadien law. This compensation is not dependent on the airline’s policy and may apply even if the airline claims that the delay or cancellation was due to circumstances beyond their control. To claim this compensation, you can contact the airline directly or do the claim through us.
Cancellations & delays
Compensation rates:
For delays at arrival | Large airline | Small airline |
Between 3 – 6 hours | $ 400 CAD | $ 125 CAD |
Between 6 – 9 hours | $ 700 CAD | $ 250 CAD |
More than 9 hours | $ 1,000 CAD | $ 500 CAD |
Compensation for denied boarding:
Airlines must provide compensation for the inconvenience of denied boarding (bumping) if the disruption is within the control of the airline and not related to safety. The amount of compensation will depend on how long a passenger’s arrival has been delayed:
| Between 0 – 6 hours | $ 900 CAD | |
| Between 6 – 9 hours | $ 1,800 CAD | |
| More than 9 hours | $ 2,400 CAD |
Care & Assistance
| Flight delay | Type of care | Option to cancel original flight & get refunded |
| 2 Hour | Communication (2 Free phone calls, emails, or fax messages). Food and drink in reasonable relation to the waiting time. | _ |
| Overnight delay | Accommodation, and round-trip transport to & from Hotel. | |
| 3 Hours | Alternate travel arrangements (Rebooking) *restrictions apply Free return if second leg of flight is delayd, & you want to return home. | ✔️ |
| Denied boarding | Communication (2 Free phone calls, emails, or fax messages). Food and drink in reasonable relation to the waiting time. Hotel in case of overnight/s stay, and round-trip transport. Rebook with alternate transport. | ✔️ |
So… Who Can Apply?
These passenger rights apply to flights to, from and within Canada, including connecting flights. The airline operating the affected flight is responsible for meeting obligations to the passenger.
When it comes to flight delays and cancellations, Canada takes a more relaxed approach compared to other countries. As a passenger, you’re only entitled to care & assistance if certain criteria are met:
– The delay or cancellation was within the airline’s control, or required by them for safety reasons
– You were given less than 12 hours notice before your original departure time
– You waited at the airport for at least 2 hours past your original departure time
If your situation doesn’t tick all those boxes, you unfortunately won’t qualify for assistance from the airline under Canadian law. But don’t give up hope! Be sure to check the passenger rights rules for your departure or destination country. Many have much stricter laws that could entitle you to care & compensation from the airline. So review our guide and see if you have a valid claim elsewhere.
Other key things to know:
– You can’t “double dip” – if you already got compensation under the rules of the departing country, you can’t claim twice.
– We’ll make sure to claim under whichever rules get you the most compensation. Some countries cap compensation lower than others, so we’ll choose strategically.
– Before submitting a claim, always double check which country’s laws entitle you to the maximum payout. We’ve got your back on picking the most favorable conditions.
– No matter your route or airline, if your flight departs from the EU, UK, Brazil, or Israel, you have rights. We’ll determine the best approach to get you the compensation you deserve.
Alternate travel arrangements (Rebooking)
When your flight is delayed or canceled, knowing your rights for rebooking and refunds can take some of the sting out of the travel headache. The rules vary depending on the airline’s size and whether the issue was within the airline’s control. Let’s break it down.
If the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault – say, a mechanical problem – both small and large airlines must get you on their next flight out or on a partner airline. For large airlines like Air Canada or WestJet, if they can’t get you out within 9 hours, they must book you on any airline that can, within 48 hours. Smaller airlines like Porter don’t have to book you with airlines they don’t partner with. See more details below.
If the cause is outside the airline’s control, like weather, they have 48 hours to rebook you on their own flights or partner airlines. After that, you can choose a refund or alternate travel arrangements. Large airlines must book you on any airline out of nearby airports too, if needed. See more details below.
The key is – if the new plans don’t work for you, you can get a full refund. And if you’re stranded mid-trip, they must fly you back to your starting point without charge.
If you get denied boarding on a flight:
The airline has to offer to rebook you on the next available flight, either theirs or one they have a partnership with. Gotta get you where you’re going!
If it’s their fault – like a mechanical issue – they need to get you there ASAP. You’ll fly in style with a free upgrade if there’s a higher class available. Downgrades mean cash back for the difference.
Big airlines rebook from the same airport when possible. If the next flight is over 9 hours later, they’ll put you on another airline’s earlier flight. And if they can’t get you out within 48 hours, you may fly out of a different airport nearby.
Smaller airlines rebook you on their next flight or a partner’s from the same airport.
If their rebooking doesn’t work for you, you can get a refund and go home, or a full refund and they’ll return you to your starting point.
For situations out of their control, the process is similar but with more flexibility on timing.
The new flights must be reasonable routes.
Alternate travel arrangements (Rebooking)
When your flight is delayed or canceled, knowing your rights for rebooking and refunds can take some of the sting out of the travel headache. The rules vary depending on the airline’s size and whether the issue was within the airline’s control. Let’s break it down.
If the delay or cancellation is the airline’s fault – say, a mechanical problem – both small and large airlines must get you on their next flight out or on a partner airline. For large airlines like Air Canada or WestJet, if they can’t get you out within 9 hours, they must book you on any airline that can, within 48 hours. Smaller airlines like Porter don’t have to book you with airlines they don’t partner with.
If the cause is outside the airline’s control, like weather, they have 48 hours to rebook you on their own flights or partner airlines. After that, you can choose a refund or alternate travel arrangements. Large airlines must book you on any airline out of nearby airports too, if needed. See more details below.
The key is – if the new plans don’t work for you, you can get a full refund. And if you’re stranded mid-trip, they must fly you back to your starting point without charge.
If you get denied boarding on a flight:
The airline has to offer to rebook you on the next available flight, either theirs or one they have a partnership with. Gotta get you where you’re going!
If it’s their fault – like a mechanical issue – they need to get you there ASAP. You’ll fly in style with a free upgrade if there’s a higher class available. Downgrades mean cash back for the difference.
Big airlines rebook from the same airport when possible. If the next flight is over 9 hours later, they’ll put you on another airline’s earlier flight. And if they can’t get you out within 48 hours, you may fly out of a different airport nearby.
Smaller airlines rebook you on their next flight or a partner’s from the same airport.
If their rebooking doesn’t work for you, you can get a refund and go home, or a full refund and they’ll return you to your starting point.
For situations out of their control, the process is similar but with more flexibility on timing.
The new flights must be reasonable routes.
Detailed info from https://rppa-appr.ca/eng/right/flight-delays-and-cancellations
Summary of rebooking and refunds for situations within the airline’s control
Alternate travel arrangements (Rebooking)
Large airlines
Large airlines* must rebook you on their next available flight, or on a flight of an airline with which they have a commercial agreement. The new flight:
- must take any reasonable route out of the same airport to your destination, and
- must depart within 9 hours of your original departure time
If the airline cannot rebook you within 9 hours, they must rebook you, as soon as possible, on a flight operated by any airline. The new flight:
- must take any reasonable route out of the same airport to your destination. This may mean buying a ticket for you on a competing airline, and
- must depart within 48 hours of your original departure time
If the airline cannot rebook you within 48 hours, the airline must rebook you on a flight operated by any airline, taking any reasonable route from a nearby airport to your destination. They will also have to transport you to that airport, free of charge.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of large airlines include Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines.
Small airlines
Small airlines* must rebook you on their next available flight or on the flight of an airline with which they have a commercial agreement. The flight must take any reasonable route from the same airport to your destination. Small airlines do not have to rebook you with an airline with which they do not have a commercial agreement.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of small airlines include Canada Jetlines, Canadian North, and Porter Airlines.
Refunds — If the alternate travel arrangements offered don’t meet your travel needs
If an airline (large or small) offers you alternate travel arrangements that do not meet your travel needs, you are entitled to a refund.
If you are no longer at your point of origin
If your trip no longer serves its purpose because of the delay or cancellation, and you’re no longer at your point of origin (for example, you are at a connecting point), then the airline (large or small) must rebook you on a flight back to your point of origin that accommodates your travel needs, free of charge, and refund the entire ticket (as if no part of the trip had been made).
Situations within the airline’s control but required for safety
(for example, a mechanical malfunction)
Summary of rebooking and refunds for situations within the airline’s control but required for safety
Alternate travel arrangements (Rebooking)
Large airlines
Large airlines* must rebook you on their next available flight, or on a flight of an airline with which they have a commercial agreement. The new flight:
- must take any reasonable route out of the same airport to your destination, and
- must depart within 9 hours of your original departure time
If the airline cannot rebook you within 9 hours, they must rebook you, as soon as possible, on a flight operated by any airline. The new flight:
- must take any reasonable route out of the same airport to your destination. This may mean buying a ticket for you on a competing airline, and
- must depart within 48 hours of your original departure time
If the airline cannot rebook you within 48 hours, the airline must rebook you on a flight operated by any airline, taking any reasonable route from a nearby airport to your destination. They will also have to transport you to that airport, free of charge.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of large airlines include Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines.
Small airlines
Small airlines* must rebook you on their next available flight or on the flight of an airline with which they have a commercial agreement. The flight must take any reasonable route from the same airport to your destination. Small airlines do not have to rebook you with an airline with which they do not have a commercial agreement.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of small airlines include Canada Jetlines, Canadian North, and Porter Airlines.
Refunds — If the alternate travel arrangements offered don’t meet your travel needs
If an airline (large or small) offers you alternate travel arrangements that do not meet your travel needs, you are entitled to a refund.
If you are no longer at your point of origin
If your trip no longer serves its purpose because of the delay or cancellation, and you’re no longer at your point of origin (for example, you are at a connecting point), then the airline (large or small) must rebook you on a flight back to your point of origin that accommodates your travel needs, free of charge, and refund the entire ticket (as if no part of the trip had been made).
Situations outside the airline’s control
(for example, weather conditions that make it impossible to safely operate the aircraft)
Summary of rebooking and refunds for situations outside the airline’s control
The airline (large or small) must rebook you on its next available flight or on the flight of an airline with which it has a commercial agreement. The flight must depart within 48 hours after your original departure time. If the airline cannot rebook you within 48 hours, the airline must, at your choice:
- Provide a refund; or
- Make alternate travel arrangements, free of charge. The details of the new flight depend on the size of the airline, as follows.
If you chose alternate travel arrangements
Large airlines
Large airlines* must rebook you on a flight operated by any airline. The new flight must take any reasonable route out of the same airport or from a nearby airport to your destination. In that case, they will also have to transport you to that airport.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of large airlines include Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing Airlines, Air Transat, and Flair Airlines.
Small airlines
Small airlines* must rebook you on their next available flight or on the flight of an airline with which they have a commercial agreement. The flight must take any reasonable route from the same airport to your destination. Small airlines are not required to rebook you with an airline with which they do not have a commercial agreement.
*The size of the airline is listed in the terms and conditions of your ticket (the airline’s tariff). Examples of small airlines include Canada Jetlines, Canadian North, and Porter Airlines.
If you chose a refund and you’re no longer at your point of origin
If your trip no longer serves its purpose because of the delay or cancellation, and you’re no longer at your point of origin (for example, if you are at a connecting point), then the airline (large or small) must rebook you on a flight back to your point of origin that accommodates your travel needs, free of charge, and refund the entire ticket (as if no part of the trip had been made).
Compensation for inconvenience
This ONLY applies for delays and cancellations fully within the airline’s control.
The airline must pay you compensation for your inconvenience if:
- the delay or cancellation is fully within the airline’s control (NOT within the airline’s control but required for safety or outside the airline’s control)
- you were informed of the delay or cancellation 14 days or less before your original departure time
- you arrived late at your final destination by 3 hours or more, and
- you filed a request for compensation in writing with the airline within 1 year of the delay or cancellation