At Volannule, we believe that a well-informed passenger is a better protected passenger. This section explains the main laws and regulations that govern your rights in the event of a flight disruption in Canada and internationally. Whether you’re faced with a flight delay, a cancelled flight, denied boarding or lost luggage, the law has you covered.
Air passenger rights are governed by two main categories of legislation:
The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), which came into force in Canada between 2019 and 2020. It applies to all flights to, from or within Canada.
The Montreal Convention (1999), an international treaty applicable to international flights, ratified by more than 130 countries, including Canada.
If your flight arrives at its destination with a delay of 3 hours or more, and the delay is due to the airline (and not exceptional circumstances such as weather), you may be eligible for compensation.
3 to 6 hours late: $400
6 to 9 hours: $700
More than 9 hours: $1,000
Passengers are also entitled to assistance measures : meals, refreshments, access to communication, accommodation if necessary.
In the event of a flight cancellation, the company must offer you:
A new booking at no extra cost;
Or a full refund, if you decide not to travel.
If the cancellation is attributable to the company and you are informed less than 14 days before departure, financial compensation is also due, according to the same scale as for delays.
If you are denied boarding despite a confirmed booking (frequent overbooking), you are entitled to:
Immediate compensation, payable in cash or equivalent:
Less than 6 hours late at destination: $900
6 to 9 hours: $1,800
More than 9 hours: $2,400
A rebooking or a full refund;
Immediate care (meals, accommodation if necessary).
Baggage handling is governed mainly by the Montreal Convention for international flights, and by the General Conditions of Carriage for domestic flights.
Up to approximately $2,100 CAD for lost, delayed or damaged checked baggage.
The claim must be filed within a specific time frame:
7 days for damaged baggage
21 days for delayed baggage
As soon as possible for lost baggage (often considered lost after 21 days delay)
Airlines must also reimburse reasonable expenses incurred while waiting for your baggage to be recovered.
If your rights are not respected, you can:
File a formal complaint with the airline ;
Use the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) for mediation ;
Use a service like Volannule, which takes care of your case and helps you quickly obtain the compensation to which you are entitled.
Most airlines often seek to minimize their responsibilities by offering travel credits or invoking exceptional circumstances to avoid paying compensation.
To ensure that you get the compensation you are legally entitled to, without wasting time, money or energy, trust Volannule.com.