Cancelled Flight with Air Canada
Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights with Air Canada
A flight delayed by several hours or cancelled altogether with Air Canada can turn your vacation, business trip or return home into a real ordeal. Fortunately, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) protect travellers in Canada and impose strict obligations on companies like Air Canada (classified as a major carrier).
Whether your flight is delayed by more than 3 hours on arrival or cancelled at the last minute, you have concrete rights: financial compensation, full refund or rerouting, not to mention immediate assistance (meals, communications, accommodation). Here’s everything you need to know in 2026.
Immediate care is also mandatory: meals, accommodation and communications, just like in the case of a delay.
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Claim your compensation for a delay
Most airlines usually try to minimize their liability by offering travel credits or invoking extraordinary circumstances to avoid paying compensation.
To make sure you are compensated as you deserve, without wasting time, money and energy, trust Volannule.com
Compensation for delayed or cancelled flights with Air Canada
If your flight arrives at your destination at least 3 hours late (compared to the original schedule) and the disruption is attributable to Air Canada (technical, organizational, crew problems, etc.), you are entitled to compensation for the inconvenience suffered.
Amounts for large carriers such as Air Canada:
- $400 if the delay in arrival is 3 hours or more, but less than 6 hours
- $700 if the delay is 6 hours or more but less than 9 hours
- $1,000 if the delay exceeds 9 hours
These amounts also apply in the event of a cancellation when Air Canada notifies you less than 14 days before departure and does not offer an equivalent solution within a reasonable time.
Compensation is automatic if the conditions are met; It does not depend on assistance (food, hotel) which must be provided separately.
Assistance and immediate care (from 2 hours of waiting)
As soon as the wait exceeds 2 hours, Air Canada must offer you free of charge:
- Meals and drinks adapted to the waiting time
- Access to communication (2 calls, emails, or Wi-Fi)
- Hotel accommodation + round-trip transport if an extra night is required
These obligations apply even in exceptional circumstances (weather, safety), where compensation may be refused but assistance may not.
In case of cancellation: refund or rerouting of your choice
If Air Canada cancels your flight, you have the right to choose:
- Full refund of the ticket (including all incidental costs) within 30 days
- Replacement flight in the best possible conditions (even with another carrier if necessary after 48 hours)
Air Canada cannot charge you a travel credit or credit note without your explicit consent. If no satisfactory solution is offered quickly, demand a full refund.
When compensation does not apply (exceptions)
Air Canada may be exempt from compensation for extraordinary circumstances beyond its control, such as:
- Extreme weather conditions making flying unsafe
- Serious medical emergencies on board
- Security or air traffic control restrictions
- External strikes (airport agents, ATC, etc.)
Even in these cases, assistance (meals, hotel, communications) is still mandatory, and the company must reroute you as soon as possible.
How to get your compensation or reimbursement with Air Canada
- Keep all the evidence: boarding pass, emails, screenshot of the actual arrival time
- Note the exact time of arrival and ask (if possible) for the official reason for the delay/cancellation
- Submit your claim directly to Air Canada (they have 30 days to respond)
- If you refuse without a good reason or are silent: file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)
Unfortunately, many companies minimize their responsibilities by systematically invoking exceptions or dragging out payments (sometimes for several months). Don’t waste your time and energy: Volannule.com takes care of everything for you.