Air Canada: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
Air Canada compensation for delayed flight?
Air Canada is the national flag carrier and the largest airline of Canada. It is headquartered in Montreal and operates to more than 200 destinations worldwide. Air Canada is a founding member of the Star Alliance. What to do if your Air Canada flight is delayed or cancelled, or you have been denied boarding? What are your rights in such situations? In which situations can you claim compensation from Air Canada?
How to claim Air Canada compensation online?
Air Canada compensation for cancelled flight?
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Here are 5 main topics that we will focus on:
1. What to do if your flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim Air Canada compensation for delayed flight?
4. How to claim Air Canada compensation for cancelled flight?
5. How to claim Air Canada denied boarding compensation?
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
It depends on the situation. If you are still at home, you may need to wait. But if you are already at the airport, stay at the landside area (read more below). Do not panic! The airline will get you to your final destination. And, if your Air Canada flight departs from the EU, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. And, in some situations even — a flight delay compensation.
1.1 If you are still at home
You are still at home when you find out of the delay.
You have received an e-mail saying that your flight will be late. Or you just checked flight status online and see that it’s delayed. Not good! What now? Do not panic. Find out if check in will start soon or will it be delayed. You see, if check in starts soon, you can go to the airport. The delay won’t be long. But if it’s delayed, then your flight may also be heavily delayed, or even cancelled.
What if you have checked in online? Still, it’s important to know whether the check in is postponed or is it going to be on time. This way you will know when to leave for the airport.
If check in is going to be delayed, wait for a while.
If check in isn't delayed, go to the airport as normally.
Do you have another flight you may miss?
Now, it all depends on what kind of connection you have booked. There are two types of connecting flights: airline protected connecting flight and self-transfer. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, your connection is protected by the airline. The airline will take care of you, and if necessary, you will be put on another flight for free. If it’s a self-transfer (two or more flights booked separately), this is your responsibility.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
You have arrived at the airport…
Only to find out that your flight is delayed. So annoying! What now? Find out if check in for your flight has started already, and is it even happening on time.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
If it hasn’t started yet, this means that your flight may be cancelled altogether. That’s why you should wait and see what happens with your flight.
If check has started, that’s great!
That’s a good sign. Now you can check in and proceed through airport security.
If you have already checked in online, proceed through airport security and go to your gate. Do everything as you would normally do, and follow the status of your flight and gate.
- 3 hour flight delay
Air Canada is a Canadian airline.
Despite that, on many of their flights you are protected by the EU.
If your Air Canada fight departs from the EU, and you have to wait at the airport due to delay, cancellation or overbooking, you are entitled to receive some services for free. In case of waiting for 3+ hours extra, you have a right to care from the airline. Air Canada has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Air Canada flight delays (from the EU).
All passengers have a right to care from the airline.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get a hotel room.
Air Canada has to offer you free hotel room and free transfer.
The only condition is that, it must be a flight from the EU.
Everyone has a right to this type of care.
1.3 If it is fault of Air Canada
That includes things like technical problems and staff shortage.
In this case, you may also be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
Have you experienced a flight delay?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
1.4 Why do flights get delayed?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get delayed.
2. What to do if your flight is CANCELLED?
Your flight is cancelled. What should you do?
Will there be a new flight? Will you have to pay for that flight? Are you entitled to compensation from Air Canada? Can you get a refund from Air Canada?
2.1 If you are still at home
You are still at home when your flight is cancelled.
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Air Canada, if they haven’t yet contacted you.
Generally speaking, in the EU you are protected under the EU law. Even though Air Canada is not a EU airline, in some cases you are protected, as a passenger. If your Air Canada flight departs from the EU, the airline must put you on a new flight or give you a full refund. You can choose either. You have a right to request a refund if you don’t want to take the new flight offered by Air Canada. If, for example, it doesn’t fit your travel plans.
If it’s fault of the airline, you may have a right to compensation.
More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
Stay at the landside area of the airport.
Don’t go through the airport security just yet.
Why? Your flight is cancelled, and you will be booked on another flight. You will need to check in for that flight. And it can be done only at the landside area of the airport. That’s the part of the airport where all check in counters are located. So, don’t go through the airport security. Get in touch with the representatives of Air Canada, to find out what has happened to your flight and what should you do next.
If you don’t wish to travel anymore, you can ask for a refund.
- 3 hour flight delay
Air Canada is an airline registered in Canada.
Despite that, on some of their flights you are protected under the EU law.
You have an Air Canada flight departing from the EU. It was cancelled or delayed, or you have been denied boarding. If you have to wait at the airport 3+ hours because of this, you have a right to care from the Air Canada. The airline has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
What about cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances?
This applies to all Air Canada flight cancellations.
As long as the flight departs from the EU or UK.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
You have a right to free accommodation.
If your flight departs from the EU, and it has been cancelled, a free hotel stay and free transfer has to be offered to you. In the EU, it is Air Canada's responsibility, and every passenger has a right to this type of care.
However, it’s assessed case by case, and in some situations passengers won’t be entitled to free hotel stay and transfer. If, for example, delay/waiting time is 6 hours. There are just too many affected passengers, and it would take a minimum of 3 hours to take everyone to a hotel. In this case, the airline may decide not to provide these free services.
2.3 If it is fault of Air Canada
That includes things like technical problems and bad planning.
If that causes a cancellation, it is considered fault of the airline.
Because it’s something that airline has control over, something they haven’t taken care of. If your flight departs from the EU, you may be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
Have you experienced a flight cancellation?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
2.4 Why do flights get cancelled?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get cancelled.
3. How to claim Air Canada compensation for delayed flight?
There are 3 conditions that should be met.
First, the delay must be due to the fault of Air Canada. Second, the delay should be at least 3 hours. Finally, the flight must depart from the EU. If your flight meets these conditions, you have a right to the EU flight delay compensation. Make a claim and receive a compensation of up to 600 euro per passenger. There are two options how to claim flight delay compensation from Air Canada.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact the airline via their website and request the compensation. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004. Be prepared that it will take time. Don’t be surprised if your claim is denied and be ready to fight for your rights. Here you can see some of the ways, how airlines avoid paying compensation, even when passengers are entitled to this compensation.
Contact us for legal help with Air Canada claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
If you want a hassle-free option, work with us. All you need to do is to fill one form, and we will do the rest. We will be your legal representatives and we will help you to get your Air Canada delayed flight compensation faster. We will submit Air Canada delay claim on your behalf.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
That’s all from you. We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
It takes around 2 or 3 months until you receive EU flight compensation.
Keep in mind that if the process doesn’t go as smoothly as planned, it will take more time. If it’s necessary to take your case to NEB or court, it will surely take more time — even up to 6 months, or a year in some situations. Just to receive Air Canada flight delay compensation.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country your flight was departing from.
Most European countries allow you to make claims for old flights. You can file a claim for flights up to 2-3 years old. However, we would recommend you file a claim as soon as possible. The sooner you do, the more likely you will receive Air Canada delay compensation.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
Absolutely not, it applies to everyone.
If you aren’t a citizen of the EU, you still can make a claim and get compensation. The EU law protects every single passenger. You don't have to be European.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
The amounts are — 250, 400 and 600 euro per passenger.
The amounts are the same for all passengers. It doesn’t matter what’s your nationality, what airline you are flying with, price of the ticket, or do you have travel insurance or not. Even infants can receive full flight compensation if a flight is delayed for 3 or more hours due to fault of the airline. And if this flight departs from the EU.
4. How to claim Air Canada compensation for cancelled flight?
There are 3 conditions that should be met.
First of all, flight cancellation must be due to the fault of the airline. Second of all, it must be a last-minute flight cancellation — not more than 14 days before departure. And third, the flight must depart from the EU. If your flight meets these conditions, you have a right to receive EU flight cancellation compensation. How you can claim flight cancellation compensation from Air Canada?
There are two ways.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact the customer service of Air Canada via their website.
Make a claim, quoting the Regulation EC 261/2004 and request cancellation compensation. Keep in mind that it will take time. Don’t be surprised if your claim gets denied, and be ready to fight for your rights. It can take months until you receive Air Canada compensation for cancelled flight.
Contact us for legal help with Air Canada claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
Working with us is the easiest option.
It is called legal representation. In this case, it’s us who do all the negotiations and, if necessary, prepare all the paperwork. You only fill in a single form.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How long does it take?
On average, the whole process takes 2 to 3 months.
2 to 3 months from the moment you submit the claim until you receive money in your bank account. However, it can take more time if you are claiming compensation yourself and you need to take your case to court. If you work with us, we take the case to court on your behalf. Anyway, you pay only if you are getting the money (not sooner).
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country your flight was departing from.
In most situations, you can file a claim up to 2-3 years after the day of cancellation. However we would suggest submitting the claim as soon as possible.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
You are protected under the law even if you are a tourist coming from outside the EU. The rules are the same for everyone. You don't have to be European to be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How much can you claim?
The Regulation EC 261/2004 regulates that as well.
Here is how much you can claim for your flight:
- €250 — if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
- €400 — if the distance is between 1500 to 3500 kilometres;
- €600 — if the distance is more than 3500 kilometres.
These amounts are per passenger. It doesn’t matter what is the age and nationality of the passenger. Infants too can receive full flight compensation if a flight is cancelled due to fault of the airline. And if the flight was about to depart from the EU. The airline, price of the ticket or travel insurance doesn’t matter in this case. When it comes to claiming EU flight compensation, all passengers are equally protected.
5. How to claim Air Canada denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
How does that even happen? Airlines sell more flights than there are seats. Simply because not all passengers show up for their flights. It is a common practice, and it ensures that the losses are smaller. However, sometimes there are situations when all passengers turn up for their flights. And that’s when someone gets denied boarding.
If your flight is overbooked, you too may be asked to give up your seat. You can agree to that, and take another flight offered by the airline, or you may refuse. Sometimes you aren’t even given a choice. Whenever that happens, you have a right to EU denied boarding compensation.
With Air Canada it applies to all their flights from Europe.
Compensation amounts are — 250, 400 or 600 euro.
Keep in mind, that it applies only to overbooking. If there are problems with your travel documents or visa, or your passport expires soon, you can’t get denied boarding compensation. You won’t be entitled to denied boarding compensation also if you voluntarily give up your seat, and agree to fly later.
Check your compensation online!
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Remember, whenever your Air Canada flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding - you might be entitled to flight compensation. File a claim to get it sorted out right away!