Air Canada Flight Cancellation Compensation

Air Canada flight cancellation compensation.

Air Canada flight cancellation refund. Is there a difference? Which are you entitled to? When are you entitled to compensation? How much can you get? These are the questions we are going to answer in this article. Because, even though Air Canada is not a European airline, in some situations you are protected under the European law. There are situations when you are entitled to both — a refund from Air Canada and compensation (up to €600).

With Air Canada it applies to flights from the EU, and the UK.

There are two ways you can claim flight cancellation compensation.

1. Air Canada Flight Cancellation Compensation: EU Regulations

What happens if your Air Canada flight is cancelled?

Will you get a new flight ticket for free? Can you request a full refund for your flight? In which situations can you get flight cancellation compensation from Air Canada?

According to EU law, flight cancellation procedures are very specific.

If you are notified of the cancellation 7 – 14 days before the departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 2 hours before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 4 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

If you are notified of the cancellation less than 7 days before the departure:

• You choose a new flight offered by your airline, which departs not more than 1 hour before the original departure time and you reach your destination less than 2 hours after the original arrival time. In this situation you are not entitled to compensation.
• In other situations you are entitled to compensation.

Can you get Air Canada flight cancellation compensation? 

Yes, if the following conditions are met:

• Flight cancelled last-minute (0-14 days before departure);
• Flight cancelled due to the fault of Air Canada;
• Flight departs from Europe.

Air Canada is a Canadian airline. They have to comply with the European regulations only on their flights departing from European airports.

By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances

Sometimes reasons for flight cancellation are out of the airline’s control.

Situations like these are known as extraordinary circumstances. In such cases, you aren’t entitled to flight cancellation compensation no matter how last-minute is the cancellation. Because the airline is not responsible for flights that are cancelled due to events out of its control. 

If your flight is cancelled due to bad weather, natural disaster, pandemic, strike (unrelated to the airline), terrorism threat, security issues at the airport, civil or political unrest, you can’t get compensation from Air Canada.

And, yes, make sure to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines are telling the truth. To avoid paying compensation, airlines might wrongly deny compensation claims by not telling real reasons for cancellation. Example — your flight is cancelled due to technical issues (which aren’t extraordinary circumstances). The airline, however, might tell you that your flight was cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. Or, it might even claim that technical problems are extraordinary circumstances. So, when claiming compensation on your own, you need to be persistent. Always ask for proof.

Feeling stuck? Your case is going nowhere?

Work with our partners! Fill in the claim form on our website. Our partners will check your flight.

1.2 Right to Care

Your Air Canada flight is cancelled last-minute.

Now you have to wait at the airport for your new flight.

If the waiting time is 3+ hours, you are entitled to receive care from the airline. In case of Air Canada, this applies to its flights departing from European airports.

Air Canada must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If your new flight is leaving only on the next day, a free hotel stay (including free transfer) must be offered.

If you receive these services, it doesn’t affect your chances of getting compensation. Nor does it affect the compensation amount. 

1.3 Air Canada Flight Cancellation Refund, Air Canada Refund Policy

And again, in Europe the rules are very specific.

These rules aren’t affected by Air Canada refund policy. As long as your flight departs from Europe, you are protected by European Regulation No 261/2004 and the Regulation UK261. If your flight is cancelled, the airline mustgive you a choice between a free new flight or full refund.

If you choose a refund, it must be paid within 7 days.

In addition to that, you might be entitled to compensation.

Here’s an excerpt from the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004:

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 5

Cancellation

In case of cancellation of a flight, the passengers concerned shall: (a) be offered assistance by the operating air carrier in accordance with Article 8.

Regulation (EC) No 261/2004, Article 8

Right to reimbursement or re-routing

Where reference is made to this Article, passengers shall be offered the choice between: (a) – reimbursement within seven days (b) re-routing, under comparable transport conditions, to their final destination at the earliest opportunity.

This regulation won’t work if you cancel your Air Canada flight.

2. How to Claim Air Canada Compensation?

How to claim Air Canada flight cancellation compensation?

There are two ways how you can do it.

One of the options is to contact Air Canada directly. The best way is to write an e-mail to Air Canada’s customer support. Give all the information about your flight, including the reason for cancellation. Refer to the European regulations (EC Regulation 261/2001 and Regulation UK261) and request flight cancellation compensation. Be prepared for a likely lengthy process. In could take months until you get compensation from Air Canada.

Or you can take the easiest path — legal representation.

This is the easiest and most hassle-free option. This means that you will be working with a flight compensation company which will claim compensation on your behalf. All negotiations with the airline will be done on your behalf.

You can use the links below, if you prefer this option — our partners offer such services.

Read more:

• How to Claim Air Canada Compensation?
• Your Air Canada Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
• Air Canada Missed Connection Compensation

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

Every case is different. 

While some people might get compensation after 2-3 months, some might need to wait longer. It also depends on the airline. If it cooperates, you might get compensation after 2-3 months, if not, the process could take several moths. 

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount in Europe go up to €600 per person.

Here is how you can calculate your Air Canada flight cancellation compensation:

When your destination is within the EU/UK:

When your destination is outside the EU/UK:

There’s one exception. When the flight distance is 3500+ kilometres and you reach your destination 3 to 4 hours later than planned, you are entitled only to 50% of the compensation amount (that means €300, not €600).

3.1 Air Canada Voucher Refund or Cash?

What if you are offered a voucher instead of compensation?

Air Canada might offer coupons instead of compensation. Do you have to accept a Air Canada compensation voucher, or can you say no?

You can say no. You don’t have to accept airline vouchers. Ask for a bank transfer instead. However, the European regulations apply only to Air Canada flights departing from Europe. On other flights you might not have a choice.

4. What Happens If a Flight Is Cancelled?

What to do if your Air Canada flight is cancelled?

First of all, contact Air Canada. You may have already received an email from them, explaining the situation and your options. This email might contain all the information about replacement flight options and refunds. All you need to do is to choose the new flight or request flight cancellation refund. 

If you are already at the airport, and it is a very last-minute flight cancellation, wait for the announcement from the airline. In most cases, you’ll be given a choice between a new flight to your destination and full refund.

If it’s an Air Canada flight from Europe, and it’s cancelled less than 2 weeks before departure date, you might also have a right to European flight cancellation compensation.

Do you need to be on time for another flight? If it’s an Air Canada connecting flight, don’t worry. If you miss your connection because your previous flight was delayed or cancelled, the airline will book you on another flight free of charge. It’s their responsibility.

But if it’s a self transfer (separately booked flights), you won’t be booked on a new flight. Self transfers aren’t airline’s responsibility. You will need to book a new flight yourself. 

Air Canada Flight Cancellation Compensation and Refund: FAQ

Air Canada Refund

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists From Abroad

Other Situations

What is your experience? Have you ever received Air Canada flight cancellation compensation? Do you still have questions about Air Canada compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.