Air Canada Flight Delay Compensation

Air Canada flight delay compensation.

How to claim for delayed flight? And how much can you get?

In Europe, you are protected against flight delays. If you are flying with a European airline, you are protected on all of its flights. But if it’s a non-European airline, such as Air Canada, you are protected under the European law only on its flights departing from European airports. If your Air Canada flight departs from Europe, and is heavily delayed, you might be entitled to flight delay compensation. How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?

One of the options is to let professionals deal with this.

Or, you can pursue flight delay compensation on your own.

1. Air Canada Flight Delay Compensation: EU Regulations

Overall, the EU flight delay compensation rules are simple.

There are regulations in the EU and UK that establish rules on flight compensation. These regulations state that if your flight is heavily delayed, and you reach your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled, you might be entitled to flight  delay compensation. As long as the delay is due to the airline’s fault, not due to ‘extraordinary circumstances’.

In case of non-EU/UK airlines such as Air Canada, the regulations apply only to flights departing from Europe.

Could you be entitled to Air Canada flight delay compensation?

Yes, if:

• Delay is 3 or more hours;
• Delay is due to Air Canada’s fault;
• Flight is from Europe.

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

There are situations when you aren’t entitled to compensation. 

If, for example, your flight is delayed due to “extraordinary circumstances”.

“Extraordinary circumstances” are events that are out of the airline’s control, such as extreme weather conditions, natural disasters, terrorism threat, security issues at the airport, cilvil or political unrest, some nationwide strikes. If your Air Canada flight is delayed due to any of this, you can’t get compensation from the airline. 

What about strikes? Not all strikes are considered extraordinary circumstances. If it’s a strike of airline staff, it’s not considered to be an extraordinary circumstance. 

Keep in mind that technical issues aren’t extraordinary circumstances. 

If your claim is rejected, it’s a good idea to double check what you’re told.

Because not always airlines tell the right reasons for delay. To avoid paying compensations to affected passengers (and losing a lot of money), airlines often wrongly deny compensation claims by not telling the right reasons for flight delay. Always ask for proof and be persistent when claiming compensation.

If you don’t want to deal with this, work with a flight compensation company. They can claim compensation on your behalf. You won’t need to negotiate with the airline. Our partners offer such services. 

1.2 How to Calculate the Delay Time?

What really matters is the time of arrival to your destination.

This applies both to direct flights and connecting flights. Always calculate the delay time at the moment of your arrival. If you have a connecting flight, the delay time is calculated at your final destination (last stop).

Keep in mind that your actual time of arrival is the moment, when the doors of the airplane are opened and passengers are free to go, not the moment of landing.

1.3 Right to Care

In Europe you also have a right to care.

If it’s an Air Canada flight, the regulations apply only to flights departing from Europe. If your flight is delayed and you are stuck at the airport for 3 or more hours waiting until your flight departs, you are entitled to care from the airline. The same applies also to flight overbookings and last-minute flight cancellations. 

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 the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered accommodation and transportation from and to the airport as well. 

All passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.

2. How to Claim Air Canada Compensation For Delayed Flight?

How to claim flight delay compensation Air Canada owes you?

There are two ways you can do it online.

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

The second option is — legal representation.

It’s the easiest of the two options.

In this case everything is done by a flight compensation company. 

You fill in a flight delay compensation claim form, and the rest is done on your behalf.

Read more:

• How to Claim Air Canada Compensation?
• Air Canada Missed Connection Compensation
• Your Air Canada Compensation Claim Is Denied. Now What?
• Your Air Canada Flight Is Delayed. Should You Wait at Home?

2.1 How Long Does It Take?

No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process.

The length of the process can vary a lot. For some it takes weeks, for others — 6+ months.

If the airline cooperates and responds quickly, you might get the money after 2-3 months. 

But most people receive their compensation in a few months.

3. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amount is fixed and range from €250 to €600.

How to calculate your Air Canada delayed flight compensation?

Use this simple flight delay compensation calculator.

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?

You might be offered a voucher instead of Air Canada flight delay compensation.

But do you have to agree to Air Canada voucher compensation? If your delayed flight was from a European airport, you are entitled to cash or bank transfer. You don’t have to agree to airline vouchers. 

Flight compensations in Europe have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.

Air Canada Flight Delay Compensation: FAQ

EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists From Abroad

Other Situations

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