New air passenger rights now in place
Canadian air travellers need to know their rights in order to claim them.
The United States and the European Union long ago put in place strong consumer protection laws for air passengers. We believe Canadians deserve no less, so that when something goes wrong, you know what your rights are and how to claim them.
The new system is far from perfect, but also much better than what we had before. For the first time, Canadians will have standardized, publicly accessible passenger rights.
Key protections include:
- Airlines must inform travellers in simple, clear and concise language what their rights are on all itinerary-related documents and messaging;
- Overbooking: Compensation up to $2,400 for being involuntarily bumped from a flight and no cost re-booking;
- Increases to an airline’s maximum liability on domestic flights for lost or damaged baggage to match current international flight limits and the requirement to refund any baggage fees paid;
- Tarmac delays: Airlines are required to provide standard of treatment (access to toilets, heating/cooling, refreshments, etc.) beginning at the time of the delay. Airlines will also have to disembark passengers no later than 3 hours after the delay starts; and
- Cash compensation for delays more than three hours and and cancellations within the carrier’s control;
- Airlines are required to rebook and/or refund travel that is delayed or cancelled, depending on circumstances.
- Airlines must facilitate seating of children under the age of 14 with their parent, at no cost.
