Flight delayed or cancelled in Canada: passenger rights, baggage and claims

Save evidence immediately

• Booking confirmation and boarding pass.
• Scheduled and actual times.
• Airline emails, texts and app screenshots.
• The reason the airline gives for the disruption.
• Reasonable hotel, meal, transportation or essential-item receipts when relevant.
• Baggage claim number and photos.

Delay or cancellation

Ask the airline to confirm the reason and the options offered. Depending on the circumstances, obligations can involve information, meals and communication, accommodation, rebooking, refunds and sometimes compensation.

Denied boarding

Ask for the reason in writing and preserve the offer made by the airline. The applicable rules depend on why boarding was denied.

Delayed, lost or damaged baggage

1. Report it to the airline promptly and obtain a case number.
2. Keep receipts for necessary expenses.
3. Respect the claim deadline for the baggage problem involved.
4. Photograph damage before repair or disposal.

Claim order

1. Send the claim to the airline first.
2. Keep its response and the date you submitted the claim.
3. If unresolved, use the Canadian Transportation Agency passenger-protection portal to determine whether a complaint can be filed.

Official sources

• Canadian Transportation Agency — Air passenger protection
• CTA — Refunds and compensation

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