Effective December 15, 2019, passengers in Canada were supposed to get better protections, more rights under the Canadian Transportation Agency’s (CTA) Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR).
Airlines flying to, from and within Canada will need to provide passengers with:
- compensation of up to $1,000 for flight delays or cancellations for reasons within the airlines’ control (except for safety reasons); and
- amenities when there is a flight delay or cancellation within the airline’s control (reasonable food and drink; access to communication; and hotel accommodations for overnight delays).
However, I have been hearing several passengers echo concerns that they are being denied compensations as the airline later changes the reason for delays often citing weather or reasons outside their control.
Even though I didnt file for compensation, I experienced this first hand on February 07 when I was travelling from Toronto to San Diego on AC1887. I received contradictory information citing reasons for the delay.
When I did the online check-in the day before I noticed that there was a note asking passengers travelling to the US to check in 3 hours prior to the flight time due to delays in US Immigration. However, I arrived at the airport 2hrs and 15mins prior to the flight time and was able to breeze through the Nexus Lanes.
After we were boarded and sitting on the aircraft, the pilot made an announcement around 8:10am that we were waiting for a few passengers as they were delayed in US Immigrations.
At this time I checked the app, and it showed what the captain had just announced.
However, I then also received an email saying the flight was delayed due to a totally different reason – security check of the inbound aircraft.
Now, the reason in the email cannot be true as this aircraft arrived the previous evening from Sarasota at 2203:
Eventually the flight departed almost 1hr and 45minutes behind schedule.
So, the point I am trying to make is if you are delayed and plan to seek compensation, take screen shots of the flight statuses on the apps, take pictures of signs posted at boarding gates, record delay announcements to help you get the compensation you deserve.
Safe travels!!
Written by Dominic Fernandes aka CanadaPointsGuy