Skip to the main content
Guidepost
FEDERAL: ALL CANADIAN FLIGHTS

Delayed or cancelled flight? Canada's APPR sets compensation of up to $1,000 for eligible disruptions.

This page is the free guide. No sign-in. Read on.

The Air Passenger Protection Regulations give Canadian travellers the right to cash compensation when an airline delays or cancels your flight for reasons within their control. Check your eligibility free, then generate a formal claim letter for a flat fee, and keep 100% of any compensation you recover.

Free, on this page

Canada APPR eligibility checklist

For Canadian air travel

$0

  • APPR eligibility quick-check (delay, cancellation, denied boarding)
  • Compensation amounts by disruption type
  • What to document after a disruption
  • How to escalate to the CTA if the airline refuses

Free. General information only, not legal or regulatory advice.

Keep it with the rest. This one files behind tab 12 of the Home File.

No account needed

Keep your full compensation. Claim firms keep a share of your award, for work you can do yourself with the right letter.

ELIGIBILITY CHECKER

What happened on your flight?

Select the option that best describes your situation.

Arrived significantly later than scheduledAirline cancelled the flight entirelyHad a confirmed ticket but was refused boarding (bumped)Sat on the tarmac for 3 hours or more without option to deplaneChecked baggage was lost, damaged, or significantly delayed

General information only, not legal advice.

Large airline: carried at least 2 million passengers worldwide in each of the two preceding calendar years (APPR definition). Small airline: all other carriers. If you're unsure, check your airline's Wikipedia page or ask the CTA: most major Canadian carriers (Air Canada, WestJet, Flair) qualify as large.

Compensation table: within airline control

Delay at destinationLarge airlineSmall airline
3 – 6 hours$400$125
6 – 9 hours$700$250
9+ hours$1000$500

Amounts verified against the APPR (SOR/2019-150) as of 2026; verify current figures at otc-cta.gc.ca. Applies when disruption is within airline control and not safety-related.

Key deadlines

1 yr

You have 1 year from your flight date to file a claim with the airline.

30 d

The airline must respond to your claim within 30 days.

CTA

If denied or no response after 30 days, escalate to the CTA.

  1. 1

    The three categories that determine your rights

    Open this section ↓

    Under the APPR, every flight disruption falls into one of three categories. The category, not the disruption itself, determines what you may be entitled to. Airlines are required to tell you the reason in writing; if they don't, you can demand it.

    1. Within the airline's control: not a safety reason

    Full compensation

    Examples: overbooking, crew scheduling problems not caused by extraordinary events, IT failures, routine maintenance issues.

    You are entitled to: cash compensation (see table above) + care (food/drink, hotel if overnight) + rebooking or refund.

    2. Within the airline's control: required for safety

    No cash: care + rebook

    Examples: mechanical defect found during pre-flight safety check, crew rest requirement discovered before departure.

    You are entitled to: care (food/drink, hotel if overnight) + rebooking on next available flight or refund. No cash compensation.

    Watch for abuse: “safety” is frequently cited to avoid paying compensation. If the defect was a known maintenance issue, it may actually be Category 1.

    3. Outside the airline's control

    Rebook only

    Examples: severe weather, government restrictions, ATC closures, airport security incidents, third-party labour disputes.

    You are entitled to: rebooking on the next available flight (including another airline's flight) or a refund. No cash compensation and limited care obligations.

    ↑ Close this section
  2. 2

    Other rights under the APPR

    Open this section ↓

    Tarmac delays

    After 1 hour on the tarmac, the airline must provide water, food, and working temperature control (HVAC). After 3 hours, the airline must offer passengers the option to deplane, unless the captain determines this is unsafe or would cause an undue additional delay. This applies regardless of disruption category.

    Denied boarding (involuntary bumping)

    If you are bumped involuntarily from a flight you have a confirmed booking for (due to overbooking), you are entitled to higher compensation than a standard delay:

    Delay at final destinationCompensation
    Under 6 hours late$900
    6 – 9 hours late$1,800
    9+ hours late$2,400

    Denied boarding compensation is the same for large and small airlines (s.20(1)).

    Verify current figures at otc-cta.gc.ca. Denied boarding compensation is set by APPR section 20.

    Lost or damaged baggage

    For international flights (including transborder Canada-US flights), the Montreal Convention limits liability to 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger, approximately $2,780 CAD. The SDR limits were revised effective December 28, 2024. Confirm the current SDR conversion with the airline or CTA. File a Property Irregularity Report (PIR) at the airport immediately after discovering damage or loss. Then file a written claim with the airline: within 7 days of receiving a damaged bag, within 21 days of receiving a delayed bag, and as soon as possible for a lost bag (a bag counts as lost once it is 21 days late, or earlier if the airline admits losing it).

    Care during delays (Category 1 and 2)

    For disruptions within the airline's control (categories 1 and 2), after a 2-hour delay the airline must provide:

    • • Food and drink in reasonable quantities
    • • Access to a means of communication
    • • Hotel accommodation and transportation if an overnight stay is required

    Keep all receipts if you incur out-of-pocket costs. You can claim reimbursement.

    ↑ Close this section
  3. 3

    How to claim your compensation

    Open this section ↓
    1

    Send a written claim to the airline

    Write to the airline's customer relations or claims department. Cite the APPR (SOR/2019-150) specifically, state your exact flight details, the disruption, and the exact dollar amount you are claiming. Keep proof of sending (email read receipt or registered mail tracking).

    2

    Wait for the 30-day response window

    The airline has 30 days to respond. They may pay, deny (with a written reason), or offer a lower amount. If they offer a voucher instead of cash, you can refuse. Cash is your right.

    3

    Escalate to the CTA if denied or ignored

    If the airline denies your claim or doesn't respond within 30 days, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency online. The CTA will investigate and can order the airline to pay. Filing is free.

    ↑ Close this section
  4. 4

    Frequently asked questions

    Open this section ↓
    Does the APPR apply to international flights from Canada?
    Yes. The APPR applies to flights that arrive at or depart from a Canadian airport. This includes flights to the US, Europe, and other international destinations, provided the disruption occurs on the Canadian leg or is under the operating carrier's control.
    What if the airline says the delay was 'weather'?
    Weather can be genuinely outside an airline's control, but it is also frequently misused. If your flight was delayed due to weather at your departure city, but other airlines operated normally, or the weather cleared and the airline still didn't fly, the reason may actually be within the airline's control. State your facts in your claim letter and let the CTA review if disputed.
    Can the airline pay me in travel vouchers instead of cash?
    No. If you are entitled to cash compensation under the APPR, you are entitled to cash (or an equivalent electronic payment). Vouchers must be at least as valuable as the cash amount AND you must be given the option to choose cash instead. You can refuse a voucher and demand cash.
    What if my connecting flight was missed because of the delay?
    If you missed a connection and arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late due to a disruption within the airline's control, compensation is calculated based on your delay at your final destination, not just the delayed leg. The key is your total delay at the destination on your itinerary.

    Official sources

    Air Passenger Protection Regulations (SOR/2019-150): otc-cta.gc.caFile a complaint with the CTA: protection-passager-passenger.otc-cta.gc.ca/en/air-travel-complaints
    ↑ Close this section
  5. 5

    Ready to send your claim?

    A formal written letter citing the APPR creates a clear record and a paper trail for the CTA if needed and creates a paper trail for the CTA if needed.Open this section ↓

    A formal written letter citing the APPR creates a clear record and a paper trail for the CTA if needed and creates a paper trail for the CTA if needed.

    Generate my APPR claim letter: $14 →

    Preview free before paying. 30-day money-back guarantee.

    ↑ Close this section

Done for you

APPR Compensation Claim Letter$14

  • Everything in free
  • Formal compensation claim letter to the airline (citing APPR SOR/2019-150)
  • CTA escalation guide (next steps if the airline refuses)
  • Flight details reference card
Get it: $14

See a full sample (PDF)

Formal claim letter citing APPR SOR/2019-150

Answer plain-language questions: we fill everything in and check each detail as you go.

Helps avoid a rejected or ignored compensation claim

  1. Preview
  2. Pay
  3. Download instantly
Secure checkout · powered by StripeVisaMastercardAmerican ExpressApple PayGoogle Pay

30-day money-back guarantee · No account needed

Instant download · 30-day money-back guarantee

APPR Compensation Claim Letter
APPR Compensation Claim LetterCanada

Built by Nathan, nine years in the Canadian Army, paperwork done the hard way first.

Facts checked September 2026

Guidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice. Full disclaimer