Federal: all Canadian flights
Delayed or cancelled flight? Canada's APPR sets compensation of up to $1,000 for eligible disruptions.
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.
Keep your full compensation. Claim firms charge 25-50% of your award. On a $1,000 claim, that is up to $500 to the firm, for work you can do yourself with the right letter.
Eligibility checker
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General information only, not legal advice.
Compensation table: within airline control
| Delay at destination | Large airline | Small 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
You have 1 year from your flight date to file a claim with the airline.
The airline must respond to your claim within 30 days.
If denied or no response after 30 days, escalate to the CTA.
Canada APPR eligibility checklist
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- ✓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
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APPR Compensation Claim Letter
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Formal claim letter citing APPR SOR/2019-150
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- ✓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
Helps avoid a rejected or ignored compensation claim
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The three categories that determine your rights
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 compensationExamples: 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 + rebookExamples: 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 onlyExamples: 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.
Other rights under the APPR
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 destination | Large airline | Small airline |
|---|---|---|
| Under 6 hours late | $900 | $300 |
| 6 – 9 hours late | $1800 | $600 |
| 9+ hours late | $2400 | $800 |
Verify current figures at otc-cta.gc.ca. Denied boarding rules are in APPR Division 5.
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. Follow up in writing within 7 days (damage) or 21 days (total loss) to preserve your claim.
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.
How to claim your compensation
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).
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.
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.
Frequently asked questions
Does the APPR apply to international flights from Canada?
What if the airline says the delay was 'weather'?
Can the airline pay me in travel vouchers instead of cash?
What if my connecting flight was missed because of the delay?
Official sources
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.
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Last updated: June 2026
Guidepost is not a law firm. This is general information, not legal advice. Full disclaimer