Canada — Flight Compensation Rights
APPR explained — your rights when flying to, from, or within Canada
Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations protect you on all flights to, from, and within Canada. Delays of 3+ hours, cancellations, and denied boarding entitle you to compensation of up to CA$1,000 (large carriers) or CA$500 (small carriers), plus meals, accommodation, and rebooking.
Maximum compensation
CA$1,000
per passenger, per flight
Claim time limit
⚡1 year
Regulation
Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR)
Enforcement body
CTA
Compensation amounts in Canada
Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), in force since December 2019, establish minimum standards for passenger treatment on flights to, from, and within Canada. The regulations are enforced by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) and apply to all airlines operating in Canada. Compensation amounts depend on airline size (large vs. small carrier) and the cause of the disruption.
Tier 1
Up to 1,500 km
Short-haul
CA$400
Tier 2
1,500–3,500 km
Medium-haul
CA$700
Tier 3
Over 3,500 km
Long-haul
CA$1,000
⚡ 1 year claim window — shortest in the EU
Under the APPR, passengers must file a complaint with the airline within 1 year of the disruption. After receiving the airline's response (or if no response within 30 days), passengers have 30 days to escalate to the CTA. The CTA itself has a 3-year limitation period for formal complaints.
Who enforces your rights in Canada
National enforcement authority
Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA)
The CTA accepts passenger complaints and can order airlines to pay compensation. Passengers must first attempt to resolve the issue directly with the airline before filing with the CTA. The CTA process can take several months. The CTA also has an informal facilitation process that is faster.
Key airports in Canada
All flights departing these airports are covered by APPR.
Airlines covered in Canada
These carriers operate APPR-covered flights from Canada's airports.
What makes Canada different
Country-specific legal nuances that affect how you claim.
Large vs. small carrier — compensation amounts differ
APPR distinguishes between large carriers (2M+ passengers/year globally) and small carriers. Large carriers owe CA$400/700/1,000 for 3–6h/6–9h/9h+ delays. Small carriers owe CA$125/250/500. Most major airlines are large carriers.
Cause of disruption matters — 'within airline control' vs. safety
Compensation is only owed for disruptions within the airline's control and not required for safety reasons. Weather, ATC, and security issues are generally not within airline control. However, mechanical issues ARE within airline control unless they are safety-related and could not have been discovered through routine maintenance.
1-year complaint deadline with the airline
You must file your initial complaint with the airline within 1 year of the disruption. Missing this deadline may bar your claim. After the airline responds (or 30 days pass), you have 30 days to escalate to the CTA.
APPR applies to all flights to/from Canada
Unlike EU261 which only covers EU departures (for non-EU carriers), APPR applies to all flights to, from, and within Canada — including flights arriving into Canada on foreign carriers. This is broader coverage than most other regulations.
How to claim in Canada
Canadian APPR claims follow a mandatory two-step process: first complain to the airline, then escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency if unresolved. The CTA can order compensation but the process can take several months.
Submit your claim
Tell us your flight details and we'll assess your entitlement under APPR — no upfront cost.
Escalate if needed
File a formal written complaint with the airline within 1 year of the disruption. Keep a copy. The airline has 30 days to respond. If unsatisfied with the response, escalate to the CTA within 30 days of receiving the airline's response.
Receive your compensation
File with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) at otc-cta.gc.ca. The CTA offers both informal facilitation (faster) and formal adjudication. Formal adjudication can result in binding orders for compensation.
Frequently asked questions — Canada
Does APPR apply to flights arriving into Canada on foreign airlines?
Yes — APPR applies to all flights to, from, and within Canada, including arrivals on foreign carriers. This is broader than EU261, which only covers EU departures for non-EU airlines.
What is the difference between large and small carriers?
Large carriers (2M+ passengers/year globally) owe CA$400/700/1,000 for 3–6h/6–9h/9h+ delays. Small carriers owe CA$125/250/500. Most major airlines (Air Canada, WestJet, Air Transat, major international carriers) are large carriers.
Are weather delays covered under APPR?
No — weather delays are generally considered outside the airline's control and do not trigger compensation obligations. However, airlines must still provide meals and accommodation for extended delays regardless of cause.
What if the airline doesn't respond to my complaint?
If the airline does not respond within 30 days, you can immediately escalate to the CTA. You do not need to wait for a response — just the 30-day period to pass.
Can I claim for a connecting flight disruption?
Yes — if your connecting flight was disrupted and you arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late, you may be entitled to compensation based on the delay to your final destination.
Was your Canada flight disrupted?
Check your entitlement in under 2 minutes. No win, no fee.⚡ Remember: Canada's 1 year limit applies — don't wait.