Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations distinguish disruptions within the airline's control, within its control but required for safety, and outside its control. The category affects assistance, rebooking, refunds and fixed compensation.
Conditional compensation
For a qualifying disruption within the carrier's control and not required for safety, the familiar large-airline amounts are CAD 400, 700 and 1,000 for arrival delays of three to six, six to nine and nine hours or more. Small-airline amounts differ. Notice and other conditions still matter, so the time band alone is not a payment decision.
Claim and escalation
The Canadian Transportation Agency says to make a written compensation request to the airline within one year of the delay or cancellation. The airline generally has 30 days to pay or explain its refusal. Preserve the notice, actual arrival, reason, ticket and airline response before escalating through the official complaint process.
Official sources
- Flight delays and cancellations: rebooking, refunds and compensation — Canadian Transportation Agency
- Flight Delays and Cancellations: A Guide — Canadian Transportation Agency
- Air travel complaints — Canadian Transportation Agency