It can be frustrating to find out that your flight has been cancelled or that you have been denied boarding for one reason or another. The potential delays and costs associated with flight cancellation can be quite an inconvenience especially when you are not aware of the compensations that are offered as a result of a flight cancellation or a denial of boarding.
If you use Air Canada for your flights, it is important to familiarize yourself with the cancellation policies. The following are the Air Canada cancellation policies that are important for you to know.
Flight Cancellation
A flight cancellation occurs when an airline decides to cancel a prospective flight. Flight cancellations occur for a variety of reasons. Some of these reasons include:
- Inclement weather
- Plane malfunction
- Fuel issues
- Security breaches/issues
- Air traffic congestion
Flight cancellations can pose a problem particularly if you are attempting to connect to another flight to get to your final destination. When flight cancellations occur, it is important to know how your airline will handle them.
Air Canada does provide specific provisions for passengers in case of flight cancellations.
Rebooking
Air Canada offers passengers the option of having their flight rebooked. Air Canada will attempt to rebook flights within a 7-day period, and they will adjust your return ticket(s) to meet the original length and time of departure.
There is also the option of being rebooked on a flight via a different airline through which Air Canada has an agreement for such services. Use of other transportation services such as trains may be used if the method of travel is deemed to be appropriate.
When the rebooking of a flight is not possible until the next day, Air Canada will provide vouchers and services to accommodate you if the flight cancellation is due to reasons that Air Canada can control. Some services provided include:
- Hotel accommodations (if same day transportation service is not available to your destination)
- Ground transportation to and from your hotel (if a shuttle is not already provided)
- Meal allowances and snacks
- Overnight amenity kit
Air Canada does offer options if you decide against rebooking your flight. They include:
Keeping the unused portion of your ticket and using it towards future travel on Air Canada
Getting a refund for the unused portion of your ticket.
Please note that all applicable benefits only apply if the flight cancellation occurs due to reasons that Air Canada can control. You can be eligible for a cash compensation up to 600 euros if your flight respects the European legislation. Flight claim services, such as flightclaim.ca, will be able to evaluate how much you should receive as a compensation.
Denied Boarding
Denied Boarding occurs when the airline overbooks a flight. Oftentimes airlines will overbook flights in order to ensure that they have a full cabin. There is the understanding that not everyone will always be able to meet their flight. Therefore, overbooking allows airlines to fly full and make the most revenue.
However, there are times when there are more passengers than available seats. When this occurs, Air Canada will first ask passengers to voluntarily give up seats. This is referred to as voluntary denied boarding. If seat reduction is not met through voluntary denied boarding, Air Canada will issue involuntary denied boarding where passengers are turned away from boarding a flight.
The benefits offered via Air Canada vary based on the status of denied boarding. If you voluntarily denied boarding, you can receive a rebooked flight on Air Canada or another airline. If your rebooking requires an overnight stay, hotel accommodations will be provided along with meal vouchers. Some form of compensation is provided through a voucher that provides a discount off future plane travel through Air Canada.
If you are the subject of involuntary denied boarding, Air Canada not only has to offer you all the benefits associated with voluntary denied boarding but also cash compensation. Monetary compensation is in addition to any rebooking of the original flight. Also, the longer it takes Air Canada to get you to your original destination, the more money they will have to compensate you. You can receive up to 800$ Canadian dollars in cash compensation.
As a traveler, it is important to understand Air Canada’s cancellation and denied boarding policies so that you are informed in regard to your offerings and rights as an Air Canada passenger.