Canada APPR decision tree
The Air Passenger Protection Regulations (SOR/2019-150) cover flights to, from and within Canada on any airline. Proposed amendments published in December 2024 were not in force when this page was checked; this page reflects the regulations currently in force.
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1Did your flight go to, from or within Canada?
YesAPPR applies. Go to step 2.
NoAPPR does not apply.
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2Were you denied boarding (not enough seats for everyone who checked in on time with valid documents)?
YesIf it was within the airline's control and not required for safety (for example overbooking): CAD 900, 1,800 or 2,400 depending on how late you arrived (s.20; table below), paid as soon as possible and within 48 hours. If it was outside its control (s.10) or required for safety (s.11): no compensation, but the airline must still rebook you or refund you.
NoGo to step 3.
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3Were you told about the delay or cancellation more than 14 days before departure?
YesNo compensation: it is only owed if you were told 14 days or less before departure (s.12(2)(d), (3)(d)). The airline must still rebook you or refund you.
NoThis covers being told exactly 14 days before, less than 14 days before, at the airport, or never told in advance: all count as "14 days or less". Go to step 4.
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4Was it within the airline's control and not required for safety? Weather, air traffic control, security, airport issues and labour disruptions (including the airline's own staff) are outside its control (s.10(1)).
YesGo to step 5.
NoNo compensation for inconvenience. Ask which category the airline used; it must tell you. The airline must still rebook you. If the disruption was outside its control and it cannot rebook you to leave within 48 hours, you can choose a refund instead (s.18(1.1)); if it was within its control, including for safety, you can choose a refund if the rebooking does not meet your needs (s.17).
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5Did you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, or take a refund instead of travelling?
YesCompensation is due. See the table below.
NoNo compensation. Rebooking and refund rights still apply.
Amounts (s.19)
| Arrival delay | Large airline | Small airline |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to under 6 hours | CAD 400 | CAD 125 |
| 6 to under 9 hours | CAD 700 | CAD 250 |
| 9 hours or more | CAD 1,000 | CAD 500 |
| Refund instead of travel | CAD 400 | CAD 125 |
Denied boarding (s.20)
| Arrival delay at destination | Any airline |
|---|---|
| Under 6 hours | CAD 900 |
| 6 to under 9 hours | CAD 1,800 |
| 9 hours or more | CAD 2,400 |
A large airline carried 2 million or more passengers worldwide in each of the two previous calendar years. A small airline that operates a flight on behalf of a large airline owes the large-airline amounts (s.1(4)). The CTA lists Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge), WestJet, Sunwing, Air Transat, Porter and Flair as large Canadian airlines. Foreign airlines are classed the same way.
Deadline and escalation
File your claim in writing with the airline before the first anniversary of the delay or cancellation (s.19(3)). The airline must pay or explain within 30 days (s.19(4)). If you disagree, you can complain to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) for free. You cannot be compensated twice for the same event under APPR and another regime.
If the CTA's amended regulations come into force, the three categories would be replaced by a rule that compensation is owed unless the airline proves "exceptional circumstances". New rules would apply to flights departing after they take effect. We review this monthly.
Questions passengers ask
Can I ask for the full $2,400?
Only if you were denied boarding against your will and arrived 9 hours or more late. The denied boarding amounts are CAD 900, 1,800 or 2,400, based on how late you arrive at your final destination (s.20(1)). If the airline paid on an expected arrival time and you actually arrived later, it must adjust the amount to match (s.20(5)).
If you volunteered to give up your seat, you get the benefit you agreed to instead, and the airline must confirm it in writing before the flight leaves (s.15(3)). The CTA says the denied boarding entitlements do not apply to volunteers. Check what your written confirmation says. If you were bumped involuntarily, ask in writing for the amount that matches your actual arrival time, and complain to the CTA if the airline refuses.
Do I have to accept a voucher?
No. Compensation must be offered in money. The airline can offer another form, such as a voucher, only if it is worth more than the money, it tells you the cash value in writing, it does not expire, and you confirm in writing that you were told you could have money instead (s.21).
How long does the airline have to reply?
For a delay or cancellation claim, the airline must pay or explain why it is not paying within 30 days of your request (s.19(4)). For involuntary denied boarding, it must pay as soon as possible and within 48 hours (s.20(2)).
Can I claim under APPR and EU261 for the same flight?
An airline cannot refuse APPR compensation just because you could also claim under another regime (s.3(3)). But you cannot be paid twice: no APPR compensation is owed if you were already compensated for the same event under another law (Canada Transportation Act s.86.11(3)). The rules hub shows which rules apply to your trip.
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