Canadians now entitled to more compensation for delayed flights: report
Here's some good news about airlines' policies concerning involuntary denied boarding, or as most of us know it, getting bumped.
After a Canadian Transportation Agency ruling last month, bumped passengers on Air Canada flights will now receive as much as $800 cash — up from the current $100 — which is a big boost although still less than U.S. airlines which must provide up to a maximum of $1,300, depending on the length of delay.
In the U.S., passengers receive no compensation if they are rerouted within an hour. Between one hour and two hours, compensation is twice the airfare up to a maximum of $650. For delays of more than two hours, compensation is four times the airfare, up to a maximum of $1,300.
Under Air Canada’s proposed new schedule, passengers bumped from domestic flights would receive 200 per cent of the one-way airfare — to a maximum of $800 — for flight delays of six hours or more. They could also opt for an $800 travel voucher.
Those experiencing delays of one to six hours would receive 100 per cent of the one-way airfare — to a maximum of $400 cash or a $400 voucher — and delays of less than one hour would result in a $100 cash payment or a $150 voucher.
The new compensation rates would take effect Nov. 1, 2013.
Have you been by bumped from a flight? Were things resolved satisfactorially? Or did you have to fight for compensation?
By Gordon Powers, MSN Money
Posted by: Deborah Wall | Aug 6, 2021 4:28:13 PM
I booked a flight to depart from Ottawa for Montego Bay, Jamaica at 6 a.m. on Feb. 17, 2013 to arrive at 10:30 a.m. to enjoy the full day at the beach. I was travelling with Sunwing and had booked with a travel agency called Merit Travel, Bank Street, Ottawa. We were told the plane was delayed and to return at noon to check in. The plane departed at 4:40 p.m. from Toronto and got into Montego Bay after 9 p.m. and I arrived at my resort at about 10 p.m. I lost a full day of my vacation!...For this, I was given a mere 75 dollar voucher at the airport in Ottawa!
I wrote to Sunwing and asked for a $200.00 compensation as I have paid $1850 for my package and believed that one seventh of my payment should be paid back to me for the lost day. I have never heard from this company since. The travel agency only said I was to contact Sunwing directly and they had no responsibility. I will never travel with this company again.
Deborah Wall
Posted by: Ed | Aug 8, 2021 8:14:04 AM
Will safety be sacrificed if airlines pay more for delay to passengers? That could be a real concern and airlines will up the rates to fly.
Posted by: Dan Brown | Aug 25, 2021 8:50:18 AM
I had a similar experience with Sunwing about 3 years ago. I was delayed 24 hours. They did give me a voucher for supper ($18.00) and offered me a free room, which I declined. It seems that Sunwing hasn't learned how to deal with customers yet. It cost them at least one sale when I returned to Canada with a different airline.