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July 04, 2021

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

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Gordon PowersGordon Powers

A long-time fund company executive, Gordon Powers now heads up the Affinity Group, a financial services consulting firm. Gordon was a personal finance columnist for the Globe & Mail for many years, has taught retirement planning...