Delay compensation in Canada runs on two numbers: how late you arrived, and how big the airline is. Three hours is the door. After that the amount steps up at 6 and 9 hours. The catch is that the delay has to be the airline's fault.
Compensation is measured by your arrival delay at your final destination, not how late you pushed back from the gate. A flight can leave two hours late and still arrive on time, which owes nothing. A flight can leave on time, divert, and arrive five hours late, which owes the full amount.
| Arrival delay at final destination | Large carrier | Small carrier |
|---|---|---|
| Under 3 hours | $0 | $0 |
| 3 to under 6 hours | $400 CAD | $125 CAD |
| 6 to under 9 hours | $700 CAD | $250 CAD |
| 9 or more hours | $1,000 CAD | $500 CAD |
Large carriers include Air Canada, WestJet, and Air Transat. Smaller carriers such as Porter and Flair owe the lower amounts. Set your hours and carrier on the compensation calculator for an exact figure.
Separate from cash compensation, the airline has to look after you during the wait. These standards of treatment kick in at 2 hours and apply regardless of whether cash is owed, as long as the delay is within control.
| After | The airline must provide |
|---|---|
| 2 hours | Food and drink in reasonable amounts, and a way to communicate |
| Overnight | Hotel accommodation and transport to and from it |
This is where many passengers misjudge their rights. What matters is whether the trip is on one booking.
The APPR figures are a floor, not the ceiling on your losses. On international flights you can also claim actual, provable costs under the Montreal Convention, up to roughly $9,500 CAD, with a two-year deadline. A non-refundable hotel you could not use, emergency accommodation, missed prepaid plans, documented lost income.
Some premium travel cards add trip-delay insurance on top, often after a 4 to 6 hour delay. That is a separate claim to a separate party and does not reduce your APPR compensation. Read the certificate of insurance, not the marketing, to confirm your threshold and coverage.
Cash starts at a 3-hour arrival delay at your final destination, and only when the delay was within the airline's control. The tiers are 3 to under 6, 6 to under 9, and 9 or more hours. Below 3 hours there is no cash for a delay, though food and rebooking duties can still apply.
Yes. Once a delay hits 2 hours the airline must provide food, drink, and a way to communicate, plus a hotel if you are delayed overnight. These are separate from cash compensation, and accepting them does not reduce what you are owed.
Not for cash. Weather is outside the airline's control, so it owes only rebooking or a refund. Watch for delays that linger after the weather clears, and challenge a weather label that does not match conditions at your airport.
On one booking, compensation is based on your arrival delay at the final destination, so a missed connection that lands you hours late can qualify. On separate bookings, the APPR does not protect the missed second flight, and the second airline has no duty to rebook you for free.
Come in for a free conversation. We can help you check the amount and build the claim.