Flight Delay Compensation in Canada: What Airlines Owe You (and How to Claim It)
If your flight to, from, or within Canada arrived 3+ hours late for a reason within the airline's control, the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) entitle you to $400–$1,000 in compensation — and you can claim for flights up to 12 months back. Most passengers never claim. Checking takes two minutes.
How much you're owed
| Arrival delay | Large airline (Air Canada, WestJet…) | Small airline |
|---|---|---|
| 3–6 hours | $400 | $125 |
| 6–9 hours | $700 | $250 |
| 9+ hours | $1,000 | $500 |
Amounts are set by the APPR (SOR/2019-150, s. 19), in CAD, per passenger. A “large” airline is one that carried 2 million+ passengers worldwide in each of the last two calendar years — Air Canada, WestJet, and most majors qualify; regional operators count as small.
Bumped from an overbooked flight? Involuntary denied boarding pays more — $900 to $2,400 depending on how late you arrive, whatever the airline's size.
Current as of July 2026. Ottawa has proposed APPR changes, but they are not in force — everything on this page reflects today's law, per the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Am I eligible? The 60-second check
You likely have a claim if all of these are true:
- Your flight was to, from, or within Canada — any airline, foreign carriers included
- You arrived at your final destination 3+ hours late (or your flight was cancelled / you were denied boarding)
- The cause was within the airline's control — crew shortages, maintenance the airline chose to defer, scheduling, IT failures. (Weather and safety-mandated delays are excluded — but airlines misclassify causes; see below.)
- The flight was in the last 12 months
How to claim with FlyClaim
- Forward your airline email (delay notice, booking, or e-ticket) to claims@flyclaim.ca.
- We verify the delay against live flight data — not the airline's version — and confirm what you're owed.
- We file and fight the claim. You get paid; we keep 15%. No win, no fee.
Prefer a subscription? $99/year, 0% fees on every claim — and if we don't win you a payout during your pass year, the $99 is refunded in full.
“The airline said it was weather”
Airlines classify their own delay causes, and they classify generously. A “weather” delay is often a crew-connection or rotation problem that started with earlier weather — and depending on the facts, that classification can be challenged. The CTA decides these case by case. We check the actual flight data: aircraft history, the airline's other flights that day, and how the delay propagated — and build the strongest case the facts support. If it genuinely was outside their control, we tell you straight and you owe nothing.
You may also be entitled to (beyond cash compensation)
- Meals and refreshments once you've waited 2 hours past your scheduled departure, and hotel + transport if the wait runs overnight — owed when the disruption is the airline's doing (including safety-related issues), but not when the cause is outside their control (weather, air traffic control)
- Rebooking or a refund of the unused part of your ticket — for any cancellation, or a delay of 3+ hours, whatever the cause
- These apply in addition to the compensation table above.
Claim it yourself vs. using FlyClaim (honest version)
| Aspect | DIY (free) | FlyClaim |
|---|---|---|
| Cost | $0 | 15% of payout, or $99/year (refunded if no win) |
| Your time | Airline forms, template letters, follow-ups | Forward one email |
| If the airline denies | Escalate to the CTA complaints process and wait your turn in the queue | We verify with flight data and fight the denial |
| Best for | One clear-cut claim + patience | Anything the airline might dispute, or your time is worth more |
We link the DIY route because it's your money either way. The airline is counting on you doing neither.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation do I get for a delayed flight in Canada?
$400 for 3–6 hours, $700 for 6–9 hours, $1,000 for 9+ hours of arrival delay on a large carrier, when the cause was within the airline's control. Small carriers pay $125/$250/$500.
Can I claim for a flight delay from last year?
Yes — APPR gives you 12 months from the flight date. A delay from last summer is still claimable today.
What if the airline said the delay was due to weather or safety?
Airlines self-classify causes and often over-use these categories, and the classification can be challenged with flight data. If the cause truly was outside the airline's control — weather, air traffic control — no compensation is owed; the airline still has to rebook you or refund the unused ticket on a 3+ hour delay, but meal and hotel duties don't apply. If it was a safety issue within their control, there's still no compensation, but meals and hotel are owed.
Does APPR cover international flights?
Yes — APPR covers every flight to, from, or within Canada, on any airline, foreign carriers included, and connecting itineraries count. Your delay is measured at the final destination on your ticket, and the amount depends on the operating airline's size (large vs small).
How long does the airline have to respond?
30 days from your claim, by law. Filing takes minutes; the response clock is the airline's.
Is compensation the same as a refund?
No. A refund returns what you paid; APPR compensation is a fixed penalty the airline owes you on top — you can be rebooked, fly, arrive late, and still be owed up to $1,000.
Do I need a lawyer?
No. APPR claims are administrative. You need evidence, persistence, and the correct classification of the delay cause — which is exactly what we automate.
What does FlyClaim charge?
Nothing upfront, ever. Either 15% of a successful payout (no win, no fee), or a $99/year No Loss Package with 0% fees — refunded in full if we don't win you a payout that year.
Your delay was worth something. Find out how much.
Forward your airline email to claims@flyclaim.ca — eligibility answer in minutes.
Forward my delay emailNo forms. No win, no fee.