Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR)
The APPR apply to all flights to, from and within Canada, including flights on foreign airlines and connecting flights. They set minimum standards for how airlines must treat passengers during delays, cancellations and denied boarding. Compensation depends on three things: whether the disruption was within the airline's control, the size of the airline, and how late you arrived at your final destination.
Compensation amounts for delays and cancellations
| Arrival delay | Large airline | Small airline |
|---|---|---|
| 3 to less than 6 hours | $400 | $125 |
| 6 to less than 9 hours | $700 | $250 |
| 9 hours or more | $1,000 | $500 |
Compensation is owed only if the disruption was within the airline's control and not required for safety, and you were notified less than 14 days before departure. If you cancel your trip and take a refund instead of rebooking, the minimum compensation is $400 (large airline) or $125 (small airline).
Denied boarding compensation
If you are bumped from a flight because of overbooking or another reason within the airline's control, you must be paid on the spot (or as soon as possible) based on your arrival delay: $900 for less than 6 hours, $1,800 for 6 to 9 hours and $2,400 for 9 hours or more.
Your other rights, whatever the reason
- Information: the airline must tell you the reason for the delay and your rights, and update you every 30 minutes.
- Food, drink and communication: after a 2-hour delay (for disruptions within the airline's control).
- Hotel and transportation: if you must wait overnight for a disruption within the airline's control.
- Rebooking or refund: for delays of 3 hours or more and cancellations, the airline must rebook you — even for reasons outside its control — or refund you if rebooking doesn't meet your travel needs.
- Tarmac delays: after 3 hours on the tarmac, the airline must let you off the plane unless take-off is imminent.
How to claim
- Ask the airline in writing for the reason and keep your boarding pass, receipts and notes.
- Submit a compensation request directly to the airline within one year of the disruption.
- The airline must respond within 30 days, either paying or explaining why it refuses.
- If you are not satisfied, file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). The process is free.
U.S. flights
For flights entirely within or from the U.S. that do not touch Canada, the APPR do not apply. U.S. law does not require cash compensation for delays, but under Department of Transportation rules you are entitled to an automatic cash refund if your flight is cancelled or significantly changed (a departure or arrival change of 3 hours or more for domestic flights, 6 hours for international) and you choose not to travel. Denied boarding compensation for involuntary bumping is up to 400% of the one-way fare, capped at a set dollar amount. Flights departing the EU may be covered by EU Regulation 261/2004.
The Government of Canada has proposed amendments to the APPR. We monitor the Canadian Transportation Agency and will update this calculator as soon as new rules take effect.
Frequently asked questions
How much compensation do I get for a delayed flight in Canada?
Does weather count as within the airline's control?
Do the rules apply to U.S. airlines flying to Canada?
How long do I have to claim?
Is compensation per person?
Sources & methodology
This calculator was last reviewed on November 1, 2026. Figures are based on the following official and primary sources:
- Canadian Transportation Agency – Air passenger protection
- U.S. Department of Transportation – Refunds and flight delays
- Canadian Transportation Agency – Air Passenger Protection Regulations
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