New Passenger Protections for Travel in Canada Takes Effect July 15
This post contains references to products from one or more of our advertisers. We may receive compensation when you click on links to those products. Terms apply to the offers listed on this page. For an explanation of our Advertising Policy, visit this page.
New passenger protections for air travel to, from and within Canada are set to take effect this week. Beginning July 15, passengers may be entitled to new compensation in the event that they are denied boarding or if an airline misplaces or damages their luggage. The new passenger protections are the first of two rounds of new regulations going into effect this year.
According to a report by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation (CBC), “Large airlines, those that have serviced two million passengers or more in the last two years, will have a slightly different regulatory regime than smaller airlines in some cases.”
The first phase of the new passenger protections and air carrier regulations pertains to customer luggage and denied boardings.
Lost or Misplaced Passenger Luggage
Passengers whose luggage is damaged or misplaced by air carriers on flights to, from, and within Canada will soon be entitled to compensation of up to $2,100 (~$1609 USD).
Under the Montreal Convention, passengers were previously entitled to compensation for baggage lost or damaged on international flights. As of this week, the same rules and regulations previously applied to international flights will apply to all flights including those operated solely within Canada.
Passengers will be required to file a claim with the airline in order to receive compensation. Claims must be filed by the passenger within seven days of receiving their luggage.
For claims related to lost luggage, passengers will be eligible to file a claim beginning one day following the date a passenger was originally supposed to receive their luggage. Passengers can file claims related to lost luggage up to 21 days after they were supposed to receive their bags.
Transparent Musical Instrument Baggage Policies
Prior to Transport Canada’s new passenger protections, airlines were not required to list rules for the transport of musical instruments. Now, airlines will be required to include the following specifications and requirements pertaining to the transportation of musical instruments:
- Weight, size and quantity restrictions
- Cabin storage options
- Options in the event of aircraft downgrading
- Fees for transporting musical instruments
Additionally, Transport Canada notes that a policy which “simply states” that an airline doesn’t accept musical instruments doesn’t meet the requirements.
Denied Boarding Compensation
The new passenger protections taking effect will extend compensation to passengers who are involuntarily denied boarding, with a few exceptions. Passengers who are denied boarding for safety or security reasons will not be entitled to compensation.
However, in the event that an airline is unable to get volunteers for a flight and is required to deny boarding to a passenger, that passenger will be eligible for compensation up to $2,400 CAD (~$1,839 USD).
The new denied boarding compensation guidelines will be based on how long a passenger is delayed aa a result of the denied boarding. Compensation will be issued as follows:
- 0-6 Hour Delay: $900 CAD (~$690 USD)
- 6-9 Hour Delay: $1,800 CAD (~$1,379 USD)
- 9+ Hour Delay: $2,400 CAD (~$1,839 USD)
Phase II
The entirety of Canada’s new passenger protections will be implemented on December 15, 2019, when Phase II takes effect. This phase includes regulations and guidelines for compensation for delayed flights as well as regulations related to seat assignments for children traveling with parents and guardians.
Travelers can consult Transport Canada’s website for the full list of regulations and compensation guidelines.
For the latest travel news, deals and points and miles tips please subscribe to The Points Guy daily email newsletter.
Featured image by Artur Widak/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Sign-up Successful!
Welcome to The Points Guy!
Earn 90,000 bonus miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new card in the first three months of card membership. Offer ends 11/10/2021.
With Status Boost™, earn 10,000 Medallion Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, up to two times per year getting you closer to Medallion Status. Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels, 2X Miles at restaurants and at U.S. supermarkets and earn 1X Mile on all other eligible purchases. Terms Apply.
- Limited Time Offer: Earn 90,000 Bonus Miles and 10,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) after you spend $3,000 in purchases on your new Card in your first 3 months. Offer expires 11/10/2021.
- Earn up to 20,000 Medallion® Qualification Miles (MQMs) with Status Boost® per year. After you spend $25,000 in purchases on your Card in a calendar year, you can earn 10,000 MQMs two times per year, getting you closer to Medallion® Status. MQMs are used to determine Medallion® Status and are different than miles you earn toward flights.
- Earn 3X Miles on Delta purchases and purchases made directly with hotels.
- Earn 2X Miles at restaurants worldwide, including takeout and delivery and at U.S. supermarkets.
- Earn 1X Miles on all other eligible purchases.
- Receive a Domestic Main Cabin round-trip companion certificate each year upon renewal of your Card. *Payment of the government imposed taxes and fees of no more than $75 for roundtrip domestic flights (for itineraries with up to four flight segments) is required. Baggage charges and other restrictions apply. See terms and conditions for details.
- Enjoy your first checked bag free on Delta flights.
- Fee Credit for Global Entry or TSA Pre✓®.
- Enjoy an exclusive rate of $39 per person per visit to enter the Delta Sky Club® for you and up to two guests when traveling on a Delta flight.
- No Foreign Transaction Fees.
- $250 Annual Fee.
- Terms Apply.
- See Rates & Fees
Disclaimer: The responses below are not provided or commissioned by the bank advertiser. Responses have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by the bank advertiser. It is not the bank advertiser’s responsibility to ensure all posts and/or questions are answered.
Editorial Disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.