Canada APPR passenger rights

Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations cover flights to, from and within Canada, including connecting itineraries.

CACanada APPRRules reviewed August 2026

When the APPR applies

Flights to, from and within Canada, including connecting flights, operated by Canadian or foreign airlines.
The obligations depend on whether the disruption is within the airline’s control, within its control but required for safety, or outside its control.
Some compensation amounts differ between large and small airlines.

Delay, cancellation and denied boarding

For disruptions within airline control and not required for safety, standards of treatment, alternate travel/refunds and inconvenience compensation may apply.
Delay/cancellation compensation is based on how late you arrive and generally requires notice 14 days or less before departure; submit the claim within one year.
Involuntary denied boarding within airline control and not required for safety attracts a separate, higher compensation table.
For outside-control disruptions, communication and rebooking/refund duties still apply, but inconvenience compensation generally does not.

At a glance

APPR minimum compensation (CAD)

Arrival delay	Large airline	Small airline / denied boarding
3–6 hours	$400	$125
6–9 hours	$700	$250
9+ hours	$1,000	$500
Denied boarding: under 6 hours	—	$900 (all airlines)
Denied boarding: 6–9 hours	—	$1,800 (all airlines)
Denied boarding: 9+ hours	—	$2,400 (all airlines)

When inconvenience compensation may not be due

Situations outside the airline’s control, such as weather, war, security incidents, air traffic control instructions and certain labour disruptions.
Situations within airline control but required for safety generally do not attract inconvenience compensation.
The airline must still meet the communication and alternate-travel obligations assigned to the applicable category.

Official basis

Canadian Transportation Agency APPR FAQ

Canadian Transportation Agency APPR FAQ Air Passenger Protection Regulations

Information, not legal advice

Rules can change and outcomes depend on the operating airline, itinerary, notice, cause and evidence. This guide is general information only and is not legal advice. Check the current official source before making a claim.

When the APPR applies

Flights to, from and within Canada, including connecting flights, operated by Canadian or foreign airlines.

The obligations depend on whether the disruption is within the airline’s control, within its control but required for safety, or outside its control.

Some compensation amounts differ between large and small airlines.

Delay, cancellation and denied boarding

For disruptions within airline control and not required for safety, standards of treatment, alternate travel/refunds and inconvenience compensation may apply.

Delay/cancellation compensation is based on how late you arrive and generally requires notice 14 days or less before departure; submit the claim within one year.

Involuntary denied boarding within airline control and not required for safety attracts a separate, higher compensation table.

For outside-control disruptions, communication and rebooking/refund duties still apply, but inconvenience compensation generally does not.

Arrival delay

Large airline

Small airline / denied boarding

3–6 hours

$400

$125

6–9 hours

$700

$250

9+ hours

$1,000

$500

Denied boarding: under 6 hours

—

$900 (all airlines)

Denied boarding: 6–9 hours

—

$1,800 (all airlines)

Denied boarding: 9+ hours

—

$2,400 (all airlines)