This is How Much You're Entitled To If Your Flight is Delayed

It may come as a surprise, but Canadian airlines and travel companies are not required to compensate you if your flight is delayed. That’s right: there is no government legislation that protects you. Global News recently looked into the issue and discovered that our major carriers do compensate passengers for delays. Their policies are spelled out in the airline’s ‘Contract of Carriage’, which you’ll find on their website. If you feel you’ve been unfairly treated, you can lodge a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency, but only after you deal with the airline. If your flight is delayed, here’s what you can expect: LINK: LINK: https://services.otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/air-complaints-we-handle#a1

1. WestJet: Delays of three hours or more

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1. WestJet: Delays of three hours or more

If your WestJet flight is delayed by three or more hours, you're entitled to a meal voucher.

2. WestJet: Delays of eight hours or more

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2. WestJet: Delays of eight hours or more

If your WestJet flight is delayed by eight or more hours, and you're not in your home city, you're entitled to meal and hotel vouchers plus airport transfers.

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3. WestJet: Tarmac delays

If you're sitting on the plane, you're entitled to drinks and snacks (if available). After 90 minutes, you have the option to get off the plane.

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4. WestJet: U.S. tarmac delays

If you're delayed on the tarmac in the U.S., you'll be provided the reason for the delay. If the plane is at the gate, you can get off the plane. There must be a functioning bathroom and access to medical attention. Food and water must be provided no later than two hours after the plane leaves the gate or touches down.

5. Air Canada: Delays of two hours or more

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5. Air Canada: Delays of two hours or more

Turning to Air Canada: if you're delayed two or more hours you can change your outbound flight to another date within the next week for free. This includes your return flight.

6. Air Canada: Delays of four hours or more

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6. Air Canada: Delays of four hours or more

If you're delayed four hours or more, and the delay is caused by something within the airline's control, you get a meal voucher. If the delay is caused by weather, no voucher.

7. Air Canada: Delays of eight hours or more

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7. Air Canada: Delays of eight hours or more

If your flight is delayed eight hours or more, then you're entitled to meal vouchers, airport transfers and accommodation. But there's a big caveat: the delay has to be within Air Canada's control. If it's not, all you'll get is hotel contact info where you can get "valued customer rates."

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8. Sunwing: Delays of four to six hours

If you're delayed four to six hours on Sunwing, you'll get a drink and a meal or snack depending on the time of day and the availability of said drinks and meal/snacks.

9. Sunwing: Delays of six to eleven hours

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9. Sunwing: Delays of six to eleven hours

A six- to eleven-hour delay nets a $75 travel voucher for future Sunwing flights or certain excursions the company offers.

10. Sunwing: Delays of eight hours or more including overnight

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10. Sunwing: Delays of eight hours or more including overnight

If your delay is more than eight hours, and you have to stay overnight, the airline will pick up your hotel costs, a meal and airport transfers. If you're at your home airport, you can grab taxi vouchers instead.

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11. Sunwing: Delays of 12 Hours or More

If your delay is 12 hours or more, you have two options: a $150 travel voucher or you can cancel your trip and get a full refund.

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12. Porter Airlines

For uncontrollable reasons (weather) Porter will cover expenses if you're "stuck overnight mid-connection."

If the flight is cancelled due to a controllable issue, they'll provide accommodations. That said, the airline will consider reimbursing costs incurred due to delays if you submit a written claim and proof.

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13. Expedia

An Expedia spokesperson told Global News: “When a customer books a flight through expedia.ca, the contractual obligation is between the ticket issuer (in this case, the airline) and the customer. As such, the customer is bound to the rules and regulations imposed by the airlines as they relate to flight delays and regulations. These conditions vary by airline.”

Expedia says that customers should always contact Expedia customer support agents for assistance in dealing with the airline.

14. You can cancel flights within 24 hours with no penalty

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14. You can cancel flights within 24 hours with no penalty

Did you know you can cancel any flight within 24 hours of purchase without penalty? This applies to WestJet, Air Canada, Porter and US airlines. If you're unsure, contact the airline and ask before booking.

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15. Fly on Tuesday, Wednesday or Friday

If you're looking to buy a ticket, you've probably heard that Tuesday, Wednesday and Saturdays are the cheapest days to fly because there are fewer business passengers. True. But, says Thrillist, this only refers to the days you fly, not the days you buy.

16. Know the rules when flying in the U.S.

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16. Know the rules when flying in the U.S.

If you're in the U.S., there is a whole different set of rules. Don't just take what the airline offers you if there's a delay, warns Thrillist. You're often entitled to much more than the airline will offer.

17. Delayed baggage compensation in the U.S.

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17. Delayed baggage compensation in the U.S.

For example, Thrillist notes that US airlines can owe up to $3,300 for delayed luggage, but they may offer you just a fraction of that.

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18. U.S. tarmac delays

According to Thrillist, if you're stuck on the tarmac in the U.S., you can opt to get off the plane after three hours.

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19. U.S. airline itinerary changes

Thrillist also notes that U.S. airlines have to pay any additional costs that arise from itinerary changes. For example, if they put you on a different airline and the seat is more expensive, the original airline has to pay the difference.