Last summer, my Air Canada flight from Toronto to Vancouver got cancelled just a few hours before departure, and honestly, I was frustrated at first. I’d never gone through the compensation process before, so I decided to handle it step by step. First, I checked my email—Air Canada had already sent a notice explaining the cancellation reason (a crew scheduling issue) and provided rebooking options. I called their customer service right away to confirm my eligibility for compensation and any alternate flights.
They were surprisingly helpful. Since the cancellation wasn’t weather-related, I was entitled to both a meal voucher and monetary compensation under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations. I filled out the online form, uploaded my boarding pass, and within about three weeks, I received a partial refund along with the compensation.
From my experience, the key is to stay calm and document everything—emails, receipts, even chat screenshots. Air Canada does offer compensation for cancellations that are within their control, but you have to request it formally. It’s worth the effort, and the process is smoother if you contact them directly rather than waiting for an automatic payout.
