Air Canada’s General Terms and Conditions of Carriage

A contract of carriage enlists all the declarations and provisions for a ticket or tariff type. These are the general terms and conditions that cover the obligation and rights of the carrier and the passenger.

Air Canada, which is Canada’s largest national air carrier, offers commitment towards customers under the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

In this article, you will know about the general terms and Conditions touching various segments.

These include baggage, flight delays, and cancelation, denied boarding, and so on. Are you aware of them? If not, then do read until the end.

Lost, Delayed or Damaged Luggage

Checked baggage is notorious for not reaching the passenger on time or at all. Therefore, every airline makes provision for such cases.

Air Canada aims to deliver delayed luggage within 24 hours of receiving the information. However, the process may take longer, especially if your itinerary contains other airlines.

The same goes for international flights since many factors delay the process. These include flight duration, customs and immigration procedures, connection times, and frequency of flights.

Therefore, here us what you should:

1. When you find your luggage missing, immediately notify an agent from Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express.
2. Next, the agent will ask for your information to prepare an incident report. Provide a detailed description of the baggage and other necessary details.
3. After that, you shall receive a delayed baggage card. It will explain the baggage recovery process.
4. You will also receive a file reference number. It is an alphanumeric code made of 5 alphabets and five numbers.
5. Use this reference number to check the status of your delayed baggage. All you have to do is enter it online on the WorldTracer website.
6. You may also use the file reference number to obtain information about your baggage form the Central Baggage Office. You can reach them at 1 888 689-BAGS (2247). This line is toll-free and reachable anytime.

Further, Air Canada shall even refund the checked-in baggage fee.

• Bags Missing for Over 5 Days

If your baggage is missing for over five days, Air Canada‘s Central Baggage Tracing will take over the matter from the Baggage Service Counter.

You must then complete the baggage tracing web form. You must submit this form within 21 days from the date of your arrival. 

• Once Air Canada Locates your Bag

When the airline locates your bag, and it reaches your destination airport, Air Canada’s contracted carrier in the area or FedEx shall deliver it to you.

Delays and Cancelation

These general terms and conditions apply to flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express.

If your flight is delayed due to unforeseen issues, Air Canada keeps all the passengers at the airport and onboard informed.

Therefore, provide valid contact information at the time of reservation so that the airline can inform you of the reason for delays, and other updates, timely.

Air Canada informs you:

1. As soon as they get aware of the delay.
2. At intervals of 30 minutes till the new departure time of the flight is set. Or, until Air Canada arranges for the travel of passengers through other means.
3. As and when the new information is available.

• Extended Delays and Cancelation

If you are traveling on Air Canada’s codeshare partners, you must contact the airline directly. The compensation and new travel arrangements are the obligations of the new carrier.

Some delays are in control of the airlines. However, delays caused due to bad weather, air traffic disruptions, etc. are not in the hands of any airline.

If your Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express flights are delayed or canceled, the company will do whatever necessary to assist you.

• Air Canada Standard Procedure

Air Canada provides you:

1. Food and drinks after considering the time of the day and waiting duration.
2. Access to a means of communication
3. Accommodation to out of town passengers in case of overnight delays. This is subject to availability. The airline shall also arrange for transportation to the hotel, and airport transfer.

If the flight delay or cancelation reason is for safety purposes or under Air Canada’s control, and the airline notifies you up to 12 hours before the departure.

However, to be eligible for the above, you must meet a few conditions. These are:

1. The flight ticket booking is cancelation or delay is due to reasons under the control of Air Canada.
2. Air Canada notified you up to 12 hours before departure of the flight.
3. You had to wait for at least two hours after the departure time on your ticket.

In case the reason for the delay is not in Air Canada’s hands, the airline will offer you valued customer rates for services.

• Air Canada Alternative Arrangement Terms

If your Air Canada flight is delayed for more than three hours, or canceled due to reasons outside Air Canada’s control, then:

1. The airline will book you on the next flight possible. This may be an Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express flight. Moreover, the flight may also be of an Air Canada codeshare airline. This is arranged within 48 hours of the end of the event that caused the delay.
2. If the company fails to do this, it will reroute you on any other air carrier. You will be redirected to another airport or another route if necessary. Air Canada also arranges for Transportation.
3. If necessary, the airline makes changes in the Air Canada return ticket, so that your length of stay is nor affected.
4. Lastly, if a passenger refuses the alternative travel arrangement, the refund will be subject to the fare rules.

If the reason for the delay is within Air Canada’s control, and for more than 3 hours, then:

1. You will be rerouted to your destination within 9 hours of the original departure.
2. If Air Canada is unable to do so, it will reroute you on any air carrier within 48 hours of the original departure time.
3. If you still don’t receive an alternative travel arrangement confirmation, you may be rerouted to another airport.
4. Your return will be changed so that your length of stay is nor affected.
5. If passengers deny the travel arrangement, Air Canada refunds an unused portion of the ticket. It may also provide a confirmed reservation back to your point of origin.

• Air Canada Compensation Terms and Conditions

Passengers will not get compensation if the airline notifies you about the delay or cancelation 15 days before the flight departure.

Air Canada terms and conditions entitle you for compensation, if:

1. The flight delay reason is within the control of Air Canada.
2. You arrive at the original destination at least 3 hours late.

The compensation amount depends upon your arrival time at the original destination. For instance, if you arrive 3-6 hours late, you receive compensation of 400 Canadian Dollars.

Similarly, if you arrive at your original destination 6-9 hours late, you get 700 Canadian Dollars.

Whereas, reaching at least 9 hours late entitles you for compensation of 1000 Canadian Dollars.

Also, you get no compensation if you have already received the denied boarding compensation.

Finally, refusing alternative travel arrangements when the delay is within Air Canada’s control entitles you for 400 Canadian Dollar compensation.

Therefore, if you are aware of your airlines’ general terms and conditions of carriage, it will make you a smart passenger.

Also, you will know how to act in case of an emergency, such as flight cancelation or delay.  Therefore, next time your airline notifies you of a last-minute flight change, make sure you know your rights.