What Do I Do If I Was Bumped Off of My Air Canada Flight?

It has happened before to many travelers and will happen again and again. They leave early to make sure they get there in time for their flight and sit there for hours waiting just to get bumped at the last minute. When Air Canada denies boarding to any passenger, they will assist you in making other travel arrangements to ensure you get to your destination as well as compensate you right then and there by check, cash, or bank draft if time allows for it. However, if you don't have time to wait for payment, they will mail you a check. They usually give you anywhere from $200 to $600 for your troubles.

Jeff Whelpley is the editor / author responsible for this content.
Jun 22, 2020

What do I do if I was bumped off of my Air Canada flight?

Air Canada is one of the airlines that take part in overbooking flights since the majority of times some people will not show up for their flight. However, in the rare instances that everyone shows up, there will not be enough seats to accommodate everyone, and therefore, some people will be asked to voluntarily give up their seats in exchange for compensation. If there are no volunteers than the airline will have to choose passengers to bump from the flight that will also be compensated for their troubles and assisted in making other arrangements. This article will explain what to do if you were bumped from an Air Canada flight.

What Does Air Canada do for you When You Get Bumped?

According to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) Canadian carriers generally assist passengers who have been bumped from their flight to find the next flight available that reaches their destination at no extra cost. If you were bumped from your flight or forced to give up your seat at Air Canada, for reasons within its control, not only will the travel agents assist you to schedule another flight, but Air Canada is also required to compensate you whether it was voluntarily or involuntarily.

Compensation By Air Canada for Involuntary Denied Boarding

In addition to assisting you with transportation to your destination, Air Canada will provide compensation for a person who was denied boarding. Compensation will be given right there and then when the passenger is bumped unless certain circumstances prevent it, such as alternate transportation was provided that departs before payment can be made. In this case, payments will be mailed out or made by other means decided at the time the passenger is bumped. Compensation is given in cash, check, bank draft, or, if accepted, in a credit voucher issued in the person's name that is good for one year of future travel with Air Canada in the amounts of $200 to $600 at their discretion. If you have any further questions, click here to contact a support agent at Air Canada now.

How is it Decided Who Gives Up Their Seat?

In the event where there are more passengers than the aircraft can carry, Air Canada will request volunteers who hold a confirmed ticket, to give up their seats in exchange for compensation where the amount will be determined by Air Canada. If a person has already given up his or her seat once in the past, they will not be asked later to do so again. Should all passengers refuse to give up their seats, Air Canada will decide who to involuntary bump.

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Jeff truly believes that all customers deserve good service. He’s been building tools, inventing phone tree hacks and helping customers since before his days at GetHuman. He's also a Google GDE and involved in the Angular community.

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