Toronto Pearson Airport Delays and Cancellations - When Do you Get Compensation?

Flight cancellations or delays at Toronto Pearson Airport can be frustrating, but as a passenger, you’re protected by regulations like EC 261, the Montreal Convention, and the Canadian Transportation Act. These laws ensure you’re entitled to rebooking, refunds, and even compensation, depending on the situation. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, understanding your rights can help you claim what you deserve and make your travel experience less stressful.

Air travel can sometimes be unpredictable, but as a Canadian passenger, you’re protected by a variety of regulations depending on your destination from or to Toronto Pearson Airport and flight circumstances. These protections include the EU Legislation EC 261, the Montreal Convention, and the Canadian Transportation Act. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know:

EU Legislation EC 261

If you’re flying to or from Europe from the Toronto Pearson Airport, EC 261 offers robust protections to passengers dealing with flight disruptions.

Flights covered:

• Flights within the EU, including Iceland, Norway, Switzerland, and EU territories like the Canary Islands.

• International flights departing from the EU or arriving in the EU when operated by an EU-based airline.

• International flights departing from the EU when operated by an non-EU-based airline.

The table below explains the flights covered in detail.

• Non-extraordinary circumstances: The delay or cancellation must not result from extraordinary circumstances, such as severe weather, security risks, or strikes. Issues like technical difficulties or operational challenges are not extraordinary, and the airline is still required to compensate you.

• Compensation:

  • Compensation amounts depend on the disruption, delay duration, and flight distance, ranging from $400 CAD (€250) to $1,000 CAD (€600).

• Additional rights: Even if compensation isn’t owed, airlines must provide:

  • Meals and refreshments: During the delay.

  • Hotel accommodations: If overnight stays are required.

  • Transportation: Between the airport and the accommodation.

  • Alternate travel: Rebooking on the next available flight or a full refund if you choose not to travel.

The Montreal Convention

For international flights leaving or arriving at the Toronto Pearson Airport, the Montreal Convention serves as a global safety net for passengers, ensuring protections against a variety of disruptions.

• Scope:

  • Covers flights between more than 130 member countries, including Canada, the US, and most of Europe.

  • Applies to delays, cancellations, and baggage issues.

• Compensation:

  • Focuses on reimbursement for expenses caused by disruptions, such as missed reservations or hotel stays.

Canadian Transportation Act

For all flights within Canada or involving Canadian airlines, the Canadian Transportation Act ensures passengers are protected, regardless of the cause of flight disruptions. That means any flight leaving from or or arriving to Toronto Pearson Airport from other Canadian airports are covered.

The Canadian Transportation Act ensures passengers on flights within Canada or involving Canadian airlines are protected in the event of delays and cancellations. Airlines must provide assistance, rebooking, or refunds when disruptions are within their control, such as staffing or maintenance issues, and compensation may apply for inconvenience.

For cancellations tied to safety, like aircraft checks, airlines are required to assist and issue refunds but may limit compensation. In cases outside the airline’s control, such as severe weather, security concerns, or medical emergencies, airlines are obligated to offer assistance, such as meals or accommodations, but compensation is not required. This balanced approach ensures passengers are supported while accounting for the nature of the disruption.

• Compensation

Compensation amounts vary based on the length of the delay and the size of the airline, ranging from up to $500 CAD for small airlines to as much as $1,000 CAD for large airlines.

Passengers who opt for refunds may still qualify for compensation if the disruption was within the airline’s control.

• Essential passenger rights: No matter the cause of the delay, airlines have certain obligations:

  • Regular updates: Airlines must inform passengers about delays, cancellations, and their rights in clear, accessible language.

  • Rebooking or refunds: You can choose to be rebooked on a new flight or receive a full refund for significant delays or cancellations.

  • Assistance: For long delays, airlines must provide meals, access to communication, and accommodations if you’re stuck overnight.

Key Differences Between Regulations

• EC 261: Focused on flights related to the EU, offering fixed compensation for delays and cancellations.

• Montreal Convention: Global coverage, providing reimbursement for actual costs rather than fixed compensation.

• Canadian Transportation Act: Applicable to all flights in Canada, balancing compensation and assistance depending on the disruption’s cause.

No matter where you’re flying, you have rights as an air passenger. Always document delays, keep your receipts, and familiarize yourself with the applicable laws to ensure you receive the compensation and care you deserve. By knowing these protections, you can navigate air travel disruptions with greater confidence and less stress.

For more information about your rights while traveling, visit our dedicated air passenger rights page.

Flight delays are frustrating, but as a Canadian air passenger, you have rights to protect you when things go wrong. Whether traveling domestically or internationally, it’s important to understand the protections in place and what you’re entitled to, based on Canadian laws, EU regulations, or international agreements.

International passenger rights: Flight delays

When your international flight is delayed, your rights and entitlements depend on the specific laws and agreements that apply to your journey. Two key frameworks protect passengers in these situations: the EC 261 and Montreal Convention.

EC 261 passenger rights

For flights to or from Europe, EC 261 offers comprehensive protections for delays caused by the airline.

Eligibility for compensation:

• Delay duration: The delay must be at least three hours at your final destination.

• Airline responsibility: The disruption must be within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues or scheduling errors).

Compensation amounts:

The amount you’re entitled to depends on the length of the delay and the flight distance:

• $400 CAD (€250): For flights under 1,500 km delayed by 3+ hours.

• $700 CAD (€400): For flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km delayed by 3+ hours.

• $1,000 CAD (€600): For flights over 3,500 km delayed by 4+ hours.

The Montreal Convention

The Montreal Convention ensures passengers are compensated for documented expenses incurred due to delays on international flights between over 130 member countries, including Canada, the US, and Europe.

Your rights for flight delays:

• Reimbursement for expenses:

  • If your flight is significantly delayed, you can claim reimbursement for reasonable costs such as meals, accommodations, and transportation.

  • Keep all receipts for these expenses, as they are required to support your claim.

• Claim limits:

  • Compensation under the Montreal Convention is capped, with a maximum of approximately US$8,200 for expenses related to delays.

Your rights under Canadian regulations

If your flight is delayed , airlines have specific obligations based on the type of disruption:

Delays within the airline’s control

For issues like staffing shortages or maintenance problems, airlines must:

• Provide compensation for inconvenience (up to $1,000 CAD for large airlines, $500 CAD for smaller ones).

• Offer rebooking on a new flight or a full refund.

• Provide assistance, including food, drinks, and accommodations if needed.

Delays within the airline’s control but required for safety

These disruptions include pre-flight safety inspections or technical repairs. Airlines are required to:

• Rebook your flight or provide a refund.

• Offer assistance (meals, accommodations).

• Compensation may be more limited in these cases.

Compensation for Canadian flights

The amount of compensation depends on the size of the airline and the delay:

• Large airlines: Up to $1,000 CAD.

• Small airlines: Up to $500 CAD.

If you opt for a refund instead of rebooking, you may still be entitled to compensation if the delay was within the airline’s control.

For more information about rights regarding delayed flight and compensation, visit our dedicated page for flight delays.

Flight cancellations can be stressful, but knowing your rights can help you secure the assistance, refunds, and compensation you’re entitled to. Protections vary under EC 261, the Montreal Convention, and the Canadian Transportation Act, depending on where and why your flight was canceled.

EC 261 rights for flight cancellations

If your flight is covered by EC 261, it ensures passengers are compensated and assisted in cases of cancellations.

Are you eligible for cancellation compensation?

To qualify for compensation under EC 261:

• Confirmed reservation: You must have a confirmed booking, with details like the flight number and passenger name.

• Short-notice cancellation: The airline must have notified you less than 14 days before departure.

Compensation amounts

Compensation depends on the flight distance and timing of the delay to your destination:

• $400–$1,000 CAD (€250–€600), based on specific criteria.

Re-routing and advance notice

The airline can avoid paying compensation if they offer a suitable alternative flight under these conditions:

• 14 days: No alternative required (compensation not applicable).

• 7–13 days: Alternative flight departs less than 2 hours earlier and arrives less than 4 hours later.

• Less than 7 days: Alternative flight departs less than 1 hour earlier and arrives less than 2 hours later.

The Montreal Convention: Global protections for cancellations

For international flights between member countries, the Montreal Convention offers a global safety net for cancellations.

Key rights

• Expense reimbursement:

  • Covers reasonable expenses like meals, lodging, or transportation resulting from the cancellation.

  • Passengers must provide receipts for reimbursement.

• Compensation Limit:

  • Reimbursement is capped at approximately $7,000 CAD, covering actual costs incurred.

Canadian Transportation Act: Protections within Canada

Under the Canadian Transportation Act, your rights depend on the reason for the flight cancellation:

Cancellations within the airline’s control

• Airlines must offer rebooking or a full refund.

• Compensation for inconvenience: Up to $1,000 (large airlines) or $500 (smaller airlines).

Cancellations for safety reasons or outside the airline's control

• Safety reasons: Airlines provide assistance and rebooking or refunds but are not required to pay compensation.

• Outside airline's control: For disruptions caused by weather or other uncontrollable factors, airlines assist with meals, lodging, and transportation but do not owe compensation.

For more information on your rights with cancelled flights and compensation, visit our dedicated flight cancellation page.

Pickup and drop-off at Toronto Pearson airport

Visiting Toronto Pearson Airport to pick up or drop off loved ones? The airport offers a range of convenient options to make your experience smooth and stress-free. There are multiple ways to greet friends and family at Pearson:

• Cell phone waiting area: A free and convenient option. Park here while you wait for your passengers to call. Once they’re ready, head to the terminal for a quick pickup.

• Short-term parking: If you need to stay a little longer, use the covered garages. The Express Pass gives you up to 18 minutes of free parking. It’s perfect for brief stops, and you can reserve online for a seamless, contactless experience.

Short-term parking options

Pearson has two main options for short-term stays:

• Express pass: Park free for up to 18 minutes in the garages at Terminals 1 and 3. Just reserve your spot online before you arrive.

• Terminal parking: For longer stays under three hours, try Terminal 1 Express Park or Terminal 3 Daily Park.

Cell phone waiting area

If you're just picking someone up and don’t need to park, the cell phone waiting area is your best bet. It’s completely free and lets you wait until your passenger is ready.

• Stay for up to 45 minutes.

• Remember to keep your car off and remain with your vehicle at all times.

Curbside drop-off and pickup

For a quick stop, use the designated areas at Arrivals or Departures for loading and unloading. However, keep in mind:

• You cannot leave your vehicle unattended.

• Roadside idling is monitored, and violations could result in an $85 fine.

Union Pearson Express (UP Express)

Looking for a fast and convenient way to travel between Pearson and downtown Toronto? The UP Express is a fantastic option:

• Travel time: Just 25 minutes!

• Stops: Weston Station, Bloor Station, and Union Station, with connections to subway and transit lines.

• Fares:

  • $12.35 for adults (one way).

  • $9.25 with a PRESTO card.

  • Children under 12 ride free.

  • Trains run every 15 minutes, so you can easily plan your trip.
    

At AirHelp, we’re here to make your airport experience as smooth as possible. Whether you’re navigating through parkings and pick-ups, check-ins, dealing with unexpected delays, or understanding your passenger rights, our goal is to support you every step of the way. From real-time flight updates to simplified compensation claims, we’re dedicated to helping you travel with ease and confidence.

To stay informed about today’s flight delays and cancellations, passengers can easily check our up-to-date table. The table provides real-time information, allowing you to quickly find out if your flight is affected. Simply search for your flight number or browse the list to see details about delays, cancellations, and updated departure or arrival times.

Whether you're at home or already at the airport, our table ensures you're always informed, helping you plan your next steps efficiently. Be sure to refresh the table regularly to get the latest updates on your flight status.