Air Canada has announced a major expansion of its recovery policy for travellers affected by last week’s labour disruption. The carrier is now reimbursing reasonable accommodation and out-of-pocket expenses in addition to its existing rebooking and transport coverage.
The updated policy applies to customers whose original flights were scheduled between August 15 and 23, 2025, and who incurred extra costs due to cancellations and delays. Covered expenses include hotel stays, meals, ground transportation, and other necessary costs related to travel interruptions.
To qualify, passengers must submit supporting receipts via Air Canada’s customer relations portal. The airline cautions that, given anticipated claim volume, processing could take up to four to six weeks.
Details of Air Canada’s Exceptional Expense Policy
Eligibility: Customers whose travel was disrupted between August 15–23, 2025.
Coverage: Reasonable costs for hotel stays, meals, ground transport, and other related expenses.
Claim Process: Receipts must be provided and submitted through Air Canada’s customer relations portal.
Processing Processing Time: Up to four to six weeks due to high claim volumes.
Air Canada has stated:
This special policy, which exceeds legal requirements, builds on Air Canada’s earlier rebooking flexibility and transport coverage for disrupted passengers. Customers unable to be rebooked within five days, or who arranged alternate travel at their own cost—including flights on other airlines, trains, buses, or ferries—can also claim these expenses if they booked the most economical and reasonable options to reach their destination as soon as possible.
Flexible Rebooking Policy Remains
Air Canada’s earlier disruption policy, providing for reimbursement of transportation expenses, remains in effect for customers unable to be rebooked by the airline for flights originally scheduled between August 15 and 23. Eligible customers include those notified by Air Canada that rebooking was not possible, or who were offered alternate options departing more than five days after their original flight. In these cases, customers who arranged alternate travel themselves—whether by air, bus, ferry, or car—may claim eligible costs, provided the options were reasonable and economical for reaching their original destinations as promptly as possible.
As operations normalize, Air Canada says it remains committed to addressing passenger concerns and resolving outstanding claims as quickly as possible.
