In 2004, the European Commission introduced a regulation that protected air passenger rights. Since then, passengers who experienced flight delays, cancellations and overbooking at the airline’s responsibility were entitled to care and a monetary flight compensation up to €600.
Hockey, mountains and being polite – that’s what Canada is all about. The North American country is beloved by tourists because of its vibrant cities, mesmerizing nature and friendly people. But even Canada can’t always guarantee a flawless flight, and flight disruptions happen. Skycop explains when the Regulation (EC) 261/2004 entitles passengers to compensation for the delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight when flying to and from Canada.
Here’s what to know in 2025.
It’s been over 20 years since the European Commission introduced Regulation (EC) 261/2004 to protect passengers from flight disruptions.
But many people are still not familiar with their rights – and airlines aren’t exactly keen on informing their passengers. Even more, questions arise when talking about a flight to and from countries that do not belong to the European Union. So when should a passenger seek compensation?
This one is pretty simple. If the disrupted flight originates from an EU airport, the regulation applies and passengers may be entitled to compensation of up to €600.
Was Your Flight Disrupted? Turn your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight into a compensation up to €600!
According to the EU Regulation:
- Compensation for a delayed flight is paid when a flight arrives at its final destination more than 3 hours late. The delay has to be the airline’s responsibility – the regulation states that extraordinary circumstances (bad weather conditions, airport strikes, force majeure) exempt airlines from paying compensation.
- Compensation for a cancelled flight is paid when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled departure. The cancellation has to be the airline’s responsibility – regulation states that extraordinary circumstances (bad weather conditions, airport strikes, force majeure) exempt airlines from paying compensation.
- Compensation for an overbooked flight is paid when a passenger is denied boarding due to the airline selling more tickets than there are seats on the plane. The passenger should not volunteer to give up their place on the overbooked flight – the airlines usually look for people who would volunteer to fly on a different flight and sometimes offer vouchers or discounts.
Flying from Canada to the EU
This one is slightly more complex. If the disrupted flight originated in a Canadian airport, Regulation (EC) 261/2004 applies only if the flight is operated by an EU-registered airline.
- Compensation for a delayed flight is paid when a flight is late to arrive at the destination airport by more than 3 hours. The delay has to be the airline’s responsibility – Regulation states that extraordinary circumstances (bad weather conditions, airport strikes, force majeure) exempt airlines from paying compensation.
- Compensation for a cancelled flight is paid when a flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the scheduled date of departure. The cancellation has to be the airline’s responsibility – regulation states that extraordinary circumstances (bad weather conditions, airport strikes, force majeure) exempt airlines from paying compensation.
- Compensation for an overbooked flight is paid when a passenger is denied boarding due to the airline selling more tickets than there are seats on the plane. The passenger should not volunteer to give up their place on the overbooked flight – the airlines usually look for people who would volunteer to fly on a different flight, sometimes offering vouchers or discounts.
Was Your Flight Disrupted? Turn your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight into a compensation up to €600!
EU-Licensed Airlines on EU-Canada Routes
As of 2025, several EU-licensed (“Community”) carriers operate direct EU–Canada routes, including::
- Aer Lingus
- Air France
- Austrian Airlines
- British Airways
- Brussels Airlines
- ITA Airways
- KLM
- LOT Polish Airlines
- Lufthansa
- TAP Portugal
As of 2025, several EU-registered airlines still operate direct flights between the EU and Canada, including Air France, Lufthansa, British Airways, KLM, LOT Polish Airlines, and TAP Portugal. Always check with your airline to confirm their registration and eligibility for claims under EC 261/2004.
Right to Care Under EC 261/2004
The EU Regulation states that in case of disruptions covered under EC 261/2004, the airlines have to take care of their passengers. Passengers have to be provided with means of communication, such as phone calls or emails, meals, and drinks if the flight is late, cancelled or overbooked. If the delay lasts overnight, the airline has to provide accommodation and transportation to and from the airport.
For long-haul flights like EU-Canada and Canada-EU, care (refreshments and meals) must be provided if the delay exceeds 4 hours for flights over 3,500 km.
Unfortunately, even though airlines are required by law to provide passengers with refreshments, they can sometimes be negligent with their responsibilities. Vouchers are not mandatory, but often used to provide food and drinks.
Was Your Flight Disrupted? Turn your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight into a compensation up to €600!
Flight Disrupted?
If passengers are not offered vouchers, airlines are not off the hook. Passengers can purchase their food and drinks themselves and later require the airline to reimburse them for the expenses. The important thing to remember in this situation is that passengers have to provide receipts!
If your dream is to visit beautiful Canada – go for it, there’s no better time than now But while planning your trip, it’s also important to manage your budget wisely especially if you’ve already spent your holiday funds in summer if you happen to experience a flight disruption, don’t fear: remember this article and you’ll know how to turn a problem into compensation. Even though it can be challenging to manage the process, Skycop can help you claim compensation of up to €600.
