Every traveler knows the frustration of waiting hours at the airport only to be told there is no solution. Airlines often point to excuses and deny accountability.
Recently, WestJet took that approach to the next level. After the Canadian Transportation Agency ordered the airline to pay compensation to a delayed passenger, WestJet tried to fight the decision in court.
The court rejected WestJet’s challenge. This ruling reinforces flight delay compensation in Canada and shows that Canadian passenger rights are enforceable. In this blog, we look at why the case matters and what WestJet passenger rights really mean for you.
It all began with a simple flight delay. A passenger was left waiting, and when WestJet refused to pay compensation, the matter went to the Canadian Transportation Agency. The CTA looked at the facts and ruled in the passenger’s favor, saying WestJet had to pay. That seemed straightforward enough, but the airline decided it wasn’t ready to accept the decision.
Instead of paying, WestJet went to Federal Court. The airline claimed the CTA had gone too far and worried that if it stood, the ruling would make them more vulnerable to other claims. The move was less about one delayed flight and more about protecting themselves from a wave of future compensation cases.
The Federal Court didn’t buy it. Judges dismissed the airline’s challenge and backed the CTA. For the passenger, it meant justice and payment. For everyone else, it confirmed something bigger: “WestJet compensation claims are enforceable, and Canadian passenger rights have real legal strength behind them”.
WestJet had hoped to overturn the compensation order by challenging the Canadian Transportation Agency’s authority. The Federal Court disagreed, siding with the passenger and reinforcing that Canadian APPR protections must be honored. Compensation is not optional and attempts to dodge it will not stand in court.
This matters to every traveler in Canada. The ruling proves that airlines will be held accountable, no matter how they frame their defense. It strengthens the APPR and makes clear that passengers are not left powerless after delays. Their rights have weight, and the courts are prepared to uphold them.
For most travelers, flight problems feel like a lost battle before they begin. You hear about bad weather, technical failures, or staffing shortages and assume there is no chance of getting compensated. The system seems stacked against the individual passenger.
But this decision shows that perception is wrong. Canadian passenger rights are not symbolic. They carry real weight when challenged. A flight compensation claim in Canada can lead to results if pursued properly. The court’s message is simple: passengers have power, and they should use it.
When people first hear about the Air Passenger Protection Regulations, they usually shrug it off, almost like it is just another government policy buried in fine print. But once your flight gets delayed or cancelled, the rules suddenly become real. The APPRcame in around 2019 and it set some very clear standards. Airlines cannot just make excuses anymore. They have to tell you what is going on, offer rerouting, cover your food if you are stuck, and sometimes pay actual compensation.
What many travelers do not realize is that these rights are not privileges but the tools they must keep up their sleeves all the time to battle such unnecessary travel hassles. They are built into law. You do not need to beg or hope for a sympathetic agent. The point of the APPR is to put passengers on level ground with airlines, especially when disruptions are blamed on vague “outside events.” Once you know the basics, it is much harder for an air carrier to brush you aside.
Airlines don’t resist compensation claims because they enjoy arguing with passengers. They do it because the payouts can be huge when thousands of people file claims. The business model depends on keeping costs tight, so every claim they deny protects their bottom line. That is why you see carriers lean on vague excuses or drag passengers into endless back-and-forth.
WestJet’s legal battle shows exactly how far an airline will go to dodge its obligations. It was less about one customer and more about keeping the floodgates closed. For passengers, the lesson is clear: resistance is standard, so standing firm is essential.
Applying for flight delay or cancellation compensation is not just about filling out a form. You need to prepare. Start with documentation: save your ticket, boarding pass, and every exchange with the airline. Then, check the rules that cover your flight. In Canada, APPR outlines what airlines must pay. For international travel, EU261 may apply.
You also need to know the rules that protect you. In Canada and under EU261, airlines must pay if the delay or cancellation was within their control. Even when they claim extraordinary circumstances, they still owe rerouting and care. Many passengers give up too early because the airline says no once. With the right guidance, that no can quickly turn into a yes.
Passengers often feel powerless when airlines push back, but the WestJet ruling shows that is not the case. The court sided with travelers, proving that persistence pays off. When you face a delay or cancellation, always submit your claim. The airline is the one who must prove it acted properly, not you.
Your job is to hold onto evidence. Booking confirmations, emails, and receipts strengthen your case. The airline’s job is to explain why you were delayed and why compensation should not apply. More and more, courts are siding with passengers when airlines fall short. That is why every traveler in Canada should push their claim forward with confidence.
Most passengers give up because airlines make the claims complicated. Click2Refund turns that around. We know Canadian passenger rights inside out and use the law to build cases that hold airlines accountable. Travelers never need to argue legal details. We take that weight off their shoulders.
Every case we take is risk-free. If there is no payout, the passenger pays nothing. With over 11 years of experience and a proven track record in court, Click2Refund delivers results where airlines hope you will simply walk away.
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The WestJet case proved something vital: passengers are not powerless. The airline fought to avoid paying, but the courts stood with the traveler. That ruling is more than a single win; it is a signal that Canadian passenger rights have real weight when challenged.
What makes the difference is knowing how to use the law effectively. Click2Refund has the expertise and track record to make airlines answer for delays and cancellations. If your flight was disrupted and you were told there is no compensation, do not accept that answer. Check your case and eligibility today with Click2Refund’s free compensation calculator and let us fight for what you are owed.
Can airlines deny compensation by blaming “extraordinary circumstances”?
Airlines often cite extraordinary circumstances, like weather or airport issues, to deny responsibility. However, this only applies when the disruption is truly outside their control. Even then, airlines must provide rebooking and care. The WestJet case makes it clear that they cannot use broad excuses to avoid paying valid claims.
How much compensation can I get under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations?
Compensation under APPR depends on the length of the delay and the size of the airline. For major carriers like WestJet, passengers can receive up to 1000 Canadian dollars for significant delays within the airline’s control. The exact amount varies, but the law sets minimums that cannot be ignored.
What if I accepted a travel voucher from the airline?
If you accepted a voucher but did not sign away your rights, you may still be entitled to cash compensation. Airlines often push vouchers to avoid payouts, but under Canadian law, cash remains the primary form of compensation. Passengers should know that vouchers do not cancel their legal entitlements.
How does Click2Refund make the process easier?
Click2Refund takes over the legal and technical side of a claim. Passengers do not need to argue details, study regulations, or fight the airline directly. With a no win no fee approach, the service carries all the risk. This ensures travelers can pursue their rights without stress or upfront costs.
What should I do if my compensation claim is denied?
Do not stop at the airline’s response. Many denials are routine and not based on law. The next step is to escalate with the help of experts or through the CTA. Services like Click2Refund specialize in handling these cases, building strong arguments that airlines cannot ignore, and winning compensation.