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What compensation and payment timing apply to qualifying involuntary denied boarding under Canada’s APPR?

The APPR denied-boarding amounts are different from the ordinary delay table. For the qualifying within-control, non-safety case, the band depends on how late you reach the destination on the original ticket. The carrier also has a prompt-payment obligation and a written-confirmation requirement when payment cannot be made before replacement boarding.

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What this answer depends on

  • Travel within the applicable APPR scope, including the ticketed journey and the event-specific conditions. The consolidated source displays current-through 2026-07-21; check for later changes.
  • For qualifying section 12(4)(d) denied boarding, the minimum is CAD 900 for arrival less than 6 hours late, CAD 1,800 for 6 to under 9 hours, and CAD 2,400 for 9 hours or more.
  • Compensation must be provided as soon as operationally feasible and no later than 48 hours after the denied boarding.
  • When payment cannot be made before boarding the replacement, the carrier must provide written confirmation of the compensation owed; an early calculation may use expected arrival and be adjusted when appropriate.

Important exceptions

  • The fixed amounts do not apply automatically to volunteers, valid documentation refusals or every outside-control seat shortage. Denied boarding must meet the APPR definition and compensation branch. These are Canadian-dollar minimum amounts, not percentages of the ticket price.

What to do next

  1. Ask the carrier to record the event as involuntary denied boarding and identify the cause category. Keep proof of your confirmed reservation and timely compliance with boarding requirements.

  2. Compare the replacement’s expected final arrival with the original ticket. Request the amount and its calculation before leaving the service point.

  3. If payment is not immediately available, obtain the written amount owed and record the time of the denial. Keep the replacement boarding confirmation with the payment promise.

  4. After arrival, compare actual timing with the estimate and ask for any required adjustment. Keep the compensation separate from meals, hotel and refund choices.

  5. Have boarding eligibility evidence, written reason, original and replacement final arrivals, time of denial, written payment confirmation and the actual amount received.

More booking questions

Do I use the ordinary delay compensation table?

No. Section 20 has distinct denied-boarding amounts and timing.

Checked againstAir Passenger Protection Regulations, SOR/2019-150

What if the airline cannot pay before the new flight?

Ask for the required written confirmation and retain the denial timestamp for the payment period.

Checked againstAir Passenger Protection Regulations, SOR/2019-150

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