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A flight schedule change can happen at any time, sometimes a few months before departure or only a few hours before boarding. Airlines regularly adjust their schedules for operational, weather, or safety reasons.
But what should you do when a flight is changed or cancelled? Depending on the situation, you may be entitled to a new flight, a refund, or even financial compensation.
In Canada, the rules are governed by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). However, rights vary based on several factors, including the carrier’s responsibility and the notice period.
In this guide, we explain what to do when a flight schedule changes, what your rights are, and when flight delay compensation may be offered.
Key takeaways about a flight schedule change:
In recent years, travellers have faced a higher number of air travel disruptions in certain regions of the world.
For example, several airlines have recently suspended or changed flights to certain Middle East destinations due to geopolitical tensions and airspace restrictions.
Similarly, some flights to Cuba may be changed or cancelled due to operational constraints, aircraft availability, or local conditions.
In these situations, schedule changes or cancellations are generally considered outside airlines’ control.
This means passengers may receive a new flight or a refund, but financial compensation is not always offered.
As the situation can evolve quickly, it is recommended to regularly check your flight status and any communications sent by your airline.
Airlines regularly adjust their schedules. A flight schedule change or cancellation can therefore occur several months before departure.
These adjustments allow carriers to optimize fleet utilization, adjust flight frequency, or respond to certain operational constraints.
Let’s look at why these changes are common and how to stay informed if your flight is changed.
Flight schedule changes are not new, but they have seemed more frequent in recent years. Airlines can adjust their schedules up to about 14 days before departure.
These changes help optimize aircraft utilization and better manage crew rotations, aircraft maintenance, or passenger demand.
Aircraft follow a very precise schedule and must fly as much as possible to be profitable.
For example, the same aircraft could operate several segments in a day:
To manage this complex logistics, carriers sometimes adjust flight schedules.
As a result, a trip booked several months in advance may undergo multiple flight schedule changes before departure.
Flights are often put on sale well in advance to generate bookings, even though some adjustments may still be possible.
When a flight schedule change occurs, the airline generally informs passengers by email or via a notification in its mobile app.
Even when it is a minor change, such as a shift of a few minutes, a message is often sent to update your itinerary.
However, it is recommended that you check your flight schedule yourself from time to time, especially as your departure approaches.
Some tools can also automatically track itinerary changes.
For example, the ExpertFlyer service can send alerts when a flight is changed, which avoids having to check the schedule manually.
In some cases, booking platforms such as Expedia may also send a message to report a flight schedule change, even a very slight one.
When a flight schedule change occurs, the airline must generally offer passengers certain options.
Depending on the situation, this may include accepting the new schedule, changing the itinerary, or receiving a ticket refund.
The options offered depend in particular on the time before departure and the significance of the change.
Travel tip: If you receive an email indicating a flight schedule change, check your new itinerary immediately. Even a minor change can sometimes create a connection issue or change the total trip duration. If the new schedule does not work for you, contact the airline promptly to explore the available options.
When a flight schedule change is announced, several options may be offered to passengers.
Depending on the airline’s policies, you may be able to:
These options can generally apply regardless of the payment method, whether the ticket was purchased with cash or points.
In Canada, the rules are governed by the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). However, to obtain a refund or a no-fee change, the change must often be considered “significant” (source).
Each airline defines what it considers a significant change. In practice, many carriers consider a shift of at least two hours or the addition of a connection to be a significant change.
However, an airline may sometimes accept a change even for a more minor adjustment. In some cases, this can allow you to obtain a more advantageous itinerary.
Tip: If you are considering cancelling a flight, it may be helpful to wait before doing so. If a flight schedule change occurs before departure, you may sometimes be able to change or cancel your ticket without fees.
When your flight is changed following a flight schedule change, the airline must normally rebook you in the same cabin as your original reservation.
However, there are often several different fares within the same cabin, especially in economy class.
Depending on availability, your new booking could therefore end up in a more advantageous fare class.
For example, a basic economy ticket could be replaced with a fare that offers more flexibility.
In some situations, this can provide certain benefits:
It is therefore always recommended to check the details of your new booking.
Finally, make sure your loyalty program number is correctly added to the booking so you do not lose the points associated with the flight.
Passengers may sometimes receive compensation when a flight is delayed, cancelled, or changed.
In some situations, flight delay compensation may be offered when the disruption is within the carrier’s control.
However, the rules vary depending on the cause of the issue, the notice period, and the type of airline.
When a flight is delayed, cancelled, or changed, Canadian regulations generally distinguish three types of situations.
These categories help determine whether financial compensation may be offered to passengers.
Financial compensation may be offered when the disruption is attributable to the airline and is not related to safety.
In addition, notice of the flight schedule change or cancellation must generally be given less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.
In some situations, compensation may be claimed if arrival at destination is delayed by at least three hours.
Here are some examples of situations that may be attributable to the carrier:
In Canada, the financial compensation provided for large carriers can be up to:
Compensation is generally calculated based on the actual arrival time at destination when a flight schedule change occurs.
These rules may apply to domestic flights as well as international flights to or from Canada.
However, other jurisdictions may have different rules. For example, the European Union applies a separate regime for air passengers.
Finally, it is important to distinguish financial compensation for the inconvenience from additional expenses caused by a delay, such as accommodation or meals.
Even when the rules provide for possible compensation, some airlines may refuse a claim.
In that case, it is recommended to keep all travel-related documents, such as your ticket, the airline’s emails, and any communication regarding the flight schedule change.
You can then submit an official claim directly to the airline. Most carriers offer an online form for this type of claim.
If the response does not satisfy you, you can also file a complaint with the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA).
This independent body is responsible for enforcing the rules related to air passenger rights in Canada.
When a flight schedule change, delay, or cancellation occurs, the compensation offered by the airline does not always cover all expenses.
For example, a significant delay can result in additional costs, such as meals, a hotel, or transportation to the airport.
In some cases, these expenses may be covered by travel insurance.
Many credit cards in Canada include coverage for travel delays or interruptions. This insurance can reimburse certain expenses if your flight is delayed for several hours.
However, terms vary from one card to another. The maximum reimbursed amount and the minimum delay duration can also vary.
Before travelling, it is therefore recommended to check the protections offered by your card.
To learn more, see our guide to credit card travel insurance.
A flight schedule change is never pleasant, but it does not necessarily mean your trip is compromised. Depending on the situation, airlines must generally offer different options, such as rerouting or a ticket refund.
In some cases, flight delay compensation may also be possible when the disruption is attributable to the carrier.
As the rules vary based on several factors, it is important to check your ticket conditions and the airline’s policies.
Finally, also consider the protections offered by certain credit cards and travel insurance, which may cover some expenses in the event of a delay or cancellation.
If your flight is changed, the airline must generally offer you a new itinerary or a refund. Options vary depending on the situation.
In some cases, yes. Compensation may be offered when the disruption is within the airline’s control.
Yes. If the change is significant and does not work for you, you may request a refund or another flight.
Under Canadian regulations, compensation can be up to $1,000 in certain situations attributable to the carrier.
Yes. If the disruption is caused by weather, security, or other factors outside the carrier’s control.
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