You’re sitting at the gate in Calgary or maybe Pearson, staring at the departure board as that dreaded red text appears. Delayed. Then it happens again. Two hours turns into five. You’re tired, the airport coffee is overpriced, and honestly, you just want to get home. Most people just sigh, buy a stale sandwich, and forget about it once they finally land.
That’s a massive mistake.
If you’re flying with WestJet, there’s a decent chance you’re sitting on a payday of up to $1,000 CAD. But here’s the kicker: the airline isn't exactly going to tap you on the shoulder and hand over a stack of bills. You have to know the rules, which are tucked away in a dense piece of legislation called the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). It’s basically the "bill of rights" for Canadian flyers, and it changed the game for WestJet flight delay compensation back in 2019.
The "Safety" Loophole Everyone Falls For
WestJet, like any business, wants to keep costs down. Under the APPR, they only have to pay you if the delay was "within the carrier's control." If it’s for safety reasons—like a mechanical issue found during a pre-flight check—they don’t have to pay the big bucks.
This is where things get messy.
For a long time, airlines were labeling almost everything as a "safety" issue. Crew scheduling? Safety. A broken lightbulb? Safety. But a landmark 2022 ruling by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) involving WestJet actually clarified this. The CTA ruled that flight crew shortages are generally considered within the airline's control and are not a safety issue that exempts them from paying. If your WestJet flight was delayed because they couldn't find a pilot, they likely owe you money.
It’s about the "root cause." If a bird flies into the engine (strike), that’s outside their control. No money. If the plane has a scheduled maintenance check and they realize they’re short-staffed, that’s on them.
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How Much Is Your Time Actually Worth?
The compensation isn't a flat rate. It scales based on how late you arrive at your final destination compared to your original ticket.
For large carriers like WestJet, the numbers look like this:
If you arrive 3 to 6 hours late, you’re looking at $400.
Arrivals between 6 and 9 hours late jump to $700.
Anything over 9 hours? That’s the $1,000 jackpot.
Keep in mind, this is based on the arrival time at your final destination. If a delay in Vancouver causes you to miss your connection to Kelowna, and you get to Kelowna 10 hours late, WestJet owes you for that total time lost.
The Documentation Trap
I’ve talked to people who lost out on $700 because they threw away their boarding pass. Don't do that.
The moment the delay happens, start a paper trail. Take a photo of the departure board. Save every email and text WestJet sends you about the delay. Seriously. These digital crumbs are your evidence. If an agent at the desk tells you the delay is due to "crew constraints," write down their name and the time.
Why? Because WestJet’s automated claim system might initially tell you the delay was "weather-related" even if the sky was blue. When you have a screenshot of a weather report and a note about crew shortages, you have leverage.
Beyond the Cash: Food and Hotels
While you’re waiting, you have immediate rights. After a two-hour delay, WestJet is supposed to provide "standard quantities of food and drink." Usually, this is a $15 or $20 voucher. It’s not much, but it’s a start. They also have to give you access to a means of communication—basically, free Wi-Fi or a phone call.
If the delay stretches overnight, they have to provide a hotel room and transportation to get there. Don’t let them tell you to "find your own" without a written promise of reimbursement. If they are "full" or can't book it for you, keep your receipts. Every single one. Even the Uber to the Marriott.
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European Rules vs. Canadian Rules
Here’s a weird quirk. If you’re flying WestJet from London Gatwick (LGW), Paris (CDG), or Dublin (DUB) back to Canada, you might be covered by both the Canadian APPR and the UK/EU 261 regulations.
The European rules are often even more passenger-friendly. They don't have the same "safety" loopholes for technical glitches that Canada does. In many cases, you can choose which regulation to claim under. You can't double-dip, obviously, but you can pick the one that gives you the best chance of a payout. Usually, for technical faults, the EU/UK rules are a safer bet for getting your money.
The "Check-In" Clause That Ruins Claims
You still have to show up.
This is the most frustrating part of WestJet flight delay compensation. Even if you see on the app that your flight is delayed four hours, you technically still need to check in on time and be at the airport according to the original schedule, unless WestJet explicitly tells you otherwise. If you show up late and they somehow manage to make up time or swap a plane, they can deny your claim because you "failed to present for travel."
Always check in online the moment it opens. It’s your digital proof that you were ready to fly.
Filing the Claim: A Test of Patience
WestJet has a specific portal for APPR claims on their website. You have one year from the date of the flight to file. Once you submit, they have 30 days to respond.
They will either pay you, offer you a travel voucher, or deny the claim.
A word of advice: if they offer a voucher, check the value. By law, the cash compensation is the default. They can offer a voucher, but it must be higher than the cash value and it can never expire. If the cash owed is $400 and they offer a $400 voucher, take the cash. If they offer an $800 voucher and you fly WestJet all the time, maybe it’s worth it. But the choice is yours, not theirs.
What if They Say No?
If WestJet denies your claim and you think they’re full of it, don’t give up. You can escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency.
Fair warning: the CTA has a massive backlog. It can take months, sometimes over a year, to get a resolution. But it’s a formal process that holds the airline’s feet to the fire. There are also "no-win, no-fee" companies that handle these claims, but they usually take a 25% to 35% cut. Honestly, if you have the patience, doing it yourself keeps that money in your pocket.
Another path is Small Claims Court. In provinces like British Columbia or Ontario, the CRT (Civil Resolution Tribunal) or Small Claims processes are relatively straightforward. Airlines often settle these before the hearing date because it’s cheaper than sending a lawyer to fight over $700.
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Real-World Nuance: The Weather Excuse
Weather is the ultimate get-out-of-jail-free card for airlines. But it has to be weather at your specific route or affecting the specific aircraft. If WestJet says "weather" but every other airline is taking off on time, you should be suspicious. Use sites like FlightAware to see where your incoming plane is. If that plane is stuck in a blizzard in St. John’s, that’s a valid weather delay. If the plane is sitting at the gate and they just don't have a pilot, that's not weather.
Actionable Steps to Take Right Now
If you're currently standing in an airport or just got home from a nightmare trip, here is exactly what you need to do:
- Confirm the "Reason Code": Ask the gate agent specifically for the "reason code" for the delay. Take a picture of their screen if they let you (some won't, but it's worth a shot).
- Keep Your Boarding Pass: Digital or paper, do not delete or lose it. It is your proof of contract.
- Wait for the 30-Day Mark: Once you land and the dust settles, file your claim through the WestJet APPR portal immediately. Set a calendar reminder for 31 days later.
- Check Your Credit Card: Many Canadian credit cards (like the WestJet RBC World Elite or various Amex/TD travel cards) have "Trip Interruption" or "Flight Delay" insurance. This is separate from WestJet's compensation. You can often claim for a hotel and meals through your insurance while still claiming the $1,000 compensation from the airline.
- Don't Accept "No" as Final: If the automated email says your delay was "outside of our control," ask for the specific flight logs or maintenance reports. You have a right to know why you were stuck.
WestJet isn't a "bad" airline, but they are a business. They won't pay out thousands of dollars unless you prove you know the law. It takes about 15 minutes to file a claim, and that could be the easiest $1,000 you ever make. Don't leave it on the table.