Air Canada has announced that more customers whose flights were cancelled during last week’s strike will now be eligible for reimbursement for alternative travel and out-of-pocket expenses. This update expands the airline's previous policy concerning refunds, aiming to assist a broader range of its passengers affected by the disruptions.
The airline now allows customers who booked their original Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge flights via travel agencies or through the Aeroplan rewards program to request reimbursement using its online form. Previously, only those who had directly purchased their tickets from Air Canada were eligible for such compensation.
This reimbursement policy applies specifically to cancelled flights that were originally scheduled to depart between August 15 and August 23. It is intended for cases where Air Canada was unable to rebook passengers, who then had to make their own alternative travel arrangements. The airline's efforts to enhance customer service are particularly significant following the operational disruptions from the strike.
An exception to this reimbursement offer exists for passengers who booked their flights on Air Canada through another airline. In such cases, Air Canada encourages these customers to seek reimbursement for their cancelled flights through the respective airline. Air Canada indicated that they are willing to cover the cost difference relating to any alternative travel arrangements made by these passengers, thereby ensuring they are not left out of the compensation adjustments.
The reimbursement policy was first announced on Wednesday, with enhancements revealed a day later to include coverage for “reasonable expenses.” These additional expenses encompass costs associated with hotel stays, meals, and other related necessities incurred due to the cancellations.
In terms of operational recovery, Air Canada stated that its operations are approaching full capacity. Following last week’s three-day strike involving flight attendants, the airline provided an update on Saturday morning. It indicated that 99 percent of its domestic, U.S., and other international flights are anticipated to operate normally over the next 24 hours. This rebound in service indicates the airline's commitment to restoring regular travel operations in the wake of recent disruptions.
Overall, these steps reflect Air Canada’s efforts to address customer concerns and enhance its service offerings in light of recent operational challenges. The implementation of a wider reimbursement policy aims to alleviate some of the inconveniences faced by passengers during the strike, ensuring that they are fairly compensated for their out-of-pocket expenses.
