The Fight For Your Rights Award

It didn’t take long for Canadian airlines to rack up the penalties once the federal government enshrined the Air Passenger Protection Regulations on July 15. By early September, Air Canada, WestJet Airlines Ltd., Porter Airlines and Transat A.T. Inc. had received fines totalling $45,000, (WestJet was dinged the most at $17,500) for not displaying information about passenger rights at boarding gates and/or check-in and self-service counters. The initial rules also require airlines to let passengers get off a plane if it has spent three hours waiting to take off and a take-off is not imminent. In December, airlines will have to compensate passengers up to $1,000 for any delays or cancellations within their control, and either refund or rebook passengers whose flights have been delayed. Can’t wait to see how much the airlines lose on that one.