Flight cancelled during the pandemic: a class action lawsuit could lead to compensation

Flight cancelled during the pandemic: a class action lawsuit could lead to compensation

Hundreds of thousands of Quebec travellers could eventually receive compensation as part of a class action lawsuit against Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Sunwing, and their respective tour operators for flights cancelled during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The lawsuit, authorized by the Quebec Court of Appeal in 2024 and upheld in 2025 after the Supreme Court refused to hear the carriers’ appeal, is now in the procedural stage. No trial date has yet been set.

The class action seeks refunds for tickets for those who have not yet received them, as well as $250 in compensation for inconvenience and $250 in punitive damages, plus interest, for eligible travellers.

To be included in the class action, consumers must have purchased an airline ticket or travel package directly from Air Canada, Air Transat, WestJet, Sunwing, or their subsidiaries in Quebec for a flight cancelled due to the pandemic. Those who received a refund only after a delay may also be eligible.

According to lawyer Éric Perrier, who represents the plaintiffs, many travellers are still waiting for a full refund, while others have had to wait many months to get their money back.

Affected customers received an email notification informing them of the class action. Those who wish to opt out of the class action to pursue their own legal action must file an exclusion request with the Superior Court before August 1st, 2026.

The lawyer also recommends that travellers keep their documents and receipts related to their 2020 bookings, as the case could still take several years to resolve.