The first step you should take when you experience a flight disruption is to contact your airline. To this end, it will be necessary to provide several pieces of information in writing to allow your airline to provide you with an adequate response to your file.
In particular, it is relevant to transmit:
- Your flight ticket, booking confirmation, receipt or invoice;
- The airline’s reservation number or reservation code;
- Booking details, including the full itinerary.
In addition, if you have had to incur personal expenses related to the problem you have encountered, you must keep all the evidence (accommodation, food, transport, etc.).
If you have been denied boarding (overbooking), you will need a written confirmation of what the airline has offered you, as well as the alternative flight provided, if applicable.
Generally, there is a section for this purpose on the website of the airline you traveled with. You will then be able to enter all the information requested by the form.
As far as luggage is concerned, it is necessary to keep:
- The baggage irregularity report or incident report usually obtained at the airport;
- The damaged baggage report, if provided;
- A complete list of missing or damaged items, including the value per item (the value of the suitcase itself may also be considered);
- Receipts for replacement items that you were required to repurchase.
Indeed, since there is simply a ceiling on compensation and no predetermined amount, a rigorous proof of prejudice must be made. Without this evidence, it will be impossible to assess your damage and, therefore, to award a corresponding sum.
Delay, cancellation, or denied boarding?
Delay, cancellation, or denied boarding?You may be entitled to compensation of up to $2,400.
Have your case reviewed for free by a lawyer.
Indeed, this remedy is very similar to that of a civil action, where proof of fault, prejudice and causation must be established in order to obtain the appropriate amount of compensation.
Recourse to the Canadian Transportation Agency
Subsequently, if the company’s response is against you, but you still consider that your rights have been violated, a complaint can be filed with the Agency . For more details on the claims process, click here.
Indeed, just like the first application made to the airline, you will have to provide all the documents listed above. It will also be necessary to add proof that you have previously contacted the airline.
As with all legal claims, although it is possible to proceed alone, the assistance of a lawyer is strongly recommended in order to prevent you from losing a right for which you are eligible.