The short answer
Porter is a large airline under Canada’s rules. If a Porter flight got you to your destination 3 hours or more late for a reason within its control, it owes each passenger $400, $700 or $1,000, depending on the delay.
Which flights
- Flights operated by Porter Airlines, whatever the route: within Canada, or to and from Canada.
- On a codeshare, check who operated the flight (it’s on your boarding pass). If a partner airline operated it, you claim from that airline.
How much Porter owes
Porter is a large airline under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), so these are the amounts per passenger:
| Arrived late by | Large airline |
|---|---|
| 3 to under 6 hours | $400 |
| 6 to under 9 hours | $700 |
| 9 hours or more | $1,000 |
If your flight was cancelled and you took a refund because the new flight didn’t meet your travel needs, the amount is $400 per passenger. Amounts are in Canadian dollars and go to each passenger who was delayed, whoever paid for the tickets.
When it’s owed
- You reached the final destination on your original ticket 3 hours or more late (or your flight was cancelled and you were refunded).
- The cause was within Porter’s control and not required for safety: for example a crew shortage or scheduled maintenance. Not weather that made flying unsafe, air traffic control or a strike. See why the reason matters.
- You were told 14 days or less before departure.
On top of compensation, if the cause was within Porter’s control and you were told less than 12 hours ahead, it must provide meals after 2 hours and a hotel overnight: see meals and hotel.
How to claim
- Send a written claim to Porter within one year of the flight, for each passenger. Keep a copy or a screenshot of what you sent.
- Porter has 30 days to pay or explain why not.
- Compensation must be paid in money. A voucher is only allowed if it’s worth more, never expires and you agree in writing: see voucher or cash.
- If Porter refuses, offers less or doesn’t answer within 30 days, you can complain to the Canadian Transportation Agency for free.
Good to know about Porter
- Porter processes claims per passenger, per journey. Travelling as a family? Each person has their own claim.
- Porter’s expense reimbursement (meals, hotel) is a separate request from compensation.
An example
An Ottawa to Halifax flight arrives 3 hours 25 minutes late because of a crew shortage: $400 per passenger. Had it been 2 hours 50 minutes late, no compensation would be owed, though meals would be (after 2 hours, if Porter told you less than 12 hours before departure).
FlightPayback is independent and not affiliated with Porter Airlines.