The short answer
If a WestJet flight got you to your destination 3 hours or more late for a reason within its control, like scheduled maintenance, WestJet owes each passenger $400 (3 to 6 hours), $700 (6 to 9 hours) or $1,000 (9 hours or more).
Which flights
- Flights operated by WestJet and WestJet Encore.
- Sunwing flights: Sunwing Airlines was folded into WestJet in 2025, and Sunwing’s site sends flight claims to WestJet.
- 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 WestJet owes
WestJet 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 WestJet’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 WestJet’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 WestJet within one year of the flight, for each passenger. Keep a copy or a screenshot of what you sent.
- WestJet 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 WestJet refuses, offers less or doesn’t answer within 30 days, you can complain to the Canadian Transportation Agency for free.
Good to know about WestJet
- WestJet handles compensation and reimbursement of expenses (meals, hotel) as separate requests.
- WestJet doesn’t keep a copy of your claim that you can look up later. Take a screenshot before you submit.
An example
A Calgary to Toronto flight leaves late after a problem found during scheduled maintenance and arrives 7 hours late: $700 per passenger. A problem found during scheduled maintenance is within the airline’s control, even if it was fixed for safety.
FlightPayback is independent and not affiliated with WestJet.