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Air Canada rating

C
5.4/10Axel score · #58 of 77
4.3/10Repriceability · #51
Checked October 26, 2026 · How Axel rates airlines

Cheap Economy Basic fares lose appeal once bags and flexibility matter

Axel sees Air Canada as a conditional value choice, not a good airline for recovering savings after booking. Economy Basic removes changes and a full-size carry-on on Canada/U.S. routes, while Economy Standard penalties can wipe out a fare drop. Refund protections and below-median complaint rates are strengths, but the cancellation record and unpredictable Aeroplan awards weaken the case for paying extra.

  • Best
  • Tickets cancelled within 24 hours qualify for a full refund to the original payment method.
  • Refund complaints were 2.31 per 100,000 passengers in April and May 2026, below the 4.39 median for airlines based abroad.
  • Children under 14 receive free automatic proximity seating with an accompanying parent or guardian.
  • Worst
  • Canada/U.S. Economy Basic permits no voluntary changes and includes only a personal item.
  • Economy Standard's indexed change fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction.
  • Air Canada's inferred cancellation rate was 3.36% during calendar year 2025.

If the fare drops after you book, can you get money back?

PartlyRepriceability 4.3/10

Partly, by cancelling and rebooking. No general price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. Economy Basic cannot be changed or credited after 24 hours. Economy Standard's indexed change fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction. A current U.S. dollar fee is unconfirmed. North American Economy Flex has no change fee. Direct changes to cheaper nonrefundable fares forfeit the difference. Eligible cancellations to AC Wallet can preserve a balance after rebooking, less applicable penalties. Economy Comfort and Economy Latitude can be refunded and rebooked. Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund to the original payment method. Ordinary AC Wallet credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance. Book before expiry. Travel can follow later. Aeroplan membership is required. Owners can buy for others but cannot transfer balances between accounts. Future Travel Credit is nontransferable and single-use, expires as its receipt states, and forfeits any cheaper-booking balance.

Axel's fare-rule sample covered 63 tickets, with fare differences forfeited in all 16 cases where the outcome was known. The observation period was not published, and these observations do not guarantee future results.

Air Canada fares
FareChangesCancelCarry-onBagsSeat
Economy BasicNo changesAfter the 24-hour cancellation window, there is no fare refund or future travel credit. Certain unused taxes may remain refundable.Fee0Fee
Economy StandardThe indexed fare comparison displays CA$100-$120 per direction, with higher fare difference also payable. A current USD amount specifically for Canada-U.S. tickets could not be independently confirmed.Nonrefundable to the original payment method. Eligible unused value can be retained as credit, subject to the ticket's applicable penalty; cancel before departure.Included0Fee
Economy FlexNo change feeNonrefundable in cash. An eligible unused North American Flex ticket can be cancelled for credit without a change penalty; cancel before departure.Included1Free choice
Economy ComfortNo change feeFully refundable when cancelled before departure, subject to the original ticket's rules and payment method.Included2Free choice
Economy LatitudeNo change feeFully refundable when cancelled before departure, subject to the original ticket's rules and payment method.Included2Free choice
Premium Economy Standardpremium economyA change fee applies. Current reporting gives CA$100-$120 for Standard premium fares, but a current Canada-U.S. USD amount could not be confirmed.Canada-U.S. Standard is nonrefundable in cash. Eligible unused value may be retained as credit, less applicable penalties; cancel before departure.Included2Free choice
Business Class StandardbusinessCurrent reporting gives CA$100-$120 per change for Business Class Standard. A current Canada-U.S. USD amount could not be confirmed.Nonrefundable in cash on Canada-U.S. travel. Eligible unused value may be retained as credit, less applicable penalties; cancel before departure.Included2Free choice
Fare difference on a cheaper change
Lost. Air Canada's published change guidance says a nonrefundable ticket's difference is forfeited when changing to a lower fare. Future Travel Credit redemption also forfeits a cheaper booking's residual. Cancelling an eligible ticket into AC Wallet and then purchasing a cheaper ticket can instead preserve the remaining wallet balance, after applicable penalties.
Same flight, lower price
No general fee-free, same-flight price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. The supported alternative is cancellation and rebooking: eligible AC Wallet credit can fund a cheaper ticket, leaving a balance, but Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be cancelled for a refund and rebooked. Within 24 hours, use the full-refund policy. The Canadian Lowest Price Guarantee does not cover U.S.-website purchases.
Credits (AC Wallet; Future Travel Credit)
Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Purchase before expiry; travel may occur later. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, generally following original ticket validity. Check the actual credit's deadline. Transferable: partial.
24-hour rule
Air Canada publishes a full refund to the original payment method when a ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, including otherwise nonrefundable fares. Its published direct-booking policy does not state the U.S. rule's seven-day advance-purchase restriction. A replacement booking is priced at the fare then available.
Same-day change
Standard, Flex and Premium Economy Standard confirmed same-day changes are listed at US$100 before applicable taxes, potentially US$120 including tax. Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy Latitude, and Business Class Standard/Latitude are complimentary. Economy Basic is ineligible. Availability is required; the itinerary, connecting airports and stop count must remain the same. No additional fare difference applies on Air Canada-operated same-day changes. Free standby is distinct and route/fare dependent.
Schedule changes
Air Canada's customer policy offers a refund of unused travel if it cancels the flight, delays departure or arrival by at least three hours, changes the origin or destination airport, adds stopovers, or downgrades a U.S.-linked itinerary, and the traveler declines the offered alternatives. Rebooking and credit are alternatives, not mandatory replacements for an eligible refund. Request through Trips for direct bookings.

What Axel's own data shows

  • The fare rules on 63 Air Canada tickets Axel issued allowed changes on 64% of them, and where the rules said what happens to the difference on a cheaper new fare, it was forfeited on 16 of 16.

Score breakdown

  1. Repriceability 35%4.3
    • Standard fare change fee: 4.0/10 · Economy Standard: The indexed fare comparison displays CA$100-$120 per direction, with higher fare difference also payable. A current USD amount specifically for Canada-U.S. tickets could not be independently confirmed.
    • Lowest fare flexibility: 0.0/10 · Economy Basic: Voluntary changes are not permitted on Canada-U.S. Economy Basic tickets.
    • Lower fare on the same flight: 4.0/10 · No general fee-free, same-flight price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. The supported alternative is cancellation and rebooking: eligible AC Wallet credit can fund a cheaper ticket, leaving a balance, but Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be cancelled for a refund and rebooked. Within 24 hours, use the full-refund policy. The Canadian Lowest Price Guarantee does not cover U.S.-website purchases.
    • Credit terms: 7.0/10 · Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Purchase before expiry; travel may occur later. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, generally following original ticket validity. Check the actual credit's deadline.; transferable: partial
    • Cancel the standard fare: 4.0/10 · Nonrefundable to the original payment method. Eligible unused value can be retained as credit, subject to the ticket's applicable penalty; cancel before departure.
    • Risk-free window: 10.0/10 · Air Canada publishes a full refund to the original payment method when a ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, including otherwise nonrefundable fares. Its published direct-booking policy does not state the U.S. rule's seven-day advance-purchase restriction. A replacement booking is priced at the fare then available.
    • Same-day change: 7.0/10 · Standard, Flex and Premium Economy Standard confirmed same-day changes are listed at US$100 before applicable taxes, potentially US$120 including tax. Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy Latitude, and Business Class Standard/Latitude are complimentary. Economy Basic is ineligible. Availability is required; the itinerary, connecting airports and stop count must remain the same. No additional fare difference applies on Air Canada-operated same-day changes. Free standby is distinct and route/fare dependent.
    • What Axel saw: does not apply · fewer than 10 attempts · Axel repricing attempts
  2. Refunds and disruptions 20%7.1
    • Commitments when the airline causes the problem: 8.0/10 · Covered by: US_DOT_refund_rule, EU261, UK261, Canada_APPR, Brazil_ANAC_400, Israel_ASL; Coverage depends on the itinerary: DOT refund protections apply to U.S. travel, APPR to flights to, from or within Canada, and EU261/UK261 principally to Air Canada's departures from the covered European jurisdictions or the UK—not its ordinary Canada-to-Europe departures. Brazilian protections apply where geographically applicable; Air Canada also publishes an Israeli rights notice. Its written service plan promises meals, available hotel accommodation away from home when same-day transportation cannot be provided, hotel transport and an overnight amenity kit for qualifying controllable cancellations or missed connections. Much of this implements legal or tariff duties rather than adding a separate benefit. Other-airline rebooking is available when required by APPR; it is not an unconditional promise for every disruption. No general written promise of cash compensation above statutory entitlements was found.
    • Refund conduct: 6.0/10 · 2026-03-19 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2024-10-02 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2024-02-16 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2022-12-22 Canadian Transportation Agency
    • Refund complaints: 7.3/10 · 2.31 refund complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 4.39) · DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2
  3. Reliability 15%4.8
    • On-time arrival: 5.3/10 · 73.26% on time (January 1–December 31, 2025. Published as Air Canada (AC) in the North America airline ranking. Cancellation percentage derived as 100 minus the published 96.64% completion factor.) · Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, published January 2026
    • Cancellations: 3.6/10 · 3.36% cancelled (January 1–December 31, 2025. Published as Air Canada (AC) in the North America airline ranking. Cancellation percentage derived as 100 minus the published 96.64% completion factor.) · Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, published January 2026
  4. Fees and transparency 15%5.8
    • Carry-on in the lowest fare: 5.0/10 · On Canada-U.S. Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, only a personal item is included. A larger bag must be checked for the applicable checked-bag fee; this is not a paid cabin-carry-on entitlement. An overseas connecting Economy Basic itinerary includes a standard carry-on and personal item.
    • First checked bag: 4.0/10 · For current Canada-U.S. Basic and Standard tickets, the first checked bag is US$45 before applicable taxes per direction; the published tax-inclusive range is US$45-$54. The second is US$60 before tax. Payment is available during online check-in; no lower advance-online price was confirmed. The tariff applies the increased fees to tickets issued from April 13, 2026.
    • Seat in the lowest fare: 3.0/10 · fee
    • Children seated with a parent: 5.0/10 · Children under 14 and an accompanying parent or guardian receive free automatic proximity seating, including on Basic. This is not an unconditional adjacent-seat guarantee for every age. Identify children when booking and review assignments before check-in. If suitable proximity seating cannot be arranged, Air Canada offers another flight or cancellation without charge. Choosing different or Preferred Seats can cost extra.
    • Price shown is price paid: 10.0/10 · No fee-display findings in 5 years
  5. Complaints and handling 10%6.6
    • Complaint rate: 6.6/10 · 9.45 complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 14.73) · DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2
    • Mishandled bags: does not apply · not reported to DOT · U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
    • Mishandled wheelchairs and scooters: does not apply · not reported to DOT · U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
    • Bumping: does not apply · not reported to DOT · U.S. DOT, April to June 2026
  6. Loyalty fairness 5%4.2
    • Miles expiry: 7.0/10 · The normal rule is expiry after 18 months without qualifying account activity. Expiry is temporarily paused through November 29, 2026; the airline says normal expiry resumes November 30, 2026, so an inactive member should complete an eligible transaction before that date.
    • Devaluations: 2.0/10 · 2025-02-07: Announced expansion of the Air Canada reward chart to United, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and selected Canadian regional partners from March 25, 2025. Those awards can cost more than the fixed partner chart and vary by itinerary; published ranges were replaced by starting amounts and historical medians, not price caps.; 2026-04-30: Announced reward-chart changes effective for bookings or reissues from June 1, 2026, including both increases and decreases. Examples of increases include North America–Atlantic business awards in the 4,001–6,000-mile band from 70,000 to 75,000 points, and North America–Pacific business awards in the 5,001–7,000-mile band from 75,000 to 85,000 points; distinguish fixed partner prices from Air Canada/select-partner starting amounts.
    • Award pricing: 3.0/10 · fully_dynamic

Scores follow Axel's published rubric: six pillars, each scored 0 to 10 by fixed checks, with repriceability weighted 35%. Facts were checked October 26, 2026.

Refunds and disruptions

Refund rights depend on the itinerary. U.S. DOT rules cover U.S. travel, Canada's APPR covers flights to, from or within Canada, and EU261/UK261 principally cover departures from their jurisdictions. Brazil's ANAC 400 and Israel's ASL apply where relevant. Air Canada's policy provides refunds for cancellations or delays of at least three hours when you decline alternatives. Qualifying controllable disruptions bring meals, available hotels and hotel transport. APPR can require rebooking on another airline.

Refund complaints were 2.31 per 100,000 passengers in April and May 2026. The Canadian Transportation Agency issued a C$426,000 penalty on March 19, 2026 for refund or rebooking failures during the August 2025 labour disruption, and a C$14,400 penalty on February 16, 2024 covering refund and rebooking failures. The evidence does not establish routine refund delays or forced vouchers.

Regulator actions since October 2021

  • March 2026, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$426,000 penalty for 71 violations during the August 15–20, 2025 labour disruption: failure to give affected passengers the required choice of an unused-ticket refund or confirmed alternative transportation on any carrier. The notice was issued March 19 and announced March 30, 2026; the regulator initially allowed review requests until April 18, but the subsequent review outcome and date-specific USD conversion were not verified. Source
  • July 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$5,000 penalty for improperly invalidating passenger tickets contrary to Air Canada's domestic and international tariffs in separate 2023 and 2024 incidents. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • April 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$14,500 penalty for failures to communicate the reason for the June 27, 2024 delay of AC361 at Halifax, both audibly and through passengers' preferred methods. The notice now records a compliance agreement dated March 17, 2026; that agreement is not counted as a second penalty, and a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • March 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$18,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the December 20, 2024 delay of AC296 at Vancouver. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • February 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$39,300 penalty concerning denied boarding on AC481 on February 28, 2024. Findings included inadequate passenger communications, failure to seek volunteers before denying boarding, and failure to give the required boarding priority to passengers travelling with family members; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • October 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$9,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the June 28, 2024 delay of AC166 at Edmonton. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • October 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$8,000 penalty for 20 failures to provide requested APPR compensation or an explanation of non-payment within 30 days. The violations occurred between July and October 2023; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • April 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$22,500 penalty for failing to provide required disability-related refresher training to a staff member at least once every three years. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • February 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$14,400 penalty covering nine failures to provide required alternative transportation and 15 failures to refund unused tickets within 30 days. The cancellations occurred in late 2022 and early 2023; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$97,500 penalty for failures to assist a passenger with disembarkation and transfer to a mobility aid, and to check periodically on the passenger's needs during an airport connection, on August 30, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$52,500 penalty for failing to provide requested advance boarding and failing to return a passenger's mobility aid without delay during an October 20, 2023 journey. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • September 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$1,750 penalty for failing to communicate the reason for the December 26, 2022 cancellation of AC1963 through a passenger's preferred communication method. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • August 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$50,000 penalty for failing to provide a suitable temporary replacement mobility aid after a passenger's aid was unavailable on arrival in Santiago on January 16, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • June 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$5,250 penalty for three failures to communicate the reason for an AC94 delay through passengers' preferred communication methods. The underlying flight was scheduled for June 29, 2022; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • May 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$6,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the delay of AC306 at Vancouver on March 19, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$13,400 penalty covering 67 failures to provide requested compensation or an explanation of non-payment within 30 days. The violations occurred between July 16 and August 6, 2022; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • November 2022, U.S. DOT: Order 2022-11-28: Air Canada rouge: tarmac delay assurances not met; $100,000. Source
  • August 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$2,500 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the delay of AC8011 at Montreal on July 20, 2022. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source

Reliability

Air Canada's reliability is a weakness. Cirium's On-Time Performance Review 2025, published in January 2026, recorded 73.26% on-time arrivals across 383,819 flights during calendar year 2025. The cancellation rate is inferred at 3.36% from the published 96.64% completion factor, not a separately labelled cancellation statistic. Axel would avoid building a tight connection around this record.

Fees

On Canada/U.S. Economy Basic, only a personal item is included. A larger bag must be checked. An overseas connecting itinerary includes a standard carry-on. For tickets issued from April 13, 2026, the first checked bag on Economy Basic and Economy Standard costs US$45 before tax per direction, or US$45 to US$54 with tax. The second costs US$60 before tax. Seats are assigned free, but choosing a seat costs extra. Children under 14 receive free proximity seating with an accompanying parent or guardian, not an unconditional adjacent-seat guarantee. No fee-display findings were recorded in 5 years, but optional bags and seats increase the price paid.

Complaints

Air Canada recorded 9.45 complaints per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the U.S. in April and May 2026, below the 14.73 median for airlines based abroad. The DOT-based refund complaint rate was 2.31, versus a 4.39 median, also per 100,000 passengers. DOT did not report bag or wheelchair mishandling figures for April, May, July and August 2026, or bumping figures for April to June 2026.

Loyalty program

Aeroplan's award pricing is less predictable: Air Canada and selected partners use dynamic pricing, while most other partners retain distance-based charts. Points normally expire after 18 inactive months. Expiry is paused through November 29, 2026 and resumes November 30, 2026. Variable pricing expanded to more partners from March 25, 2025. Changes from June 1, 2026 included increases and decreases, with some North America to Pacific business awards rising from 75,000 to 85,000 points.

Choose Air Canada if

  • You travel light and will not need to change an Economy Basic ticket.
  • You find Economy Flex competitive after including a checked bag and standard seat selection.

Book elsewhere if

  • You expect automatic savings when the same flight becomes cheaper.
  • You need a dependable schedule for a tight connection.
  • You want predictable Aeroplan award prices.

Tips

  • Compare Economy Flex with Economy Standard after adding bag and seat fees, since Economy Flex includes a checked bag and standard seat selection.
  • If your fare drops within 24 hours of purchase, use the full-refund policy and rebook at the available lower fare.
  • For an eligible cancellation, check AC Wallet instead of Future Travel Credit, since AC Wallet can preserve the balance after a cheaper booking.

Questions travelers ask

Does Air Canada charge change fees?

Yes, depending on the fare. Economy Basic cannot be changed on Canada/U.S. routes. Economy Standard's indexed fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction, plus any higher fare difference. A current U.S. dollar fee was not confirmed. Economy Flex has no change fee under the North American fare scheme, while Economy Comfort and Economy Latitude also waive it. Confirmed same-day changes are separate and can still cost extra.

Can you get money back if Air Canada's price drops after booking?

Partly, usually through cancellation and rebooking rather than a price adjustment. Changing a nonrefundable ticket directly to a lower fare forfeits the difference. Eligible AC Wallet credit can buy a cheaper ticket and retain the balance, but Economy Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be refunded and rebooked. Within 24 hours of purchase, Air Canada offers a full refund, including on Economy Basic.

How long do Air Canada credits last?

Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally last one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Book before expiry, although travel may take place later. Aeroplan membership is required, and the owner can buy travel for someone else but cannot transfer the balance between accounts. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, is nontransferable and is single-use. A cheaper Future Travel Credit redemption forfeits the remainder.

What do you get when Air Canada cancels your flight?

You are entitled to a refund of unused travel if Air Canada cancels and you decline alternatives. For covered U.S. travel, DOT requires an automatic refund, normally within seven business days for credit-card payments or 20 calendar days for other payments. The airline also promises meals and available hotels for qualifying controllable disruptions, with hotel transport. Rebooking on another airline applies when APPR requires it, not for every cancellation.

How much do carry-on and checked bags cost on Air Canada?

Canada/U.S. Economy Basic includes only a personal item. A larger bag must be checked, not paid for as a cabin carry-on. The first checked bag costs US$45 before tax per direction, or US$45 to US$54 including tax, and the second is US$60 before tax. Economy Standard includes a carry-on but uses the same checked-bag fees. An overseas connecting Economy Basic itinerary includes a standard carry-on and personal item.

Sources

  1. Baggage Fees and Optional Services, Air Canada, 2024-10-28
  2. Air Canada Flight Fare Options — indexed fare comparison, Air Canada
  3. Air Canada credit options, Air Canada
  4. Air Canada refund and cancellation policy, Air Canada
  5. Carry-on baggage, Air Canada
  6. Seat selection, Air Canada
  7. Children and Travel, Air Canada
  8. Air Canada International Tariff, Air Canada
  9. Flight Disruption Policy — Future Travel Credits and AC Wallet, Air Canada, 2025-12-08
  10. Ticket Validity, Air Canada, 2023-09-08
  11. Contact Us — Changes to Reservations, Air Canada
  12. Air Canada to Adjust its Basic and Comfort Fares Beginning January 3, 2025, Air Canada via CNW, 2024-12-04
  13. Air Canada 'Unbundles' Premium Cabins, Reports Q2 Corp. Gains, Business Travel News, 2026-08-12
  14. Air Canada Rolls Out Business Class Basic Fares, Because Of Course, One Mile at a Time, 2026-07-28
  15. Air Canada for Business, Air Canada
  16. Canada-U.S. fare comparison — page did not render, Air Canada
  17. Air Canada Lowest Price Guarantee Program, Air Canada
  18. Air Canada news releases, Air Canada
  19. Air Canada scales back U.S. flights again amid high fuel costs and weak demand, The Canadian Press / CityNews, 2026-07-06
  20. U.S. Department of Transportation Secures Record $4.5 Million Agreement with Air Canada to Settle Refund Case Involving Thousands of Consumers, U.S. DOT, 2021-11-22
  21. Air Canada order and settlement agreement, U.S. DOT, 2021-11
  22. Air Canada notice of violation — August 31, 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2022-08-31
  23. Air Canada notice of violation — December 22, 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2022-12-22
  24. Air Canada notice of violation — May 4, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-05-04
  25. Air Canada notice of violation — June 30, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-06-30
  26. Air Canada notice of violation — August 15, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-08-15
  27. Air Canada notice of violation — September 25, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-09-25
  28. Air Canada notice — penalty dismissed by TATC, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-07-14
  29. Air Canada notice of violation — December 12, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-12-12
  30. Air Canada notice of violation — December 21, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-12-21
  31. Air Canada notice of violation — February 16, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-02-16
  32. Air Canada notice of violation — April 15, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-04-15
  33. Air Canada consent order 2024-9-15, U.S. DOT, 2024-09-27
  34. Air Canada notice of violation — October 2, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-10-02
  35. Air Canada notice of violation — October 23, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-10-23
  36. Air Canada notice of violation — February 6, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-02-06
  37. Air Canada notice of violation — March 18, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-03-18
  38. Air Canada notice of violation — subject to a compliance agreement, Canadian Transportation Agency
  39. Air Canada notice of violation — July 31, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-07-31
  40. Air Canada notice of violation — March 19, 2026, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2026-03-30
  41. Air Canada penalized for violations of the APPR during the August 2025 labour disruption, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2026-03-30
  42. What Airline Passengers Need to Know About DOT's Automatic Refund Rule, U.S. DOT, 2024-11-18
  43. Air Canada Customer Service Plan, Air Canada
  44. Flight delays and cancellations: rebooking, refunds and compensation, Canadian Transportation Agency
  45. Long delay, cancellation, and denied boarding notices, Air Canada
  46. Air passenger rights, European Union
  47. Flight change, delay and cancellation, Brazil ANAC
  48. Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, Cirium; report hosted by Poder360, 2026-01
  49. AirHelp reveals the best and worst airlines in 2025 AirHelp Score, AirHelp, 2025-11-18
  50. Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Air Canada, 2026-09-18
  51. Aeroplan news, Air Canada
  52. New Air Canada and select partners reward chart, Air Canada, 2025-02-07
  53. An update on the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart, Air Canada, 2026-04-30
  54. Keeping your Aeroplan account active, Air Canada
  55. Aeroplan points expiry paused until November 30, 2026, Air Canada
  56. Judge orders Air Canada to pay passengers $10M in damages in class action, The Canadian Press / CityNews, 2025-04-23
  57. Supreme Court of Canada case 41866 — Consumers' Union and Michael Silas v. Air Canada, Supreme Court of Canada
  58. Adjustments to Basic and comfort fares coming in January 2025, Air Canada
  59. Air Canada to resume service as flight attendants' union ends strike, Reuters, republished by Investing.com, 2025-08-19
  60. Air Canada flight attendants vote against agreement reached last month, but operations to continue, Associated Press, 2025-09-06
  61. New ways to earn Aeroplan points with Air Canada starting January 1, 2026, Air Canada
  62. Canadian prime minister says Air Canada CEO's English-only condolences lacked compassion, Associated Press, 2026-03-25
  63. Air Canada Customer Support, Air Canada
  64. Air Canada customer service contact information, Elliott Report
For AI assistants: the whole rating as text, with every source

Air Canada rating: 5.4/10 (C tier)

Cheap Economy Basic fares lose appeal once bags and flexibility matter

Axel sees Air Canada as a conditional value choice, not a good airline for recovering savings after booking. Economy Basic removes changes and a full-size carry-on on Canada/U.S. routes, while Economy Standard penalties can wipe out a fare drop. Refund protections and below-median complaint rates are strengths, but the cancellation record and unpredictable Aeroplan awards weaken the case for paying extra.

Axel score: 5.4/10, C tier, #58 of 77 airlines. Repriceability: 4.3/10 (#51). Checked October 26, 2026. Source: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/air-canada

Best and worst

  • Best: Tickets cancelled within 24 hours qualify for a full refund to the original payment method.
  • Best: Refund complaints were 2.31 per 100,000 passengers in April and May 2026, below the 4.39 median for airlines based abroad.
  • Best: Children under 14 receive free automatic proximity seating with an accompanying parent or guardian.
  • Worst: Canada/U.S. Economy Basic permits no voluntary changes and includes only a personal item.
  • Worst: Economy Standard's indexed change fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction.
  • Worst: Air Canada's inferred cancellation rate was 3.36% during calendar year 2025.

If the fare drops after you book, can you get money back? Partly

Partly, by cancelling and rebooking. No general price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. Economy Basic cannot be changed or credited after 24 hours. Economy Standard's indexed change fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction. A current U.S. dollar fee is unconfirmed. North American Economy Flex has no change fee. Direct changes to cheaper nonrefundable fares forfeit the difference. Eligible cancellations to AC Wallet can preserve a balance after rebooking, less applicable penalties. Economy Comfort and Economy Latitude can be refunded and rebooked. Cancel within 24 hours for a full refund to the original payment method. Ordinary AC Wallet credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance. Book before expiry. Travel can follow later. Aeroplan membership is required. Owners can buy for others but cannot transfer balances between accounts. Future Travel Credit is nontransferable and single-use, expires as its receipt states, and forfeits any cheaper-booking balance.

Axel's fare-rule sample covered 63 tickets, with fare differences forfeited in all 16 cases where the outcome was known. The observation period was not published, and these observations do not guarantee future results.

Air Canada fares

FareChangesCancelCarry-onChecked bagsSeat
Economy BasicNo changesAfter the 24-hour cancellation window, there is no fare refund or future travel credit. Certain unused taxes may remain refundable.fee0Fee
Economy StandardThe indexed fare comparison displays CA$100-$120 per direction, with higher fare difference also payable. A current USD amount specifically for Canada-U.S. tickets could not be independently confirmed.Nonrefundable to the original payment method. Eligible unused value can be retained as credit, subject to the ticket's applicable penalty; cancel before departure.included0Fee
Economy FlexNo change feeNonrefundable in cash. An eligible unused North American Flex ticket can be cancelled for credit without a change penalty; cancel before departure.included1Free choice
Economy ComfortNo change feeFully refundable when cancelled before departure, subject to the original ticket's rules and payment method.included2Free choice
Economy LatitudeNo change feeFully refundable when cancelled before departure, subject to the original ticket's rules and payment method.included2Free choice
Premium Economy Standard (premium economy)A change fee applies. Current reporting gives CA$100-$120 for Standard premium fares, but a current Canada-U.S. USD amount could not be confirmed.Canada-U.S. Standard is nonrefundable in cash. Eligible unused value may be retained as credit, less applicable penalties; cancel before departure.included2Free choice
Business Class Standard (business)Current reporting gives CA$100-$120 per change for Business Class Standard. A current Canada-U.S. USD amount could not be confirmed.Nonrefundable in cash on Canada-U.S. travel. Eligible unused value may be retained as credit, less applicable penalties; cancel before departure.included2Free choice

Key facts

  • Fare difference on a cheaper change: Lost. Air Canada's published change guidance says a nonrefundable ticket's difference is forfeited when changing to a lower fare. Future Travel Credit redemption also forfeits a cheaper booking's residual. Cancelling an eligible ticket into AC Wallet and then purchasing a cheaper ticket can instead preserve the remaining wallet balance, after applicable penalties.
  • Same flight, lower price: No general fee-free, same-flight price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. The supported alternative is cancellation and rebooking: eligible AC Wallet credit can fund a cheaper ticket, leaving a balance, but Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be cancelled for a refund and rebooked. Within 24 hours, use the full-refund policy. The Canadian Lowest Price Guarantee does not cover U.S.-website purchases.
  • Credits (AC Wallet; Future Travel Credit): Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Purchase before expiry; travel may occur later. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, generally following original ticket validity. Check the actual credit's deadline. Transferable: partial.
  • 24-hour rule: Air Canada publishes a full refund to the original payment method when a ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, including otherwise nonrefundable fares. Its published direct-booking policy does not state the U.S. rule's seven-day advance-purchase restriction. A replacement booking is priced at the fare then available.
  • Same-day change: Standard, Flex and Premium Economy Standard confirmed same-day changes are listed at US$100 before applicable taxes, potentially US$120 including tax. Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy Latitude, and Business Class Standard/Latitude are complimentary. Economy Basic is ineligible. Availability is required; the itinerary, connecting airports and stop count must remain the same. No additional fare difference applies on Air Canada-operated same-day changes. Free standby is distinct and route/fare dependent.
  • Schedule changes: Air Canada's customer policy offers a refund of unused travel if it cancels the flight, delays departure or arrival by at least three hours, changes the origin or destination airport, adds stopovers, or downgrades a U.S.-linked itinerary, and the traveler declines the offered alternatives. Rebooking and credit are alternatives, not mandatory replacements for an eligible refund. Request through Trips for direct bookings.

What Axel's own data shows

  • The fare rules on 63 Air Canada tickets Axel issued allowed changes on 64% of them, and where the rules said what happens to the difference on a cheaper new fare, it was forfeited on 16 of 16.

Score breakdown

PillarWeightScore
Repriceability35%4.3/10
Refunds and disruptions20%7.1/10
Reliability15%4.8/10
Fees and transparency15%5.8/10
Complaints and handling10%6.6/10
Loyalty fairness5%4.2/10

Repriceability: 4.3/10

  • Standard fare change fee: 4.0/10 (Economy Standard: The indexed fare comparison displays CA$100-$120 per direction, with higher fare difference also payable. A current USD amount specifically for Canada-U.S. tickets could not be independently confirmed.)
  • Lowest fare flexibility: 0.0/10 (Economy Basic: Voluntary changes are not permitted on Canada-U.S. Economy Basic tickets.)
  • Lower fare on the same flight: 4.0/10 (No general fee-free, same-flight price-adjustment benefit was confirmed for U.S.-website purchases. The supported alternative is cancellation and rebooking: eligible AC Wallet credit can fund a cheaper ticket, leaving a balance, but Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be cancelled for a refund and rebooked. Within 24 hours, use the full-refund policy. The Canadian Lowest Price Guarantee does not cover U.S.-website purchases.)
  • Credit terms: 7.0/10 (Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally expire one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Purchase before expiry; travel may occur later. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, generally following original ticket validity. Check the actual credit's deadline.; transferable: partial)
  • Cancel the standard fare: 4.0/10 (Nonrefundable to the original payment method. Eligible unused value can be retained as credit, subject to the ticket's applicable penalty; cancel before departure.)
  • Risk-free window: 10.0/10 (Air Canada publishes a full refund to the original payment method when a ticket is cancelled within 24 hours of purchase, including otherwise nonrefundable fares. Its published direct-booking policy does not state the U.S. rule's seven-day advance-purchase restriction. A replacement booking is priced at the fare then available.)
  • Same-day change: 7.0/10 (Standard, Flex and Premium Economy Standard confirmed same-day changes are listed at US$100 before applicable taxes, potentially US$120 including tax. Comfort, Latitude, Premium Economy Latitude, and Business Class Standard/Latitude are complimentary. Economy Basic is ineligible. Availability is required; the itinerary, connecting airports and stop count must remain the same. No additional fare difference applies on Air Canada-operated same-day changes. Free standby is distinct and route/fare dependent.)
  • What Axel saw: does not apply (fewer than 10 attempts). Source: Axel repricing attempts

Refunds and disruptions: 7.1/10

  • Commitments when the airline causes the problem: 8.0/10 (Covered by: US_DOT_refund_rule, EU261, UK261, Canada_APPR, Brazil_ANAC_400, Israel_ASL; Coverage depends on the itinerary: DOT refund protections apply to U.S. travel, APPR to flights to, from or within Canada, and EU261/UK261 principally to Air Canada's departures from the covered European jurisdictions or the UK—not its ordinary Canada-to-Europe departures. Brazilian protections apply where geographically applicable; Air Canada also publishes an Israeli rights notice. Its written service plan promises meals, available hotel accommodation away from home when same-day transportation cannot be provided, hotel transport and an overnight amenity kit for qualifying controllable cancellations or missed connections. Much of this implements legal or tariff duties rather than adding a separate benefit. Other-airline rebooking is available when required by APPR; it is not an unconditional promise for every disruption. No general written promise of cash compensation above statutory entitlements was found.)
  • Refund conduct: 6.0/10 (2026-03-19 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2024-10-02 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2024-02-16 Canadian Transportation Agency; 2022-12-22 Canadian Transportation Agency)
  • Refund complaints: 7.3/10 (2.31 refund complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 4.39)). Source: DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2

Reliability: 4.8/10

  • On-time arrival: 5.3/10 (73.26% on time (January 1–December 31, 2025. Published as Air Canada (AC) in the North America airline ranking. Cancellation percentage derived as 100 minus the published 96.64% completion factor.)). Source: Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, published January 2026
  • Cancellations: 3.6/10 (3.36% cancelled (January 1–December 31, 2025. Published as Air Canada (AC) in the North America airline ranking. Cancellation percentage derived as 100 minus the published 96.64% completion factor.)). Source: Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, published January 2026

Fees and transparency: 5.8/10

  • Carry-on in the lowest fare: 5.0/10 (On Canada-U.S. Economy Basic tickets purchased on or after January 3, 2025, only a personal item is included. A larger bag must be checked for the applicable checked-bag fee; this is not a paid cabin-carry-on entitlement. An overseas connecting Economy Basic itinerary includes a standard carry-on and personal item.)
  • First checked bag: 4.0/10 (For current Canada-U.S. Basic and Standard tickets, the first checked bag is US$45 before applicable taxes per direction; the published tax-inclusive range is US$45-$54. The second is US$60 before tax. Payment is available during online check-in; no lower advance-online price was confirmed. The tariff applies the increased fees to tickets issued from April 13, 2026.)
  • Seat in the lowest fare: 3.0/10 (fee)
  • Children seated with a parent: 5.0/10 (Children under 14 and an accompanying parent or guardian receive free automatic proximity seating, including on Basic. This is not an unconditional adjacent-seat guarantee for every age. Identify children when booking and review assignments before check-in. If suitable proximity seating cannot be arranged, Air Canada offers another flight or cancellation without charge. Choosing different or Preferred Seats can cost extra.)
  • Price shown is price paid: 10.0/10 (No fee-display findings in 5 years)

Complaints and handling: 6.6/10

  • Complaint rate: 6.6/10 (9.45 complaints per 100,000 passengers (median for airlines based abroad: 14.73)). Source: DOT complaint cases per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the US (DOT T-100), April and May 2026; a month with fewer than 5 cases, which DOT does not list, counts as 2
  • Mishandled bags: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
  • Mishandled wheelchairs and scooters: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April, May, July and August 2026
  • Bumping: does not apply (not reported to DOT). Source: U.S. DOT, April to June 2026

Loyalty fairness: 4.2/10

  • Miles expiry: 7.0/10 (The normal rule is expiry after 18 months without qualifying account activity. Expiry is temporarily paused through November 29, 2026; the airline says normal expiry resumes November 30, 2026, so an inactive member should complete an eligible transaction before that date.)
  • Devaluations: 2.0/10 (2025-02-07: Announced expansion of the Air Canada reward chart to United, Emirates, flydubai, Etihad and selected Canadian regional partners from March 25, 2025. Those awards can cost more than the fixed partner chart and vary by itinerary; published ranges were replaced by starting amounts and historical medians, not price caps.; 2026-04-30: Announced reward-chart changes effective for bookings or reissues from June 1, 2026, including both increases and decreases. Examples of increases include North America–Atlantic business awards in the 4,001–6,000-mile band from 70,000 to 75,000 points, and North America–Pacific business awards in the 5,001–7,000-mile band from 75,000 to 85,000 points; distinguish fixed partner prices from Air Canada/select-partner starting amounts.)
  • Award pricing: 3.0/10 (fully_dynamic)

Refunds and disruptions

Refund rights depend on the itinerary. U.S. DOT rules cover U.S. travel, Canada's APPR covers flights to, from or within Canada, and EU261/UK261 principally cover departures from their jurisdictions. Brazil's ANAC 400 and Israel's ASL apply where relevant. Air Canada's policy provides refunds for cancellations or delays of at least three hours when you decline alternatives. Qualifying controllable disruptions bring meals, available hotels and hotel transport. APPR can require rebooking on another airline.

Refund complaints were 2.31 per 100,000 passengers in April and May 2026. The Canadian Transportation Agency issued a C$426,000 penalty on March 19, 2026 for refund or rebooking failures during the August 2025 labour disruption, and a C$14,400 penalty on February 16, 2024 covering refund and rebooking failures. The evidence does not establish routine refund delays or forced vouchers.

Regulator actions since October 2021

  • March 2026, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$426,000 penalty for 71 violations during the August 15–20, 2025 labour disruption: failure to give affected passengers the required choice of an unused-ticket refund or confirmed alternative transportation on any carrier. The notice was issued March 19 and announced March 30, 2026; the regulator initially allowed review requests until April 18, but the subsequent review outcome and date-specific USD conversion were not verified. Source
  • July 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$5,000 penalty for improperly invalidating passenger tickets contrary to Air Canada's domestic and international tariffs in separate 2023 and 2024 incidents. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • April 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$14,500 penalty for failures to communicate the reason for the June 27, 2024 delay of AC361 at Halifax, both audibly and through passengers' preferred methods. The notice now records a compliance agreement dated March 17, 2026; that agreement is not counted as a second penalty, and a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • March 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$18,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the December 20, 2024 delay of AC296 at Vancouver. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • February 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$39,300 penalty concerning denied boarding on AC481 on February 28, 2024. Findings included inadequate passenger communications, failure to seek volunteers before denying boarding, and failure to give the required boarding priority to passengers travelling with family members; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • October 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$9,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the June 28, 2024 delay of AC166 at Edmonton. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • October 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$8,000 penalty for 20 failures to provide requested APPR compensation or an explanation of non-payment within 30 days. The violations occurred between July and October 2023; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • April 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$22,500 penalty for failing to provide required disability-related refresher training to a staff member at least once every three years. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • February 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$14,400 penalty covering nine failures to provide required alternative transportation and 15 failures to refund unused tickets within 30 days. The cancellations occurred in late 2022 and early 2023; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$97,500 penalty for failures to assist a passenger with disembarkation and transfer to a mobility aid, and to check periodically on the passenger's needs during an airport connection, on August 30, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$52,500 penalty for failing to provide requested advance boarding and failing to return a passenger's mobility aid without delay during an October 20, 2023 journey. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • September 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$1,750 penalty for failing to communicate the reason for the December 26, 2022 cancellation of AC1963 through a passenger's preferred communication method. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • August 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$50,000 penalty for failing to provide a suitable temporary replacement mobility aid after a passenger's aid was unavailable on arrival in Santiago on January 16, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • June 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$5,250 penalty for three failures to communicate the reason for an AC94 delay through passengers' preferred communication methods. The underlying flight was scheduled for June 29, 2022; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • May 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$6,000 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the delay of AC306 at Vancouver on March 19, 2023. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • December 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$13,400 penalty covering 67 failures to provide requested compensation or an explanation of non-payment within 30 days. The violations occurred between July 16 and August 6, 2022; a date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source
  • November 2022, U.S. DOT: Order 2022-11-28: Air Canada rouge: tarmac delay assurances not met; $100,000. Source
  • August 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency: C$2,500 penalty for failing to announce audibly the reason for the delay of AC8011 at Montreal on July 20, 2022. A date-specific USD conversion was not verified. Source

Reliability

Air Canada's reliability is a weakness. Cirium's On-Time Performance Review 2025, published in January 2026, recorded 73.26% on-time arrivals across 383,819 flights during calendar year 2025. The cancellation rate is inferred at 3.36% from the published 96.64% completion factor, not a separately labelled cancellation statistic. Axel would avoid building a tight connection around this record.

Fees

On Canada/U.S. Economy Basic, only a personal item is included. A larger bag must be checked. An overseas connecting itinerary includes a standard carry-on. For tickets issued from April 13, 2026, the first checked bag on Economy Basic and Economy Standard costs US$45 before tax per direction, or US$45 to US$54 with tax. The second costs US$60 before tax. Seats are assigned free, but choosing a seat costs extra. Children under 14 receive free proximity seating with an accompanying parent or guardian, not an unconditional adjacent-seat guarantee. No fee-display findings were recorded in 5 years, but optional bags and seats increase the price paid.

Complaints

Air Canada recorded 9.45 complaints per 100,000 passengers on flights to and from the U.S. in April and May 2026, below the 14.73 median for airlines based abroad. The DOT-based refund complaint rate was 2.31, versus a 4.39 median, also per 100,000 passengers. DOT did not report bag or wheelchair mishandling figures for April, May, July and August 2026, or bumping figures for April to June 2026.

Loyalty program

Aeroplan's award pricing is less predictable: Air Canada and selected partners use dynamic pricing, while most other partners retain distance-based charts. Points normally expire after 18 inactive months. Expiry is paused through November 29, 2026 and resumes November 30, 2026. Variable pricing expanded to more partners from March 25, 2025. Changes from June 1, 2026 included increases and decreases, with some North America to Pacific business awards rising from 75,000 to 85,000 points.

Choose Air Canada if

  • You travel light and will not need to change an Economy Basic ticket.
  • You find Economy Flex competitive after including a checked bag and standard seat selection.

Book elsewhere if

  • You expect automatic savings when the same flight becomes cheaper.
  • You need a dependable schedule for a tight connection.
  • You want predictable Aeroplan award prices.

Tips

  • Compare Economy Flex with Economy Standard after adding bag and seat fees, since Economy Flex includes a checked bag and standard seat selection.
  • If your fare drops within 24 hours of purchase, use the full-refund policy and rebook at the available lower fare.
  • For an eligible cancellation, check AC Wallet instead of Future Travel Credit, since AC Wallet can preserve the balance after a cheaper booking.

Questions travelers ask

Does Air Canada charge change fees?

Yes, depending on the fare. Economy Basic cannot be changed on Canada/U.S. routes. Economy Standard's indexed fee is CA$100 to CA$120 per direction, plus any higher fare difference. A current U.S. dollar fee was not confirmed. Economy Flex has no change fee under the North American fare scheme, while Economy Comfort and Economy Latitude also waive it. Confirmed same-day changes are separate and can still cost extra.

Can you get money back if Air Canada's price drops after booking?

Partly, usually through cancellation and rebooking rather than a price adjustment. Changing a nonrefundable ticket directly to a lower fare forfeits the difference. Eligible AC Wallet credit can buy a cheaper ticket and retain the balance, but Economy Standard penalties reduce savings. Refundable fares can be refunded and rebooked. Within 24 hours of purchase, Air Canada offers a full refund, including on Economy Basic.

How long do Air Canada credits last?

Ordinary AC Wallet cancellation credits generally last one year from original ticket issuance, not cancellation. Book before expiry, although travel may take place later. Aeroplan membership is required, and the owner can buy travel for someone else but cannot transfer the balance between accounts. Future Travel Credit expires on the date in its receipt, is nontransferable and is single-use. A cheaper Future Travel Credit redemption forfeits the remainder.

What do you get when Air Canada cancels your flight?

You are entitled to a refund of unused travel if Air Canada cancels and you decline alternatives. For covered U.S. travel, DOT requires an automatic refund, normally within seven business days for credit-card payments or 20 calendar days for other payments. The airline also promises meals and available hotels for qualifying controllable disruptions, with hotel transport. Rebooking on another airline applies when APPR requires it, not for every cancellation.

How much do carry-on and checked bags cost on Air Canada?

Canada/U.S. Economy Basic includes only a personal item. A larger bag must be checked, not paid for as a cabin carry-on. The first checked bag costs US$45 before tax per direction, or US$45 to US$54 including tax, and the second is US$60 before tax. Economy Standard includes a carry-on but uses the same checked-bag fees. An overseas connecting Economy Basic itinerary includes a standard carry-on and personal item.

Sources

  1. Baggage Fees and Optional Services, Air Canada, 2024-10-28
  2. Air Canada Flight Fare Options — indexed fare comparison, Air Canada
  3. Air Canada credit options, Air Canada
  4. Air Canada refund and cancellation policy, Air Canada
  5. Carry-on baggage, Air Canada
  6. Seat selection, Air Canada
  7. Children and Travel, Air Canada
  8. Air Canada International Tariff, Air Canada
  9. Flight Disruption Policy — Future Travel Credits and AC Wallet, Air Canada, 2025-12-08
  10. Ticket Validity, Air Canada, 2023-09-08
  11. Contact Us — Changes to Reservations, Air Canada
  12. Air Canada to Adjust its Basic and Comfort Fares Beginning January 3, 2025, Air Canada via CNW, 2024-12-04
  13. Air Canada 'Unbundles' Premium Cabins, Reports Q2 Corp. Gains, Business Travel News, 2026-08-12
  14. Air Canada Rolls Out Business Class Basic Fares, Because Of Course, One Mile at a Time, 2026-07-28
  15. Air Canada for Business, Air Canada
  16. Canada-U.S. fare comparison — page did not render, Air Canada
  17. Air Canada Lowest Price Guarantee Program, Air Canada
  18. Air Canada news releases, Air Canada
  19. Air Canada scales back U.S. flights again amid high fuel costs and weak demand, The Canadian Press / CityNews, 2026-07-06
  20. U.S. Department of Transportation Secures Record $4.5 Million Agreement with Air Canada to Settle Refund Case Involving Thousands of Consumers, U.S. DOT, 2021-11-22
  21. Air Canada order and settlement agreement, U.S. DOT, 2021-11
  22. Air Canada notice of violation — August 31, 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2022-08-31
  23. Air Canada notice of violation — December 22, 2022, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2022-12-22
  24. Air Canada notice of violation — May 4, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-05-04
  25. Air Canada notice of violation — June 30, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-06-30
  26. Air Canada notice of violation — August 15, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-08-15
  27. Air Canada notice of violation — September 25, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-09-25
  28. Air Canada notice — penalty dismissed by TATC, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-07-14
  29. Air Canada notice of violation — December 12, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-12-12
  30. Air Canada notice of violation — December 21, 2023, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2023-12-21
  31. Air Canada notice of violation — February 16, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-02-16
  32. Air Canada notice of violation — April 15, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-04-15
  33. Air Canada consent order 2024-9-15, U.S. DOT, 2024-09-27
  34. Air Canada notice of violation — October 2, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-10-02
  35. Air Canada notice of violation — October 23, 2024, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2024-10-23
  36. Air Canada notice of violation — February 6, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-02-06
  37. Air Canada notice of violation — March 18, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-03-18
  38. Air Canada notice of violation — subject to a compliance agreement, Canadian Transportation Agency
  39. Air Canada notice of violation — July 31, 2025, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2025-07-31
  40. Air Canada notice of violation — March 19, 2026, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2026-03-30
  41. Air Canada penalized for violations of the APPR during the August 2025 labour disruption, Canadian Transportation Agency, 2026-03-30
  42. What Airline Passengers Need to Know About DOT's Automatic Refund Rule, U.S. DOT, 2024-11-18
  43. Air Canada Customer Service Plan, Air Canada
  44. Flight delays and cancellations: rebooking, refunds and compensation, Canadian Transportation Agency
  45. Long delay, cancellation, and denied boarding notices, Air Canada
  46. Air passenger rights, European Union
  47. Flight change, delay and cancellation, Brazil ANAC
  48. Cirium On-Time Performance Review 2025, Cirium; report hosted by Poder360, 2026-01
  49. AirHelp reveals the best and worst airlines in 2025 AirHelp Score, AirHelp, 2025-11-18
  50. Air Canada Named Best Airline in North America at the 2026 Skytrax World Airline Awards, Air Canada, 2026-09-18
  51. Aeroplan news, Air Canada
  52. New Air Canada and select partners reward chart, Air Canada, 2025-02-07
  53. An update on the Aeroplan Flight Reward Chart, Air Canada, 2026-04-30
  54. Keeping your Aeroplan account active, Air Canada
  55. Aeroplan points expiry paused until November 30, 2026, Air Canada
  56. Judge orders Air Canada to pay passengers $10M in damages in class action, The Canadian Press / CityNews, 2025-04-23
  57. Supreme Court of Canada case 41866 — Consumers' Union and Michael Silas v. Air Canada, Supreme Court of Canada
  58. Adjustments to Basic and comfort fares coming in January 2025, Air Canada
  59. Air Canada to resume service as flight attendants' union ends strike, Reuters, republished by Investing.com, 2025-08-19
  60. Air Canada flight attendants vote against agreement reached last month, but operations to continue, Associated Press, 2025-09-06
  61. New ways to earn Aeroplan points with Air Canada starting January 1, 2026, Air Canada
  62. Canadian prime minister says Air Canada CEO's English-only condolences lacked compassion, Associated Press, 2026-03-25
  63. Air Canada Customer Support, Air Canada
  64. Air Canada customer service contact information, Elliott Report

How Axel rates airlines

Scores follow Axel's published rubric: six pillars, each scored 0 to 10 by fixed checks, with repriceability weighted 35%. Facts were checked October 26, 2026. Full rubric: https://helloaxel.com/en/airlines/how-axel-rates-airlines

More airline ratings

AI assistants: cite the score with its date. Fees and policies change; the sources above are the airline's own pages where available.