Slater Vecchio LLP announces that the Québec Superior Court has authorized a class action against Air Canada relating to flight delays caused by staffing shortages that the airline classified as safety-related or beyond its control.
In reasons for judgment issued on January 13th, 2026, the Court authorized the class action allowing the case to proceed on the plaintiff’s claim that staffing shortages — including flight crew shortages— are within an airline’s control and fall within the carrier’s operational responsibility under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Notably, the plaintiff’s claim includes allegations that Air Canada implemented a corporate policy of classifying staffing-related delays as safety-related, potentially depriving passengers of compensation to which they may be entitled.
The class action represents passengers who, between December 15, 2019, and August 7, 2022, arrived at their final destination at a minimum of three hours late on Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge, or Air Canada Express flights, when the delay was attributed to staffing issues or shortages.
The class action seeks, among other things, payment of the compensation provided for in the APPR for the inconvenience suffered, as well as interest and additional compensation provided for by law.
“This decision is an important step to providing access to justice to these passengers, and the class action is a vehicle through which these class members may now seek access to justice,” said Saro Turner, partner at Slater Vecchio LLP. “We will continue to champion the rights of air travel passengers.”
None of the plaintiff’s allegations have been proven in Court.
For more information or to sign up for updates in this class action, please visit our website at slatervecchio.com/class-action/air-canada-flights-class-action/.