New regulations compelling airlines to reimburse passengers for damaged luggage and flight bumping come into effect today.
Airlines are required to promptly update passengers about their rights should their flight be cancelled or delayed.
Travellers can receive up to $2,400 if bumped from a flight and as much as $2,100 for lost or damaged luggage.
In the event of a tarmac delay, the plane must now return to the gate after no more than three hours and 45 minutes.
That particular issue was highlighted after a 2017 incident in which two Montreal-bound Air Transat jets were diverted to Ottawa because of bad weather and held on the tarmac for up to six hours.
That led to some passengers calling 911 for rescue.
The new rules have been met with blowback from both industry and consumer rights advocates.
Air Canada and Porter Airlines Inc are among the carriers asking the Federal Court of Appeal to quash the new rules, which they say violate international standards.
Passenger rights advocates say the rules do not go far enough, arguing the criteria for monetary compensation are difficult for passengers to meet as they would have to present evidence that is typically in the hands of an airline.
Compensation of up to $1,000 for delays and other payments for cancelled flights will take effect in December.
