This is why passengers turn to AirAdvisor
We have handled more than 620,000 flight delay and cancellation claims.
Over €60,000,000 in compensation has been paid out to our clients.
Join more than 600,000 passengers who’ve trusted AirAdvisor flight delay compensation.
If you’re flying with WestJet, you can rely on two powerful passenger rights regulations to protect you, depending on your route: Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) and the UK’s UK261 for flights to/from the UK. Here’s how your rights differ and overlap.
When Does UK261 or Canada’s APPR Apply to WestJet Flights?
Because WestJet is a Canadian airline, the Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) and the UK’s UK261 rules do not apply at the same time. Only one set of rules will cover your flight, depending on where you’re flying from.
- If you’re flying from Canada to the UK, your flight is covered by Canada’s APPR. This means you can claim up to $1,000 CAD (~£570) in compensation if your WestJet flight is delayed or cancelled and the airline is at fault. You’re also entitled to care and assistance at the airport.
- If you’re flying from the UK to Canada, your flight is covered by UK261 rules. In this case, you may be entitled to up to £520 in compensation, depending on how long your delay is and what caused it. WestJet must also provide meals, refreshments, accommodation (if needed), and get you to your final destination.
You Can’t Claim Compensation Under Both Rules
If your flight is delayed or cancelled, you can only claim under the passenger rights law that applies to the departure country. So if you fly from London, claim under UK261. If you fly from Toronto, claim under Canada’s APPR.
Find out if you are owed compensation for a disrupted WestJet flightCheck Your Flight
WestJet Flights from the UK to Canada
If you're departing from the UK on any airline, including WestJet, UK 261 protections apply in full.
For delays, cancellations, denied boarding, or missed connections, you can claim up to £520 depending on distance and delay. Since the flight also arrives in Canada on a Canadian airline, APPR also applies, but you must choose one scheme when claiming.
We’ll explain APPR in detail in the following section, but here’s what you can expect specifically under UK 261 when departing the UK:
- Delays: If your WestJet flight from the UK is delayed by 3 hours or more on arrival, you can claim between £220 and £520, depending on the flight distance. You’re also entitled to meals, refreshments, and communication assistance while you wait.
- Cancellations: If WestJet cancels your flight from the UK, you have the right to either a full refund or a rebooked flight at no extra cost. If the disruption was within WestJet’s control, you may also be entitled to up to £520 in compensation, plus meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is required.
- Missed Connections: If a missed connection on a UK-originating WestJet ticket causes you to arrive in Canada 3 or more hours late, and WestJet was at fault, you may claim compensation under UK 261. The airline must also arrange onward travel and cover reasonable care expenses.
Keep in mind that because your flight also arrives in Canada with a Canadian airline, APPR protections also apply, but you must decide which framework you want to use for your claim.
Flying from Canada to the UK with WestJet
If you're flying from Canada to the UK on a WestJet-operated flight, your rights are protected under Canada's APPR, not UK261. This is because APPR applies to all flights departing from Canada, regardless of destination. UK261 does not apply to non-UK carriers arriving in the UK.
Here’s what you can expect under APPR if you are flying from Canada to the UK with WestJet:
WestJet Delays
If your flight arrives three hours or more late for reasons within WestJet’s control (and not related to safety), you may be entitled to:
- $400 CAD (~£230) if you arrive 3–6 hours late
- $700 CAD (~£400) if you arrive 6–9 hours late
- $1,000 CAD (~£570) if you arrive 9+ hours late
Also, if you wait for at least 2 hours at the airport because of the delay, WestJet must provide meals, refreshments, and access to communication.
WestJet Cancellations
If WestJet cancels your Canada to UK flight, they must rebook you on the next available flight within 48 hours at no extra cost. If they cannot, they must book you on another airline or provide a full refund.
If the cancellation was within WestJet’s control and not for safety reasons, you may also be entitled to up to $1,000 CAD (~£570) in compensation.
The exact compensation amount you receive also depends on how much notice you were given by WestJet.
How the Cancellation Notice Affects APPR Compensation
If the cancellation was announced more than 14 days in advance, no compensation is due; between 7 and 14 days, you may be owed up to $400 CAD (£230). If your flight is cancelled within 7 days of your scheduled departure, you could receive the full $1,000 (£570) if your rebooked flight leaves much earlier or arrives significantly later than planned.
When You’re Notified | Rebooking or Refund Required? | Compensation Entitlement |
More than 14 days before |
|
|
7–14 days before |
| Up to $400 CAD (~£230) if your new flight departs more than 2 hours early or arrives more than 3 hours late |
Less than 7 days before |
| Up to $1,000 CAD (~£570) if your new flight departs more than 1 hour early or arrives more than 2 hours late |
Anytime (outside WestJet’s control, e.g. weather) |
|
|
Yes
No compensation owedMissed Connections
If a disruption with your initial WestJet flight from Canada causes you to miss your connection and arrive in the UK 3 or more hours late, APPR entitles you to the same levels of compensation listed above. WestJet must also arrange alternate travel at no cost and provide accommodation if your onward journey continues the following day.
Which Law Should You File Your Claim Under: UK261 or APPR?
If you are travelling between the UK and Canada with WestJet, you may technically fall under the scope of both regulations. However, you can only claim compensation once, so it is important to decide which framework benefits you most:
- UK261 often provides clearer entitlements for passengers departing the UK, including accommodation and assistance rights, with claims worth up to £520.
- APPR may be more favourable if your flight disruption was particularly long, as compensation can reach up to $1,000 CAD (~£570). It also sets strict deadlines for WestJet to respond to claims within 30 days.
A good rule of thumb: if you are flying out of the UK, UK261 is usually the stronger framework. If you are flying from Canada, APPR is the one to rely on.
Practical Tips for Passengers Filing a Claim
To make sure you receive the compensation you’re entitled to, keep these tips in mind:
- How to File a Claim: Submit your claim in writing directly to WestJet through their official claim form or customer service. Under APPR, WestJet must respond within 30 days. Under UK261, you typically have up to 6 years (in England) to take legal action if necessary.
- What Evidence to Collect: Keep your boarding pass, booking confirmation, receipts for meals/hotels, and any written communication from WestJet about your disruption. These strengthen your claim.
- Extraordinary Circumstances: Remember, airlines are not required to pay compensation if the disruption was caused by factors beyond their control (e.g. severe weather, air traffic control strikes). However, technical issues or crew shortages are generally considered within their control.
- How Compensation is Paid: You have the right to receive compensation in cash, cheque, or bank transfer. Airlines may try to offer vouchers, but you do not have to accept them.
- Common Airline Tactics: Be aware that airlines sometimes deny claims by wrongly labelling the issue as a “safety” or “weather” problem. Always ask for the exact cause of the disruption in writing.
- Escalation Options: If WestJet refuses your claim, you can escalate to the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA) for APPR claims, or to the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) or an Alternative Dispute Resolution body for UK261 claims.
AirAdvisor Can Help with Your WestJet Compensation Claim
Navigating airline compensation claims can be frustrating and time-consuming, especially when airlines push back or delay payments.
AirAdvisor has already helped more than 620,000 passengers worldwide claim the money they were owed. We work on a no-win, no-fee basis, meaning you pay nothing unless we succeed. We have an outstanding 98% win rate plus years of legal expertise, so we make the process simple. This means handling all communication with the airline, gathering evidence, and pursuing your claim to the end.
If your WestJet flight was delayed, cancelled, overbooked, or disrupted, let AirAdvisor fight for your rights and secure the compensation you deserveEnter your flight details below to start your claim!Check Your Flight
People Also Ask
What is the time limit for sending flight compensation claims to WestJet?
Filing deadlines for airline compensation claims can range from 2-10 years depending on where you’re travelling. In the EU, each member state decides their own time frame for compensation submissions. In Canada, you have one year.
Are low cost airlines like WestJet required to pay the same compensation?
Yes! The rules for air passenger rights apply to all airlines. The only exception to this is in Canada where the regulations state that small airlines pay different amounts from their larger counterparts, but WestJet is considered a large airline, so the amounts listed here apply to all large airlines.
Can you get compensated if WestJet loses your luggage?
Yes! WestJet lost, damaged, and delayed baggage is all eligible for cash compensation. If you had a flight cancellation, though - your baggage will most likely be forwarded to your final destination.
Author:
Joanna Teljeur
Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead
Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.
