Canada

Canada has one of the largest aviation systems in the world, given its size. Passenger rights are enforced by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA), an independent administrative tribunal, and are set out in the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), in force since 2019. Canadian aviation is operated mainly by airlines such as Air Canada, WestJet and Porter Airlines, and aviation safety is overseen by Transport Canada.

• eTA (Electronic Travel Authorization): required for visa-exempt travellers arriving by air (for example, citizens of many European countries). It is requested on the Government of Canada website, costs CAD 7 and is valid for up to 5 years or until the passport expires.
• Visitor visa (TRV): for nationalities without an exemption. Some visa-required nationals can use the eTA instead when flying, if they held a Canadian visa in the last 10 years or hold a valid US non-immigrant visa: check your case on the official site.
• Passport: must be valid for the whole stay.
• ArriveCAN: the official app lets you submit the customs declaration in advance (Advance Declaration) at some airports, which speeds up arrival; it is optional.

The APPR establishes compensation based on the size of the airline (Large or Small) and the duration of the delay.

• Delays and Cancellations: If the delay is avoidable and within the airline's control, compensation ranges from $400 (3-6h), $700 (6-9h) to $1,000 (more than 9h).
• Assistance: when the delay is within the airline's control (including for safety reasons), after 2 hours it must provide food, drink and a means of communication and, if an overnight stay is needed, a hotel and transport. These duties do not apply in situations outside its control, such as bad weather.
• Denied Boarding (Bumping): If involuntary, the passenger is entitled to immediate compensation, the amount of which depends on the arrival time at the final destination, ranging from $900 to $2,400 CAD.
• Refunds: In the event of a cancellation where rebooking does not occur within 48 hours, the passenger is entitled to a full refund of the unused portion of the ticket.

There is no federal law mandating free checked baggage; this is a commercial aspect defined by the specific fare purchased.

• Carry-on Baggage: Airlines must clearly publish their policies. Generally, one personal item and one standard carry-on bag are permitted.
• Damaged/Lost Baggage: Canada follows the Montreal Convention. The liability limit for lost or damaged baggage on international and domestic flights is approximately 1,519 Special Drawing Rights (SDR) per passenger. Claims must be submitted in writing immediately after the issue is discovered.

The entry of animals (dogs and cats) is regulated by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency (CFIA).

• Vaccination: It is mandatory to present a rabies vaccination certificate, issued in English or French, containing the animal's description, vaccination date, and the vaccine manufacturer/serial number.
• Microchip: Although not mandatory for domestic dogs, it is highly recommended for identification purposes.
• Inspection: Animals are subject to border inspection for a fee. Service dogs (trained) have specific exemptions and must be notified in advance.

• Unaccompanied Minors: Each airline has its own policy (generally allowing children from age 8, with additional fees). Completing the Unaccompanied Minor form is mandatory.
• Consent Letter: it is not required by law, but the Canadian government recommends that children travelling outside Canada alone, with only one parent or guardian, with relatives or friends, or in a group carry a consent letter from those not travelling with them (ideally signed in front of a notary), because immigration officers, airlines or other officials may ask for it.

Canada has the Accessible Canada Act (2019) and its own rules for accessible transportation.

• Assistance: Persons with reduced mobility are entitled to free assistance at terminals and on aircraft (boarding, deplaning, and wheelchair assistance).
• Support person: on domestic flights, large airlines may not charge for the extra seat of a support person needed because of a disability (the “one person, one fare” rule); on international flights, it depends on the airline's policy.

• Canadian Transportation Agency (Passenger Rights): https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/air-passenger-protection-regulations
• Transport Canada (Aviation Rules): https://tc.canada.ca/en/aviation
• Government of Canada (Visas and eTA): https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/visit-canada.html
• Canadian Food Inspection Agency (Pets): https://inspection.canada.ca/en/importing-food-plants-animals/pets
• Consent Letter for Minors: https://travel.gc.ca/travelling/children/consent-letter