Canada

They need to significantly increase the maximum fine for something like this and should restrict the definition of "out of the airline's control".

Unscheduled maintenance is entirely the airline's fault unless they can prove that they have been following proper maintenance schedules and can document the fault.

Airport logistical delays should have the airline seek compensation from the airport, not from denying compensation to us.

The cause of delays should be publicly available. Everyone should be submitting forms for this because this Air Canada is a joke right now.

How about this? I give you my credit card details. You put the charge through when I get to my destination with my luggage. Have completely separate charges for passenger vs freight if it makes you feel good. Hell, put a 10% non-refundable deposit on up front for all I care.

Basically everything works on payment after service, so why not airlines?

I think the switch looks good but only time will tell how easily these large corporations can find loopholes. Still, it sounds to me (as a person uneducated in these matters) that requiring proof of completely out-of-control circumstances could improve matters.

The first time I experienced an airline lying was around 2000. Halifax to Toronto, with a stop over in Montreal. Flight was delayed due to bad weather in Montreal, and you could assume it might be because it was march. However, when they kept extending the delay, I decided to use a payphone to call my friend in Montreal. He said the weather was sunny and clear, no sign of snow. After a few more hours, I said f it. I'm just going to drive. A few other passengers heard my change of plans while I was on the payphone, and asked dif they paid for gas if they could join.

Car full, we took turns doing the drive, getting to Toronto without a single snowfall encountered.

The airline eventually cancelled the flight, and tried their hardest to deny refunds saying it was due to bad weather in Montreal. I pushed for a refund but it was a pain in the ass and involved writing to them saying I drove instead and weather wasn't an issue.

What always pissed me off the most about it was there was an elderly woman who was counting on that flight to celebrate her 90th(?) Birthday with her twin sister in Hamilton the following day.

Airlines in Canada have been fucking us passengers around for far too long.

Edit: I wonder how more efficient they would be if the government sent them a bill for having to process a legitimate complaint, that was deemed valid and the airline had to pay back the passenger. Something like a contingency fee but directed at the airline for each valid complaint/resolution.

As much as I would like any of this to change their behaviour, the fact is that when they lose money the government will top them up each and every time, using our money.