Travel question of the day: Simon Calder on compensation for a flight from Canada

Have a travel question that needs answering? Ask our expert Simon Calder

There is no automatic right to compensation on flights from Toronto on non-EU airlines

Q I have recently travelled on Air Transat from Toronto to Gatwick. The plane was over four hours late leaving Toronto and arrived at Gatwick around 2.30pm next day instead of 10am. I have written to Air Transat about the delay, asking for compensation, but they have sent me an email stating that they will not pay any compensation. Is this correct?

Peter Coleman, Brighton

A Air Transat has a good track record flying to and from the UK. It is a long-established Canadian airline - and in terms of your entitlement to compensation, the clue is in that term “Canadian”.

The European Union stipulates compensation payments for flights that arrive at their destination at least three hours late. But these apply only to flights from EU airports or on board an EU airline. So your case doesn’t count.

If you can demonstrate some tangible financial loss, then Air Transat may owe you compensation under the terms of the Montreal Convention, which governs air travel worldwide. When I had a three-day delay with the airline, and lost earnings as a result, I successfully made a modest claim. But if it was merely inconvenient and annoying rather than financially costly, then I fear all you can do is put it down to experience - and perhaps opt for an EU airline next time.

Every day, our travel correspondent, Simon Calder, tackles a reader’s question. Just email yours to s@hols.tv or tweet @simoncalder