I am reposting a thread that was put was put in in the wrong thread earlier this week. I want to know if I am right about this.

Last week my AA flight from YUL went MX. It was the last flight of the day so we were all rebooked onto AC three hours later.

I had a paid business class ticket and was offered economy only. The supervisor I dealt with would not budge. I had to get the station manager involved. I made a point of being very patient and took a seat while the station manager dealt with a very aggressive passenger who demanded his family be upgraded and had to be calmed. Eventually the station manager came to see me, thanked me for my patience a and me it costs them a lot of money but she would book me in business class. I am under the impression that they are required to do so anyway whoever possible.

This is what I found when I looked up the CTA website under " rebooking and refunds".


"When a flight is cancelled, or once a delay reaches 3 hours, an airline " MUST"also offer alternate travel arrangements in the same class of service and using a reasonable route. The airline must rebook the passenger on the next available flight operated by them or an airline with which they have a commercial agreement."

It also mentions that when the delay is within the airline's control if they can't get you out with nine hours they must rebook on ANY airline.

To me the word " must " implies a legal obligation, meaning they are breaking the law if the don't comply.

I got so much negative replies telling me no law exists when I found the requirements just by looking it up.

What I am curious about is why an airline who got paid for business class would want to downgrade a passenger, especially of it would be unlawful. I don't know either way but asked three AC employees what they do during IROPs rebooking; all three told me I was entitled to the same class of service. One even mentioned the law required it.

Also, some posters told me that AC might not accept the coupon; why not. It wasn't a space issue as I was the only passenger in the J cabin. I can't imagine AC refusing full fare revenue. I was told that AA was paying AC the full fare. I am pretty sure that is the case as I got credited about 600 Aeroplan points, fare class " J " and 1050 EQDs. I strongly doubt AC would refuse full fare " J " payment in an empty cabin.

I just can't understand why AA employees would be so reluctant to give me what I paid for; the extra money paid is not coming out of their pockets.

I think the law needs to be stricter and employees need to be made aware of the requirements.