MONTREAL—Air Canada’s been ordered to cough up over $10 million in damages after a Quebec court ruled the airline misled customers with sneaky pricing tactics. The decision, handed down on April 16, 2025, by the Quebec Court of Appeal, wraps up a class-action lawsuit that’s been simmering for years, accusing the carrier of charging more than the ticket prices it advertised. It’s a gut punch for the airline, already navigating turbulent skies with rising costs and customer gripes.
The case kicked off when passengers noticed their final bills were heftier than the fares splashed across Air Canada’s website. Hidden fees, taxes, and surcharges piled up, making those low-ball prices look like bait. The lawsuit, filed on behalf of Quebec customers who bought tickets between 2014 and 2018, argued the airline violated the province’s Consumer Protection Act by failing to display the full price upfront. A lower court first sided with the passengers in 2021, but Air Canada dug in, appealing the ruling. Bad move. The appellate judges didn’t just uphold the decision—they tore into the airline, slamming its “ignorance and laxity” in following the law.
Under Quebec’s rules, businesses must advertise the total cost of goods or services, no exceptions. Air Canada’s practice of tacking on extra charges at checkout didn’t just bend those rules—it snapped them. The court ordered the airline to pay $10 million in compensatory and punitive damages, plus interest, to affected passengers. Each eligible customer could see a payout of up to $100, depending on how many claims roll in. The exact number of impacted travelers isn’t public, but with Air Canada’s massive Quebec market, it’s likely tens of thousands.
The airline hasn’t said much. A brief statement on April 17 acknowledged the ruling but stopped short of admitting fault or outlining next steps. Insiders say Air Canada’s legal team is scrambling, weighing whether to take the fight to the Supreme Court of Canada. Meanwhile, the class-action’s lead plaintiff, a Montreal retiree named Jean-Marc Béliveau, called the decision a win for “everyday people who just want a fair deal.” Béliveau, who bought a $400 ticket to Paris in 2016 only to see $150 in fees added, sparked the suit after months of back-and-forth with the airline’s customer service.
This isn’t Air Canada’s first brush with pricing controversies. In 2019, it settled a similar dispute with U.S. regulators for $4.5 million over misleading fare ads. But the Quebec case stings more—not just for the dollar amount, but for the court’s harsh words. The judges didn’t mince them, accusing the airline of prioritizing profits over transparency. For Quebecers, already wary of corporate overreach, it’s fuel for the fire.
The payout process will take time. A claims administrator, appointed by the court, will start notifying eligible passengers by mail and email in June 2025. Customers will need to submit proof of purchase, like booking confirmations or credit card statements, to get their share. The court also set aside $1 million of the award for legal fees, ensuring the lawyers who fought the case get their cut.
Air Canada, Canada’s largest airline, carried 48 million passengers in 2024 and reported $22 billion in revenue. The $10 million hit won’t bankrupt it, but it’s a black eye for a brand that’s spent years trying to polish its image. The ruling applies only to Quebec purchases, but legal experts say it could spark similar suits in other provinces, where consumer laws are just as strict.
For now, passengers awaiting refunds will have to sit tight. The court’s given Air Canada until July 31, 2025, to fund the settlement account. After that, checks will start going out. If you bought a ticket in Quebec during the class-action period, dig up those old emails—you might have some cash coming.