The Decibel The traveller’s guide to Canadian airline disruptions
13 snips
Dec 10, 2025 
Mariya Postelnyak, a Consumer Affairs reporter at The Globe and Mail specializing in travel and passenger rights, shares crucial insights on navigating airline disruptions. She discusses why airlines cancel flights ahead of strikes and explains the complexities of securing refunds and compensation in Canada. Mariya also highlights differences in passenger protections compared to the EU and UK, and the practical challenges of claiming expenses. With a growing trend of airline strikes, she offers tips for nervous travelers to safeguard their trips during turbulent times.
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Buy A Refundable Backup Ticket
- Book a fully refundable backup flight you can cancel within 24 hours to preserve options during a potential strike.
- Keep the original ticket and use the refundable fare as proof or immediate fallback for rebooking or reimbursement.
Wait For Official Cancellation Notices
- Check airline emails and the carrier app frequently for official cancellation notices.
- Avoid cancelling your own booking prematurely because you may forfeit rights that the airline would owe you if it cancels.
Use Flex Policies Wisely
- Use airline short-term flexibility policies to get credits but know credits differ from refunds.
- Avoid self-cancelling if you want rebooking rights; request airline rebooking or buy and claim reimbursement later.