Barely enough to buy a sandwich at the airport.WestJet Airlines has been ordered by a British Columbia court to pay more than $2,000 to three passengers after initially offering a mere $16.87 in reimbursement following a flight diversion from Vancouver to Victoria.The three passengers, identified in court documents as RA, SB, and MB, were on an April 13, 2023, flight from Hawaii to Vancouver that was diverted to Victoria due to volcanic smoke. The dispute escalated when WestJet, in response to the passengers’ refund request for the flight, argued that since Victoria is 98.84% of the distance from Hawaii to Vancouver, they were only entitled to a refund of the remaining 1.16% of their airfare — equating to just $16.87.The passengers took the matter to small claims court. In his ruling, tribunal member Peter Mennie sided with the passengers, noting that WestJet did not specifically deny that its employee had promised full reimbursement for their hotel and travel expenses. Mennie also highlighted that WestJet had initially promised a full refund for the flight, not just the unused portion of the ticket.Mennie ordered WestJet to pay $1,395.18 for the cost of the flights, an additional $430.80 for the hotel, food, and taxis, $129.83 in interest charges, and $125 in court costs, bringing the total to $2,080.81.Although the passengers also sought compensation for a $50 baggage fee, Mennie did not award this amount due to a lack of proof of payment.
Barely enough to buy a sandwich at the airport.WestJet Airlines has been ordered by a British Columbia court to pay more than $2,000 to three passengers after initially offering a mere $16.87 in reimbursement following a flight diversion from Vancouver to Victoria.The three passengers, identified in court documents as RA, SB, and MB, were on an April 13, 2023, flight from Hawaii to Vancouver that was diverted to Victoria due to volcanic smoke. The dispute escalated when WestJet, in response to the passengers’ refund request for the flight, argued that since Victoria is 98.84% of the distance from Hawaii to Vancouver, they were only entitled to a refund of the remaining 1.16% of their airfare — equating to just $16.87.The passengers took the matter to small claims court. In his ruling, tribunal member Peter Mennie sided with the passengers, noting that WestJet did not specifically deny that its employee had promised full reimbursement for their hotel and travel expenses. Mennie also highlighted that WestJet had initially promised a full refund for the flight, not just the unused portion of the ticket.Mennie ordered WestJet to pay $1,395.18 for the cost of the flights, an additional $430.80 for the hotel, food, and taxis, $129.83 in interest charges, and $125 in court costs, bringing the total to $2,080.81.Although the passengers also sought compensation for a $50 baggage fee, Mennie did not award this amount due to a lack of proof of payment.
