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Metro Vancouver travellers can get free changes on flights due to winter storms

Find out if you are entitled to a complimentary waiver.
Elana Shepert
Elana Shepert
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Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines have issued free waivers for Metro Vancouver travellers with flights impacted by snowstorms in February 2025.Photo courtesy Vancouver International Airport (YVR)

Canada's biggest airlines are offering free changes to flights visiting airports currently impacted by winter storms. 

Air Canada, WestJet, and Porter Airlines have issued complimentary waivers for travellers impacted by severe weather in eastern North America, including top Canadian cities such as Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and Quebec City, as well as major U.S. ones like New York City, Chicago, Washington, Boston, and Philidelphia. 

Travellers with flights from Vancouver International Airport (YVR) may change their flights free of charge to affected airports. 

Here's a breakdown of what is available and what passengers booked for travel should do for each of the airlines.

Air Canada 

Canada's flag carrier will allow travellers to make a complimentary change to flights on Thursday, Feb. 6 for flights to Boston, Halifax, Montreal, Newark (EWR), New York (JFK), New York (LGA), Ottawa, Philadelphia, Quebec City, Toronto (YTZ), Toronto (YYZ), Washington (DCA), and Washington (IAD) due to winter operational conditions or snow.

They can also make these changes for flights headed to Montreal, Toronto, and Ottawa on Feb. 8 and 9, due to snow.

Travellers can retrieve their booking online to make free changes to flights, while those with Air Canada Vacations bookings should call the vacation provider directly at 1-800-296-3408.

WestJet

WestJet has also introduced a one-time waiver for changes to flights from Feb. 6 to 8 for travel to Toronto, Hamilton, Kitchener/Waterloo,  London, Ottawa, Windsor, and Montreal due to winter storms. Here are the following parameters for making changes:

  • If travellers change their destination, the difference in fare applies.  Any residual funds are refunded.

  • If travellers move to a different cabin, the difference in fare applies. Any residual funds are refunded.

  • Travel must be completed within 60 days of the original departure date.

  • If travellers cancel their booking, the funds will be refunded or credited based on the fare class booked. However, tickets booked in UltraBasic will receive travel credit. If travellers cancel their booking, any portion paid with WestJet dollars, Travel Bank credit or a WestJet rewards companion voucher will be returned to their account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.

  • WestJet will issue a new expiry date 60 days from the date of reinstatement if the portion paid with WestJet dollars or a WestJet rewards companion voucher has expired or is expiring within 60 days.

  • Any portion paid with WestJet dollars or Travel Bank credit will be returned to a traveller's account and the original expiration date (if applicable) will apply.    

  • Change or cancellation must be requested more than two hours before departure.  

The rules are different for WestJet Vacations packages for travel on the same dates that have not been delayed or cancelled. The one-time waiver will be offered, free of charge and the following rules apply:

  • If you change your booking, the difference in package price and a $200 penalty per person applies and is subject to availability.   

  • If you cancel your booking, the amount paid will be placed into a WestJet Vacations Future Travel Credit, valid for two years. A $200 hotel penalty per person will be deducted from the total.

  • Travellers who booked through a travel agent or online booking agency should contact them directly.    

Porter Airlines

Porter has also introduced a complimentary waiver for changes to flights on Feb. 6 to Washington-Dulles (IAD), Boston, Chicago, Montréal, Newark (EWR), Ottawa, Toronto-City (YTZ), and Toronto-Pearson (YYZ) due to winter storms. 

Travellers should visit Porter's "My Bookings" section to see if their flight is eligible for complimentary changes. They should also ensure contact information is accurate in case the airline needs to notify them about last-minute schedule changes. 

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