In a landmark decision, Air Canada has been ordered to honour a mistakenly listed flight ticket price after a passenger took the airline to court and won.
The case began when a customer spotted an error on Air Canada's website, advertising a round-trip ticket from Toronto to Copenhagen for just CAD $650 (£380) – a fraction of the usual price. When the airline refused to honour the fare, the passenger pursued legal action.
The Court's Decision
A Canadian court ruled in favour of the passenger, stating that Air Canada must uphold the advertised price. The judge emphasised that consumers should be able to rely on published prices, even if they result from technical errors.
Air Canada had argued that the fare was a 'glitch' and not a legitimate offer. However, the court dismissed this defence, highlighting that the airline's terms and conditions did not sufficiently protect it from such mistakes.
Implications for Airlines and Consumers
This ruling sets a precedent for how airlines handle pricing errors. Consumer rights advocates have welcomed the decision, arguing that companies should be held accountable for their advertised prices.
For travellers, the case serves as a reminder to always document pricing discrepancies and know their rights when booking flights.
Air Canada has not yet confirmed whether it will appeal the decision.
