
If you need to fly at the last minute in the event of a death or imminent death in your immediate family, Air Canada will provide reduced bereavement fares on select itineraries.
About our Bereavement Policy
Applies to:
- Flights marketed and operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express
- Round-trip and select one-way bookings for international travel*
- One-way bookings for travel within North America**
Requires the following:
- Your bereavement travel must start:
- within 7 days of booking in the case of international travel
- within 10 days of booking if you’re travelling within North America**
- Your maximum stay must not exceed 30 days in the case of international travel
Does not apply to:
- Travel in International Business Class
- International travel in Premium Economy Class
- Codeshare flights or flights operated by another airline
In many instances, a lower-priced fare may be found by shopping online at aircanada.com. Bereavement fares are intended to provide maximum flexibility for passengers who must travel during a time of family emergency but are not necessarily the lowest fares available.
*International travel: Applies to M and H Economy Class booking codes. Not available for International Business Class or international travel in Premium Economy Class.
** Travel within North America: Applies to all booking classes. If your departure and return dates are more than 10 days apart, we’ll book your one-way ticket to your destination and ask you to call us back when you’re ready to book your return.
How to Obtain a Bereavement Fare
Before you purchase your ticket:
Call Air Canada Reservations. You’ll be asked to provide the following information:
- the name of the family member,
- the telephone number and address of:
- the hospital and attending physician, or
- the funeral home, along with the date of the funeral.
If you’re purchasing your ticket at the airport:
At the airport ticket counter, you’ll need to present a copy of the death certificate or a letter from the attending physician or hospital clearly defining the imminent death of the family member.
To request an after-travel refund for bereavement travel
After-travel refunds are not available for North America itineraries; they apply only to select international itineraries that are eligible for bereavement fares. For full details, please call Air Canada Reservations.
To apply for a refund for bereavement travel, please submit the original boarding pass(es) and original passenger ticket(s) and one of the following:
- a copy of the death certificate,
- the Funeral Director's Statement of Death,
- a letter from the attending physician or hospital (original or copy).
Refund applications must be made within 90 days of bereavement; you can make your application in person at any Air Canada or Jazz ticket counter, or by mail to:
Air Canada, Refund Services
P.O. Box 6475,
Winnipeg, Manitoba, R3C 3V2
Who is Considered Immediate Family
Immediate family includes:
Spouse (includes common law as well as same sex partners),
Child (includes adopted / step / grand / great grand),
Parent (includes step / grand / great grand / in-law / common law in-law),
Daughter, son, father, mother (includes legal / in-law / common law in-law),
Brother, sister (includes step / half / in-law / common law in-law),
Legal guardian (with proof of judgement) and spouse of legal guardian.
All above include in-laws of same sex partner.