B.C. CRT rules on ‘excessive’ baggage reimbursement claim [Video]

An Air Canada passenger’s request for more than $1,500 in reimbursement for essentials he had to purchase while waiting for his delayed baggage to arrive was “excessive,” B.C.’s small claims tribunal has ruled.

In a decision issued earlier this week, Civil Resolution Tribunal vice chair Andrea Ritchie awarded the passenger $500 in compensation instead. 

According to the decision, Raghuraman Kaneson flew from Singapore to Vancouver, via San Francisco, in June 2023. He checked two bags, but they did not arrive in Vancouver when he did. The decision indicates Air Canada delivered the bags to Kaneson 24 hours after his arrival.

The delay forced Kaneson to buy some essentials for use while awaiting his luggage, a fact Air Canada acknowledged in its submissions to the CRT.

The airline told the tribunal it offered Kaneson $210 in reimbursement, but the traveller refused that offer. He submitted receipts to the CRT for $1,533.12 worth of purchases, which Air Canada …