Some Canadians could be part of Air Canada class-action lawsuit
Air Canada is facing a class-action lawsuit over allegations that it failed to properly assist passengers who use wheelchairs and other mobility aids.
Originally filed on Jun. 14, 2024, the Supreme Court of British Columbia certified the lawsuit on Sept. 8, 2026, allowing it to move forward.
The lawsuit was filed on behalf of eligible passengers who require a wheelchair and travelled with Air Canada between January 2021 and June 2023.
The allegations
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The lawsuit was brought forward by Rodney Hodgins, a resident of Prince George, B.C. Hodgins works full-time in the construction industry and has spastic cerebral palsy. He is unable to walk and uses a customized electric wheelchair.
Air Canada is facing allegations that it breached its contractual obligations to passengers with mobility impairments, including obligations to move passengers safely and with dignity, and to transport their mobility aids properly.
The lawsuit describes two incidents involving Hodgins. The first was in July 2022, when staff who were supposed to assist Hodgins in boarding were two hours late, resulting in a delay. Since Hodgins was the last to board, it may have appeared to the other passengers that he was responsible for the delay, leaving him humiliated, according to the lawsuit.
Because there was no longer space in the overhead compartment, he was forced to check a bag containing medication and his wheelchair charger. Air Canada lost the bag, meaning Hodgins couldn’t charge his electric wheelchair after arriving in Prince George, according to the claim.
In another incident on Aug. 30, 2023, Hodgins and his wife flew from Prince George to Las Vegas for a vacation. However, when they arrived in Las Vegas, only one staff member with an aisle chair arrived to help Hodgins off the aircraft. With the staff member unable to help Hodgins on his own, the lawsuit states that “Air Canada staff insisted he make his own way off the airplane.”
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Hodgins’ wife Deanna told Daily Hive in an interview that he was left with no choice but to drag himself out of his seat to the front of the plane with assistance from his wife.
The incident caused pain, increased cramping, and spasms in his limbs, which resulted in him being unable to enjoy the first few days of his vacation.
Deanna told Daily Hive that the airline sent the couple a letter admitting they “broke the law by violating the Canadian Disabilities Act.”
The lawsuit alleges that Air Canada breached its contractual obligations to passengers with mobility impairments and contravened the Competition Act and consumer protection legislation.
Hodgins’ experience is not unique.
In 2023, Toronto-based passenger Maayan Ziv shared an emotional video stating that Air Canada broke her wheelchair. In 2024, Canadian blogger Tori Lacey described a situation in which, when she arrived in Liberia, Costa Rica, she learned that there was no jet bridge set up. She described how she was “absolutely terrified” when staff carried her down a flight of stairs in a broken aisle chair, a small wheelchair for planes.
The allegations against Air Canada have not been proven in court. Daily Hive has reached out to Air Canada for a comment regarding the allegations, but has yet to receive a response.
Who’s eligible?
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Eligible class members include Canadian residents who travelled with Air Canada between January 2021 and June 2023 and required a wheelchair to get to and from an aircraft, including assistance with steps and seating.
How much could you receive?
There is currently no set amount that eligible class members could receive.
The lawsuit is seeking damages for alleged breaches of contract, including compensation for mental distress, inconvenience, humiliation, pain, and suffering. It also seeks punitive, exemplary, and aggravated damages, along with other remedies.
You can keep up with the latest updates on the class-action website.
With files from Simran Singh