Large airlines

Large airlines have carried more than 2,000,000 passengers in each of the past 2 calendar years.

Examples of large airlines in Canada

These airlines are classified as large carriers:

• Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge)
• WestJet
• Sunwing Airlines
• Air Transat
• Porter Airlines
• Flair Airlines

Small airlines

Small airlines are those with fewer passengers.

Examples of small airlines

Currently, Canada Jetlines, Canadian North, and other Canadian airlines are considered small carriers.

Where to find airline size information

The airline’s tariff—which come with your ticket—will indicate its size.

When small airlines operate flights for large airlines

If a small airline operates a flight on behalf of a large airline, it must follow the large carrier’s rules for passenger compensation, rebooking, and refunds. This often happens when:

• A small airline operates a flight, but passengers bought their tickets from a large airline (such as through a codeshare agreement).
• A flight is part of a capacity purchase agreement, meaning a large airline sells seats on a flight run by a smaller airline.

How to identify the airline issuing your ticket

Your ticket or itinerary shows:

• The airline that sold the ticket
• The airline that operates the flight

The first two letters of your flight number represent the airline that sold your ticket.

Knowing airline size can help you understand your rights and what to expect when travel plans change.

Accessible transportation: your rights

The Canadian Transportation Agency has a mandate to protect the fundamental right of persons with disabilities to accessible transportation services.

What defines a large airline?

For accessibility regulations, a large airline is one that:

• provides passenger flights within, to, or from Canada
• has carried 1,000,000 or more passengers worldwide in each of the past two calendar years

Airlines classified as large for accessibility rules

Under the Accessible Transportation for Persons with Disabilities Regulations (ATPDR), the following airlines are considered large carriers:

• Air Canada (including Jazz and Rouge)
• WestJet
• Sunwing Airlines
• Air Transat
• Porter Airlines
• Flair Airlines
• Canadian North

Understanding an airline's classification can help passengers with disabilities know what to expect in terms of accessibility services and support.