What happened to AC861
Air Canada flight AC861 from London Heathrow Airport to Vancouver International Airport, scheduled for 15:00 on Thursday, 22 October 2026, was cancelled. If passengers were told less than 14 days before departure, they are usually owed compensation on top of a full refund or a free replacement flight.
Are passengers owed compensation?
Yes, most likely. AC861 departed the UK, so it's covered by UK261 whichever airline operated it. The only exception is if Air Canada can prove the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances outside its control.
| Passengers | Compensation | You keep after 5% |
|---|---|---|
| 1 passenger | £520 | £494 |
| 2 passengers | £1,040 | £988 |
| 3 passengers | £1,560 | £1,482 |
| 4 passengers | £2,080 | £1,976 |
What Air Canada might say
Airlines can refuse compensation for "extraordinary circumstances". Some reasons genuinely count, and many that airlines use don't:
Usually still owed
- Technical faults with the aircraft
- Crew shortages or sickness
- The airline's own staff striking
- Knock-on delays from an earlier flight
Can be a valid excuse
- Severe weather
- Air traffic control restrictions or strikes
- Security alerts or airport closures
- Bird strikes, if handled properly
The airline has to prove the cause. We check the reason Air Canada gives and challenge refusals that don't hold up.
How to claim for AC861
- 1
Check your flight
Enter AC861 and Thursday, 22 October 2026. We verify the delay against flight data.
- 2
Add your passengers
Everyone on the booking can claim, including children. Your booking reference is enough to start.
- 3
We deal with the airline
We send the claim to Air Canada, chase it and challenge any unfair refusal. The airline pays you directly.
Frequently asked questions
Can I claim compensation for AC861 on Thursday, 22 October 2026?+
Very likely, yes. AC861 from London to Vancouver was cancelled, which is the kind of disruption UK261 pays compensation for, unless Air Canada can prove it was caused by extraordinary circumstances such as severe weather or an air traffic control restriction.
How much compensation is AC861 worth?+
£520 per passenger under UK261, based on a flight distance of about 7,579km. Every passenger on the booking can claim, including children, so a family of four could be owed £2,080.
What if Air Canada says it was extraordinary circumstances?+
Airlines often say this, but technical faults, staff shortages, crew sickness, the airline's own staff striking and knock-on delays from earlier flights do not count. The airline has to prove the cause. We check the reason given and challenge refusals that don't hold up.
How long do I have to claim?+
Up to 6 years in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, and 5 years in Scotland. There's no need to rush, but claims are easier while your booking details and messages from the airline are to hand.
Do I need my boarding pass to start?+
No. Your booking reference and the names of the passengers are enough to start. If anything else is needed later, such as a boarding pass or ID, we'll ask.