WestJet denies compensation to B.C. Taylor Swift fan after flight cancellation

5 days ago 13

WestJet delayed the evening flight from Prince George for about five hours, before cancelling the Dec. 5 service

Author of the article:

The Canadian Press

Chuck Chiang

Published Jan 04, 2025 • 2 minute read

Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver on December 6, 2024.

PRINCE GEORGE — WestJet has denied compensation to a devout Taylor Swift fan whose cancelled flight triggered a 10-hour drive through the night from Prince George to make the singer’s shows in Vancouver last month.

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Carol Hansson says she and other Swifties on the flight incurred hundreds of dollars in costs after the cancellation less than 24 hours before Swift took the stage for the first of three concerts at B.C. Place.

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She says the Calgary-based airline told her the cancellation was due to “unplanned aircraft maintenance” and was required for safety purposes.

WestJet confirms that in a written response and says Hansson is therefore not eligible for compensation under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.

The regulations say that in situations “within airline control but required for safety purposes,” airlines have obligations for a passenger’s treatment and completion of their itinerary, but not compensation.

Hansson says WestJet delayed the evening flight from Prince George for about five hours, before cancelling the Dec. 5 service.

Airlines are also obliged under the regulations to offer alternative travel in the same class of service for disruptions beyond three hours, but Hansson says she was offered a Dec. 8 flight that would have meant missing all three of Swift’s shows.

Instead, she joined a group of other passengers to rent a car for the 750-kilometre drive, setting off at midnight and eventually making it to Vancouver on Dec. 6 before of the first show.

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Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/Getty Images /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/Getty Images /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/Getty Images /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/Getty Images /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/Getty Images /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift performs onstage during "Taylor Swift | The Eras Tour" at BC Place on December 06, 2024 in VancouverPhoto by Kevin Winter/TAS24 /Getty Images for TAS Rights Mana
Taylor Swift fans gather in downtown Vancouver for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver, B.C. on December 6, 2024. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by . Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver.Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver, B.C. on December 5, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver December 5, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Taylor Swift fans, including Anthea Cory, gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver on Dec. 5, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Vancouver Police Department horses with their friendship bracelets on the first night of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert at B.C Place. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by .Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver December 5, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /10106633A
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver December 5, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
VPD horses spotted with their friendship bracelets on Robson Street. Aleesha Harris photo
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver December 5, 2024. Photo by ALEESHA HARRIS / PNG
Taylor Swift fans Alice Lo with daughters Makaelyn (left) and Miela gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /10106633A
Taylor Swift fans outside B.C. Place Dec. 6, 2024. Rich Lam/PNGPhoto by . Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver on December 6, 2024. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver on December 6, 2024. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
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Vancouver police officers trade friendship bracelets with Taylor Swift fans on the first night of the Eras Tour concerts in Vancouver. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by RICHARD LAM /PNG
Vancouver police officers trade friendship bracelets with Taylor Swift fans on the first night of the Eras Tour concerts in Vancouver. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by RICHARD LAM /PNG
A member of the Vancouver Police trades friendship bracelets with a fan outside B.C. Place Stadium before the start of the Taylor Swift Concert in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by RICHARD LAM /PNG
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Fans of Taylor Swift pose for a photo while in the line up on Robson Street to enter B.C. Place ahead of her concert in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo by RICHARD LAM /PNG
Fans line up to take photos at the Swiftcouver sign in downtown Vancouver. Aleesha Harris
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Taylor Swift fans trade friendship bracelets outside B.C. Place prior to the start of the Taylor Swift concert.Photo by RICHARD LAM /PNG
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Fans line up to take photos at the Swiftcouver sign in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Aleesha Harris
Fans pose in front of the RED Taylor Swift sign at B.C. Place on the first night of the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert at B.C Place. Rich Lam / PNGPhoto by Rich Lam / PNG /PNG
Fans line up to take photos at the Swiftcouver sign in downtown Vancouver. Photo: Aleesha Harris
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Photo by Jason Payne /PNG
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VPD horses spotted with their friendship bracelets on Robson Street. Aleesha Harris photo
December 6 2024. Fans inside B.C. Place waiting for Taylor Swift concert to start. Photo: Aleesha Harris / PNG
Vancouver, B.C.: Dec. 6, 2024: Inside B.C. Place as crowds started to stream inside B.C. Place stadium for Taylor Swift's first Vancouver concert on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo: Aleesha HarrisPhoto by Aleesha Harris
December 6 2024. Fans inside B.C. Place waiting for Taylor Swift concert to start. Photo: Aleesha Harris / PNG
Vancouver, B.C.: Dec. 6, 2024: Inside B.C. Place as crowds started to stream inside B.C. Place stadium for Taylor Swift's first Vancouver concert on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo: Aleesha HarrisPhoto by Aleesha Harris
A fan poses in front of an inflatable friendship bracelet before the Taylor Swift Eras Tour concert stop in Vancouver, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by ETHAN CAIRNS /THE CANADIAN PRESS
VANCOUVER, B.C., December 6, 2024 - Taylor Swift fans gather outside B.C. Place Stadium for the first of three concerts at the end of the Eras tour, in Vancouver, B.C. on December 5, 2024. (NICK PROCAYLO/PNG) 10106633A [PNG Merlin Archive]Photo by NICK PROCAYLO /PNG
Fans sing while watching Gracie Abrams perform as the opening act before Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs her first of three Eras Tour concerts in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo by TAS Rights Management
Taylor Swift performs her first of three Eras Tour concerts in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024. Photo by TAS Rights Management
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
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Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert in Vancouver on Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Concertgoers watch Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during "The Eras Tour" on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /THE ASSOCIATED PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Concertgoers watch on during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /AP
Concertgoers watch on during Taylor Swift's The Eras Tour on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024, in Vancouver.Photo by Lindsey Wasson /AP
Gracie Abrams performs as the opening act before Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Gracie Abrams performs as the opening act before Taylor Swift at the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, Dec. 6, 2024.Photo by Darryl Dyck /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Seattle resident Danielle Barnard and her daughter Eme, 13, inside B.C. Place during the Dec. 7 Taylor Swift concert.Photo by Danielle Barnard
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS
Taylor Swift performs during the Eras Tour concert, in Vancouver, on Friday, December 6, 2024.Photo by DARRYL DYCK /THE CANADIAN PRESS

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Hansson attended all three concerts.

She said the cost for her unused accommodation for Dec. 5 was $900, and the rental car cost was $770.

While she was able to split those costs, Hansson said she sought $400 in compensation from WestJet.

“It’s ridiculous for a company to not even try and work with you with some sort of compensation,” she said.

In its written statement, WestJet said it offered to re-accommodate Hansson on another flight to Vancouver but it didn’t work with the schedule for the concerts.

“At the guest’s request, a refund was processed for the outbound flight along with a baggage fee,” WestJet said.

Hansson said accepting the Dec. 8 flight would have meant missing the final shows of Swift’s Eras Tour and was “definitely not an option.”

She said she “would have been furious” if the cancellation had meant missing any of the shows. Other passengers in Swift-themed outfits were also at the gate, she said.

“It’s a service that you pay for, that they should try and do everything they can to continue to provide that service,” she said.

“And rather than even offering to have a flight earlier in the morning or add a flight during the day so that we could all make it there in time for our concert, it’s like they just didn’t care.”

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