February 23, 2026
RE: Air Canada Flight(s)
Formal Complaint
On Thursday, February 12, 2026, my son and I were set to fly from NY JFK to Toronto YYZ (Flight #AC8555; eticket #0147335426267) - our final destination was Dublin, Ireland.
The flight from JFK to YYZ was delayed significantly which resulted in missing our connecting flight in YYZ. While in NY JFK, an Air Canada team member assisted us with rebooking our flights - this time we would be going to Toronto YYZ to London LHR and then onto our final Destination Dublin DUB.
(Flight #BA098; eticket #0142320416774)
This flight was also significantly delayed and we arrived in Toronto YYZ very late. At the time of our arrival, we were told by the flight attendant and the Air Canada ground staff that we would never be able to make the connecting flight above because we had to pass through passport control/customs and then take a train to the next terminal. Imagine the stress of flying from JFK to Toronto, praying you make the next flight only to arrive in another country and discover it was never a realistic booking but even more impossible given the flight was so delayed. How did the Air Canada staff not realize the improbability of this rebooking? Were they not familiar with the layout of the airport? Or, were they just wanting to move us along - pushing us off to the next team member - in a different country.
At this point, we were told there were no options and we had to spend the night (and a full day) in Canada. Air Canada had the decency to provide a hotel. There were many people stranded. I heard story after story from individuals having to wait days to get to their destinations. This was horrifying to hear because I was traveling with my 11 year old son. I didn't need uncertainty. I needed competency and compassion.
So, our 2nd booking was a complete fail. We would once again be rerouted - forced to go from Toronto to Amsterdam to Dublin.
On Friday 13, 2026, we flew from Toronto YYZ to Amsterdam AMS where we had a small window to catch our connecting flight on KLM Airlines. We ran from our plane, exhausted, stressed, anxious, fearful - and when we arrived at our gate, yet another obstacle. I was informed by the KLM agent that my son's ticket was re-booked successfully, but my ticket had not been processed and since it was an Air Canada error there was nothing they could do. How is that possible? How do you process the child - a minor and not the parent? Furthermore, how did this ticket pass by so many Air Canada team members without a flag? How did no one realize my ticket was not re-booked correctly? In Amsterdam, sleep deprived, desperate and on a time constraint - no one could help me except Air Canada and the only way to reach them was via phone. I waited on hold for over 45 minutes only to be hung transferred without warning and then disconnected. We missed the connecting flight to Dublin. I was stranded with my son in Amsterdam. With no other options, we called Air Canada and wait for another 45 minutes on hold - eventually an agent came through for us - booking us on an Aer Lingus flight from Amsterdam to Dublin (eticket #0142320522965). I was completely devoid of energy. I was shaking and crying - afraid to disconnect from the Air Canada representative in the event there was another issue with this booking. My son - just wanted to be in Ireland, dancing and doing what he loves. This was overwhelming and unacceptable on every level. I understand that flights get delayed. But there were instances of incompetence that are indescribable. There was a lack of communication at every level and a lack of concern by Air Canada was woven throughout this journey.
We landed in Dublin Ireland on Saturday February 14, 2026 - but our luggage did not. Arriving in Ireland - we were despondent. The fact that NOTHING had arrived with us was the least shocking part of this journey - but disappointing all the same. My son, my champion, had traveled 3 full days without a single complaint. He arrived to the All Ireland Irish Dance Championships - a premiere competitive event that he had been working MONTHS for - exhausted, drained and physically incapable of doing what he was so naturally made to do. This is the hardest thing. Our champion - met with trial after trial due to Air Canada's incompetency suffered the most - mentally, physically and emotionally. As a parent, it was truly heart breaking.
From a financial perspective, we thought we were getting a great deal on airfare - but in the end I lost out significantly.
We lost 2 nights at our premier hotel The Brehon Spa and Hotel (181.00 Euro per night).
We had to buy clothing because we didn't have our luggage - my son needed clothes to practice (213.05 Euro)
We had booked flight through Ryanair to fly from Dublin to Kerry - we missed those flights due to the above circumstances (initial flights $293.01 + $106.97 to change flights to later time - only to miss this all together read more