Airlines’ ‘Bait and Switch’ Strategy Lures Customers to Flights That Never Take Off

A Sunwing Airlines jet prepares to take off at Montreal's Trudeau International Airport on March 20, 2020, as COVID-19 cases rise in Canada and around the world. The Canadian Press/Graham Hughes

OTTAWA—Rob Przybylski and Courtney Ross were slated to wrap up the month on a Costa Rican beach, sipping sugarcane cocktails with friends and family as they celebrated their wedding.

Instead, the Oshawa, Ont., duo say they and their 84 guests are out more than $216,000 after their Sunwing Airlines vacation package was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.