Almost all Air Canada flights will be cancelled this week as flight attendants go on strike
Travellers in Canada should brace for major disruptions this week as Air Canada begins a phased shutdown of most of its operations ahead of an intended strike by flight attendants.
Air Canada has issued a 72-hour lockout notice to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, setting the stage for a near-total shutdown of the airline's operations starting on Thursday.
The move comes after CUPE served notice that it intends to strike as early as August 16. Air Canada says it will begin a phased wind-down of flights starting August 14, with additional cancellations on August 15, and a full stop to mainline and Rouge flights by August 16.
Regional flights operated by Jazz and PAL Airlines will continue, but they account for only about 20% of the airline's daily passengers.
The airline says it has offered a four-year deal that would increase total compensation by 38%, add ground pay, improve pensions and benefits, boost crew rest, and require no concessions from the union. It also proposed binding arbitration, which CUPE rejected. Air Canada has now requested that the federal government order binding arbitration under the Canada Labour Code.
According to Air Canada, the cancellations could impact 130,000 customers per day, including 25,000 Canadians the airline flies home from abroad daily. It says these passengers may be "stranded."
What does this mean for Air Canada passengers?
Air Canada is beginning a phased wind-down of most operations over the next three days. This will affect Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights, but Air Canada Express flights won't be impacted.
Flights currently in progress aren't affected, according to the airline. Passengers will be notified in advance of any changes to their itineraries.
Customers whose flights are cancelled are eligible for a full refund via Air Canada's website or mobile app.
While Air Canada says it will try to rebook passengers on the first available flights, including options with over 120 domestic and international carriers, availability may be limited during the peak summer travel season.
Passengers booked to travel between August 15 and August 18 can change their flights at no additional cost if tickets were purchased or Aeroplan rewards redeemed by August 13, 2025. New travel dates can be scheduled between August 21 and September 12, 2025.
Non-refundable fares may be cancelled for credit in an AC Wallet or as a Future Travel Credit for future bookings.
Travellers are encouraged to check their flight status online or through the Air Canada mobile app for the most up-to-date information.
Why are Air Canada flight attendants striking?
Air Canada flight attendants, represented by CUPE, have initiated strike action due to concerns over low pay and working conditions.
The union, which represents over 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, states that it has received a 99.7% strike mandate from its membership.
Air Canada says it offered a 38% pay increase over the next four years, but CUPE have rejected the offer.
In a statement released on Tuesday, Wesley Lesosky, the president of the Air Canada Component of CUPE, said that the airline's offer fell below inflation, market value, and the minimum wage, and "still leaves flight attendants unpaid for all hours of work."
He said that the airline offered an 8% increase in the first year as a "one-time catch-up," despite flight attendants having taken a 9% cut to their actual wages due to inflation throughout their last contract, which had been in effect since 2015.
Lesosky said, "In reality, the company has offered a 17.2% wage increase over four years. Even in year four of Air Canada's offer, in 2028, Air Canada flight attendants would earn less than competitor airlines in Canada earn today."
He also believes that with this latest offer, an entry-level flight attendant working full-time will earn less than the federal minimum wage.
"Junior Air Canada flight attendants working full-time (75 credit hours per month) currently earn $1,952 per month pre-taxes," he commented. "With Air Canada's first-year catch-up increase of 8%, their earnings would increase to $2,108.16 per month. Meanwhile, a worker earning federal minimum wage at $17.75 per hour would earn $2,840.00 per month pre-taxes."
CUPE has accused Air Canada of no longer wanting to engage in negotiations. The airline proposed using an independent third-party arbitrator, but CUPE refused to do so. Air Canada has requested that the federal government order binding arbitration under the Canada Labour Code.
"Everyone knows the best deals are negotiated at the bargaining table, not handed down by an outside third-party. Then why does Air Canada want the union to agree to arbitration?" Lesosky said.
Lesosky believes that Air Canada's push for arbitration is an attempt to maintain the "status quo" in the industry, including practices around unpaid work. He also notes that any arbitrator's decision would be final, meaning members wouldn't have a chance to vote on the outcome. For these reasons, CUPE has declined the company's proposal.
He says the union remains "at the bargaining table, ready to negotiate."
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
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