Air Canada Strike to Affect 130K Passengers
An Air Canada aeroplane at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Silver Dart Drive, Mississauga, ON, Canada. Adam Khan/Unsplash

KEY POINTS

  • Air Canada flight attendants issue a 72-hour strike notice, with a lockout planned by Saturday.
  • Strike duration uncertain, pending outcome of negotiations or arbitration.
  • Passengers urged to check flight status before heading to the airport.

Air Canada flight attendants have issued a 72-hour strike notice, signalling a possible work stoppage beginning 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. In response, the airline has issued a lockout notice and is progressively cancelling flights starting Thursday, aiming for a full halt of operations—including Air Canada Rouge—by the weekend.

With the 72-hour window closing just before the weekend, flights likely will cease entirely on Saturday. How long the shutdown lasts depends on whether negotiations are resumed or government-mediated arbitration is accepted — a route Air Canada has already proposed.

As of now, there's no confirmed resolution or timeframe, which means the strike could stretch for several days — or potentially longer if talks stall.

What Travellers Can Expect

  • Flight Disruptions: Expect flight cancellations from Thursday through Saturday, with a possible return to partial operations only once the dispute is resolved.
  • Impacted Passengers: Up to 130,000 travellers daily may be affected during this peak travel season across domestic and international routes.
  • Refunds & Rebooking: Air Canada states that all cancelled flights will be eligible for full refunds via their website or app, and they are arranging alternative travel solutions with partner airlines, though availability may be limited.
  • Flexibility: The airline has also instituted fee-free rebooking policies, enabling affected travellers to delay or change flights without extra charges.
  • Passengers' Rights: According to the Canadian Transportation Agency, disruptions caused by strikes or lockouts are considered outside the airline's control, so no statutory compensation is guaranteed. Still, the airline must provide updates and attempt to complete travel as soon as feasible.
  • Better to Rebook than Refund: Air Passenger Rights advocates warn that accepting a refund may relieve the airline of obligations to provide a rebooking. Passengers may be better off insisting on alternative transport if that suits their needs.

Smart Moves for Booked Travellers

ActionWhat to Do
Check flight status regularlyConfirm changes through Air Canada's site or app—don't go to the airport without confirmation.
Act earlyExplore rebooking via the airline or partners—capacity is limited this summer.
Know your refund rightsCancellations qualify for full refunds, but rebooking options may offer better value.
Review travel insuranceSome policies cover labour disruptions if purchased before the strike notice. Confirm your policy includes that coverage.
File a CTA complaintIf unresolved, travellers can escalate issues to the Canadian Transportation Agency.

The Path Forward

With strike notices in place and flight cancellations already rolling out, most travellers can expect full disruption from Saturday onwards, at least initially. The window for resolution remains open — possibly via binding arbitration — but right now uncertainty is the biggest threat.

Staying informed, reacting swiftly, and knowing your rights can spare you a last-minute scramble. We'll track developments closely and update this guide on the Air Canada strike as conditions evolve.

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