Air Canada to Initiate Flight Cancellations Today in Preparation for Locked-out Flight Attendants; Key Details Revealed
In a surprising turn of events, Air Canada's flight attendants have given a strike notice, triggering a 72-hour lockout notice by the airline effective Aug. 16. This development has significant implications for international travelers, particularly those from the US.
Impact on Travelers
The strike has led to the suspension of all flights under Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, affecting both domestic and international schedules. This resulted in the cancellation of approximately 240 flights daily, with typically 700 flights operated by both carriers. Thousands of travelers, including those from the US, faced disruptions due to the sudden halt in operations. Affected passengers were advised not to visit airports unless they had confirmed new bookings on other airlines.
Rebooking was challenging due to limited availability during the peak summer travel season. Passengers had the option to rebook on other carriers, including United Airlines, a Star Alliance partner of Air Canada. However, rebooking was challenging due to limited availability during the peak summer travel season. Travelers also experienced long hold times on Air Canada's customer service lines, compounding the frustration of having to rebook flights.
Mitigation Efforts
After reaching a tentative agreement, Air Canada began gradually resuming flights from August 19, 2025. However, full restoration of operations may take up to ten days. Air Canada offered options for passengers, including refunds or credits for future travel, and rebooked flights on other airlines when possible.
Specific Impact on US Travelers
US travelers might benefit from Air Canada's partnership with United Airlines, which helped facilitate rebooking on alternative flights. Travelers from the US should be prepared for potential delays or changes in flight schedules as Air Canada works to stabilize its operations.
Background
Air Canada is a member of the Star Alliance, a group of 25 international airlines. Air Canada Express flights operated by regional partners will not be affected by the cancellations. The union representing Air Canada flight attendants represents about 10,000 members, with nearly all members, 99.7%, voting to strike.
Patty Hajdu, Canadian minister of jobs and families, called the lockout and strike vote "disappointing" in a statement. She urged both parties to put their differences aside, come back to the bargaining table, and get the situation resolved for the many travelers who are counting on them. The union representing Air Canada flight attendants rejected a proposal from Air Canada that offered a 38% compensation increase over four years.
Air Canada has nearly 430 daily flights between Canada and the US at over 50 US airports, implying that travelers from the US and other countries will be impacted. It's unclear at this point how long the lockout could last. Air Canada is offering refunds to customers with canceled flights and will try to accommodate passengers disrupted by rebooking them on competitor airlines, offering a full refund or an option to rebook for a later date without any change fee if not possible.
Customers are advised not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flights are listed as operating on Air Canada's website and mobile app. By the end of Friday, the airline expects to cancel 500 flights. Several dozen mostly long-haul international flights set to leave on Thursday night will be part of the first wave of cancellations. The lockout of flight attendants is scheduled to begin on Saturday and could last for an unknown duration.
Sources:
- The Globe and Mail
- CBC News
- CTV News
- National Post
- US travelers planning business trips or vacation with Air Canada may encounter disruptions in their itineraries due to the strike and lockout, necessitating alternative flight arrangements.
- The suspension of flights under Air Canada could impact a lifestyle of convenience for travelers, as they might need to adjust their travel plans and schedules to accommodate the changed flight circumstances.
