A looming strike by Air Canada’s flight attendants is set to cause widespread chaos for air travelers, with up to 130,000 passengers expected to be affected daily starting nearly this weekend.
Timeline of the Shutdown:
Flight Attendants Vote Strike: More than 10,000 cabin crew members authorized a strike, with an official 72-hour strike notice taking effect, setting a potential walkout by early Saturday.
Air Canada’s Response: The airline issued a lockout notice in response and plans a phased wind-down of flights, starting with cancellations from Thursday, increasing Friday, and a full shutdown by Saturday.
Scope of Disruption: All mainline flights—Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge—are expected to cease operations. Only regional services (about 20% of capacity) will remain running.
Why It Matters:
Everyday Travelers Hit Hard: The strike could derail summer travel for thousands, especially those flying through key Canadian hubs or cross-border routes.
Ripple Effects: Even passengers flying with other carriers could experience delays and overbooked flights due to the sudden influx of stranded travelers.
Company’s Offer Rejected: Air Canada proposed a 38% pay increase over four years and partial compensation for ground duties. The union rejected it, citing it still doesn’t cover inflation or unpaid work. Arbitration was also declined by the union.
What Passengers Should Do:
Customers will be eligible for full refunds or rebooking options, subject to availability—a major challenge during peak summer travel.
Travelers are urged to use Air Canada’s online tools to check flight status, rebook, or request refunds, as call centers are expected to be overwhelmed.
Alternative travel plans—early planning with other airlines—is advised due to reduced capacity.
As this unfolds, tension remains high between Air Canada and its flight attendants, with the federal government watching closely but not yet intervening.
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