Air Canada, which operates in some 65 countries with a fleet of 259 aircraft, finds itself in a difficult situation after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) on Saturday morning declared that the airline’s flight attendants have officially started their strike. The strike has resulted in the suspension and cancellation of numerous flights, and many people now risk losing money invested in their vacation bookings.
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Canadian media reports said that for the last eight months, the Air Canada Component of CUPE — the union representing flight attendants — and the company have been engaged in negotiations over wages and working conditions.
Air Canada flight cancellations: How to get a refund?
According to the airline, flyers whose flights have been affected will be able to request a full refund on Air Canada’s website or the mobile app. In case your flight has been cancelled, Air Canada will get in touch with you via email or text message (SMS), local media reports quoted the company as saying.
Is rebooking option available?
However, an expert was quoted as telling a Canadian media outlet that accepting a refund is equivalent to letting Air Canada off the hook as they are no longer obliged to make alternate arrangements for the flyers.
According to Canadian Transportation Agency’s regulations, Air Canada is expected to ensure every person with a booked and paid ticket gets to travel on another airline. A labour strike is classified as an event outside of an airline’s control, but large airlines such as Air Canada are still required to book customers a new “reservation for the next available flight that is operated by any carrier,” CTV News reported, quoting the country’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.
Air Canada strike: What is going on?
The union representing Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants urged the minority Liberal government of Prime Minister Mark Carney not to agree to the carrier’s request to impose binding arbitration on both sides, Reuters reported. The union said imposing arbitration would stop the first strike by Air Canada flight attendants since 1985, after contract talks between the two sides stalled over demands for higher wages and compensation for unpaid work. “The mere prospect of ministerial intervention has had a chilling effect on Air Canada’s obligation to bargain in good faith,” said the Canadian Union of Public Employees.
The union decided to go on strike citing grievances including:
Entry-level flight attendants’ wages have risen only about 10% in 25 years.
Workers are not paid for significant portions of their duties, such as:
- Pre-flight safety checks
- Handling medical or safety emergencies
- Boarding and deplaning assistance
In July 2025, the CUPE held a strike authorisation vote and 99.7% of members reportedly supported a strike if talks failed.
In early August, CUPE issued a press release highlighting pay issues and unpaid working hours before submitting a revised wage proposal to Air Canada after months of talks. Later in the month, the union rejected a counteroffer, arguing it wasn’t sufficient for members to approve. According to CTV News, the said proposal included a 38% total compensation increase over four years with an 8% raise in the first year.
It was on August 13 that CUPE issued a 72-hour strike notice. Air Canada responded by announcing a lockout notice, meaning flight attendants would be barred from working starting Saturday.
Air Canada cancellations: How to get refund if your plane is disrupted by flight attendants’ strike?
