Air Canada’s flights were suspended for the third day in a row as the carrier’s flight attendants The strike continued into Monday, August 18,
The airline initially planned to resume flights Sunday, August 17. However, a federal agency in charge of overseeing the airlines’ operations delayed that date. CanadaThe labor laws in declared the strike illegal. Canada’s Industrial Relations Board ordered the 10,000 strike-breaking flight attendants of the airline to return to their jobs by 2 pm. ET on Sunday. However, the union representing the flight attendants—the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)—opposed that by asking crew members to remain on strike into August 18.
“CUPE National Presiden Mark Hancock stated loudly and clearly that our members would NOT return to work until Air Canada is ordered back to the bargaining tables where we can come to a tentative agreement our members can vote upon,” the union said In a message sent to the crew. “Our rights and protections will not be removed.”
Since the beginning of the strike on August 16, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight have been grounded. Estimates say that so far, 500,000 passengers have been affected by the cancellation of their flights. Here’s what travelers need to know.
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How long will Air Canada’s strike of flight attendants continue?
At the moment, it is unclear when this strike may end. Patty Hajdu of Canada’s Ministry of Employment moved the negotiations to arbitration on August 16 instead traditional contract bargaining, extending the flight attendants expired labor contract until new one could agreed. On Monday, the union let a second Canadian government order to return to work expire at 12 noon ET.
This could lead to fines and even prison time for both the union as well as individual flight attendants. Flight attendants, however, said they would continue their strike despite these possibilities. Hancock told a reporter that “if it means people like me go to jail, so what?” press conference Monday afternoon “If this means our union will be fined then that’s okay. Here, we want to find a solution. Our members want a resolution. This solution will have to be found on the bargaining floor.”
Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada flights were expected to resume in part on Monday evening, August 18, according to the carrier. Flight attendants, however, have said that they do not plan to return to work on Monday. Hancock stated that Air Canada was wrong to think planes would be flying today afternoon. “That will not be happening today.”
What to Do if Your Flight is Impacted
Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada had initially planned to resume 240 flights by August 17 before the union announced that the entire schedule would be cancelled. flight attendant workforce The walkout would continue. Air Canada reports that the two carriers usually operate around 700 flights a day.
“Customers who have their flights cancelled will be informed and strongly advised to not go [to] The airline will not allow passengers to board the plane unless they have booked flights with other airlines.” said In a press release. Air Canada will give those with cancelled flight options including full refunds or credit towards future travel. The carrier may also offer to rebook passengers on other carriers. However, capacity is limited at the moment due to summer peak travel.
Although passengers are eligible for full refunds and new flights—even on alternate carriers—the airline doesn’t need to provide any additional compensation, as employee strikes are considered outside of the carrier’s control, according to Canadian law. The Canadian Airline Passenger Protection Regulations do not allow customers to claim compensation. compensation for delayed or cancelled flightsThe airline offers reimbursement for meals, hotel expenses, or any other incidental costs incurred in situations beyond the control of the carrier, such as a disruption to the workforce. said. “Air Canada will inform all passengers of their rights under the applicable rules in case their flight is delayed or cancelled and comply with its regulatory obligations.”
Why are Air Canada flight crews on strike?
Flight attendants issued their first 72-hour notice of strike on August 13 following a nearly unanimous vote In which 99.7% approved of walking out of work if necessary. The union is negotiating for a new contract with the airline since March 2025. It claims that they refuse to “fairly negotiate” on issues such as unpaid work and work rules.
