Air Canada will cancel most flights this week as flight attendants begin strike
Here's what that means for passengers.
Flying with Air Canada this week? You might want to check your booking.
Flying with Air Canada this week? You might want to check your booking. The airline is preparing to shut down most of its flights after giving a 72-hour lockout notice in response to strike action from its flight attendants' union.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, says it plans to strike as early as August 16. Air Canada will start cancelling flights on August 14, with more cancellations August 15, and a full stop to mainline and Rouge flights by August 16.
Regional flights run by Jazz and PAL Airlines will keep operating, but they only handle about 20% of the airline's daily passengers. That means around 130,000 people a day — including 25,000 Canadians flying home from abroad — could be affected.
In a statement published on August 13, Air Canada said the lockout is meant to reduce last-minute chaos and allow for an "orderly shutdown." The airline says it has been negotiating for eight months and offered a four-year deal with a 38% pay increase, ground pay, better pensions, more crew rest, and no givebacks from the union. CUPE turned down the proposal and rejected an offer for binding arbitration.
Air Canada says it has now asked the federal government to order binding arbitration under the Canada Labour Code. "Our latest offer would have made our flight attendants the best compensated in Canada," CEO Michael Rousseau said, adding that the company still wants to talk but sees arbitration as the surest way to avoid extended disruption.
Why are flight attendants going on strike?
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) says the dispute centres on unpaid work and wages that fall below inflation, market value, and in some cases minimum wage.
In an August 12 statement, CUPE Air Canada Component president Wesley Lesosky said flight attendants still perform hours of safety-related duties without pay, and that Air Canada’s latest offer would only cover some of this work at half the regular hourly rate. The union also says the proposed wage increases — 8% in the first year and 17.2% over four years — would leave new hires earning less than the federal minimum wage.
CUPE has rejected the company’s push for binding arbitration, arguing it would lock in the status quo and remove members' right to vote on a final deal.
What this means for Air Canada passengers
Air Canada will start winding down most of its mainline and Rouge flights over the next three days, while Air Canada Express services will continue as normal.
Flights already in the air won't be affected, and the airline says customers will be contacted ahead of any changes to their bookings. Those with cancelled flights can request a full refund through Air Canada's website or mobile app.
The company says it will try to rebook travellers on the next available flights, including options with more than 120 partner airlines, though seats may be hard to find during the busy summer season.
Passengers scheduled to fly between August 15 and 18 can change their tickets at no extra cost — as long as they were booked or Aeroplan points were redeemed by August 13 — for travel between August 21 and September 12, 2025. Non-refundable tickets can also be converted into an Air Canada travel credit or AC Wallet balance.
Passengers with cancelled flights can get a full refund or rebook at no cost. The airline says it is working with other carriers to find seats, but warns summer demand means options will be limited. Travellers are being told not to go to the airport unless their flight is confirmed and showing as on time.
Air Canada recommends checking flight status online or via its mobile app for the latest updates before heading to the airport. You can read Air Canada's full passenger advisory on the airline's website.
This is a developing story. Check back for more details.
