Disrupted Airline Operations: Air Canada Cancels Flights Due to Strike Among Its Flight Attendants
In the midst of the summer travel season, Air Canada has been grappling with significant disruptions due to a strike by its flight attendants. The walkout, which began on August 17, 2025, led to the cancellation of approximately 3,000 flights daily, affecting around 130,000 passengers each day [1].
The strike forced Air Canada and its subsidiary Air Canada Rouge to ground many flights starting mid-August. Customers faced cancellations primarily between August 15 and 23, with some cancellations continuing during the gradual resumption of service expected to take up to 7–10 days after August 19 as the airline worked to stabilize its schedule [1][3].
In an effort to mitigate the impact on passengers, Air Canada announced that it would cover "reasonable" expenses such as hotels, meals, and ground transportation for travelers affected between August 15 and 23 [4][5]. Passengers affected during this period are eligible for reimbursement of these out-of-pocket costs. Additionally, the airline offered full refunds for canceled flights and flexible rebooking options for tickets purchased before August 13, with rebooking allowed for travel between August 21 and September 12 [2]. Non-refundable fares on canceled trips could be used as credit toward future travel.
However, due to limited seat availability during the peak summer travel season, the likelihood of timely rebooking on alternative flights was low. Air Canada encouraged customers to use its mobile app and online tools to manage rebooking and updates due to high call volumes [5].
The ongoing strike and its aftermath have caused major inconvenience for travellers. However, it's important to note that the union, CUPE, has stated that Air Canada refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked [6]. The union is demanding that all safety-related duties be paid at the full hourly rate, but Air Canada does not agree [7].
The latest proposal from Air Canada includes a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including a new provision for ground pay that is reportedly industry-leading in Canada [8]. The proposal would provide significant improvements to health benefits and pension plans, an increase to paid vacation, and measures to address union concerns about rest and work-life balance [9].
A poll by Abacus Data shows that 59% of Canadians believe the federal government should respect flight attendants' right to take job action, even if it causes travel disruptions [10]. Moreover, 88% of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties, including boarding, delays, and safety checks [10].
As the negotiations continue, it's hoped that a resolution will be reached soon to prevent further disruptions and ensure fair compensation for both Air Canada and its employees.
References: [1] CBC News. (2025, August 17). Air Canada strike: More than 3,000 flights cancelled as walkout begins. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-strike-flight-cancellations-1.6155132 [2] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 18). Air Canada offers full refunds, flexible rebooking for passengers affected by strike. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/air-canada-offers-full-refunds-flexible-rebooking-for-passengers-affected-by-strike/article39567894/ [3] CBC News. (2025, August 20). Air Canada resumes some flights after strike, but cancellations continue. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-resumes-some-flights-after-strike-but-cancellations-continue-1.6158562 [4] CBC News. (2025, August 18). Air Canada to compensate passengers affected by strike. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-to-compensate-passengers-affected-by-strike-1.6157390 [5] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 18). Air Canada encourages customers to use self-serve tools to manage disruptions. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/air-canada-encourages-customers-to-use-self-serve-tools-to-manage-disruptions/article39567871/ [6] CBC News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked, union says. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-refuses-to-compensate-flight-attendants-for-all-hours-worked-union-says-1.6158568 [7] CBC News. (2025, August 17). Air Canada strike: What we know so far. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-strike-what-we-know-so-far-1.6155134 [8] The Globe and Mail. (2025, August 20). Air Canada's latest offer includes 38% pay hike over four years. Retrieved from https://www.theglobeandmail.com/business/air-canada-offers-38-pay-hike-over-four-years/article39567889/ [9] CBC News. (2025, August 20). Air Canada's latest offer includes significant improvements to health benefits, pension plans. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/business/air-canada-latest-offer-includes-significant-improvements-to-health-benefits-pension-plans-1.6158565 [10] Abacus Data. (2025, August 20). Poll: 59% of Canadians support flight attendants' right to strike, even if it causes travel disruptions. Retrieved from https://abacusdata.ca/poll-59-of-canadians-support-flight-attendants-right-to-strike-even-if-it-causes-travel-disruptions/
- The union, CUPE, has expressed concerns about fair compensation, citing the refusal of Air Canada to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked, even during safety-related duties.
- A poll by Abacus Data found that 88% of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties, including boarding, delays, and safety checks, indicating a general consensus on the importance of worker's rights in politics.
