Potential Strike Impacts Travel Plans
If you’re planning to fly to or from Canada in the coming week, it’s crucial to check your flight details. A potential strike could disrupt your travel plans. On Wednesday, August 13, 2025, Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union announced a 72-hour strike notice. This decision followed Air Canada’s announcement of a lockout for flight attendants after they voted to strike. To prepare for this potential work stoppage, Air Canada will start suspending flights on Thursday, August 14, 2025, which may leave many travelers uncertain about their schedules.
Flights departing from Canada have already seen a significant decline this year, and a complete shutdown of a major airline is unlikely to help the situation. Approximately 10,000 flight attendants are expected to walk off the job next week, citing current pay as “poverty wages.” The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents them, has been in discussions with Air Canada since March 2025 without reaching an agreement. Flight attendants are advocating for higher wages, particularly for time spent on the ground. Currently, employees are only paid when flights are in the air. However, as any traveler knows, there is often a substantial amount of time spent on the ground before and after takeoff. Air Canada stated that it has offered 50% of their hourly pay for ground work, but no resolution has been reached yet.
Expected Delays and Cancellations
Flight delays and cancellations are anticipated to begin after 1 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 16, 2025. Air Canada estimates that around 130,000 customers per day could be affected by the suspensions. The airline hopes that by canceling flights early, travelers will have the opportunity to rebook before arriving at the airport. If your flight gets canceled while at the airport, here are some steps you can take to avoid standing in line.
Refunds and Rebooking Options
If your upcoming flight is suspended or canceled, you may be eligible for a full refund. While this is good news for your wallet, you will need to rebook your flight, which might involve additional costs and complications. If your credit card company offers travel insurance, you may be reimbursed for unexpected travel expenses. However, it’s important to note that specific requirements apply, so don’t assume your provider will automatically offer a refund. Depending on your insurance plan and credit card, a strike may be considered a known event if you booked your ticket after Air Canada and CUPE’s labor dispute began in March 2025.
If your flight is canceled, you can submit refund requests through Air Canada’s website or its app. Air Canada has stated that it will collaborate with other airlines to accommodate displaced travelers, including those with only one leg of their journey on an Air Canada flight. If your flight is delayed or no longer fits into your travel plans, the airline will allow you to rebook—whether changing or deferring travel—at no additional cost. Given the uncertainty until a deal is reached, this policy allows ticket holders to either fly with another airline or postpone their travel entirely.
Tips for Dealing with Flight Cancellations
If your flight is suspended this week, it’s advisable to contact the airline early to change airlines. You can also try Samantha Brown’s airport hack for getting a canceled flight re-booked as soon as possible.
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