As Air Canada Strike Looms, Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

Travel|As the Air Canada Strike Looms, Here’s What Travelers Need to Know

Air Canada began canceling dozens of flights in advance of a planned strike by its 10,000 flight attendants that could begin at midnight on Saturday morning.

A complete shutdown could disrupt 130,000 travelers a day, including international travelers heading to and from Canada. Air Canada Express flights, which are operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines and serve regional destinations, would not be affected.

Here’s what you need to know if you’re scheduled to fly on Air Canada in the coming days.

Why are Air Canada flight attendants threatening a strike?

Flight attendants are seeking improved wages and compensation for work they do before flights take off and after they land. (Historically, flight attendants have been paid only for hours that they are in the air, and not for work done during boarding or deplaning, though some major U.S. airlines, including Delta and American, have adjusted some of those policies in recent years.)

Will all Air Canada travelers be affected?

No. Travelers on regional flights operated by Air Canada Express will not be affected, since those flights are subcontracted to smaller carriers. Those regional flights make up about 300 of Air Canada’s 1,000 daily flights.

Are any other airlines affected?

Flights that include Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, a low-cost subsidiary, may be impacted by the labor dispute, and passengers should check their flight status for any cancellations or disruptions.

Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance, which includes more than 20 partnering airlines like Lufthansa and United. Even travelers on other airlines should check if their flight is code-sharing with or operated by Air Canada, which could cause disruptions.

For Air Canada-operated flights on other airlines, travelers will need to seek a refund from the issuing airline.

What are my options if my flight is canceled?

Air Canada travelers will be eligible for a full refund requested through the app or the company’s website. The airline will also attempt to rebook travelers on other airlines, though availability during the summer travel season is limited.

Customers with flexible travel itineraries can change their dates and receive a one-time $50 credit per passenger, or opt for an airline credit equal to the value of the ticket, which is valid for one year. Check Air Canada’s flight advisory updates for more information.

The airline said in a statement on Friday that passengers with immediate travel plans will need to make alternative arrangements. Customers with flights booked before Aug. 14 for travel between Aug. 15 and 18 can rebook their travel from Aug. 21 onward at no cost.

Travelers can also try booking flights with WestJet Airlines, the second largest Canadian carrier behind Air Canada, though the carrier has a significantly smaller network, especially internationally, and would have limited capacity to absorb Air Canada’s cancellations. A spokeswoman for WestJet said that they are monitoring the negotiations and “will support Canadians wherever possible.”

Will my travel insurance cover the disruption?

You’ll need to read the fine print. Some travel insurance plans include trip cancellations, and in some cases, cancellation because of a labor strike, but the coverage varies. And keep in mind that some insurance covers trip cancellations only up to a certain amount.

How long is the strike expected to last?

It’s unclear. If the strike goes into effect on Saturday morning, travelers should expect disruptions for as long as it continues.

A strike by Spirit Airlines pilots in 2010 lasted for five days before an agreement was reached.

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