"A daily impact of 130,000 individuals"
Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Disrupts Summer Travel
A labor dispute between Air Canada and its 10,500 flight attendants, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), has led to a strike from August 16 to 19, 2025. The strike has caused disruptions to Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights but not regional brands Air Canada Express operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines.
Negotiation Status
A tentative agreement was reached on August 19, after defying a government-imposed return-to-work order. However, the agreement is pending ratification by union members, meaning it could still be rejected. As of August 22-23, Air Canada has resumed flight operations and communicated an expanded reimbursement policy covering reasonable hotel and meal expenses for passengers affected between August 15 and 23.
Key Issues in the Dispute
While specific negotiation details are not fully disclosed, the dispute centred on proposed contract terms, government intervention through binding arbitration and return-to-work orders. This suggests the dispute centred on working conditions, pay, and job security typical of flight attendant labor negotiations.
Impact on Flights
The strike halted all mainline and Rouge flights, affecting approximately 130,000 passengers daily during the busy summer travel season. Regional flights (Air Canada Express) continued operating, providing some travel options. Passengers faced long telephone wait times and were encouraged to use app/online tools for rebooking as call centers were overwhelmed. Air Canada worked with partner airlines, including United Airlines (Star Alliance), to rebook affected customers. The disruption coincided with a major festival in Calgary, compounding accommodation and transportation difficulties.
In summary, the labor dispute caused a significant but relatively short strike that impacted summer travel heavily, with negotiations currently in a tentative but not final stage pending union vote. Air Canada is in the process of restoring full flight service and customer accommodations.
[1] CBC News. (2025, August 16). Air Canada flight attendants to strike, disrupting travel plans for thousands. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-1.6121584
[2] CBC News. (2025, August 19). Air Canada flight attendants strike ends, but tentative deal not yet ratified. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/air-canada-flight-attendants-strike-ends-1.6122026
[3] CBC News. (2025, August 23). Air Canada resumes flights, expands reimbursement policy for passengers. Retrieved from https://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/air-canada-resumes-flights-expands-reimbursement-policy-for-passengers-1.6123080
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