Air Canada Strike: Cancellations Thursday, Shutdown Saturday

Published on Aug 14, 2025, 10:31 am CDT

5 min read

Air Canada will begin canceling flights on August 14 and wind down mainline and Rouge operations through August 15, with a complete shutdown by August 16 if a flight-attendant strike proceeds. The airline issued a lockout notice after talks stalled and a union strike notice was served, while an offer of binding arbitration was rejected. Refunds and reaccommodation are being offered under Canada's passenger-rights rules, and regional operations by Jazz and PAL are expected to continue. Travelers should expect cascading schedule impacts across Star Alliance partners on Canadian and transborder routes.

Key Points

Why it matters: Tens of thousands face widespread cancellations and missed connections.
Travel impact: Mainline and Rouge halt by August 16 if the strike starts.
What's next: Watch for rolling rebooks, partner swaps, and airport crowding.
Arbitration rejected, lockout notice issued, negotiations at impasse.
Refunds or rebooking required if not accommodated within 48 hours.
Jazz and PAL regional flights continue, but capacity is limited.

Snapshot

Air Canada plans a phased cancellation program to avoid mid-journey strandings, starting August 14. The shutdown would extend to Air Canada Rouge by August 16 if the strike launches. The airline says it will rebook eligible travelers, including onto other carriers where agreements exist, and offer refunds when rebooking is not possible within statutory windows. Flight attendants represented by CUPE rejected binding arbitration, citing unpaid ground duties and wage concerns, while Air Canada says its recent proposal substantially increased compensation. Air Canada Express services operated by Jazz and PAL are not party to this dispute and are slated to fly, though they represent a smaller share of network capacity.

Background

Talks between Air Canada and its flight attendants have run for months with core disagreements over compensation and pay for ground-time duties. After the company declared an impasse, it sought government intervention and proposed binding arbitration. CUPE declined, then served a 72-hour strike notice; the airline responded with a lockout notice. Under Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations, labor disruptions are considered outside the airline's control, which changes what passengers are owed. The airline has published a change-fee waiver and travel policy window to move trips away from the August 15 to 18 period. Given peak-summer demand at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR), knock-on effects are likely across the region.

Related coverage: Air Canada Declares Impasse, Shutdown Looms

Latest Developments

Air Canada strike: refunds and rebooking windows

Under Canada's APPR, if a cancellation is due to a labor disruption, the airline must rebook you at no extra cost on its next available flight or a partner within 48 hours of your original departure time. If it cannot, you may choose a refund or free rebooking on another carrier. Air Canada has also posted a travel policy allowing customers ticketed by August 13 for travel August 15 to 18 to change dates at no fee, with rebooking permitted into late August and early September. Lump-sum compensation for inconvenience generally does not apply when the disruption is outside the airline's control, though international travelers may have claims for certain expenses under the Montreal Convention.

What still flies via Jazz and PAL, and Star Alliance ripple effects

Flights branded Air Canada Express and operated by Jazz and PAL are planned to continue because their flight attendants are not part of this dispute. These services cover a limited slice of the network, so capacity will be tight. Expect cascading effects on Star Alliance partners, especially on Canada-U.S. transborder flows where United Airlines and other partners handle codeshares and connections. High-demand corridors, including YYZ-U.S. hubs, could see upgauging, schedule swaps, and rolling rebooks as partners absorb displaced travelers. If you hold a codeshare operated by Air Canada, monitor the operating carrier field, confirm airport times, and request reaccommodation proactively if your itinerary relies on a canceled segment.

Analysis

Operationally, a phased wind-down is designed to protect travelers from mid-itinerary strandings and to keep aircraft and crew positioned for recovery. It will not prevent airport crowding. Hubs at Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ), Montréal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport (YUL), and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) will feel the brunt, with pressure spilling onto regional spokes. The continuation of Jazz and PAL mitigates some essential connectivity, but the scale of mainline cancellations means partner capacity will be the governing constraint. For transborder trips, United's network depth offers the best relief valve, yet partner seats may be scarce at peak times. From a rights standpoint, Canada's APPR centers on rebooking within 48 hours first, then refunds or competitor reroutes if that fails. Travelers should keep receipts for reasonable expenses on international itineraries, since Montreal Convention claims depend on documentation. Finally, voluntary changes into the airline's published waiver window can be a smart move if your travel is flexible, since earlier rebooking generally secures better inventory and routing.

Final Thoughts

If the walkout proceeds, mainline and Rouge will halt by August 16, with widespread knock-ons through the weekend. Use the fee-free change window, verify whether your flight is operated by Jazz or PAL, and push for rebooking within 48 hours under APPR before accepting a refund. If your plans are firm, ask about partner reaccommodation on Star Alliance, especially for U.S. connections. Keep all confirmations and receipts, monitor your email and app notifications, and plan extra time at hubs. Preparation and quick rebooking will reduce the sting of the Air Canada strike.