Planning to fly to or from Canada next week? Now's the time to check your flight details, as a potential strike could affect your vacation plans. On Wednesday morning, August 13, 2025, Air Canada and its flight attendants' union announced a 72-hour strike notice. The move came after Air Canada said it would lock out flight attendants following a vote to strike. To prepare for the potential work stoppage, Air Canada will begin suspending flights on Thursday, August 14, 2025, putting many travelers
in limbo. Flights from Canada have already decreased significantly this year, and a total shutdown of a major airline is unlikely to help.
About 10,000 flight attendants could walk off the job next week, calling the current pay "poverty wages." The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents them, and Air Canada have been in talks since March 2025 without reaching an agreement. Flight attendants are pushing for higher wages, particularly for time spent on the ground. Currently, employees are paid only when flights are in the air. However, as any flyer knows, there's a good deal of time spent on the ground before and after takeoff. Air Canada said in a statement that it has offered 50% of their hourly pay for ground work, but no deal has been reached.
Flight delays and cancellations are expected to begin after 1 a.m. EDT on Saturday, August 16, 2025. The airline said about 130,000 customers a day could be affected by the suspensions. Air Canada said it hopes that by cancelling flights early, travelers will know if they need to rebook before arriving at the airport. In that case, here's what to do if your flight gets cancelled while at the airport to avoid standing in line.
Read more: The 5 Best Airlines That Fly To Hawaii, According To Reviews
Will My Tickets Be Covered If My Flight Is Cancelled?
Air Canada said flight cancellations due to the strike will be eligible for a full refund. If your upcoming flight is suspended or canceled, this may be good news for your wallet; however, you'll need to rebook your flight, which could add extra costs and complications. If your credit card company includes travel insurance, you could be reimbursed for unexpected travel expenses. There are often specific requirements, so it's best not to assume your provider will offer a refund. Depending on your insurance plan and credit card, a strike may be considered a known event if you booked after Air Canada and CUPE's labor dispute began in March 2025.
If your flight is cancelled, refund requests can be submitted on Air Canada's website or through its app. Air Canada said it will work with other airlines to try to accommodate displaced travelers, including passengers 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 also allow you to rebook -- whether changing or deferring travel -- at no additional cost. Given the uncertainty until a deal is reached, this policy will allows ticket holders to fly with a another airline or postpone travel entirely. If your flight is suspended this week, it's best to contact the airline early to change airlines. You can also try Samantha Brown's airport hack for getting a canceled flight re-booked ASAP.
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Read the original article on Islands.
