Air Canada Strike 2025: Flight Attendants Issue 72-Hour Notice, Cancellations Begin August 14

Air Canada is facing one of its biggest operational crises in recent years as the Air Canada Component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing more than 10,000 flight attendants from Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, has issued a 72-hour strike notice.

The strike is set to begin Saturday, August 16, 2025, and the airline has confirmed that it will start canceling flights from Thursday, August 14. The move comes at the height of the summer travel season, putting thousands of passengers’ plans in jeopardy.

Why Is Air Canada Canceling Flights?

Air Canada says the early cancellations are a preemptive measure to reduce chaos during the strike period. Additional cancellations are expected on August 15, with a full suspension of operations on August 16 if no deal is reached with CUPE.

The airline has promised to:

• Notify all affected passengers promptly

• Offer full refunds for canceled flights

• Provide updates through its website and mobile app

However, the uncertainty is already causing widespread concern among travelers, tour operators, and the broader tourism sector.

The Core Issues: Wages & Unpaid Work

The dispute centers on wage increases and compensation for unpaid duties.

Wage Dispute: Falling Behind Inflation

Air Canada has proposed a 17.2% wage increase over four years:

• Year 1: 8%

• Year 2: 3%

• Year 3: 2.5%

• Year 4: 2.75%

CUPE argues this is inadequate, noting that Canadian inflation from 2015–2025 totals nearly 28%. Flight attendants have not had a new contract since 2015, leading to significant erosion of purchasing power.

Unpaid Work: A Hidden Labor Burden

Flight attendants are only paid for airborne hours—from takeoff to landing. Tasks such as boarding, safety checks, and deplaning remain unpaid. CUPE reports this amounts to 35 hours of unpaid work weekly.

Air Canada has offered partial compensation for these tasks at 50% of the hourly rate, but the union is demanding full pay for all work performed.

Impact on Travelers: Airports Brace for Disruption

If the strike proceeds, Toronto Pearson, Vancouver International, and Montreal-Trudeau airports are expected to see:

• Long security lines

• Rebooking delays

• Missed connections

Travelers are advised to:

• Monitor flight status frequently

• Explore alternative airlines or travel dates

• Act quickly to secure rebookings or refunds

Government Response: No Intervention—For Now

Air Canada has urged the federal government to order binding arbitration, but Minister of Jobs and Families Patty Hajdu has declined, saying the parties should negotiate directly.

This hands-off approach has drawn criticism from those warning of broader economic impacts, including tourism losses, supply chain delays, and disrupted business travel.

What’s Next?

Negotiations continue, but with a lockout notice also issued by Air Canada for August 16, the possibility of a complete shutdown is real.

Passengers with bookings between August 14–16 should prepare for changes and monitor updates closely via Air Canada’s official channels.