Canadians are three days away from a possible airline strike that would throw travel into chaos.
The union representing more than 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants issued a 72-hour strike notice just after midnight ET on 13 AUG, 2025. Published reports say that means a potentially paralyzing strike against Canada’s largest airline could begin at 12:58 a.m. EDT on Saturday, 16AUG; right in the heart of the busy summer season.
In a letter to Air Canada, Wesley Lesosky President, Air Canada Component of CUPE stated that “Regrettably, the Company ceased to engage in meaningful dialogue on these critical issues, leaving us with no choice but to move forward in a manner that may impact the travel plans and long-anticipated vacations of the public. We do not take this lightly.”
“At 00:58h EST today, we officially served notice to strike," CUPE’s AC component site declared.
Air Canada on 12AUG issued a statement saying it has offered attendants a 38% pay hike over four years, including payment for some duties that are now unpaid.
According to the Globe and Mail, the union says it’s been offered a 17.2% pay hike over four years and that the airline is willing to pay for some work that is now unpaid. But that would be only be at 50% of the current FA hourly rate.
Air Canada officials have requested the Mark Carney government in Ottawa appoint a binding arbitrator to resolve the impasse. The union, however, said that would almost certainly mean a less favourable package for its members.
Investment analysts predict if the strike were to materialize, “the fallout will be catastrophic.” They estimate it will lead to a $98 million daily loss to Canada’s economy.
A strike would not affect Air Canada Jazz, but would impact mainline Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights roughly four out of five of AC's daily 130,00 customers.
Air Canada posted the following statement on 12AUG:
"Customers whose flights are cancelled will be notified and they will be eligible for a full refund, which can be obtained online at www.aircanada.com or through the Air Canada mobile app. The company has made arrangements with other Canadian and foreign carriers to provide customers alternative travel options to the extent possible. Customers will be notified of alternative travel options that are identified for them. However, given other carriers are already very full due to the summer travel peak, securing such capacity will take time and in many cases will not be immediately possible.
In the event of a disruption, Air Canada strongly recommends against customers going to the airport unless they have a confirmed booking and their flights are showing as operating (check your flight’s status on www.aircanada.com before going to the airport). Customers are also advised to use self-service tools as contact centre wait times are expected to be highly elevated.
Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, customers in Canada are not eligible for compensation for delayed or cancelled flights, meals, hotels or other incidental expenses for situations outside the carrier's control such as a labour disruption, which includes a strike or lockout. Air Canada will in all cases inform passengers of their rights under applicable rules if their flight is cancelled or delayed and meet its regulatory obligations."
