Air Canada’s 10,000 flight attendants are now on strike, effectively grinding the airline’s operations to a halt.
The shutdown at Canada’s largest airline will disrupt around 130,000 travelers a day, including international travelers heading to and from the country. Air Canada Express flights, which are operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines and serve regional destinations, are not affected.
Here’s what you need to know if you’re scheduled to fly on Air Canada in the coming days.
Why are Air Canada flight attendants on strike?
Flight attendants are seeking better pay and compensation for work they do before flights take off and after they land. (Historically, flight attendants have been paid only for hours that they are in the air, and not for work done during boarding or deplaning, though some major U.S. airlines, including Delta and American, have adjusted some of those policies in recent years.)
Are all Air Canada flights affected?
No. Regional flights operated by Air Canada Express will not be affected, since those flights are subcontracted to smaller carriers. Those regional flights make up about 300 of Air Canada’s 1,000 daily flights.
Are any other airlines affected?
Flights that include Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge, a low-cost subsidiary, may be impacted by the labor dispute, and passengers should check their flight status for any cancellations or disruptions.
Air Canada is part of the Star Alliance, which includes more than 20 partnering airlines like Lufthansa and United. Even travelers on other airlines should check if their flight is code-sharing with or operated by Air Canada, which could cause disruptions.
For Air Canada-operated flights on other airlines, travelers will need to seek a refund from the issuing airline.
My flight was canceled. What are my options?
Air Canada travelers are eligible for a full refund requested through the app or the company’s website. The airline will also attempt to rebook travelers on other airlines, though availability during the summer travel season is limited.
Customers who booked their Air Canada flights through an online travel agency like Expedia should contact the agency itself.
Customers with flexible travel itineraries can change their dates and receive a one-time $50 credit per passenger, or opt for an airline credit equal to the value of the ticket, which is valid for one year. Check Air Canada’s flight advisory updates for more information.
The airline said in a statement on Friday that passengers with immediate travel plans will need to make alternative arrangements. Customers with flights booked before Aug. 14 for travel between Aug. 15 and 18 can rebook their travel from Aug. 21 onward at no cost.
Travelers can also try booking flights with WestJet Airlines, the second largest Canadian carrier behind Air Canada, though the carrier has a significantly smaller network, especially internationally, and would have limited capacity to absorb Air Canada’s cancellations. A spokeswoman for WestJet said that the company is “doing what we can to limit the impact on Canadian travelers who may face disruption,” including positioning larger aircraft onto key routes and working to add a limited number of extra flights to help accommodate guests.
Will my travel insurance cover the disruption?
You’ll need to read the fine print. Some travel insurance plans include trip cancellations, and in some cases, cancellation because of a labor strike, but the coverage varies. And keep in mind that some insurance covers trip cancellations only up to a certain amount.
How long is the strike expected to last?
It’s unclear, but travelers should expect disruptions for as long as the strike continues.
A strike by Spirit Airlines pilots in 2010 lasted for five days before an agreement was reached. In 1998, a strike by pilots at Northwest Airlines lasted for two weeks.
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Nia Decaille, an editor on The Times’s Audience team, is currently reporting for the Travel section.
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