Air Canada Strike Continues: Updates on Flights, Cancellations

For thousands of travelers caught in chaos at major Canadian airports, the Air Canada strike has meant one thing above all: no way home. What started as a labour dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants’ union has spiraled into a full operational shutdown, with the airline suspending all flights just days after the job action began.

Strike Notice Date: August 13, 2025 · Union Involved: CUPE · Workers on Strike: Over 10,000 flight attendants · Operations Status: Suspended · Tentative Agreement Date: August 19, 2025

Six key developments trace the arc from strike vote to tentative deal and beyond.

Has the Air Canada strike been resolved?

The strike itself ended on August 19, 2025, when CUPE announced a tentative agreement had been reached after mediation. However, the underlying dispute is far from settled. A ratification vote held between August 27 and September 6, 2025 ended with 99.1% of voting CUPE members rejecting the wage portion of the tentative agreement, according to Wikipedia’s coverage of the strike. Participation was exceptionally high: 99.4% of CUPE members cast ballots.

Tentative agreement details

The agreement addressed some core demands. CUPE stated that the deal would end unpaid work during ground duties like boarding and deplaning. The union declared that “Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power” following the August 19 announcement, as reported by Time magazine. Air Canada’s offer had included a 38% compensation increase over four years with 50% pay for ground duties, per Fox Business.

Union response to back-to-work orders

On August 17, 2025, the Canada Industrial Relations Board (CIRB) ordered flight attendants to return to work, effectively ending both the strike and lockout. CUPE directed members to defy that order, a rare act of defiance against a government-backed directive. Air Canada had already issued a statement expressing amazement that striking workers were disregarding the order, according to Air Canada’s official media statement. Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu had directed CIRB to intervene, per Wikipedia’s account.

Will all Air Canada flights be cancelled with the strike?

Yes, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights were suspended starting August 16, 2025, when the lockout took effect. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge typically operate approximately 700 flights per day, according to Air Canada Media. Roughly 240 flights had already been cancelled by the afternoon of August 17, as detailed in Air Canada’s operational update.

Affected operations

The suspension halted all mainline and Air Canada Rouge operations, leaving over 100,000 passengers stranded, as reported by Fox Business. Air Canada stated that 130,000 customers were impacted daily by the suspension, per the company’s official announcement. Major airports like Toronto Pearson saw picket lines form outside terminals.

Air Canada Rouge status

Air Canada Rouge operations were included in the broader suspension. However, Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz and PAL continued normally during the strike, as confirmed by Air Canada Media. Passengers holding bookings on Express carriers experienced no service changes.

Why does Air Canada keep striking?

CUPE and Air Canada have been negotiating over a new collective agreement since the previous one expired in March 2025, according to Wikipedia’s timeline. The union represents over 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, per Air Canada Media. The core issue centers on compensation during ground time.

Labour dispute history

A cooling-off period between CUPE and Air Canada began July 26, 2025, with the strike vote commencing July 28, 2025, according to Global News. CUPE could legally strike as of August 16, 2025, at 12:01 a.m. EDT. The union had overwhelming support: 99.7% of CUPE Air Canada flight attendants voted in favor of strike action, per Global News. CUPE served its 72-hour strike notice on August 13, 2025, the same day Air Canada served its lockout notice.

CEO comments

Air Canada’s CEO publicly expressed amazement that striking workers were disregarding the back-to-work order, per Air Canada’s official statement. National President of CUPE Mark Hancock stated the union “would not back down,” according to Time magazine. A CUPE spokesperson had earlier indicated that “the goal is not to go on strike,” suggesting the union sought leverage rather than a prolonged work stoppage.

What is the average salary of an Air Canada Flight Attendant?

According to Indeed’s salary data, Air Canada Flight Attendants earn an average that reflects the broader aviation industry’s compensation challenges. The union’s demands centered on ensuring full pay during all working hours, including ground duties that were previously unpaid.

Hourly rates

CUPE’s key demand was compensation for ground time, specifically pay during boarding and deplaning procedures. The union argued that flight attendants perform significant work before passengers board and after they disembark without compensation. Air Canada’s counter-offer included 50% pay for ground duties, falling short of the union’s demand for full compensation.

Comparison data

Air Canada’s offer of a 38% compensation increase over four years represented the company’s most substantial proposal, yet it did not fully address the ground-time pay issue. CUPE rejected the deal citing inadequate wage improvements. The rejected tentative agreement would have provided some relief but was deemed insufficient by the membership.

How will I know if my Air Canada flight gets cancelled?

Air Canada has established multiple channels for passengers to check their flight status. The airline encouraged affected customers to monitor official updates and utilize the disruption information page on their website.

Notification methods

Passengers with existing bookings receive automated notifications via email and the Air Canada mobile app when flights are cancelled or significantly delayed. The airline’s official disruption page provides real-time updates on flight status. Customers can also check status through the “Flight Status” section on Air Canada’s website by entering their flight number.

Disruption checks

Air Canada offered affected passengers refunds, credits, or rebooking on other carriers when available, per Air Canada’s customer accommodation statement. Passengers experiencing disruptions should retain their original booking confirmations and any additional expenses incurred due to cancellations, as these may be eligible for reimbursement under Air Canada’s policies.

Key quotes

CUPE (Union)

“Unpaid work is over. We have reclaimed our voice and our power.”

Mark Hancock, CUPE National President

The union “would not back down” in defiance of the CIRB order.

Air Canada Media Statement

The airline expressed amazement that striking workers were disregarding the government order to return to work.

CUPE Spokesperson

“The goal is not to go on strike,” indicating the union sought leverage through the threat of action.

The September 6 rejection of the tentative agreement reveals a union membership unwilling to accept partial concessions. The near-unanimous vote against the wage portion signals that flight attendants remain unified in their demands, even as negotiations shift to mandatory mediation where no new strike can be called. For Air Canada, the path forward requires addressing the core ground-time compensation issue that has defined this dispute since the previous contract expired in March 2025. Travelers should expect continued uncertainty and potential schedule disruptions as mediation proceeds without a firm resolution timeline established.

Related reading: Air Canada Strike Continues: Updates on Flights and Status · Air Canada Strike Continues: Updates, Cancellations & Impacts

The Air Canada flight attendants strike persists amid union rejections, with flight attendants strike updates providing key insights on cancellations and timelines.

Frequently asked questions