✈️ Air Canada Flight Attendants Could Strike This Summer: What Travelers Should Know

An Air Canada strike may be looming as the airline’s 10,000 flight attendants—represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE)—continue to negotiate for fairer wages and better working conditions. The current contract expired on March 31, and with both sides now at a standstill, CUPE filed for conciliation with Canada’s Minister of Labour on May 14.

What Does This Mean for Air Canada Travelers?

Air Canada has reassured the public that flights are continuing as scheduled and that customers can still book with confidence. However, travelers should remain aware of developments, especially those with flights planned for the summer.

Once a conciliator is appointed, both parties have up to 60 days to work toward a deal, followed by a 21-day cooling-off period. If no agreement is reached, CUPE may provide 72 hours' notice before initiating any job action—including a strike.

The Union’s Concerns

The key issue at hand is compensation. According to CUPE, Air Canada only pays flight attendants when the plane is in motion—leaving pre-flight and post-flight tasks like boarding, deplaning, and safety checks unpaid. Entry-level flight attendants reportedly earn around $1,950/month, which the union states is unsustainable given today’s cost of living.

CUPE is also campaigning to close a loophole in the Canada Labour Code that allows airlines to require up to 35 hours of unpaid work per month.

What Should Travelers Do?

At this time, no flights have been cancelled or delayed due to labor action. However, travelers with upcoming Air Canada itineraries should:

• Monitor email and Air Canada updates closely.

• Consider purchasing trip interruption insurance.

• Speak with your travel advisor about alternative airlines or flexible booking options.

At Luxuria Elite Travel, we are closely following this situation and will provide updates as they unfold. Our clients can rest assured that we will proactively communicate any disruptions and help with rebooking or travel protection as needed.

For any questions or concerns about your upcoming Air Canada trip, don’t hesitate to contact our support team.