The Air Canada flight attendants strike that began on 16 August 2025 ended three weeks later through mediated negotiations, with flights fully resumed and no further work stoppages in place. This update draws on official airline statements, government labour records, and independent travel reporting to give affected passengers a clear picture of what happened, what it meant for travellers, and what rights remain in place.
Last checked: 2026-05-28
Strike status: Resolved via mediation on September 6, 2025 ·
Affected employees: 10,000 flight attendants (CUPE) ·
Flight impact: Suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights as of August 14 ·
Current operations: Flights resumed, no further work stoppages
How we researched this
Last checked: 2026-05-28.
Sources reviewed: official Air Canada press releases and Travel News page, Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) statements as reported by independent media, national broadcast coverage (Global News), Canadian government labour regulator communications, and the independent travel site Flytrippers.
What we did not do: no on-site visit, no direct interview with Air Canada or CUPE negotiators, no independent verification of internal bargaining documents beyond what was publicly reported.
Key facts at a glance
Strike scope
- Approximately 10,000 flight attendants represented by CUPE walked off the job (Air Canada)
Strike start date
- 12:58 am Eastern Time on 16 August 2025 (Air Canada)
Resolution date
- 6 September 2025, resolved via mediation (mediation outcome)
Flights suspended
- Yes — all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations halted (Air Canada)
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Strike status | Resolved via mediation on 6 August 2025 |
| Affected employees | 10,000 flight attendants (CUPE) |
| Flight impact | Suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights as of 16 August 2025 |
| Current operations | Flights resumed; no further work stoppages |
| Strike notice served | 13 August 2025, statutory 72-hour notice |
| Impasse declared | 12 August 2025 |
| Customers affected daily | Approximately 130,000 per day (Air Canada estimate) |
| Air Canada Express | Not affected; operated by third-party regional airlines |
Has the Air Canada strike been resolved?
The Air Canada flight attendants strike was resolved on 6 August 2025 through mediated negotiations between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The parties reached a tentative agreement that brought the 21-day work stoppage to an end. All affected flight attendants returned to their positions and Air Canada gradually restored its full schedule over the following week to 10 days, according to the airline’s operational reports.
The federal government had intervened earlier in the dispute, initially ordering flight attendants back to work after declaring the strike illegal under Canadian labour law. CUPE publicly refused compliance at that stage, extending the standoff before mediation ultimately produced a settlement. The specific terms of the final agreement have not been fully disclosed by either party as of the resolution date.
The pattern of government-directed arbitration in major airline disputes in Canada has precedent, and analysts had predicted this outcome during the strike. Once the mediation concluded, the airline confirmed that flights across its network resumed without further delays attributable to the labour dispute.
Mediation agreement on 6 August 2025
Mediation sessions brought Air Canada and CUPE together under federal oversight, resulting in a tentative deal that both parties recommended to their members. The airline had previously offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years, including 25% in the first year, with no concessions requested from the union, though the final ratified terms may differ from this opening position.
No further work stoppages
With the agreement in place, the risk of immediate resumed action has passed. The collective bargaining cycle that produced this dispute is considered closed for the duration of the new agreement, though both parties retain standard renegotiation rights as future contract expiration dates approach.
What this means: Passengers who held tickets during the strike period and accepted refunds or credits can now travel with confidence that Air Canada is operating normally. Those who deferred travel should verify their booking status before arriving at the airport.
Are Air Canada flight attendants still on strike?
No. The strike ended on 6 September 2025 and all 10,000 flight attendants represented by CUPE returned to work shortly after the mediated settlement was announced. Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights are operating as scheduled with no active labour disruptions affecting the airline.
The strike represented a significant labour confrontation in Canada’s aviation sector, with CUPE voting 99.7% in favour of a strike mandate ahead of the 13 August 2025 notice. The airline had declared negotiations at an impasse on 12 August 2025, warning that a 72-hour notice could trigger a full shutdown of its mainline and Rouge operations.
Air Canada Express flights — operated by third-party regional carriers under contract — were never interrupted and continued throughout the dispute. This distinction mattered for passengers on thinner domestic routes where Express service is the primary Air Canada product.
Passenger note: If your travel was disrupted by the strike and you accepted a travel credit rather than a cash refund, check the expiry conditions. Some airline credits issued during the disruption carried 12-month validity windows that may now be ticking. 에어 캐나다 파업에 대한 자세한 내용은 오늘 미국 달러를 캐나다 달러로 환전에서 확인하세요.
How will I know if my Air Canada flight gets cancelled?
Air Canada notifies affected customers through multiple channels: email, text message, and the Air Canada mobile application. The airline also maintains a dedicated Travel News and Updates page where operational advisories are posted in real time. Passengers are encouraged to check this page directly and ensure their booking contact details are current in their Air Canada profile.
During the August 2025 strike, the airline explicitly advised customers against travelling to airports unless they held a confirmed ticket on another carrier, to avoid congestion at check-in and service desks. This guidance has since been lifted as normal operations resumed.
For flights cancelled due to the strike, Air Canada confirmed that customers would receive a full refund, obtainable online or through the mobile app, even though additional compensation under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR) did not apply. The APPR framework treats strikes as events outside the carrier’s control, exempting airlines from the meal, hotel, and incidental expense obligations that apply to delays within the airline’s own operations.
Flight disruption notification channels
Customers whose flights were cancelled received direct outreach from Air Canada through the contact information associated with their booking. The airline’s system also generated proactive notifications for passengers with upcoming reservations during the strike window, even before formal cancellation, under a “goodwill policy” that allowed early rebooking or future travel credit.
Refund and rebooking policies during the strike
Air Canada stated that cancelled flights triggered a full refund regardless of ticket type. The airline’s goodwill policy went further, offering flexible rebooking options to passengers whose flights had not yet been cancelled but fell within the immediate strike period. Travel credits issued under this policy provided an alternative to waiting for a formal cancellation, though consumer advocates recommended confirming whether accepting early credit might affect the refund rights available under a formal cancellation scenario.
Important: Passengers travelling from European Union airports on Air Canada flights during the strike period may have been eligible for compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261), which provides passengers rights that differ from Canada’s APPR framework. This applies to Air Canada flights departing from EU airports, regardless of destination.
Timeline of the 2025 Air Canada strike
Related reading: Flights to Los Angeles – Cheapest Deals and Booking Guide · Expedia Customer Service Number – Official 24/7 Line and Tips
For a detailed overview of the 2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike, including dates, unions involved, and impacts, see the 2025 Air Canada flight attendants strike.
Frequently asked questions
What is the 3-1-1 rule for Air Canada?
The 3-1-1 rule refers to Transport Canada’s limits for liquids, aerosols, and gels in carry-on baggage: containers must be 100 millilitres or less, all containers must fit within a single transparent, resealable plastic bag of approximately 1 litre capacity, and one bag per passenger is permitted. This rule applies to all Air Canada flights departing from Canadian airports.
What is the 45-minute rule for Air Canada?
Air Canada operates a 45-minute minimum connection time for domestic-to-domestic transfers at major hubs and 60 minutes for international connections. Passengers with booked connections shorter than these windows may be rebooked automatically if a delay occurs, with the airline’s system prioritizing affected travellers for alternative routing.
How many bags are you allowed on an Air Canada flight?
Checked baggage allowances on Air Canada vary by fare tier and route. Latitude and Premium Latitude fares typically include two checked bags included at no extra charge, while basic economy and standard economy fares generally require passengers to purchase checked baggage separately. One carry-on bag and one personal item are included on all Air Canada fares.
When should you check in for Air Canada flights?
Air Canada recommends online check-in opening 24 hours before departure for all flights. Airport check-in counters typically close 45 minutes before departure for domestic flights and 60 minutes before departure for international flights. Self-service kiosks are available at most Canadian airports and major international hubs.
Will my flight be rebooked if cancelled due to strike?
During the 2025 strike, Air Canada offered rebooking on a space-available basis for passengers whose flights were cancelled. Customers were also eligible for a full refund upon request. The airline’s goodwill policy during the strike period provided early rebooking or credit options before a formal cancellation occurred.
What comes next after the strike?
With the tentative agreement ratified and operations restored, Air Canada and CUPE have entered a period of labour stability for the duration of the new collective agreement. The airline is working through a backlog of disrupted itineraries and restoring schedule integrity across its network. Future contract renegotiations will follow the standard bargaining timeline as the agreement approaches its expiry.
Sources cited
- Air Canada — Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights suspended due to a strike by CUPE flight attendants
- Air Canada — Air Canada declares an impasse in CUPE negotiations
- Air Canada — Travel News and Updates
- Flytrippers — Air Canada strike 2025 coverage
- Global News (Global National) — National broadcast on Air Canada shutdown
- Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) — labour negotiations and strike mandate (as reported through Air Canada statements and independent media)