Travellers departing from Toronto Pearson Airport may be in for a weekend of significant disruption as Air Canada winds down its operations ahead of a looming strike by flight attendants.
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents around 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, is set to begin strike action on Saturday morning. The move follows a 72-hour lockout notice issued by the airline on Wednesday, signalling a near-total shutdown of its services.
In the meantime, the impact is already being felt. On Thursday and Friday, Toronto Pearson posted on social media that it was “monitoring and preparing” for the labour disruption. By Friday afternoon, the airport confirmed on X that “dozens” of flights had been cancelled, with more expected throughout the evening.
“If your flight is cancelled, please do not travel to the airport,” the airport’s post advised, adding that passengers flying with other airlines weren’t expected to face disruptions.
Pearson stated that it was increasing terminal staffing, collaborating with Air Canada on an aircraft parking plan, and allocating additional resources to ensure operations run as smoothly as possible.
Flight-tracking platform FlightRadar reported 112 cancellations at Pearson as of Friday afternoon, 90 operated by Air Canada and 19 by Air Canada Rouge, along with 185 delays. Those numbers are expected to climb as the strike begins in earnest.
It’s not just in Toronto that the impact is being felt. Air Canada’s X account posted that as of 12 p.m. on Friday, 294 flights had been cancelled, with 55,726 passengers affected.
Here’s everything we know so far.
Why are the Air Canada flight attendants striking?
As reported by Narcity earlier this week, Air Canada flight attendants, represented by CUPE, have begun strike action over pay and working conditions. The union, which represents over 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, states that it has received a 99.7% strike mandate from its members.
Air Canada offered a 38% wage increase over a four-year period. However, in a statement on Tuesday, CUPE Air Canada Component president, Wesley Lesosky, argued that the real figure is closer to 17.2% (8% in the first year) after factoring in inflation and other conditions, claiming the offer still leaves wages below industry standards and, in some cases, below the federal minimum wage.
CUPE points out that entry-level attendants currently earn $1,952 a month before taxes, which would rise to about $2,108 under the first year’s increase, less than the $2,840 a full-time worker would earn at federal minimum wage.
The union has accused Air Canada of walking away from negotiations after the airline proposed using a third-party arbitrator, a move CUPE rejected.
Air Canada has since requested that the federal government order binding arbitration under the Canada Labour Code. CUPE says it remains at the bargaining table and ready to negotiate, but won’t agree to a process that removes members’ right to vote on the outcome.
When is the strike planned to start?
More than 10,000 flight attendants are expected to walk off the job at 1 a.m. ET on Saturday if a deal isn’t reached between Air Canada and CUPE.
The strike could result in additional flight cancellations and delays at Toronto Pearson and other Canadian airports, impacting both domestic and international travel.
What does this mean for Air Canada passengers?
Air Canada has begun a phased wind-down of most of its operations, which is expected to be completed over the next two days.
Passengers booked to travel between August 15 and August 18 can change their flight for free if their ticket or Aeroplan reward was purchased by August 14, 2025. You may reschedule for August 15 or any date between August 21 and September 12, 2025.
For non-refundable tickets, you can cancel and receive the unused portion as an AC Wallet credit or Future Travel Credit. Tickets booked through Air Canada Vacations must be managed directly with them.
Aeroplan reward bookings can be cancelled online without a fee.
If you keep your booking and your flight is cancelled, Air Canada says it will attempt to rebook you on an alternative flight, including those operated by other airlines. The airline notes that limited availability during the summer travel peak may make timely rebooking difficult, and refunds are always an option if your travel plans are disrupted.
Air Canada says it will notify passengers in advance of any changes to their flights.
What should Toronto travellers do now?
If you’re flying with Air Canada this weekend, check your flight status online or via the Air Canada mobile app for the latest updates.
If your flight is cancelled, don’t go to Toronto Pearson. Use the website or app to rebook or request a refund.
Passengers booked to travel between August 15 and 18 (with tickets purchased by August 14) may consider rescheduling to a date after August 21.
Expect longer wait times if you’re calling the airline. Air Canada will notify affected passengers by email.
This strike could impact thousands of passengers, so plan ahead: check if your flight is operating, and if not, rebook or request a refund.
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