Points Miles and Bling (blog) contains referral or affiliate links. The blog receives a small commission at no additional cost to you. Thank you for your continued support. Credit Card issuers are not responsible for maintaining or monitoring the accuracy of information on this website. For full details, current product information, and Terms and Conditions, click the link included.
Air Canada has suspended all operations of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge due to a strike by its 10,000 flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE). The strike took effect at 12:58 am Eastern Time on August 16, 2025.
Flights operated under Air Canada Express (such as Jazz and PAL Airlines) continue as usual, since they are run by third-party carriers and not directly affected by CUPE’s action.
CUPE had served Air Canada with the statutory 72-hour strike notice on August 13, 2025. In anticipation, Air Canada gradually reduced its schedule of approximately 700 daily flights to minimize disruption. Despite this effort, the suspension now impacts an estimated 130,000 customers per day.
Impacted Passengers and Goodwill Policy
Passengers are strongly advised not to go to the airport unless they hold a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Rouge. Air Canada is notifying customers with imminent travel about cancelled flights and their available options. To assist passengers affected by the strike, Air Canada has introduced a temporary goodwill policy that applies to bookings between August 15 and August 19, 2025, provided the ticket was purchased (or Aeroplan points redeemed) on or before August 14, 2025. The options available to impacted passengers include;
- Cancel and Receive a Credit – If you hold a non-refundable fare, you may cancel your itinerary and receive the unused value of your ticket credited to your Air Canada Wallet, or issued as a Future Travel Credit for use on a later booking.
- Aeroplan Flight Rewards – Aeroplan members who redeemed points can cancel without penalty directly through Air Canada’s website.
- Rebooking Options for suspended flights – Air Canada will attempt to rebook you with partner airlines. If rebooking is not possible within an acceptable timeframe, you may request a refund.
A detailed list of options can be found here.
Takeaway
The strike has caused a full suspension of Air Canada and Rouge operations, significantly disrupting travel plans for hundreds of thousands of passengers. While Air Canada Express flights are still running, travellers booked with Air Canada or Rouge must review their options under the goodwill policy to minimize disruption, whether by rebooking within the eligible windows, cancelling for credits, or requesting a refund if flights are cancelled.
