WestJet canceled 76 flights on July 31, 2026, as the airline prepares for a possible strike by its flight attendants scheduled to begin at 2 a.m. Eastern Standard Time on August 2. The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125, representing 4,400 flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice on July 30, signaling potential widespread disruptions.
The union represents 4,400 WestJet flight attendants, with 4,287 members in the bargaining unit potentially affected by the strike. Members authorized strike action last month with a 99.4% vote. The union seeks contract improvements similar to those negotiated by Air Canada flight attendants last
summer, particularly regarding unpaid ground work. WestJet flight attendants currently report working up to 35 unpaid hours monthly. The dispute centers on WestJet’s credit hour pay system, which combines flight time, ground duties, delays, and other required work into a single pay rate, a system the union contests.
In response to the strike notice, WestJet issued a 72-hour lockout notice effective August 2 and pre-emptively canceled flights to avoid aircraft and crew being stranded internationally. WestJet CEO Alexis Von Hoensbroech expressed regret over the turmoil caused to guests but emphasized the airline’s obligation to maintain network integrity during negotiations. The
federal government urged both parties to continue bargaining to avoid disruption, with a spokesperson for Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu emphasizing that the strongest agreements occur at the bargaining table.
The cancellations predominantly impact WestJet’s Canadian domestic flights and some international routes. Travelers with bookings from July 30 through August 4 are advised to monitor flight status closely. The airline is offering flexible change and cancellation policies during this period, although options may not accommodate all passengers, including those with tightly scheduled itineraries.
WestJet flight attendants’ union president Alia Hussain stated, “We have been clear about what needs to change, and
we have worked hard to reach a fair deal.” Hussain added, “The strike notice does not mean flight attendants want to go on strike,” emphasizing ongoing negotiations. Vancouver resident Michael Murphy, whose wedding guests are flying from Dublin on WestJet, said the airline’s offer to rearrange flights was unsuitable for several guests. “It’s not as easy just to move the flight forward,” he said, citing uncertainty caused by the labour dispute.
Air Canada’s flight attendants negotiated a four-year agreement last summer with annual wage increases and ground pay that gradually rises from 50% to 80% of hourly pay over the
contract period. The WestJet union aims to secure comparable compensation for ground duties, citing unpaid work hours as a core issue. WestJet maintains its credit hour pay system aligns with North American industry standards for cabin crew.
