WestJet canceled 276 flights across Canada between the evening of July 31 and the afternoon of August 1, 2026, as it prepares for a potential strike by its flight attendants. The cancellations began on Friday evening, July 31, continued through August 1, and the earliest the strike could begin is Sunday, August 2, at 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time (2:01 a.m. Eastern Time).
Flight Cancellations Target Key Routes, Exemptions Noted
The cancellations include 80 flights on the evening of July 31, 32 early on the morning of August 1, 86 as of 11 a.m. Mountain Time on August 1, and 78 additional cancellations later that afternoon. Seven cancellations
occurred on the Calgary (YYC) to Vancouver (YVR) route. Other routes with multiple cancellations are Calgary to Toronto, Vancouver to Calgary, Edmonton to Calgary, Calgary to Victoria, and Toronto to Calgary with three cancellations each. Two cancellations each affected the routes Cancun to Toronto, Toronto to Vancouver, Toronto to Edmonton, and Calgary to Kelowna.
WestJet Encore flights operated on Q400 aircraft and codeshare flights by partner airlines were exempt from cancellations. Sunwing Vacations, part of the WestJet Group, affirmed that most of its flights continue to operate as scheduled. WestJet is communicating directly with affected passengers and advises monitoring emails
for disruption notifications from Sunwing Vacations.
Labour Dispute Context and Government Intervention Possibility
The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing WestJet flight attendants, issued a 72-hour strike notice after failing to reach a tentative agreement. WestJet proposed a “transformative,” “industry-leading” agreement that includes double-digit pay increases, new compensation models, and scheduling improvements, which CUPE rejected. Federal mediators have supported negotiations since May 2026.
The Government of Canada may invoke Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to intervene and maintain industrial peace if a strike occurs, a measure previously used in the 2025 Air Canada flight attendants’ strikes. CUPE calls on the government to refrain from
intervention to allow fair collective bargaining.
Passenger Notifications and Travel Updates
Passengers will receive flight disruption notifications only if their flights are canceled. WestJet urges travelers to monitor emails for options from Sunwing Vacations and to check its Travel Advisory and bargaining update pages for the latest information.
Official Statements on Negotiations and Operations
WestJet stated the cancellations “ensure the airline has complete control of its operations and can communicate with guests and crew to minimize people being stranded.” It reiterated commitment to reaching a negotiated agreement and expressed belief that a deal is within reach.
Minister Patty Hajdu, Canadian Jobs Minister, issued a statement in Calgary on August 1, noting
that both parties are actively working to renew their collective agreement. She underscored that “the best deals are reached at the bargaining table,” highlighting ongoing federal mediation efforts since May and emphasizing Canadians’ reliance on a stable air travel system.
