WestJet’s 4,400 flight attendants represented by CUPE went on strike early on Sunday morning, August 2, 2026, leading to the cancellation of more than 300 flights and disrupting travel for approximately 250,000 passengers across Canada.
Flight Disruptions at Saskatoon and Regina Airports
Flight cancellations were concentrated at Saskatoon International Airport and Regina International Airport, where CUPE Local 8125 members and CUPE Saskatchewan President Kent Peterson held picket lines. Saskatoon flights to Calgary, Toronto, Vancouver, and Minneapolis-St. Paul were cancelled. At Regina, all WestJet flights operating Boeing 737 aircraft were grounded, affecting routes to Toronto, Halifax, and Vancouver. WestJet accounts for about 60 percent of Regina’s seat capacity,
with the strike removing an estimated 600 to 700 seats from the city’s market on August 2.
Negotiations and Contract Proposals
Negotiations between WestJet and CUPE have been ongoing in Calgary since the previous contract expired on December 31, 2025. A significant issue is compensation for time worked on the ground, including check-in and other duties before and after flights. WestJet offered a contract package including a 13 percent wage increase starting October 2026 with retroactive pay to January 1, annual 2.5 percent raises through 2029, a 12 percent duty pay premium, a $300 yearly health care spending account, expanded vacation, and a 17-week
postpartum maternity leave top-up. The airline also proposed scheduling improvements such as reduced maximum duty days and additional rest periods. The offer was rejected by the union, which has expressed that workers deserve better pay and conditions.
Passenger Experiences Amid Cancellations
Passengers faced significant delays and rerouting challenges. Jarod Eagles, stranded at Regina International Airport after his Calgary-to-Phoenix connection was cancelled, said, “What’s the point of getting to Calgary if I have no other option?” He spent 45 minutes seeking alternative flights, noting that last-minute bookings on other airlines could cost thousands of dollars. Other travelers such as Mary Magnuson and Charlie Stierheim expressed
caution but remained optimistic despite the disruptions. Regina Airport increased security staff to assist affected passengers, who also reported difficulty accessing WestJet customer service for rebooking.
Official Statements and Ongoing Operations
WestJet CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment over the strike, stating the company’s commitment to finalizing an agreement and highlighting that their latest offer would have set a new Canadian cabin crew pay standard. CUPE Local 8125 president Alia Hussain attributed the strike to the airline’s failure to accept workers’ demands after nearly 11 months of bargaining and affirmed readiness to resume negotiations. Canada’s Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu also expressed disappointment at the lack
of a deal and emphasized the importance of reaching agreements at the bargaining table. WestJet Encore flights, which operate on regional aircraft, continued to fly during the strike, though passengers were cautioned that connections on mainline WestJet were cancelled, which could disrupt itineraries.
