WestJet flight attendants initiated a strike on the morning of August 3, 2026, causing approximately 600 mainline flights to be grounded and disrupting travel plans for around 250,000 passengers across Canada.
At Vancouver International Airport (YVR), WestJet cancelled 88 flights representing about 10% of the airport’s daily scheduled departures. Booking for all WestJet flights remains suspended through August 5, 2026, with extensions possible if the strike persists. WestJet Encore flights, operated with Q400 turboprops under a separate union contract, continue to operate as normal.
WestJet presented a new contract offer to its flight attendants union CUPE Local 8125, proposing a
13% wage increase starting October 1, 2026, followed by annual wage increases of 2.5% from 2027 through 2029 and retroactive pay effective January 1, 2026. The package included a 12% pay premium for ground duties, a $300 annual healthcare spending account, increased meal allowances, a fifth week of vacation after 25 years of service, a 17-week maternity leave top-up, a flexible part-time program, and various quality-of-life improvements. The union rejected the proposal, leading to the strike.
Passengers are experiencing massive disruption, with over 300 WestJet cancellations on August 3 alone. Customers report extreme delays in customer service phone lines, sometimes
exceeding seven hours. Many travelers are stranded abroad or adjusting itineraries, such as passengers in Cancun unable to return to Toronto and others from Orlando rerouting flights early to avoid the strike.
WestJet Group CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech expressed disappointment over the strike’s impact on customers, employees, and communities. He emphasized that the company’s offer would have set a new standard for cabin crew compensation in Canada but was declined by the union. CUPE Local 8125 leader Alia Hussain stated the strike reflects the union’s belief that flight attendants deserve better conditions and expressed opposition to government intervention. Federal Jobs
Minister Patti Hajdu called the strike a “disappointing development” and urged both sides to continue negotiations.
Under Canadian Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), airline strikes are deemed outside the carrier’s control. This exempts WestJet from compensating passengers financially but obligates the airline to rebook affected travelers on the next available flight within 48 hours or provide refunds. Customers who voluntarily cancel before an official flight cancellation risk losing their rights to refunds or rebooking. For itineraries with international segments, additional protections apply under the Montreal Convention, with WestJet liable for reimbursing reasonable out-of-pocket expenses.
WestJet Encore flights remain exempt from
disruption since they operate under a separate agreement. However, codeshare flights bearing WestJet’s flight codes but operated by the mainline carrier may still be impacted.
WestJet has played a pivotal role in Canadian air travel over the past 30 years by reducing fares and expanding access. The current strike represents one of the most severe labor disruptions in the airline’s history, severely affecting operations during the busy summer travel period.
