More than 300 WestJet flights were cancelled on Tuesday, August 4, 2026, as the airline continued to deal with the ripple effects of a flight attendant strike that began Sunday, August 2. WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees announced a tentative agreement Monday to end the strike but have not disclosed details. The airline is entering a recovery phase with gradual network restoration expected to take several days.
Canadian Travelers Stranded Abroad and Domestic Airport Status
A woman from Miramichi, New Brunswick, and her husband remain stranded in Lisbon after their WestJet flight was cancelled Tuesday. Marsha Manuel said they extended their hotel stay by two
nights while awaiting a return flight. Attempts to rebook through WestJet resulted in long wait times, and an alternative Air Canada flight to return by Thursday would cost over $6,000. Manuel expressed frustration over the ongoing situation despite support for the attendants’ wage demands.
In Copenhagen, two groups of Scouts Canada members from New Brunswick are stranded following the strike. Ryan O’Keefe, leading 13 youth aged 12 to 16 near Quispamsis, reported no updates from WestJet and described challenges in supervision and rebooking amid long layovers. Hotel costs for the group approach $3,000 daily, with the trip funded by over
$80,000 raised over two years. A separate Scout group of 19 individuals from Rothesay also remains stuck, with some flights rerouted through other countries to facilitate their return.
At home, the Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International Airport experienced minor disruptions Tuesday. According to spokesperson Lauren Guitard, flights to Edmonton and Calgary operated on time despite cancellations to Calgary flights on Sunday and Monday. Fredericton International Airport similarly showed on-time WestJet flights Tuesday, although it had cancellations earlier in the strike period.
WestJet’s Response and Travel Advisories
WestJet confirmed it is in a recovery phase following the labour disruption and warned that full restoration of its
flight network will take several days. The airline advises travelers to verify their flight status before heading to airports. For cancelled flights, WestJet is rebooking passengers on the next available service or providing refunds through its website. The airline confirmed coverage of hotel costs for at least one stranded Scouts Canada group.
Passengers continue to face difficulties contacting WestJet agents, with reports of extended wait times and incomplete communications. The strike’s effect extends beyond cancellations to increased travel costs and complicated arrangements, particularly for groups traveling with minors who require adult supervision under strict rules.
