WestJet flight attendants initiated a strike on Sunday, August 2, 2026, at 02:01 EST (07:01 BST), resulting in approximately 600 flight cancellations across Canada early that morning. The strike notice lasted 72 hours and occurred during one of the busiest summer holiday weekends, disrupting travel to more than 130 Canadian and international destinations served by the Calgary-based airline.
The strike followed a 99% vote by CUPE 8125 union members last month authorizing the labour action. Flight attendants and WestJet have been negotiating a contract since September 2025, enduring 213 days without a valid collective agreement. The core dispute centers on
pay for pre-flight duties performed before the aircraft leaves the gate, commonly referred to as ground pay. Union representatives say attendants work unpaid up to 35 hours monthly on tasks including boarding, safety sweeps, assisting passengers, and experiencing ground delays, which WestJet categorizes under block hour pay starting at gate departure.
WestJet began parking flights on Friday, August 1, as a precaution ahead of the strike deadline. The airline confirmed that WestJet Encore flights on Q400 aircraft and codeshare services remain unaffected. Passengers on impacted flights can choose refunds or rebooking options. Canadian passenger rights laws require carriers to provide
rebooking on the next available flight within their own fleet or partner airlines or offer full refunds with free return transport to the origin point if necessary.
WestJet stated it “remains at the table and committed to achieving a negotiated tentative agreement that recognises the important contributions and professionalism of WestJet’s Cabin Crew.” CUPE 8125 president Alia Hussain said, “We have been clear about what needs to change, and we have worked hard to reach a fair deal.” Canadian jobs minister Patti Hajdu called the strike a “disappointing development” and urged continued negotiations but did not indicate government intervention.
The
airline pays cabin crew between C$28 and C$58 per hour under a block hour system standard across North America, which starts compensation when the aircraft pulls from the gate and ends upon arrival at the next gate. Flight attendants contest this model as they perform unpaid duties during ground delays prior to departure, accumulating considerable unpaid working time each month.
Passengers on WestJet flights should check flight status before going to the airport. Passenger rights under Canadian law require airlines to offer rebooking on the next reasonable flight with any carrier or full refunds when flights are cancelled. They must
also provide free return to the point of origin if stranded. However, passengers who preemptively cancel or rebook flights ahead of confirmed cancellations may not qualify for compensation related to delays caused by the strike.
