WestJet canceled hundreds of flights in Canada and internationally starting Sunday, August 2, 2026, after 4,400 cabin crew began a strike demanding pay from clock-in to clock-out. The strike has delayed or stranded thousands of passengers, including Marsha Manuel from Miramichi, New Brunswick, who remained stranded in Lisbon on August 4 with no rebooking after her original flight was canceled for over 24 hours.
WestJet and the Canadian Union of Public Employees reached a tentative agreement on August 3 to end the strike, but the airline stated it would take several days to fully restore its flight network. WestJet described
the current phase as “recovery mode,” requiring repositioning of aircraft and crews before returning to normal operations.
Groups of travellers, including two Scouts Canada contingents stuck in Copenhagen, face ongoing challenges. Ryan O’Keefe, leading a group of 13 children aged 12 to 16, reported a lack of updates from WestJet and logistical difficulties managing accommodations and supervision. WestJet agreed to cover hotel and meal costs, which O’Keefe estimates near $3,000 daily. Another group of 19 scouts from Rothesay had flights rebooked with complex connections through multiple countries.
Flights at Canadian airports have seen varying disruption. Greater Moncton Romeo LeBlanc International
Airport canceled flights to Calgary on Sunday and Monday but reported on-time departures to Edmonton and Calgary on Tuesday, August 4. Fredericton International Airport experienced cancellations, though WestJet flights there were largely on schedule on Tuesday. WestJet advises all travelers to verify flight status before departing for airports and offers rebooking on the next available flight for cancellations, with refunds available through its website for those who cancel their trips.
WestJet acknowledged on its website that while the tentative contract ratification is a step forward, the labor disruption’s impact will delay the return of full flight operations. Passengers like Manuel
expressed frustration at limited communication and high costs, citing a $6,000 quote to book an alternative Air Canada flight. O’Keefe criticized the airline’s coordination, noting children had at times been left to navigate cities alone. The strike occurred during a long Canadian weekend, potentially affecting up to 250,000 passengers on WestJet’s network of over 600 daily flights.
