Passengers traveling with Air Canada could face significant disruptions as the airline and its pilots’ union remain locked in negotiations. If a deal isn’t reached by September 15, Air Canada could issue a 72-hour lockout notice, while the pilots’ union could initiate a strike, leading to a shutdown of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations for up to three days. This could affect up to 110,000 passengers daily, according to a press release from the airline on Monday.
Air Canada is currently finalizing contingency plans in preparation for this possible scenario. While flights are still operating as scheduled, the airline warned that any potential disruptions resulting from labor strikes would likely occur after mid-September.
In the event that your flight is canceled due to a labor stoppage, Air Canada assures passengers that they will be eligible for a full refund regardless of fare type, with no cancellation fees. The airline is also coordinating with other carriers to accommodate passengers if needed. Flights operated by third-party carriers, such as Jazz and PAL Airlines under the Air Canada Express banner, would remain unaffected by the strike.
The labor dispute centers around the Air Line Pilots Association’s demand for significant wage increases to close the pay gap between Canadian pilots and their higher-earning U.S. counterparts.
What You Should Do If Your Flight Is Affected
New Rebooking Policy:
Air Canada has introduced a new rebooking policy for eligible travelers. If you purchased an Air Canada ticket or redeemed Aeroplan points for travel between September 15 and 23, you can change your flight to another date free of charge. This policy also applies to flights booked for travel between September 8 and 14 or September 24 and November 30.
Passengers who booked through Air Canada Vacations, travel agents, or online travel agencies are advised to contact those providers directly to make changes. Similarly, if you booked through another airline’s website, reach out to the respective airline for assistance.
If your booking was made through Air Canada for Business, you can adjust your itinerary online or seek help by calling 1-888-335-4189. Air Canada Vacations customers can either visit the goodwill policy page or contact Air Canada Vacations at 1-866-529-2079 to explore their options under the goodwill policy, which allows free changes for travel packages booked before September 9, 2024.
Options for Air Canada Vacations Customers:
- Shift your travel dates and receive a one-time $50 credit per passenger.
- Opt for a future travel credit of the full value of your booking, which will expire within a year.
- For customers already at their destination between September 15 and 23, you can request a return travel date change without paying change fees. However, additional charges for extended stays at hotels may apply.
For Aeroplan Rewards Flights:
If you booked an Aeroplan flight reward before August 27 for travel between September 15 and 23, you are also eligible to change your flight at no additional cost.
Canceling Flights
If your Air Canada flight is canceled due to a labor disruption, and you have a refundable ticket, you can cancel your flight and receive a full refund. For non-refundable tickets, cancellation fees may apply, depending on the fare type. If you booked using Aeroplan points, canceling your trip will result in your points being redeposited into your account.
If you opt to keep your current flight, Air Canada will notify you via email or text if it is affected by the labor stoppage. While the airline will try to rebook you on the next available flight, seat availability may be limited.
Customers can contact Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262 or 1-800-361-5373 (for Aeroplan reward flights) for assistance, though longer-than-usual wait times may be expected due to the volume of inquiries.
Source: Reuters
