Air Canada Anticipates Cabin Crew Strike and Cancels Flights

Air Canada, one of the leading airlines in North America, is bracing for a potential strike by its cabin crew. The airline has already started to cancel flights in preparation for the walkout, which is set to take place this weekend.

More than 10,000 flight attendants are expected to participate in the strike, citing issues with “poverty wages” and unpaid labor. The cancellations began on Thursday, August 14, and Air Canada predicts a complete shutdown of operations starting Saturday.

According to reports, the strike will have a significant impact on flights from the UK to Canada, particularly those going to Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. Experts are calling it the most severe North American shutdown in decades, with all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations expected to cease from Saturday morning.

The strike is expected to disrupt 18 to 28 flights daily from the UK, affecting approximately 5,600 passengers. London Heathrow, Manchester, and Edinburgh airports will bear the brunt of the cancellations, with secondary impacts at Glasgow and Birmingham airports. Both Edinburgh and Glasgow airports offer flights to major Canadian cities such as Toronto and Montreal.

What makes this strike unique is that it will result in a complete shutdown of airline operations, which is a rare occurrence. The strike is also indefinite, with no end date in sight, leaving travelers with uncertain plans.

AirAdvisor, a company that specializes in air passenger rights, is advising passengers to avoid flying to Canada until the strike is resolved. They also suggest rerouting through the US as an alternative.

Anton Radchenko, an aviation expert and founder of AirAdvisor, stated that this strike will have a significant impact on UK-Canada travel. He also highlighted the economic toll on families and business travelers, who will face unexpected expenses due to the cancellations.

Passengers who have flights booked with Air Canada should take action now, according to AirAdvisor. They recommend checking flight statuses daily and setting up alerts through the airline’s app. If possible, consider booking refundable one-stop flights through cities like New York, Boston, or Reykjavik before they sell out.

In case of any out-of-pocket expenses, such as meals or hotels, passengers should keep their receipts as Air Canada is required to cover reasonable costs for delays or cancellations within their control under Canada’s APPR rules.

For those who must travel during the strike, AirAdvisor suggests booking early morning flights and avoiding tight connections. They also advise pushing non-essential trips by a week, as it may save both stress and money once the initial rebooking rush subsides.

In conclusion, Air Canada’s cabin crew strike is set to cause major disruptions for travelers, and passengers are advised to stay updated and take necessary precautions to minimize the impact on their travel plans.