(CANADA) Air Canada is preparing for a near‑total shutdown this weekend as its flight attendants move toward a strike, and United Airlines is offering flexibility to travelers caught in the middle. The Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents about 10,000 Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flight attendants, issued a 72‑hour strike notice just before 1 a.m. on August 13. Air Canada replied with a 72‑hour lockout notice roughly 30 minutes later. If there’s no deal, the strike can legally start at 1 a.m. EST on Saturday, August 16, 2025. In response, the airline has started a phased wind‑down of most operations.
Air Canada says cancellations will roll out over three days: initial cuts on August 14, more on August 15, and then a complete halt of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights by August 16. Air Canada Express is not affected. The carrier is warning of tight capacity as it tries to rebook with more than 120 partner airlines during the busiest part of summer.

United’s response and traveler flexibility
United Airlines, a close partner through Star Alliance, has issued a flight change waiver covering customers on codeshare or connecting trips that involve Air Canada. United is letting these travelers change their plans without a fee for trips that overlap the expected strike window of August 15–18, 2025.
- Check United’s waiver page for the latest rules and city pairs covered; policies can shift as the situation changes.
- United advises booking changes online when possible to avoid long phone waits.
- Traveler updates and the waiver details are available at: https://www.united.com/travelwaivers
Air Canada’s measures for booked passengers
Air Canada has rolled out its own measures for people already booked this week:
- Passengers with tickets purchased by August 13 for travel between August 15 and August 18 can move their trips at no extra charge to dates between August 21 and September 12, 2025.
- Those with non‑refundable fares can cancel and keep the unused value as an Air Canada Wallet credit or Future Travel Credit.
- If the airline cancels a flight, customers are entitled to a full refund to the original form of payment.
- Air Canada says it will send emails and texts when schedules change.
- For package trips, Air Canada Vacations customers should contact that division directly.
Important: Air Canada will try to rebook passengers, including on partner airlines, but capacity is extremely limited due to peak summer demand.
Policy changes and quick reference
- Free date change: Tickets (including Aeroplan bookings) bought by Aug. 13 for travel Aug. 15–18 can be rebooked free for travel Aug. 21–Sept. 12, 2025.
- Cancel for credit: Non‑refundable fares can be canceled for an Air Canada Wallet or Future Travel Credit.
- Refunds if canceled by airline: If Air Canada cancels your flight, you can take a full refund back to your card or accept rebooking on the next available flight.
- Rebooking limits: Rebooking is attempted across partners, but seats will fill fast.
- United Airlines waiver: Penalty‑free changes for customers on codeshares or trips involving Air Canada during the strike window; check the waiver page for exact rules.
- Notifications: Watch for email and text alerts from Air Canada.
- Operational scope: Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights are expected to halt by Aug. 16 if no deal is reached; Air Canada Express operations continue.
Expert tips — act now to protect your trip
VisaVerge.com reports travelers who act early are more likely to find workable options, especially if they can shift travel into late August or early September. Codeshare seats across the Star Alliance network will also fill quickly as the strike window approaches.
Practical steps to take immediately:
- Check your booking now.
- Use Air Canada’s “Manage Bookings” and United’s waiver portal to review and change options online.
- If eligible, move your trip to the free change window (Aug. 21–Sept. 12) or cancel for a credit.
- If your flight is canceled, request a refund to your original form of payment or accept the rebooking offered.
- Keep records — save emails, texts, and receipts for potential refund or compensation claims.
- Consider buying a refundable backup fare if your trip is time‑sensitive; inventory and prices will rise.
Regulatory rights under Canadian rules
Under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR), labor disruptions are treated in a way that means cash compensation for delays or cancellations may not apply, but airlines still have duties to rebook you.
- Carriers must rebook you on the next available flight, including on another airline, for domestic trips when feasible.
- If you decline rebooking and choose a refund, some passengers may be eligible for $400 compensation if the airline notified them less than 14 days before travel.
- If you accept rebooking but arrive much later and were told less than 14 days before travel, cash compensation up to $1,000 can apply, depending on delay length.
For the official rules, see the Canadian Transportation Agency’s APPR page: https://otc-cta.gc.ca/eng/air-passenger-protection-regulations
Note: These protections apply in Canada 🇨🇦; international routes may also fall under the Montreal Convention, which can provide additional rights in some cases, including for passengers returning to or leaving the United States 🇺🇸.
What’s at stake in negotiations
Talks remain tense. Air Canada says it has offered a 38% total compensation increase over four years, with gains in ground pay, work‑life balance, career paths, and pensions. The airline has asked Ottawa to order arbitration but says it is open to more bargaining.
CUPE argues that wages have lagged behind inflation for years and that flight attendants are not paid for many hours they must be on duty. The union says many junior flight attendants face real financial strain and is pressing for fair raises and pay for all hours worked. The federal government had not announced its response as of August 14.
The dispute follows nine months of bargaining with federal conciliators. The last contract expired in 2024. This is the most serious strike threat at Air Canada since the early 2010s; in 2011 a flight attendant strike was avoided after government action.
Ripple effects and recovery timeline
Industry analysts expect ripple effects across North America, especially for codeshare and connecting trips involving United and other Star Alliance carriers.
Even with a fast settlement, a full restart will not be immediate:
- Returning planes and crews to the right places, clearing backlogs, and rebuilding schedules can take days.
- Travelers may see cancellations and missed connections even after the strike window ends.
- Families, students, and workers on time‑sensitive trips should decide early and keep backup plans ready.
Key takeaway: Confirm whether you’re eligible for fee‑free changes, try to move dates into the late‑August window, or request a refund if your flight is canceled. If you need to travel during the affected days, act quickly — rebooking inventory is shrinking by the hour.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air Canada faces a potential shutdown as 10,000 CUPE flight attendants served a 72-hour strike notice. If unresolved, flights could stop August 16, 2025. United issued a waiver for affected codeshare travelers August 15–18. Act now: rebook free (Aug 21–Sept 12) or seek refunds and document all communications.