(ATLANTA) As of August 18, 2025, all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights — including every departure and arrival at Hartsfield‑Jackson International Airport — remain cancelled until further notice, as a strike by the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) enters its third day. The stoppage has upended peak‑season travel across North America and beyond, with nearly 1,000 flights scrubbed since August 14 and more than half a million passengers affected, according to company and union statements.
Air Canada had planned a gradual restart but suspended that plan after CUPE directed flight attendants not to return to work, defying a Canadian Industrial Relations Board order and a federal back‑to‑work directive tied to binding arbitration. With no timeline to resume service, the carrier said it cannot guarantee immediate rebooking amid heavy summer demand on other airlines.
Mark Nasr, Air Canada’s chief operating officer, has warned that seats on alternate carriers are scarce. The airline also suspended financial guidance for the third quarter and full year, citing the uncertainty caused by the work stoppage. CUPE leaders Mark Hancock and Wesley Lesosky say the government’s move to force a return to work is unconstitutional and have filed a challenge in Federal Court while maintaining picket lines.
Disruption at Atlanta and across the network
In Atlanta, the world’s busiest hub, Hartsfield‑Jackson International Airport is seeing Air Canada mainline flights cancelled. Travelers are urged not to go to the airport unless they hold confirmed bookings on another airline.
Only Air Canada Express flights, operated by Jazz Aviation and PAL Airlines, are still running, and those do not cover most U.S.–Canada routes from Atlanta. The strike hits a summer period when Air Canada typically carries about 130,000 passengers daily. That volume, combined with school holidays and full planes across the industry, has made same‑week rerouting difficult even for travelers willing to change cities or dates.
The impact reaches well beyond the United States and Canada, causing missed connections to Europe and Asia for passengers who planned to transit through Toronto, Montreal, Vancouver, and Calgary.
Under Canada’s Airline Passenger Protection Regulations, delays and cancellations caused by labour disruptions are considered outside the carrier’s control. That means affected customers are not owed cash compensation; instead, they are entitled to rebooking or refunds under the airline’s policy.
VisaVerge.com reports that these rules apply even during peak season, leaving many families to weigh whether to wait for a later flight or secure seats on a different carrier at short notice.
Important: Do not go to the airport unless you have been rebooked and have a confirmed itinerary on another carrier. Atlanta‑area passengers should note that Air Canada counters are not processing same‑day rebookings for cancelled flights while the strike continues.
Refunds, rebooking, and passenger rights
Air Canada has posted a flexible policy for tickets affected by the strike. Key points for travelers include:
- Free rebooking window: Customers with tickets for travel between August 15 and August 20, 2025 can rebook one time at no charge for travel between August 22 and September 30, 2025.
- Refund eligibility: Full refunds are available upon request for unused portions of tickets purchased on or before August 15, 2025, for travel during the affected period.
- Credits for non‑refundable fares: Travelers may choose Air Canada Wallet credit or a Future Travel Credit instead of a refund.
- Limited space on other airlines: Air Canada is trying to place customers on other carriers, but availability is limited due to summer demand.
Practical steps for affected passengers:
- Check your flight status on Air Canada’s website or mobile app before heading to the airport.
- Rebook online if your ticket falls within the eligible dates; the waiver covers one change.
- Request a refund online if you do not wish to travel on later dates.
- Consider alternate airlines if you must travel now, but expect few seats and higher prices.
- Expect long waits if calling customer service; media inquiries can be sent to [email protected].
Quick checklist for Atlanta travelers:
– Do not travel to Hartsfield‑Jackson unless you have a confirmed itinerary on another carrier.
– Air Canada counters at the airport are not processing same‑day rebookings for cancelled flights while the strike continues.
Labour and legal backdrop
The dispute centers on pay, compensation for unpaid duties on the ground, and better working conditions. CUPE, which represents roughly 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, says the company’s offer of a 38% compensation increase over four years does not keep pace with inflation or industry standards.
Members voted 99.7% in favor of a strike mandate earlier this summer — a sign of deep frustration with current terms.
After CUPE began job action on August 16, Air Canada imposed a lockout. The Government of Canada then stepped in, ordering binding arbitration and instructing attendants to return to work. Labour groups, including the Canadian Labour Congress, denounced the order and pledged legal and financial support to CUPE.
CUPE has taken its case to Federal Court, arguing the directive breaches constitutional rights, while continuing picketing at major airports. Air Canada counters that binding arbitration is the fairest way to resolve the impasse and says the union’s refusal to comply with return‑to‑work instructions is illegal under Canadian labour law.
The airline’s core message to customers remains consistent: operations will resume as soon as possible, but there is no confirmed timeline as of August 18, 2025.
What to expect next
Travel industry analysts caution that even once an agreement is reached or a court outcome clears the path, the restart will take time. Key factors slowing a rapid return to normal include:
- Repositioning aircraft and crews.
- Rebooking a backlog of stranded passengers in phases.
- Limited aircraft/crew availability on cross‑border and long‑haul routes that feed through major Canadian hubs.
Some analysts estimate a week or more before the schedule stabilizes, especially on routes feeding through Toronto Pearson and Montreal Trudeau.
For official information on federal labour policy, including the role of binding arbitration and the powers of the Minister of Labour, consult the Government of Canada Labour Program: https://www.canada.ca/en/employment-social-development/programs/labour.html.
At Hartsfield‑Jackson International Airport, staff continue to assist stranded passengers while Air Canada and CUPE await court developments that could shape when regular schedules finally resume.
This Article in a Nutshell
Air Canada strike halted all mainline and Rouge flights through August 18, 2025, grounding nearly 1,000 services. CUPE rejects return-to-work orders and challenges binding arbitration in Federal Court. Passengers may rebook Aug 15–20 tickets free for Aug 22–Sep 30 travel or request refunds; expect limited alternate seats and long delays.
