Air Canada passengers tense before possible weekend strike
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CTV News
22 minutes ago
- CTV News
‘Super disappointed': Customers around the world vent frustration following Air Canada strike
Travellers wait in line for the next available agent at the Air Canada counter in Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Dorval, Que., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi For Emily Ramos, a Toronto teacher travelling with her husband and two children, a long-planned summer trip to Nova Scotia has turned into a nightmare of cancellations, skyrocketing costs, and unanswered calls. She is not alone. Already, CTV News Toronto has heard from nearly 100 Air Canada customers Saturday morning, including families stuck abroad, passengers stranded at airports and travellers left on hold for hours. Many say they remain in limbo, citing that their flights have not yet been cancelled, leaving them unable to claim refunds or rebook elsewhere. The strike by Air Canada's flight attendants — which began at 12:58 a.m. ET Saturday — has suspended all operations by Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, disrupting an estimated 130,000 passengers each day. Across the country, hundreds are gathered at airports picketing and raising awareness for workers' rights. Air Canada Air Canada flight attendants picket at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sammy Kogan (The Canadian Press) 'Our Canadian airline is now abandoning us' Ramos says her family's six-day vacation could now come at a loss of thousands of dollars. They've booked non-refundable hotels in Nova Scotia but are unable to confirm if their Monday morning flight will depart. 'The one airline that is … our Canadian airline is now abandoning us and it really is frustrating,' Ramos said. 'We're looking at either losing all non-refundable hotel money to the tune of two or $3,000 and not going on the trip, or spending five or $6,000 to get ourselves there and hoping to figure out the way back later.' With children aged eight and 13, she says flexibility isn't an option. 'We try to do one family vacation every year, and this is it,' Ramos said. Emily Ramos Emily Ramos, a Toronto teacher is seen pictured with her family. She along with many others are dealing with the results of widespread Air Canada strike (CTV News photo). Her frustration goes beyond her own disrupted trip. 'I'm super disappointed them as a company.' she said. 'Air Canada is usually the most reliable up until this point … there aren't as many airlines that we can rely on.' Other passengers voiced similar concerns. A traveller returning from the Czech Republic said they received notice their flight was cancelled, but Air Canada could not rebook them within 48 hours. 'They urged me to accept the refund, or call them if my travel is flexible. I tried calling, but it's impossible to get through so now I'm stuck in limbo,' the passenger said. 'Extremely disappointed' Some travellers say they have lost confidence in the airline altogether. Anat Baron, a Canadian traveller scheduled to fly home to Los Angeles on Sunday, said she has received no updates about whether her flight will operate. Despite the strike, she says she was still able to check in through the Air Canada app. 'I'm extremely frustrated. I have been on the app non-stop,' Baron said. 'Why am I able to check into my flight right now when my plane is clearly not going? They have the technology. They have the know-how … what are they doing?' Baron said her recent experiences with the airline have been riddled with cancellations, delays and lost luggage in years past. AC Luggage is seen as travellers wait in line at the Air Canada counter in Montreal-Pierre Elliott Trudeau International Airport in Dorval, Que., Friday, Aug. 15, 2025. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Christinne Muschi (The Canadian Press) 'I think the mark of any great company that's in the service business is, what do you do when things go wrong — and they fail every single time,' she said. 'Air Canada does not make you feel like they care about their passengers. Period.' Air Canada's response In a statement issued Saturday, Air Canada urged passengers not to head to the airport unless they already had a confirmed ticket on another airline. 'Air Canada will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options,' the airline said. 'For those customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada has put in place a goodwill policy to allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel.' The airline also says it offers its sincere regret for the impact the strike has had on customers. 'Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the labour disruption is having on customers.' Share your story with us Has your Air Canada flight been cancelled? Are you stuck abroad waiting to get home? How has the strike disrupted your travel plans? Share your story by emailing us at torontonews@ with your name, general location, and phone number in case we want to follow up. If you're from outside Toronto, share your story by emailing us at dotcom@ with your name, general location and phone number. Your comments may be used in a future story.
Vancouver Sun
an hour ago
- Vancouver Sun
Air Canada flight attendants on strike, airline's flights cancelled
Passengers around the world are feeling the effects after the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants with Air Canada announced its members were walking off the job after it was unable to reach an eleventh hour deal with the airline. The strike officially began just before 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. Keelin Pringnitz and her family, from Ottawa, were returning from a European vacation, but were left stranded after flights were cancelled. 'It was an end of my maternity leave kind of trip. We went to the Faroe Islands in Norway, travelling through Air Canada to London,' Pringnitz said from London's Heathrow Airport. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. She and her family were working to find an alternative route home. The airline said all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights would be cancelled amid the work stoppage. Around 130,000 customers will be affected each day that the strike continues, the company said. 'Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers,' it said in a brief statement early Saturday morning. Flights by Air Canada Express, which are operated by third-party airlines Jazz and PAL, are not affected. The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said picket lines will be active at airports across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Striking flight attendants also plan to picket at airports in Halifax, Ottawa and Winnipeg. 'Negotiations between CUPE and Air Canada have ended in impasse,' the union said in a press release early Saturday morning. 'We are heartbroken for our passengers. We do not want to go on strike, and we do not want to be locked out, but it is clear that Air Canada has no incentive to bargain.' Air Canada previously asked Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to intervene by ordering the parties to enter a binding arbitration process — a power granted to the minister through Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. On Friday, Hajdu urged Air Canada and the union to get back to the negotiating table, suggesting she's not ready to intervene in the dispute. The minister said the union has indicated many of its demands have been met, suggesting there is a path forward to a deal. Hajdu had asked the union to respond to the company's request. CUPE indicated Friday it opposed arbitration, instead maintaining its desire to solve the impasse through bargaining. Although the government hasn't said it will intervene, the union seemed to imply throughout the week that the writing could be on the wall. CUPE accused Air Canada of refusing to bargain in good faith 'due to the likelihood of the federal government using Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to interfere in negotiations and have a contract imposed by an outside third-party arbitrator.' The union has said its main sticking points revolve around wages that have been outpaced by inflation during the course of its previous 10-year contract, along with unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air. 'Air Canada still refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked,' said CUPE's press release. 'The union has been firm: all safety-related duties should be paid at full hourly rate. Air Canada does not agree. On wages, Air Canada's last offer will still leave flight attendants living below poverty levels for many years to come.' On Friday, the union released polling by Abacus Data indicating that 59 per cent of Canadians believe the federal government should respect flight attendants' right to take job action, even if it causes travel disruptions. The weighted survey of 1,500 respondents, conducted Thursday and Friday, said 88 per cent of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties including boarding, delays and safety checks. Four-in-five respondents said they support raising flight attendant pay to meet the rising cost-of-living. Air Canada has said its latest proposal included a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years, including a new provision for ground pay 'that is industry-leading in Canada.' The proposal would provide 'significant improvements' to health benefits and pension plans, an increase to paid vacation and measures to address union concerns about rest and work-life balance, the airline said. 'It will make Air Canada flight attendants the best compensated in Canada,' the company said, adding its cabin crew already earn up to $17 more per hour than their counterparts at Air Canada's largest domestic competitor. Air Canada cancelled more than 600 flights over the past two days in preparation for a potential work stoppage, affecting 100,000 passengers. It said it will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. The airline has said passengers whose flights are cancelled will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to change their travel plans without a fee. It added it strongly advises affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. As for Pringnitz and her family, she noted there was an option for travellers to go the United States. but was told there wouldn't be any further assistance once they landed in the U.S. 'It didn't go over well with the line. Nobody really seemed interested, everybody seemed a little bit amused almost at the suggestion, or exasperated, because it is a bit ridiculous to offer to take stranded passengers to a different country to strand them there.' For customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada said it will allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Toronto Sun
2 hours ago
- Toronto Sun
Air Canada flight attendants on strike, airline's flights cancelled
Published Aug 16, 2025 • 4 minute read Travellers pass Air Canada flight attendants on strike at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Saturday, Aug. 16, 2025. Photo by Sammy Kogan / THE CANADIAN PRESS Passengers around the world are feeling the effects after the union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants with Air Canada announced its members were walking off the job after it was unable to reach an eleventh hour deal with the airline. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account The strike officially began just before 1 a.m. ET on Saturday. Keelin Pringnitz and her family, from Ottawa, were returning from a European vacation, but were left stranded after flights were cancelled. 'It was an end of my maternity leave kind of trip. We went to the Faroe Islands in Norway, travelling through Air Canada to London,' Pringnitz said from London's Heathrow Airport. She and her family were working to find an alternative route home. The airline said all Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights would be cancelled amid the work stoppage. Around 130,000 customers will be affected each day that the strike continues, the company said. 'Air Canada deeply regrets the effect the strike is having on customers,' it said in a brief statement early Saturday morning. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Flights by Air Canada Express, which are operated by third-party airlines Jazz and PAL, are not affected. The Air Canada component of the Canadian Union of Public Employees said picket lines will be active at airports across Canada, including Montreal, Toronto, Calgary and Vancouver. Striking flight attendants also plan to picket at airports in Halifax, Ottawa and Winnipeg. 'Negotiations between CUPE and Air Canada have ended in impasse,' the union said in a press release early Saturday morning. 'We are heartbroken for our passengers. We do not want to go on strike, and we do not want to be locked out, but it is clear that Air Canada has no incentive to bargain.' Air Canada previously asked Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu to intervene by ordering the parties to enter a binding arbitration process — a power granted to the minister through Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. On Friday, Hajdu urged Air Canada and the union to get back to the negotiating table, suggesting she's not ready to intervene in the dispute. The minister said the union has indicated many of its demands have been met, suggesting there is a path forward to a deal. Hajdu had asked the union to respond to the company's request. CUPE indicated Friday it opposed arbitration, instead maintaining its desire to solve the impasse through bargaining. Although the government hasn't said it will intervene, the union seemed to imply throughout the week that the writing could be on the wall. CUPE accused Air Canada of refusing to bargain in good faith 'due to the likelihood of the federal government using Section 107 of the Canada Labour Code to interfere in negotiations and have a contract imposed by an outside third-party arbitrator.' This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The union has said its main sticking points revolve around wages that have been outpaced by inflation during the course of its previous 10-year contract, along with unpaid labour when planes aren't in the air. 'Air Canada still refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked' 'Air Canada still refuses to compensate flight attendants for all hours worked,' said CUPE's press release. 'The union has been firm: all safety-related duties should be paid at full hourly rate. Air Canada does not agree. On wages, Air Canada's last offer will still leave flight attendants living below poverty levels for many years to come.' On Friday, the union released polling by Abacus Data indicating that 59 per cent of Canadians believe the federal government should respect flight attendants' right to take job action, even if it causes travel disruptions. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The weighted survey of 1,500 respondents, conducted Thursday and Friday, said 88 per cent of Canadians believe flight attendants should be paid for all work-related duties including boarding, delays and safety checks. Four-in-five respondents said they support raising flight attendant pay to meet the rising cost-of-living. Air Canada has said its latest proposal included a 38% increase in total compensation over four years, including a new provision for ground pay 'that is industry-leading in Canada.' The proposal would provide 'significant improvements' to health benefits and pension plans, an increase to paid vacation and measures to address union concerns about rest and work-life balance, the airline said. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'It will make Air Canada flight attendants the best compensated in Canada,' the company said, adding its cabin crew already earn up to $17 more per hour than their counterparts at Air Canada's largest domestic competitor. FLIGHTS CANCELLED Air Canada cancelled more than 600 flights over the past two days in preparation for a potential work stoppage, affecting 100,000 passengers. It said it will notify customers with imminent travel of additional cancelled flights and their options. The airline has said passengers whose flights are cancelled will be offered a full refund or the opportunity to change their travel plans without a fee. It added it strongly advises affected customers not to go to the airport unless they have a confirmed ticket on an airline other than Air Canada or Air Canada Rouge. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. As for Pringnitz and her family, she noted there was an option for travellers to go the United States. but was told there wouldn't be any further assistance once they landed in the U.S. 'It didn't go over well with the line. Nobody really seemed interested, everybody seemed a little bit amused almost at the suggestion, or exasperated, because it is a bit ridiculous to offer to take stranded passengers to a different country to strand them there.' For customers due to travel soon whose flights are not yet cancelled, Air Canada said it will allow them to rebook their travel or obtain a credit for future travel. RECOMMENDED VIDEO
