Air Canada strike uncertainty grounds Windsor mother's first-class family surprise

CTV News

3 days ago

With a long-awaited family trip to Italy just days away, Anna Raymond was preparing to surprise her children with first-class seats on their first overseas flight. Now, she's watching the clock — and her inbox — as a possible Air Canada strike threatens to derail months of planning.
'We were scheduled to leave on Sunday at 7 p.m. from Toronto with Air Canada,' Raymond said.
'Unfortunately, now that's up in the air… We haven't cancelled yet. We haven't received any messages from Air Canada that our specific flight has been cancelled, so it's a waiting game.'
The Windsor family of six had already booked VIA Rail to Toronto, making any change in plans a logistical tangle. Even if they can find alternate flights, those travel times would still need to align with the train schedule.
Rebooking at such short notice has also proven costly.
'We booked these trips about four months ago,' Raymond said.
'Initially, the cost was approximately $21,000. Looking into it this morning, different airlines, such short notice — we're looking at $48,000 for the same trip.'
In the face of a looming strike, Air Canada said it will begin cancelling flights on Thursday, planning a phased wind‑down that could escalate to a full suspension of Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge operations by Saturday.
The move would affect as many as 130,000 passengers daily during the peak summer travel season.
The airline has issued a lockout notice in response to a 72‑hour strike notice filed by the CUPE union, representing more than 10,000 flight attendants.
Raymond said this was meant to be her children's first time flying first class — something she and her husband have only experienced once before. The surprise was still under wraps.
'They currently think they're flying economy,' she said.
'We haven't even told them the plan or that it might not happen. We're keeping our fingers crossed the government might get involved. We feel for the strikers, but we're trying to figure out the next best move for our family.'
Travel agent Al Valente, president of Valente Travel, said his phones have been ringing with worried customers since news of the potential strike broke.
'We have one client flying first class on Sunday with her family, and we're scrambling to try to make arrangements,' Valente said.
'In situations like this, we look at alternative routes, different airlines — whatever works best for the client.'
For those who didn't book through a travel agent, Valente warns the process could be much more stressful.
'If you didn't book with a travel agent, you'll have to call the airline directly and be prepared to stay on hold for hours,' he said.
'If you can get your money back, I'd say look for an alternative route for the whole trip, not just part of it.'
At Windsor International Airport, CEO Mark Galvin said passengers flying out of YQG can breathe a small sigh of relief, at least for now.
'Our Air Canada flights here are operated by Jazz, which, according to the airline, will continue as normal,' Galvin said.
'But if you're connecting, you need to check the status of every leg of your journey. The situation can be very fluid.'
Galvin advises travellers to watch for email updates from the airline and to check their junk folders to avoid missing important notices.
'Know your flight numbers, check the airline's website, and keep yourself updated,' he said.
'That way you're prepared for whatever comes next.'
As for Raymond, there's little more to do than wait — and keep her family ready to pivot.
'We haven't canceled yet,' she said.
'It's a waiting game at this point. We're keeping our fingers crossed.'
Air Canada flight attendants are demanding fair compensation for unpaid duties, including boarding and waiting times, which remain unpaid under the current model.
Air Canada has offered a 38 per cent increase in total compensation over four years plus partial pay (50 per cent) for ground duties, but the union said the offer falls short of inflation and fails to address the core issues — and has rejected binding arbitration as a solution.