Air Canada Grounds Flights as 10,000 Flight Attendants Walk Off Job

Air Canada suspended all flights after over 10,000 flight attendants went on strike, stranding thousands of travelers worldwide during peak summer travel. The dispute centers on wages and unpaid work, with the union rejecting arbitration. Officials urge a swift deal, but the airline warns recovery could take a week.

Air Canada has suspended all operations after more than 10,000 of its flight attendants launched a strike early Saturday, disrupting travel for about 130,000 passengers a day during one of the busiest travel seasons. The walkout began at 1 a.m. EDT after talks between the airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) collapsed without an agreement.

The strike follows months of tense negotiations. Air Canada had offered a compensation package it said would make its attendants the best paid in the country, but the union rejected it, citing concerns over wages and unpaid work hours. The union also declined the airline’s call for government-directed arbitration, insisting on retaining its right to strike.

Federal Jobs Minister Patty Hajdu, who met both sides Friday night, urged them to reach a resolution quickly, warning that Canadians could not afford prolonged disruption. The airline warned it could take up to a week to restart operations once a settlement is reached, leaving thousands stranded abroad and many vacations, business trips, and family plans in jeopardy.

In Montreal, traveler Alex Laroche said he and his girlfriend may lose their $8,000 European holiday after their Air Canada flight to Nice was canceled. Like many others, they found alternative flights scarce and prohibitively expensive. While initially frustrated, Laroche later sympathized with the attendants after learning more about their wage struggles.

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The airline said refunds and limited rebooking through other carriers would be offered, though demand is already overwhelming alternatives. With more than 700 flights a day halted, the standoff has effectively shut down Canada’s largest airline, creating ripple effects across global travel networks. How long the disruption will last depends on whether the two sides can close the wide gap that remains in pay negotiations.