What to know
- WestJet flights on 737 and 787 aircraft are grounded due to a flight attendant strike.
- Over 75,000 passengers could be affected by the work stoppage, according to media reports.
- The union says crew members work up to 35 unpaid hours a month; WestJet disputes the claim and says it offered a new agreement.
- Impacted travellers will be refunded or reaccommodated; check your booking source for updates.
WestJet passengers are being urged to check their travel plans after the airline confirmed its flight attendant strike is now underway, grounding its Boeing 737 and 787 operations and disrupting thousands of trips across the country.
As a result of the strike, WestJet cannot operate its scheduled 737 and 787 flights, meaning the flight plans of over 75,000 passengers could be affected, according to media reports.
Read More
Why WestJet flight attendants are on strike
This decision comes after a 72-hour strike notice by CUPE Local 8125, a union that represents 4,400 WestJet flight attendants.
After the union and the airline failed to reach an agreement, the union filed a complaint alleging unpaid labour during boarding, safety sweeps, passenger assistance, and ground delays. The claim says they work up to 35 hours every month without pay.
What WestJet says
WestJet shared its disappointment with the strike in a news release.
“We’re disappointed to be here, this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve,” Alexis von Hoensbroech, Chief Executive Officer of the WestJet Group, said in a news release.
The statement continues that WestJet’s focus is on reaching an agreement, despite the union recently declining its latest agreement proposal.
“We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn’t accepted,” the statement reads.
What affected passengers should do
WestJet says impacted guests will be refunded or reaccommodated, as applicable.
Guests who booked directly with WestJet will also receive email updates; those who booked through a travel agent or third-party platform should reach out to that agent or platform.
Marit Stiles shows solidarity with flight attendants
Leader of the Ontario New Democratic Party (NDP) Marit Stiles shows solidarity with flight attendants working up to 35 hours of unpaid work a month in a recent X post.
Nobody in this country should be told to show up, put on a uniform, and work for free.
— Marit Stiles (@MaritStiles) August 2, 2026
Solidarity with WestJet flight attendants who are on strike today after years of working up to 35 unpaid hours a month. https://t.co/Et707sn3jz
“Nobody in this country should be told to show up, put on a uniform, and work for free,” the statement reads in part.
This is the same reason why Air Canada’s union went on strike last summer, affecting over 500,000 customers.
The strike comes during one of Canada’s busiest summer travel periods, when airlines typically experience some of their highest passenger volumes.
