The situation at WestJet has deteriorated sharply. Following the initial preemptive cancellations on July 31, the cabin crew strike began on August 2, 2026. The Canadian airline suspended its flights, and Reuters reported 615 cancellations and approximately 250,000 affected passengers. For travel agencies with clients in Canada, reviewing bookings has become a priority.
Summary
WestJet has suspended its flights since August 2nd
This is no longer a strike threat. WestJet officially confirms that its flights have been suspended since August 2, 2026 at 00:01 Mountain Time, due to the labor dispute involving its cabin crew.
The airline had begun reducing its schedule as early as July 31st to avoid grounding aircraft and passengers far from their bases. Nearly 200 flights had already been canceled by August 1st.
After the failure of the latest negotiations, cabin crew members represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, CUPE, effectively launched their movement on Sunday, August 2.
According to the specialized press and Reuters, the disruption quickly escalated. By August 2nd, 615 flights had been cancelled and approximately 250,000 passengers were affected.
4,400 cabin crew members affected
The dispute involves approximately 4,400 WestJet flight attendants represented by CUPE Local 8125.
On July 15, the union announced that 99.4% of voters had authorized the use of the strike, with a participation rate of 97.3%.
Key issues under negotiation include wages, working hours, and compensation for work performed outside of flight time. The union is demanding, in particular, that employees be paid for all hours worked, and not solely according to the current flight time compensation arrangements.
WestJet, for its part, has published details of its salary proposal and states that it is continuing discussions to reach an agreement. These details represent the respective positions of the two parties and not an independent assessment of the dispute.
WestJet Encore continues to fly
One point needs to be checked before automatically considering each booking as cancelled: WestJet Encore continues its operations.
The company confirms that flights operated by this subsidiary are not suspended due to the current strike. Prior to the strike, WestJet had also clarified that codeshare flights operated by partner airlines would not be affected by the cabin crew dispute.
For distributors, the flight number is therefore not enough. It is necessary to verify the carrier that actually operates each segment of the route.
The flexibility is now extended until August 6th
WestJet's commercial policy has also evolved since the first cancellations.
The company now states that travelers whose departure is scheduled up to August 6, 2026, and who have not yet received a cancellation notification can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost.
This deadline therefore replaces the period initially announced until August 4th.
When a flight is cancelled, WestJet indicates that it will search for the next available flight, including with other airlines. The traveler can also view their new itinerary or request a refund, subject to the terms and conditions applicable to their booking.
Bookings made through agencies: an important point regarding refunds
WestJet gives specific instructions for tickets purchased through a travel agency, online agency or other carrier.
According to information currently published by the company, the traveler can request the cancellation of an affected flight, but the refund must be processed through the channel that made the initial booking.
For packages marketed by WestJet Vacations, Sunwing Vacations or WestJet Québec Vacations, the travel provider must communicate the available solutions directly to the customer.
What should agencies be checking today?
The priority is to search for files including a WestJet segment scheduled in the coming days and to check its status directly in the company's systems.
Special attention should be paid to connecting itineraries. The cancellation of a single domestic Canadian segment can render a multi-flight booking unusable, even if the original long-haul flight remains scheduled.
WestJet is asking passengers whose flights have been cancelled not to go to the airport without a confirmed new itinerary.
The flight status, the operating carrier, the possibilities for rerouting and the conditions for reimbursement must therefore be checked on a case-by-case basis before any final information is given to the customer.
The figures may still change
The figure of 615 cancelled flights and 250,000 affected passengers reflects the information available on August 2nd. It is not a final tally.
WestJet has not announced a firm date for the full resumption of its schedule. The company states that it remains engaged in negotiations with the union.
For tourism professionals, the key point is simple: as of August 3, 2026, the strike is in effect, WestJet operations are suspended, and the relevant files must be checked in real time. WestJet Encore, however, continues to operate.
Sources
- https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/westjet-flight-attendants-go-strike-after-talks-fall-through-2026-08-02/
- https://www.reuters.com/business/world-at-work/westjet-begins-flight-cancellations-ahead-strike-2026-08-01/
- https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/get-travel-ready/advisories
- https://www.westjet.com/en-ca/news/2026/westjet-initiates-flexible-change-cancel-policies-for-upcoming-t
- https://cupe.ca/news/westjet-cabin-crew-overwhelmingly-vote-yes-strike-action
- https://www.paxnouvelles.com/nouvelles/aviation/westjet-annule-pres-de-200-vols-a-lapproche-dune-possible-greve-des-agents-de-bord
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