The first flights will be canceled on August 14, others on August 15, and there will be a complete cessation of flights on August 16.
“It’s going to be a beautiful mess for Canadian aviation,” said Soleil John Gradek, Coordinator of the aviation management program at McGill University and former executive at Air Canada.
Air Canada transports nearly 130,000 passengers every day and alone ensures about half of the flights, both in the country and internationally.
Do not take the lead
Travelers on vacation during lock-out And the ranging, from August 14, must wait for Canada to cancel their flight, says Gradek. Otherwise, they could lose the money paid for their initial ticket.
“Do not take the lead because it can cost you dearly,” he says.
The air carrier announced that all passengers who reserved their ticket no later than August 13, for a flight scheduled between August 15 and 18, can modify the date of their trip free of charge between August 21 and September 12, 2025. You can also receive a travel credit.
If you don’t want to move your vacation, Air Canada is required to offer you a replacement flight that should make you arrive within 48 hours of the time initially scheduled.
“The company has concluded agreements with other Canadian and foreign air carriers, as well as with Via Rail, in order to offer customers other travel options as much as possible,” said the airline on Tuesday afternoon.
“However, since the other carriers are already very busy due to the summer peak period, obtaining such a capacity will take time and, in many cases, will not be immediately possible,” she added on Wednesday morning.
Since there will not be enough capacity on the market to accommodate all travelers, some will possibly have to postpone their departure or even their return, provides Jacob Charboneau, late flight president.
“Customers whose flights are canceled will be notified and will be entitled to a full refund,” says Air Canada, for travelers who do not want to see their flight over one week after the scheduled departure date.
Better to be in Europe than in Canada
However, a full reimbursement will not necessarily cover all the costs generated by the disadvantages linked to the strike.
Your rights to compensation will vary depending on whether you are in Paris or Toronto.
“In Canada, a strike by Air Canada’s own employees is unfortunately considered to be” independent of the will of the carrier “according to the Regulation on the protection of air passengers (RPPA), “said the Soleil Gábor Lukács, President of the Organization Rights of Travelers (DV).
And Air Canada very clearly affirms “that by virtue of the RPPA, customers in Canada are not entitled to compensation for delayed or canceled flights, meals, accommodation at the hotel or other accessory expenses in situations independent of the will of the carrier, such as a labor conflict, which includes a strike or a lock-out».
This means that, if you have to extend your stay in Toronto because of the strike, for example while waiting for the replacement flight found by Air Canada, you will not be reimbursed for your additional meals or for additional nights.
“It is absurdity. These are internal conflicts at Air Canada. They are clearly not out of the transporter’s control ”, plague Mr. Lukács.
But, contrary to what Air Canada says, he specifies that passengers whose flight is canceled during the lock-outeither between August 14 and 16, can receive compensation up to $ 1,000, as well as a refund for meals and accommodation, since it is a decision by the employer and not an event out of control.
In Europe, passengers are better protected. The European Court of Justice recently confirmed that a strike is not a “extraordinary circumstance” and that work conflicts are under the responsibility of the airline, explains Jacob Charboneau.
So, if you are in Paris and that Canada cancels your return flight because of the strike, the company is required to pay you compensation of 300 euros ($ 482) if your expectation for the next flight is between 3 and 4 hours, or 600 euros ($ 964) if it exceeds 4 hours, which will probably be the case. In addition, it must take care of your meals, accommodation as well as transport to the latter, details the president of the DV organization.
And elsewhere, what do I have the right to?
For those who are elsewhere in the world, all the costs incurred by the Air Canada strike should, in principle, be reimbursed by the company, in accordance with the Montreal Convention.
“But it’s not that simple. The first reaction of the airline will be to say: “Yes, but no”. Transporters never make it easy, ”says Charboneau.
The Montreal Convention is grumpyly stipulates that the airline can only be exempt from its responsibility in the event of delay or cancellation if it shows that it has taken all reasonable measures to prevent this event, or that no measure of this kind was possible.
Gábor Lukács, who dedicates his life to the defense of Canadian air passengers, says that Air Canada will seek to avoid compensation by invoking exceptions. However, according to his experience, it is unlikely that these arguments be retained by the court.
“Often, you must almost go to court to force them to pay,” he adds.
Other options that cost expensive
Finally, if you accept the refund of Air Canada, you will have to organize another flight yourself, whether for your departure or your return.
The carrier has 30 days to reimburse you. So, if you have to buy a new plane ticket soon, you will have to put forward the costs of your pocket while waiting for Air Canada’s reimbursement, explains the late flight president.
“And these new tickets will be quite expensive than you paid three months ago. It increases extremely quickly, because the threat of strike leads to an increase in last minute reservations among other carriers, “he adds.
Note that on -board agents working in Jazz and Pal, who operate the flights of Air Canada Express, are not affected by negotiations or by strike. These regional partners, however, carry only about 20 % of daily air Canada customers.
Am I reimbursed for my hotel?
By the way, if you need to cancel your hotel or your cruise, first check the establishment’s cancellation policy. Be aware, however, that they are not responsible for the strike, so they owe you nothing.
If it does not work, contact the transmitter of your credit card or with your insurer to find out if you can get a refund. Travelers who have reserved through a travel agency in Quebec are entitled to a refund.
Do you have questions, ideas, advice or travel themes that you would like to see addressed? Write us to: [email protected].
