Air Canada Offering Travellers Rebooking Flexibility as Possible Strike Nears

An Air Canada jet taxis at the airport in Vancouver on Nov. 15, 2023. The Canadian Press/Adrian Wyld

Air Canada is offering some flexibility for passengers who have booked flights in the lead-up to a possible pilot strike.

In a vote on Aug. 22, 98 percent of Air Canada pilots voted in favour of a strike mandate that could happen as early as Sept. 17.

The airline said that it is still working toward an agreement with the pilots, but has introduced a goodwill policy to allow customers flexibility in the event of a strike, according to an Aug. 27 Air Canada news release.

Customers who have purchased tickets before Aug. 27 for Air Canada flights scheduled for Sept. 15 to 23 will be allowed to change travel plans with no additional costs.

Travellers can make changes online, through the Air Canada mobile app, with a travel agent, or by calling the Air Canada contact centre, the release said.

Changes include rebooking to other Air Canada flights from the same origin and destination. Rebooked flights must occur before Nov. 30. Customers must fly the same route and in the same cabin they originally booked, Air Canada said.

Those with tickets can also cancel their flights and take a future travel credit, the same as customers with refundable tickets, the release said.

Alternatively, travellers can cancel their flights and rebook travel for after Nov. 30. Change fees will be waived but customers will need to pay any fare difference.

The goodwill policy applies to all Air Canada flights including Air Canada Rouge and flights operated by Jazz or PAL Airlines.

Air Canada Express flights, which are managed by Jazz or PAL airlines, won’t be affected by the strike as they are not operated by the same pilots, the company said.

Some special services will be temporarily unavailable, the airline said, including the unaccompanied minor program, the meet and assist program in Japan, and special baggage services for items like hunting equipment and bikes.

The airline said that wages and some schedule issues remain the sticking points between the two sides.

Pilots are looking for a contract similar to that negotiated by the four largest U.S. airlines over the past 18 months. The union said some flight crews in the United States are now earning double what those with Air Canada earn as Star Alliance partners.

Air Canada CEO Michael Rousseau told analysts that he hoped to reach a deal in the coming weeks.

The Canadian Press contributed to this report.