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Air Canada Nears Normal Operations After Tentative Pact Ends Flight Attendants’ Strike

The carrier is restoring its schedule under a four-year deal introducing ground pay pending a membership vote.

Air Canada is scheduled to operate 483 flights on Wednesday, with 223 cancellations, the majority of which are international routes.
An Air Canada flight attendant arrives at Toronto Pearson International Airport, following the end of the Air Canada labour strike, in Mississauga, Ontario, Canada, August 19, 2025. REUTERS/Carlos Osorio
On Tuesday, the Air Canada counter at YLW was packed with passengers, anxiously trying to rebook cancelled flights as many were unable to do so online or over the phone.

Overview

  • Air Canada expects to operate close to its normal schedule by Aug. 22, with all available aircraft back in service and only about 30 cancellations reported on Aug. 21.
  • The tentative four-year agreement provides immediate raises of about 12% for junior flight attendants and 8% for senior staff, followed by increases of 3%, 2.5% and 2.75% through 2028.
  • The deal introduces ground pay at 50% of hourly rate for 60 minutes on narrow-body flights and 70 minutes on wide-bodies this year, rising to 70% by 2028, with this provision considered final regardless of ratification.
  • More than 10,000 CUPE-represented flight attendants will vote on ratification from Aug. 27 to Sept. 6, with wage terms headed to arbitration if the package is rejected while non-wage provisions remain in place.
  • Air Canada adopted an exceptional reimbursement policy for trips disrupted Aug. 15–23 covering reasonable costs such as hotels, meals, ground transport and flights on other airlines when rebooking was not possible, as analysts estimate revenue losses near C$61 million per day and a roughly C$400 million hit to third-quarter EBITDA.