WestJet cancels 81 flights ahead of looming flight‑attendant strike deadline

WestJet announced early on Saturday that 81 scheduled flights for the day would not operate. The airline says the cancellations are intended to keep crew and passengers from being stranded as negotiations with the cabin‑crew union reach a critical juncture.

"This action is in response to the union’s notice to strike and the inability to reach an agreement. WestJet’s most recent proposal was designed to be a transformative, industry‑leading agreement for WestJet's cabin crew, and directly addressed the key issues the union identified as its priorities,"

WestJet spokesperson, via CBC

The cancellation comes after WestJet began parking its Boeing 737 fleet on Friday, a precautionary step meant to minimise the risk of aircraft or guests being left on the tarmac. The airline’s internal email to cabin crew, obtained by The Globe and Mail, described the team as “deeply disappointed” that a deal had not been reached despite what it called its best offer.

"Your union was unable to accept an offer that we believe would have represented a transformative step forward for cabin crew at WestJet and established a new benchmark within the Canadian airline industry,"

Robert Antoniuk, vice‑president of in‑flight operations, via The Globe and Mail

The union representing the attendants, CUPE 8125, issued a 72‑hour strike notice on Thursday. The notice ends just after midnight on Sunday in Calgary, meaning that a work stoppage could begin as early as 12:01 a.m. Mountain Time on Sunday.

Both parties centre their dispute on hourly wages and “ground pay” – compensation for duties performed before a flight departs and after it lands. WestJet maintains that its “credit‑hour” system already folds those tasks into a single rate, ranging from $28.88 to $53.61 per hour. At a full‑time workload of 80 credit hours a month, the company says that translates to earnings between $2,300 and $4,300.

The union, however, argues that many ground duties remain unpaid. CUPE WestJet Component president Alia Hussain told Cbc that the airline’s latest proposal “doesn’t go far enough” and that it represents “a small part of a very large contract.”

"We aren’t just bargaining a few things, we are seeking a comprehensive contract that reflects the priorities of our members,"

Alia Hussain, CUPE 8125 president, via The Globe and Mail

WestJet counters that its offer includes “duty‑premium” payments – an additional layer that would compensate pre‑ and post‑boarding work on top of the credit‑hour rate. Those premium payments sit within a cumulative wage increase of about 36 per cent over four years, a figure the airline describes as “responsibly offered.”

For context, the airline points to the 2025 Air Canada dispute, where flight attendants secured an immediate 12 per cent raise followed by an 8.25 per cent increase over the next three years for junior crew, while senior crew received an 8 per cent first‑year raise. Those terms were upheld by an arbitrator, though the tentative deal was ultimately rejected by Air Canada cabin‑crew members.

WestJet’s compensation proposal also promises scheduling improvements and enhanced travel‑and‑hotel provisions for crew away from home, details that appear in internal emails seen by CBC. The airline says these measures, together with the duty‑premium payments, would make WestJet “the only airline in Canada to have an hourly rate for everything,” as the email to flight attendants claims.

Passengers whose itineraries fall between July 30 and August 4 have been granted a one‑time change or cancellation at no additional cost. Refunds are limited to those holding PremiumFlex or BusinessFlex tickets – or premium and business passengers on Canada‑Asia routes – who can receive a cash refund. All other customers will be issued travel credits.

The airline also noted that travellers who booked directly with WestJet will receive notifications through the contact details provided at purchase. Those who booked via third‑party agents must coordinate any changes with those agents.

Timeline of key events

• Thursday: CUPE 8125 issues a 72‑hour strike notice that runs