On July 15, 2026, WestJet announced the results of the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) strike authorisation vote around WestJet Cabin Crew’s members. The Canadian worker’s union is based on representing its members by advocating for better safety, pay and benefits. The result could potentially affect thousands of flights if strike action proceeds.
WestJet airlines response and reasons for striking
Alexis von Hoensbroech, the CEO of WestJet Group stated:
“A strike authorisation vote is a common step by unions in context of the overall labour negotiation process and does not mean a strike will occur.”
He then continued:
“We are steadfast in our commitment to reach a meaningful agreement with CUPE that recognises the contribution and professionalism of our cabin crew members and keeps WestJet competitive and sustainable.”
WestJet cabin crew’s potential strike is due to arguing that the airline’s current pay and working conditions is unfair – especially regarding being underpaid or conducting underpaid work on the ground, lowering wage rates and expired contracts which have put a halt in negotiations.
Potential Impact
With at least 4,400 WestJet cabin crew’s workforce represented by the Canadian worker’s union CUPE, who have said strike action could begin as early as Aug. 2, 2026, if no deal is reached. This comes right before a major holiday weekend in Canada, which could significantly disrupt travel.
Right now, travellers face uncertainty and threat of disruption, for summer travel especially over the months of July and August. Risk of delays will be even higher than before, there will be less flexibility around flights and customer services will become more strained as people seek further updates and reassurance.
Stay ahead and know your rights
When travelling, make sure to:
- Consider a backup flight with another airline e.g. Air Canada (AC).
- Allow extra time for flight connections.
- Sign up for WestJet alerts to receive real-time updates.
- Buy and check what your travel insurance covers if not upgrade policies to protect yourself financially.
- Use alternative airport such as Edmonton (YEG), Vancouver (YVR), Calgary (YYC) and Toronto (YYZ).
If WestJet cancel your flights due to a strike, you are entitled to:
- Rebooking at no cost.
- Refunds for cancelled flights.
- Compensation depending on the cause and timing.
This is because WestJet is a large Canadian carrier, so you are protected under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR). Even though a strike is typically classified as an event outside the airline’s control regarding cash compensation, WestJet still owes you specific duties if your flight is cancelled or delayed by 3 hours or more.
How could the strikes affect you? Let us know down below.
