WestJet strike in Canada strands thousands as 276 flights are canceled Aug. 2

WestJet passengers face widespread cancellations after flight attendants began striking early Sunday, disrupting domestic and international travel during Canada’s long weekend.

Strike began Aug. 2

More than 4,000 flight attendants began striking at 12:01 a.m. MT on Aug. 2 after contract talks failed to produce an agreement. WestJet had canceled 276 flights by 3 p.m. Saturday, leaving thousands of travelers stranded, a national outlet reported.

The Canadian Union of Public Employees Local 8125, which represents about 4,400 attendants, issued its strike notice July 30. WestJet responded with a lockout notice and began parking Boeing 737 aircraft July 31 to avoid stranding planes and crews away from their bases.

Mainline and international routes are affected

The dispute covers WestJet mainline flights, including larger jets serving major routes across Canada and international connections. Services to European gateways including London, Paris, Dublin and Edinburgh may be affected.

WestJet Encore flights, which use Q400 turboprops, remain outside the dispute. Codeshare flights marketed by WestJet but operated by partner airlines are unaffected as well.

Flexible booking window runs through Aug. 4

WestJet has offered change and cancellation flexibility for travel between July 30 and Aug. 4. A full strike could affect about 75,000 passengers a day, CTV estimated.

Travelers booked during that window should confirm the operating airline before changing plans, then check the flight’s status directly with WestJet. Encore and partner-operated services may still run even when a WestJet flight number appears on the reservation.