Westjet Flight Attendants Strike Amid Pay Negotiation Stalemate

WHO:

ABC News - Flight attendants with WestJet, represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which includes 4,400 cabin crew members.

ABC News - Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group.

WHAT:

ABC News - WestJet confirmed that it had canceled more than 300 flights due to the strike, affecting travel plans during a three-day weekend.

ABC News - The union announced the strike on its Facebook page but did not provide further details.

ABC News - WestJet stated that it could not operate any scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s.

ABC News - WestJet Encore flights operated on a Q400, as well as code-share flights operated by airline partners, remain unaffected.

CBS News - WestJet canceled more than 300 flights as of early Sunday, affecting travel plans during a three-day weekend.

ABC News - WestJet Encore flights operated on a Q400, as well as code-share flights operated by airline partners, remain unaffected.

CBS News - WestJet canceled more than 300 flights due to the strike.

ABC News - Flight attendants went on strike over pay disputes.

ABC News - WestJet stated it could not operate any scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s.

ABC News - Travelers affected by the cancellations will be refunded or reaccommodated.

WHERE:

CBS News - The strike is affecting travel plans in Canada.

ABC News - WestJet is Canada's second-largest airline.

WHY:

ABC News - A key issue in the dispute was how flight attendants should be paid for duties performed while still on the ground, with the union claiming some work is unpaid.

ABC News - The union's proposal aimed to set a new standard for cabin crew pay in Canada, including an hourly rate for all time before and after flights and a double-digit wage increase in the first year.

ABC News - A key issue in the dispute was how flight attendants should be paid for duties performed while still on the ground, with the union claiming some work is unpaid.

ABC News - The strike is primarily over how flight attendants should be compensated for duties performed while on the ground, with the union claiming some work is unpaid.

HOW:

ABC News - WestJet announced it would contact customers directly via email regarding refunds or reaccommodations, while those who booked through travel agents should reach out to them.

BBC - Airline passenger laws in Canada mandate that carriers re-book passengers on the next available flight either from its own fleet or on a partner airline, and if both are unavailable, then they must be re-booked with a competitor.

ABC News - The company cited a “credit hour” system for compensation rather than an hourly rate.

ABC News - WestJet announced it would contact customers directly via email regarding refunds or reaccommodations, while those who booked through travel agents should reach out to them.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 23:50 UTC)

WestJet has canceled over 300 flights due to a strike, significantly impacting travel plans during a busy three-day weekend. The union announced the strike on social media, highlighting a dispute over how flight attendants are compensated for ground duties, with the goal of establishing a new pay standard for cabin crew in Canada. While WestJet's Boeing 737 and 787 flights are grounded, WestJet Encore flights on Q400s and code-share flights with partner airlines are still operating, and the airline will be contacting customers directly about refunds or rebooking options.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 17:54 UTC)

WestJet has canceled more than 300 flights, disrupting travel plans for many during a three-day weekend, although WestJet Encore flights and code-share flights operated by partners remain unaffected. The cancellations stem from a dispute over how flight attendants should be compensated for duties performed while on the ground, with the union arguing that some of this work goes unpaid. According to Canadian airline passenger laws, carriers are required to re-book affected passengers on the next available flight from their own fleet or a partner airline, and if those options are unavailable, they must find a seat with a competitor.

(UPDATED August 2, 2026 14:26 UTC)

WestJet has canceled more than 300 flights due to a strike by flight attendants represented by the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which includes 4,400 cabin crew members. The strike, primarily over pay disputes and compensation for ground duties, has led WestJet, Canada's second-largest airline, to state that it cannot operate any scheduled flights on Boeing 737s or 787s. Affected travelers will be contacted directly by the airline regarding refunds or reaccommodations, while those who booked through travel agents are advised to reach out to them for assistance.