Air Canada passengers still scrambling to rebook as labour dispute grounds flights

By Canadian Press on August 17, 2025.

Air passengers are still scrambling to rebook their flights home as a labour dispute between Air Canada and its flight attendants continues to ground planes around the world.

James Hart and Zahara Virani came to Toronto from Calgary for what they thought would be a fun weekend.

But now they’re having to miss work and pay $2,600 to fly with another airline after their Air Canada flight was cancelled amid the strike and lockout that began Saturday.

Virani says she doesn’t blame the flight attendants, and is disappointed in Air Canada for not reaching a deal with its workers.

The union representing more than 10,000 flight attendants says the workers plan to remain on strike even after the Canada Industrial Relations Board ordered both parties back to work by 2 p.m. ET today.

Air Canada had said it would restart flights later today, but it is unclear how the latest news from the union will impact that plan.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 17, 2025.

The Canadian Press

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