Air Canada and Flight Attendants Reach Tentative Agreement to End Strike

Air Canada and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), representing approximately 10,400 flight attendants, have reached a tentative agreement to end a strike that began on August 16, 2025. The strike had led to the cancellation of hundreds of flights, impacting over 500,000 passengers.

The primary issue in the negotiations was compensation for tasks performed while aircraft are on the ground, such as boarding and deplaning, which were previously unpaid. The tentative agreement addresses this concern by ensuring flight attendants receive pay for these duties.

Air Canada has announced plans to gradually resume operations, with full restoration of services expected to take up to ten days. The airline has advised passengers to check the status of their flights before heading to the airport, as some cancellations may still occur during this period.

The tentative agreement is subject to ratification by CUPE members. If approved, it could set a precedent for compensation practices in the North American airline industry, particularly regarding pay for ground duties performed by flight attendants.