Will an Air Canada pilot strike scuttle my plans?

Air Canada pilots will be in a strike position soon

Air Canada pilots have voted to strike if they have not reached an agreement with Air Canada by Sept. 17. And if the pilots don’t strike, Air Canada has suggested it will lock them out.

My flight to Albania is Sept 19 – Regina to Toronto is Air Canada (AC), onward is with Polish Airlines (LOT). The booking was made using Aeroplan points.

When will I know if my flight is cancelled?

If an agreement is not reached by Sept. 15, either party could give 72 hours notice of job action. Air Canada would begin to pre-emptively cancel flights for the next three days. This would be done to reduce the planes stranded around the world in the event of a strike or lockout.

Starting Sept. 18, all flights would be cancelled. The law says that Air Canada must rebook passengers on the next available flight, even if they must fly with a competitor.

Passengers with flights booked Sept 15 – 23 are able to cancel or change right now, with no fees.

Various sources say Air Canada may give as little as 12 – 24 hours notice of flight cancellations.

What can I do to cover myself in case my flight is cancelled?

Last week, I decided on a backup plan. I found a reasonably priced, refundable Westjet flight from Regina to Toronto, leaving Sept 18. The only reasonably priced Westjet flight leaving on Sept 19, the same day as my AC flight, was at 6 am and left me with a 12 hour layover in Toronto before boarding my LOT flight. I’m so tired just thinking of that as a way to start my full on two week tour in eastern Europe. So, I booked the Sept 18 flight, along with a refundable hotel room.

If there is no strike, I just cancel that backup flight and hotel room.

If there is a strike and my flight is cancelled, I use the Westjet flight and hotel room, and expect to be reimbursed by Air Canada. But – my backup flight is over 24 hours BEFORE the Air Canada flight I prefer to take. Will I be notified in time

Should I cancel my AC flight and just use my backup flight?

Well, it’s not that simple. The AC flight is on one ticket, taking me from Regina to Albania and return. Generally, if you don’t show up for your first flight, the rest of the ticket is cancelled. You may be able to reinstate your remaining flights by calling the airline and paying a fee.

I could call Air Canada and ask them to cancel only that portion, but I would be on the hook for the cost of my backup flight and hotel room.

But I really hope there is no strike or lockout and I can just keep my original flight.

I already spoke to an Air Canada agent who advised me to call in when we all know what’s happening. There will be a long wait to talk to an agent I’m sure, but you do not have to wait on hold. I was given a callback about 90 minutes after my call a week ago.

So I will wait and see….wish me luck!