Without an agreement by September 15, Air Canada could issue a 72-hour strike notice, while the union could issue a strike notice, triggering the Three-day shutdown of operations Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge. In a statement, Air Canada said it was finalizing contingency plans to suspend most of its operations as the two sides remained far apart in negotiations.

The airline predicts the three-day suspension could affect 110,000 passengers a day. See what you can do if no deal is reached and labor disruptions affect your flight.

New reprogramming policy

Air Canada has implemented a new policy that allows travellers to change their flight to another date for free. You must have purchased an Air Canada ticket or redeemed points for an Aeroplan flight reward before September 9 for travel between September 15 and 23.

You can also change your flight for free for travel between September 8 and 14 and between September 24 and November 30.

If you do not have access to Air Canada’s self-serve options because you purchased your ticket through Air Canada Vacations, a travel agent or an online travel agency, we recommend that you contact them directly.

If you booked through another airline’s website, please contact the airline if you wish to change your flight.

If you booked through Air Canada for Business, you can change your itinerary online. For assistance, call 1-888-335-4189.

If you have booked a vacation package with Air Canada, you can visit the goodwill policy page or contact Air Canada Vacations at 1-866-529-2079. The goodwill policy allows for free booking changes if you purchased a travel package with an Air Canada flight before September 9, 2024, for travel dates between September 15 and September 23, 2024. No refunds.

The Goodwill Policy only applies to new bookings on other flights operated by Air Canada, Air Canada Rouge and Air Canada Express (Jazz and PAL Airlines).

You can book alternative dates for flights scheduled between September 9 and 14, 2024, or after September 24, according to Air Canada.

Air Canada Vacations customers have the following options:

• Change your travel dates and get a one-time instant credit of $50 per passenger.
• Choose a future travel credit for the full amount, which expires in one year.
• Customers can also request a return change of travel date if they are flying between September 15 and 23. Passengers will not be charged a change fee, but may be required to pay the difference. Additional fees also apply for longer hotel stays, Air Canada added.

If you booked flights through Aeroplan Rewards before August 27 for travel between September 15 and 23, you are eligible to change your flight for free.

Cancellation of flights
You can cancel your ticket and receive a full refund if you purchased refundable fares, with possible cancellation fees depending on the ticket type.

If you purchased flights with Aeroplan points, you can cancel your trip without losing your points, which will be redeposited into your account.

If you purchased a refundable fare, you can cancel your flight and receive the value of your ticket to use toward a future Air Canada booking.

If you decide to keep your current flight and it is affected by the work stoppage, you will be informed by email or SMS.