What happened
WestJet's more than 4,400 flight attendants have given the airline a 72-hour strike notice, coinciding with a lockout notice from the airline. The strike is set to begin at midnight on Sunday, August 2, 2026, unless a negotiated settlement is reached or the Canadian government intervenes. WestJet has issued flexible rebooking and refund policies for travel between July 30, 2026, and August 4, 2026. Guests can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost. The airline is preparing to operate a reduced schedule and is proactively managing changes and cancellations. Rival Air Canada has also issued guidelines for stranded passengers, offering standby options at no extra cost based on seat availability and dedicated check-in counters for WestJet customers rebooked on Air Canada flights. For WestJet passengers potentially stranded in Europe, EC 261/2004 or UK261 protections apply, as a strike is not considered an extraordinary event, requiring the airline to rebook passengers to their final destination on the earliest possible flights