WestJet restores flights after tentative cabin crew deal ends strike disruption
WestJet and CUPE reached a tentative agreement Monday, ending a work stoppage that grounded all mainline flights and displaced roughly 250,000 passengers over the August long weekend.
Sources · local media reports
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WestJet is gradually restoring its flight schedule after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, ending a work stoppage that disrupted cross-country travel over the August long weekend.
The airline and union announced the deal on Monday, August 3rd, and both withdrew strike and lockout notices the same day. The agreement must still be approved by cabin crew through a ratification vote.
WestJet temporarily suspended all mainline flights on Sunday, August 2nd. At Vancouver International Airport alone, 88 WestJet flights were cancelled—roughly 10 per cent of all scheduled flights that day. The wider disruption cancelled travel plans for about 250,000 passengers across Canada.
Airline CEO Alexis von Hoensbroech said in a statement: "We know this disruption has been frustrating for our guests and WestJetters and we're sorry for that. Our teams are working hard to restore service and get our guests on their way to their destinations as quickly as possible."
On Sunday, WestJet publicly outlined its final offer to CUPE before the deal was struck. The package included a 13 per cent wage increase effective October 1, 2026, followed by 2.5 per cent increases in each of the next three years, plus retroactive payments dating back to January 1, 2026. It also proposed a new duty-pay premium worth roughly another 12 per cent in pay, a $300 annual health spending account, 13 per cent meal allowance increases, maternity-leave top-up payments for 17 weeks after childbirth, and a fifth week of vacation for employees with 25 years of service.
The airline has not released which of those provisions made it into the final tentative agreement. Officials say some cancellations, delays and operational changes may continue as WestJet rebuilds its schedule.
The facts
When did WestJet and CUPE reach a deal to end the strike?
WestJet and CUPE announced a tentative agreement on Monday, August 3, 2026, and both withdrew strike and lockout notices the same day.
How many passengers were affected by the flight cancellations?
Approximately 250,000 passengers across Canada had their travel plans cancelled by the WestJet work stoppage over the August long weekend.
What wage increases did WestJet's final offer include?
WestJet's final offer included a 13 per cent wage increase effective October 1, 2026, followed by 2.5 per cent increases in each of the next three years, plus retroactive payments dating back to January 1, 2026.
