WestJet begins grounding planes ahead of potential flight attendants strike

WestJet says it has begun parking aircraft ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants and says passengers are advised to check the status of their flight before leaving for the airport.

Airlines typically begin cancelling flights ahead of a potential work stoppage, because it prevents crew and passengers from being stranded.

Read more:

• WestJet flight attendants’ union serves airline 72-hour strike notice
• WestJet passengers should know their rights as strike looms, expert says
• Deadline nears on WestJet flight attendants strike threat

The airline says WestJet Encore flights operated on a Q400, as well as codeshare flights operated by airline partners, remain unaffected.

WestJet says it is continuing to bargain with the Canadian Union of Public Employees, which represents 4,400 flight attendants in the hope of reaching agreement on a new contract.

If a deal is not reached by Sunday morning, either side could begin a work stoppage that would see hundreds of flights cancelled during a long weekend in much of the country.

CUPE triggered a 72-hour strike notice that ends on Sunday just after midnight in Calgary, where Canada’s second-largest airline is headquartered. WestJet responded with a lockout notice on the same timeline.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 31, 2026.