Muhammad Aman Ullah

Publication Date:
August 1, 2026

THE TRUE POST (Web News) – WestJet, Canada’s second-largest airline, has begun gradually grounding its Boeing 737 fleet ahead of a possible strike by flight attendants, leaving thousands of travellers facing uncertainty during one of the country’s busiest holiday travel periods.

Negotiations between the airline and the union representing flight attendants have entered a critical stage, but no final agreement has been reached.

WestJet Begins Grounding Aircraft

WestJet said the decision to ground Boeing 737 aircraft is intended to ensure passengers are not stranded away from home if a strike or lockout begins.

According to the airline, the move is designed to maintain an orderly operation and minimize disruption across its network should labour action occur.

The carrier is advising all passengers to check the latest status of their flights before heading to the airport, as schedules may change on short notice.

Strike Could Begin This Weekend

The union representing approximately 4,287 WestJet flight attendants has issued a 72-hour strike notice, while the airline has responded with a 72-hour lockout notice.

If negotiations fail, job action could begin just after midnight on Sunday, potentially disrupting travel during Canada’s August long weekend.

Which Flights Will Continue?

WestJet said flights operated by WestJet Encore and services provided through codeshare airline partners are expected to continue operating as scheduled.

However, routes served by the airline’s Boeing 737 fleet are expected to experience the greatest impact if labour action proceeds.

Airline Says Offer Includes Major Pay Increases

WestJet says it has presented what it describes as its best and final offer to the union.

According to the company, the proposed four-year agreement includes:

• A combined wage increase of approximately 36%
• Additional compensation for certain pre-flight and post-flight duties
• Improved scheduling provisions
• Better hotel accommodations and travel benefits during overnight assignments

The airline says the proposed agreement would represent a significant step forward not only for WestJet employees but also for Canada’s broader aviation industry.

Union Says Key Issues Remain Unresolved

The flight attendants’ union argues that the company has highlighted only selected elements of the negotiations while many important issues remain unresolved.

Union representatives say employees’ priorities have not yet been fully addressed and believe additional flexibility from the airline will be necessary to reach an agreement.

Despite the ongoing dispute, the union says it still hopes a negotiated settlement can prevent a strike.

Main Disagreement Centres on Ground Pay

The most significant issue in the negotiations involves compensation for work performed before and after flights.

The union argues that under the current credit-hour system, flight attendants perform an average of 35 hours of unpaid ground duties each month.

WestJet disputes that claim, saying its compensation model is standard across the aviation industry and that employees receive higher hourly rates to account for those additional responsibilities.

Advice for Travellers

WestJet says passengers who booked directly through the airline will receive updates regarding cancellations or schedule changes.

Travellers who purchased tickets through travel agencies or third-party booking services are advised to contact their booking provider for assistance.

The airline has also confirmed that customers scheduled to travel through August 4 may change or cancel eligible bookings. Depending on the fare type, some passengers may receive travel credits instead of cash refunds.

Critical Hours Ahead

With negotiations continuing under tight deadlines, the next several hours are expected to be decisive.

If an agreement is not reached, thousands of travellers could experience delays and cancellations during one of Canada’s busiest travel weekends.

Both passengers and the aviation industry are now closely watching the outcome of the final round of talks between WestJet management and the flight attendants’ union.