Flyers affected by Air Canada strike cancellations could cash in on proposed class action
Canadians who have been affected by preemptive Air Canada strike cancellations could be part of a new class-action lawsuit.
Law firm LPC Avocat Inc. applied to authorize a class-action lawsuit against Air Canada on behalf of a Canadian traveller who was impacted by the strike-related cancelled flights.
The proposed class action, which was filed in the Quebec Superior Court, claims the airline “misled their customers and provided them with inaccurate information in order to convince them to accept a refund (which was given in the form of a credit towards future travel), instead of informing them of their legal obligations and rights under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations (APPR),” and other passenger rights laws.
The plaintiff’s case
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According to the filing, the applicant bought a ticket from Montreal to Grenada for $440.95. It was scheduled to depart on Aug. 17 at 6 a.m. and arrive at 2:40 p.m.
The carrier issued a 72-hour lockout notice on Wednesday, Aug. 13, notifying customers that it would begin cancelling Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge flights on Thursday and Friday, with a complete halt on Saturday in anticipation of the flight attendants’ strike.
The plaintiff was notified about her cancelled flight on Saturday, Aug. 16, at 8:32 a.m. via email.
“We’re searching for rebooking options on more than 120 carriers for up to three days after your cancelled flight,” reads the Air Canada email, obtained by the law firm. “This may take some time. If you don’t want to wait and you prefer to search options yourself or cancel your booking to receive a refund, please use the button below.”
LPC Avocat Inc. argues that the email “contains false and misleading information.”
“[It] induces class members in error as it implies that Air Canada is allowed to book people ‘up to three days after your cancelled flight’ which is contrary to the law,” reads the court filing.
The law firm states that the email also fails to mention that when the delay or cancellation is outside of its control, the airline has a legal obligation to provide the passenger with a free rebooking on the next available flight operated by any carrier, on any reasonable air route from the airport where you’re located, or another airport within a reasonable distance. The flight must leave within 48 hours of the original departure time on the original ticket, according to the APPR.
LPC Avocat Inc. added that the airline also omitted to inform customers that, if it can’t book the passenger on the next available flight within 48 hours of the original ticket’s departure time, it would need to refund any unused portion of the ticket, or provide free alternative travel arrangements (including rebooking them on the next available flight operated by any carrier), depending on the traveller’s choice.
After several hours of no communication from Air Canada, the applicant booked a new flight directly with American Airlines on Aug. 16 at 10:27 a.m. Shortly after, she received an email from Air Canada saying it rebooked her via Caribbean Airlines, leaving on Wednesday, Aug. 20, 2025, at 8 p.m., with multiple stopovers and arriving in Grenada on Thursday, Aug. 21, at 8:10 a.m.
Based on the plaintiff’s situation, the filing argues that Air Canada contradicted the APPR by rebooking the applicant on a flight that was 86 hours after her cancelled flight, instead of 48 hours. It also stresses that the carrier “failed in its legal obligation pursuant to subsection 18(1.1)(a) APPR to reserve the Applicant a ticket on ‘the next available flight that is operated by any carrier.’ Indeed, there were flights available with other Airlines on Aug. 17, 18 and 19, 2025.”
Who is part of the proposed Air Canada strike cancellations class action?
The proposed class members include any person around the world whose travel plans since Aug. 14, 2025, were affected by the Air Canada strike and were not provided a reservation for the “next available flight” or “alternate travel arrangements” as required by law.
The law firm says the class action is seeking reimbursements for Air Canada passengers who had to rebook their flights, as well as compensatory damages in amounts to be determined.
For more information and to sign up for updates, check out the class action’s FAQ page.
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