WestJet restoring flights after tentative agreement ends cabin crew strike | Daily Hive

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WestJet is gradually restoring its flight schedule today after reaching a tentative contract agreement with the union representing its cabin crew, ending a work stoppage that disrupted August long weekend travel across Canada.

The airline and the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced the agreement on Monday, August 3, resulting in the withdrawal of both the strike and lockout notices.

The tentative deal must still be approved by WestJet cabin crew through a ratification vote.

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At Vancouver International Airport (YVR), officials say WestJet flights are beginning to return to the schedule, although some cancellations, delays, and other changes may continue as the airline rebuilds its operations.

WestJet temporarily suspended all of its mainline flights on Sunday, August 2. At YVR alone, 88 WestJet flights were cancelled, accounting for approximately 10 per cent of all flights scheduled at the airport that day.

WestJet said the wider disruption cancelled the travel plans of about 250,000 passengers over the August long weekend.

“We are pleased to have reached a tentative agreement that reflects the hard work and professionalism our cabin crew,” said Alexis von Hoensbroech, the CEO of WestJet, in a statement today.

“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 and we appreciate everyone’s patience as we get back to normal.”

The airline has not yet released the complete terms of the tentative agreement.

However, on Sunday, WestJet publicly outlined its final proposal to CUPE. The offer included a 13 per cent wage increase effective October 1, 2026, followed by increases of 2.5 per cent at the beginning of each of the next three years.

It also proposed retroactive wage payments dating back to January 1, 2026.

A new duty-pay premium would have provided cabin crew with additional compensation for all hours spent on duty, including work performed before and after flights. WestJet estimated that the measure would have been equivalent to another 12 per cent salary increase.

Other proposed improvements included a $300 annual health spending account, a 13 per cent increase to meal allowances in 2026, maternity-leave top-up payments for 17 weeks after childbirth, and a fifth week of vacation for employees with 25 years of service.

The offer also contained a new flexible part-time program and several scheduling changes, including longer minimum rest periods, reduced maximum duty days when working at least three flight segments and additional payments in certain reassignment, layover and hotel-delay situations.

WestJet has not indicated which of those provisions were retained or changed in the tentative agreement reached Monday.

YVR is continuing to deploy additional terminal employees to assist affected travellers. Passengers are being advised to confirm their latest flight information directly with WestJet before travelling to the airport.

Some aircraft and crews may not immediately be in the locations needed to operate their regular schedules following the nationwide shutdown, meaning the airline’s full network could take time to return to normal.

WestJet Encore flights operated using Q400 aircraft were not affected by the labour disruption. Codeshare flights operated by WestJet’s airline partners also continued operating.

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