TORONTO — The industry is watching the clock as the strike deadline nears for WestJet and its 4,400 flight attendants.

While labour negotiations between the airline and its flight attendants are ongoing, a strike could come as soon as Sunday, Aug. 2, following the end of the federally mandated cooling-off period.

Ahead of Aug. 2, the required 72 hours’ notice from the union would trigger a wind-down of flights.

WestJet’s flexible change and cancellation policy applies to scheduled travel between July 30 and Aug. 4, 2026, allowing eligible passengers to change or cancel their flights if they wish to adjust their travel plans while negotiations continue. Travellers booked on WestJet Encore service or codeshare flights run by airline partners including Delta will not be affected by a strike.

On July 24 WestJet said discussions with the union representing its cabin crew are progressing, and at that point the airline said it was optimistic an agreement can be reached that recognizes the contributions of its flight attendants.

WestJet and CUPE, the union representing its flight attendants, have been negotiating a new collective agreement since late 2025. WestJet flight attendants voted 99% in favour of strike action.

Compensation for work done on the ground remains a key stumbling block in the talks, less than a year after the same issue sparked a work stoppage by 10,000 flight attendants at Air Canada.

On its site WestJet notes: “WestJet cabin crew are paid using a credit hour system, which is the standard pay model for cabin crew across North America. Block hours start when the aircraft leaves the gate and end when it arrives at the gate. We’ve heard clearly that many of our crew feel this system requires improvements. We also know their current compensation requires adjustments in the context of inflation, and we take that seriously. We’re prepared to make meaningful improvements in both regards. We are in active, constructive talks with the union and are confident an agreement can be reached.”

CUPE has been ratcheting up a public relations campaign in recent weeks, launching a ‘day of action’ with rallies across the country earlier this month.

Customers whose flights are called off ahead of a potential strike have the right to rebook free of charge on any airline – not just WestJet — says Air Passenger Rights president Gabor Lukacs.

“Those actions are business decisions within WestJet’s control and are not required for safety reasons,” the advocacy group states in a recent post on its website. As such, travellers are entitled to cash compensation of up to $1,000 each, Lukacs says.

If the flight is cancelled because a strike has begun, passengers enjoy the same right to rebook on any carrier, Lukacs says. A refund is also an option.

Whether a strike goes ahead may hinge largely on where the two bargaining teams land on ground pay. It remains a major point of contention even after Air Canada flight attendants in February secured compensation for ground work that will climb to 70% of their hourly rate for the hour before takeoff — also known as boarding pay.

Earlier this month Canadians booked to fly with WestJet were reminded to review their travel insurance carefully, as policies purchased after the airline’s flight attendants announced a potential strike may not cover disruptions related to the labour dispute, once the possibility of a strike became a known event.

With file from The Canadian Press