United Airlines Issues Flight Change Waiver as Air Canada Flight Attendant Strike Looms

As Air Canada prepares to halt operations ahead of an expected flight attendant strike on Saturday, Aug. 16, United Airlines has issued a flight change waiver for travelers.

United, a Star Alliance partner of Air Canada, is offering the waiver for all of its customers traveling on flights to, from, or through a Canadian city, booked through United, which could include codeshare flights with Air Canada. The waiver is valid for travel through at least Aug. 18, and could be extended depending on the length of the strike.

The waiver allows travelers to rebook without change fees or fare differences, as long as the new flight is in the same cabin and between the same cities as the original ticket. The new flight must be scheduled for a date through Aug. 27.

Air Canada announced on Thursday that it plans to cancel its first flights on Aug. 14, with more cancellations to follow on Aug. 15. The airline and its subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, will completely cease operations on Aug. 16. Together, the two airlines carry close to 130,000 travelers daily and transport more passengers into the U.S. than any other foreign airline.

Air Canada is notifying all affected travelers of their cancellation and rights. The airline stated that all impacted flyers are eligible for a full refund and that it is attempting to rebook passengers on other carriers. However, due to the timing of the strike during the peak summer travel season, rebooking options are expected to be limited.

“Air Canada will in all cases inform passengers of their rights under applicable rules if their flight is cancelled or delayed and meet its regulatory obligations,” the airline said in a statement on Thursday.