AIR CANADA PREPARES FOR THE WORST: Proactively waives change fees ahead of possible pilot strike

Air Canada says that “more than sufficient time” remains to settle outstanding issues with its pilots, who are in a legal strike position as of Sept. 17. However, the carrier is still preparing for the worst by introducing a “goodwill rebooking policy” for customers who are scheduled to travel between Sept. 15 and 23.

The airline says the policy – which allows travel already purchased no later than Aug. 27 to be changed at no additional cost – reflects its understanding that “certainty about their travel plans is important to customers” and the policy is meant to give all travellers flexibility with imminent travel plans.

The policy is now in effect and applies to all Air Canada operated flights, including Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge, Air Canada Express flights operated by Jazz or PAL Airlines, and Air Canada Vacations (an additional fee may apply for hotels).

However, the company notes that Air Canada Express flights, operated by Jazz or PAL Airlines, are not operated by Air Canada pilots and therefore would not be impacted a strike.

The following details were issued by the airline:

Goodwill Rebooking Policy

Changes can be made online at www.aircanada.com, through the Air Canada mobile app, a travel agent, or by calling an Air Canada Contact Centre (although wait times may be elevated). The policy allows customers holding bookings on any fare type with travel between Sept. 15 and 23, 2024, to:

A) Rebook to any other Air Canada flight(s) with the same origin and destination up to Nov. 30, 2024 (including to before Sept. 15). Change fees and any other fees or fare difference will be waived, meaning such changes can be made at no cost for customers who choose to travel the same route in the same cabin.

Or

B) Cancel their flight and retain the residual value on a future travel credit. Refunds will be available as per fare rules for customers with refundable tickets; for customers with non-refundable tickets, refunds are not available as flights are scheduled to operate as normal.

Or

C) Cancel their flight and rebook travel for after Nov. 30, in which case change fees will be waived but the customer will have to pay the fare difference, if any.

Additionally, during the time period, certain special services will be temporarily unavailable. These include services such as the Unaccompanied Minor Program, special request baggage services for items such as bicycles and hunting equipment, and the Meet and Assist Program in Japan.

Customers who purchased tickets through Air Canada Vacations are advised to contact the tour operator directly.

The airline also says it will notify customers of any impact to their flight itinerary in advance of their travel.

Air Canada says that “significant progress” has been made to date in negotiations and that it is “fully committed to bargaining meaningfully throughout the period” leading up to Sept. 17.

More details for customers are available at www.aircanada.com/action and for Air Canada Vacations customers at https://vacations.aircanada.com/en/travel-advisories.