Thousands of Metro Vancouver travellers are stranded in destinations worldwide over the Canada Day long weekend due to WestJet flight cancellations caused by an unexpected strike.
WestJet's mechanic's union members walked off the job Friday, June 29, at 5:30 p.m., accusing its employer of shutting down negotiations.
The move came after the federal government issued a ministerial order for binding arbitration on Thursday, following two weeks of turbulent discussions with the union on a new deal.
WestJet preemptively cancelled 25 flights ahead of the long weekend and cancelled an additional 150 on Friday, June 28 and 235 on Saturday, June 29.
The airline had planned to fly over 250,000 guests over the long weekend, including many flights to and from Vancouver International Airport (YVR). So far, the cancellations have impacted over 53,000 travellers.
Vancouver traveller blogger stranded in Mexico
La Carmina is a Vancouver-based travel blogger who has flown to over 70 countries since her first flight from Hong Kong at age one. She's currently stranded in Los Cabos after WestJet flight home was cancelled.
While the local travel enthusiast isn't devastated about spending a few extra days in paradise, she feels bad for folks with plans that include weddings, medical appointments, and other important events and meetings; it also isn't her first time switching travel plans due to a WestJet strike.
In 2023, La Carmina planned to visit Las Vegas for a work trip but preemptively cancelled her flight after the airline's pilots' union threatened job action ahead of the May long weekend. She was able to secure a last-minute ticket to the City of Sin from Bellingham for $566 but told V.I.A. her original flight cost significantly less.
La Carmina received an email from WestJet in the wee hours of Friday, June 28 stating that her 2:15 p.m. departure from Los Cabos to Vancouver was cancelled.
"I got an email after midnight saying that it was disrupted, then that there were no options for rebooking, very unhelpful," she recounts.
"I was already skeptical about flying with them again because last year my flight to Vegas was potentially cancelled by WestJet because of the looming strike. But in the end, they reached an agreement and the flight was able to go forward.
"But I had already bought an expensive alternative flight."
A person La Carmina works with ended up booking her on a new United Airlines flight on Monday, July 1, with one stop in Houston, Texas. She extended her Airbnb and will get refunded for the cancelled flight.
"So basically I get two more days of free vacation! But still…not cool, WestJet!" she remarked.
Scores of travellers are stranded due to the WestJet strike
The travel blogger is one of thousands of WestJet customers stranded over the long weekend.
One person wrote in a post on X, formerly Twitter, that their flight from Victoria to Calgary was cancelled and they had a second one booked to Barcelona. Both flights disappeared from WestJet's app but the traveller later discovered that their Barcelona flight was still on time.
Victoria to Calgary, Calgary to Barcelona, they cancel my victoria to calgary flight early morning, been trying to reach via phone since 3 am, after over 4 hours, they disconnect me. both of my flights today removed from app. then i find out flight to barcelona still on time
— coconuts (@Steve_003003) June 29, 2024
One person commented that they are concerned some flights aren't being cancelled until the last-minute, noting numerous flights are currently showing as "on time."
How much advanced notice are you giving. I am seeing flights departing in less than 24 hours still labeled as "on time." No one wants to be surprised AT the airport.
— Crying Like Cassandra (@CryingCassandra) June 29, 2024
One passenger said they were already on the plane when WestJet cancelled it.
We did. All good UNTIL we started boarding. People were already ON the plane when you cancelled it???? Waiting for news about what we’re supposed to do now.
— tintizard (@tintizard) June 29, 2024
Amy Nicole said she hadn't been home in three years and her flight was just cancelled. However, she feels it would "cost a fortune to book a last minute flight with another airline."
This is ridiculous. I haven’t been home in 3 years and my flight for tonight was just canceled. Would cost a fortune to book a last minute flight with another airline. Time to end this.
— Amy Nicole (@NewfieAmy) June 29, 2024
Many people believe WestJet should pay their mechanics more to avoid further disruptions.
Fire the WestJet CEO and president. They make $700,000 per year, yet they pay their mechanics $5 per hour for on call work. Westjet executives, you're pathetic. You have stranded my family in Winnipeg and separated grandparents and grandchildren so excited to see each other.
— DCT (@DCuddy_) June 29, 2024
Flair Spokesperson Kim Bowie said the airline is monitoring the WestJet strike closely and will assist stranded passengers "as best we can." While Flair can't add flights over the long weekend, they have seats available on many routes and are seeing a "huge surge in bookings."
"We will always look to rescue customers if we can, but right now we are focused on safely and efficiently transporting the customers who have already booked and trusted us with their business," she told V.I.A.
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