Flying with Air Canada next week? What you need to know about rebookings and refunds

You’re packing your bags but still don’t know if Air Canada will be taking you to your planned destination.

Calgary-based travel agent Lesley Keyter says she’s been fielding questions from people travelling this weekend and next week about whether to cancel their trip or change their flight as a potential work stoppage looms.

“I have tried to reassure people, if they look back historically, these disruptions typically don’t last longer than maybe four, five days,” Keyter, owner of the Travel Lady, said.

“But of course, the ripples from that continue along much longer than that and people’s confidence is shaken.”

The union representing Air Canada pilots is in a position to strike as soon as Sept. 18, so the required 72 hours’ notice could come over the weekend. Here’s what travellers need to know:

What happens to my flight if there is a strike or lockout? 

All Air Canada flights will be cancelled in case of labour action. Ticket holders will be eligible for a full refund regardless of the fare type.

Air Canada has said it will notify its customers within 48 hours of the scheduled departure time if their flight is cancelled and, depending on available seats, rebook them on another flight.

They will be rebooked on another partner or competitor airline within 48 hours of the original departure time.

In a strike situation, which the airline deems out of its control, no additional compensation other than the rebooking, such as food or accommodation, is offered.

I have a flight booked next week. What do I need to know about possible cancellations?

If the flight is cancelled, Keyter suggests contacting the source of the booking. For example, Air Canada will be the point of contact if the fare was purchased through the airline. If it was booked through a third-party site or travel agent, they will deal with the cancellations.

I want to change my flight. What are my options?

If a traveller has purchased a refundable fare, they can get a full refund from Air Canada and book a spot with another airline. For non-refundable tickets, passengers can get credit for a future flight or book travel before Sept. 15 or between Sept. 24 and Nov. 30.

Keyter said passengers have to evaluate their destination and what the travel arrangement is like when making changes to plans. If the traveller absolutely has to travel, she suggests getting Air Canada credit to use later while also booking another flight.

Cancelling or changing my travel dates isn’t an option for me. What can I do?

Keyter suggests booking a fully refundable flight elsewhere as a backup if a traveller has a non-refundable ticket. Air Canada has offered to change dates or allow future travel credit, but there is no refund on such tickets.

“Booking a fully refundable ticket as an insurance backup is an expensive option because we’re looking at a last-minute full-fare ticket,” Keyter said. “If financially they can afford that, then maybe that gives them peace of mind.”

Keyter likened the situation to the threat of a WestJet strike earlier this year.

“I was going on a trip that I could not miss. I was going for a family funeral in Europe,” she recalled. Keyter decided to secure her trip with a fully refundable flight as insurance, in case the airline went on strike.

“It was a big chunk of money, and I didn’t feel comfortable about it,” she said. In the end, the strike didn’t happen so she was able to refund the fare.

Will buying insurance help?

Most insurance does not cover labour disruptions because they are considered known risks rather than unexpected weather and other traditionally insured events.

When will I get my money back?

The airline is obliged to refund the amount within 30 days of the flight cancellation under Canada’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations.