WestJet extends Flexible Change/Cancel policy through August 6

WestJet has extended its Flexible Change and Cancel policy through Aug. 6 as its flight attendants' strike continues.

Guests with travel planned up to August 6, 2026 can make a one-time change or cancellation at no additional cost, says the airline.

Previously, the Flexible Change/Cancel policy was set to expire on August 4.

“We'll continue to evaluate additional extensions on a daily basis,” the airline said in an update posted to social media. “Guests are encouraged to use the self-serve options available in Manage Trips."

Click here for details.

Flight attendants on strike 

WestJet’s labour disruption began at 12:01 a.m. MT on Sunday (Aug. 2) after a 72-hour strike notice expired, forcing the Calgary-based carrier to suspend its Boeing 737 and 787 operations.

The shutdown has triggered hundreds of flight cancellations across WestJet’s network, disrupting the travel plans of approximately 250,000 passengers over the August long weekend, the airline said.

READ MORE: "Working around the clock": Travel advisors navigate chaos as WestJet strike grounds flights

In a statement early Sunday morning, WestJet acknowledged the situation.

"We're disappointed to be here, this directly impacts the travel plans of our guests, our WestJetters and the communities and businesses we serve," said Alexis von Hoensbroech, CEO of the WestJet Group, in a press release.

"Our focus remains on staying available for the union to reach an agreement. We presented a proposal that would have set a new standard for cabin crew in Canada, making WestJet the only airline to offer an hourly rate covering all time before and after flights, plus a double-digit wage increase in year one among other priorities the union raised. Unfortunately, it wasn't accepted."

WestJet says affected passengers will either receive a refund or be reaccommodated, where possible.

READ MORE: "We believe we deserve better": WestJet flight attendants go on strike

The airline also disclosed the details of its latest proposal to the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE), which represents the flight attendants. Click here for more on that.

Flight cancellations mount  

WestJet says the number of cancellations tied to its flight attendant strike has now climbed to 600 flights network-wide, with the largest wave of disruptions occurring after the work stoppage began early Sunday.

As of 3 a.m. MT on Sunday (Aug. 2), the airline had cancelled 291 additional flights, bringing the cumulative total to 600 since it began scaling back operations ahead of the strike.

READ MORE: "We're disappointed to be here”: WestJet details rejected contract offer as FA strike grounds flights

The disruption remains extensive, according to new data from aviation analytics firm Cirium that was circulated Sunday evening.

As of 6:20 p.m. ET Sunday night, 493 of WestJet's 494 scheduled mainline flights for the day had been cancelled or listed as "no fly," representing 99.8 per cent of the airline's planned operations, Cirium reports.

The figures apply to WestJet mainline flights only and do not include WestJet Encore services.

The disruption is expected to continue into Monday, although at a reduced level.

Cirium reports that 121 of 494 scheduled flights (24.5 per cent) have already been cancelled for Aug. 3.

Operations appear to improve further beyond that, with four cancellations out of 446 scheduled flights (0.9 per cent) on Aug. 4, while no cancellations have been recorded for the airline's 460 scheduled flights on Aug. 5 based on the latest data.

"WestJet remains committed to reaching a negotiated agreement and believes a deal is within reach," the airline wrote on its website on Sunday at 2:51 p.m. MT.

For the latest information on guest travel options, visit WestJet's Travel Advisory page. For bargaining updates, visit here.

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