Updated: September 2024

On August 22, 2024, it was reported that 98% of Air Canada pilots voted in favour of a strike if a new deal wasn’t in place by the September 17 deadline.

What happens to my travel plans in the event of an Air Canada strike? Is there a form of travel insurance for that?

Trip Cancellation Insurance covers dollar amounts in the event a trip is cancelled, prior to departure, when an event has occurred that is beyond the Insured’s control. In the event of Air Canada cancelling flights because of the pilot strike, it is the airline’s obligation to refund or compensate passengers for their respective cancelled flight. A cancelled flight by the airline due to an announced strike is not a covered event under most Travel Insurance policies.

However, depending on the circumstances there may be coverage under the policy’s misconnection or disruption benefits. For example, should you be taking an Air Canada flight to a destination and, from that destination, a connection to another destination with a separate airline or cruise line, then a claim for trip cancellation coverage may come into play.

Timing of purchasing Trip Cancellation Insurance is also key.  If an Air Canada flight is cancelled due to the strike, which causes a delay or disruption to an insured returning home, the insured may be covered under their policy’s misconnection or disruption benefits – provided that the insurance policy was purchased prior to the risk of a strike. If the policy was purchased on or after the potential for strike was announced, benefits would not apply due to the potential strike being a known event.

With the deadline for a new deal set for September 17, many people with travel plans are in limbo and unsure of how to adjust prior to the deadline. It was reported on September 8 that a deal has been presented to the pilots’ union with a 30% wage increase over the next 3 years, 20% of which would be received up front with the remaining being paid over 3 years.

Who can I contact at Air Canada?

Air Canada has regularly updated their website to offer direction and instruction for those potentially affected. If you’re scheduled to travel during this period, Air Canada has offered to change your flights free of charge to another date. Dates specified that could face disruption are: between September 8 and September 14, 2024, and/or between September 24 and November 30, 2024.

Air Canada inquiries can be made by contacting Air Canada at 1-888-247-2262. It is expected that there are longer wait times than normal. For more information and updates, visit Air Canada online at: Air Canada labour negotiations and your travel

Travel Insurance Options

Are you a frequent traveler? There are annual travel insurance plans available which may be more convenient to ensure you’re covered for all your travel for one annual price.

For more information and to learn more about all travel insurance options, visit our financial service partners online at Plan For Wealth or by calling 519-778-0905

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Original Post:

Heading south for the March Break? Do you have Cancellation Insurance?

Cancellation insurance is important for any trip but becomes even more pressing with the possibility of a strike at Air Canada starting as early as next week when many Peterborough families are heading “everywhere south” from Florida to the Caribbean, said Patti Hewitt, manager of Carlson Wagonlit Travel in Peterborough.

Hewitt said any strike at the major Canadian airline would disrupt plans of thousands of people around the world, and typically Air Canada and the federal government will do their utmost to prevent it from happening.

Should the strike go ahead, Air Canada typically refunds your ticket, she said.

But it gets trickier when you’ve pre-paid for things such as hotel rooms or all-inclusive resorts.
Cancellation insurance can covers those costs too, Hewitt said.

You don’t necessarily have to cancel plans, however, even if there is a strike.

Other airlines could step in and transport passengers for no extra cost. Air Canada may also allow you to change your flight to a later date, for no extra charge, if your plans are flexible, she said.

But March Break is a tough time for a strike because most people have booked off the time and are taking children, who also only have that window of time off from school.

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Staebler Insurance is a general insurance broker specializing in car insurance, home insurance, small business, and commercial insurance. Staebler brokers proudly serve Kitchener, Waterloo, Cambridge, Guelph, Stratford, Listowel, Fergus, Elora, Wellington County, Perth County, Waterloo Region and southern Ontario. Get a Quote to get started today.