Tuesday, August 27, 2024 Air Canada’s update on its contract negotiations with the Air Line Pilots Association comes after the end of the federal conciliation period. Today, Air Canada provided an update on its ongoing discussions with the Air Line Pilots Association (ALPA), focusing on contract negotiations. Air Canada is determined to finalize a negotiated agreement with its pilots, acknowledging their expertise and contributions to the company.
The negotiation process has seen substantial progress, and a three-week cooling-off period has been established, offering ample time to resolve any remaining issues. Air Canada remains dedicated to engaging in meaningful negotiations throughout this period. Recognizing the importance of reliable travel plans for its customers, Air Canada has introduced a new policy offering flexibility for travelers with imminent plans.
Effective immediately, customers who have booked flights with Air Canada for the duration immediately before and following the cooling-off period ending on September 17, 2024, will be allowed to modify their travel arrangements without any additional charges. Goodwill Rebooking Policy Customers can make changes via the Air Canada website at www.aircanada.
com, the Air Canada mobile app, through travel agents, or by contacting the Air Canada Contact Centre, though they may experience longer waiting times. Under this policy, customers with reservations from September 15 to September 23, 2024, can: A) Reschedule their flight to another Air Canada service with the same departure and arrival locations until November 30, 2024. All associated change fees and fare differences will be waived, allowing customers to alter their plans at no extra cost, provided the travel route and cabin class remain the same.
or B) Cancel their flight and keep the remaining value as a credit for future travel. Refunds are available according to the fare type, with those holding refundable tickets eligible for refunds. Those with non-refundable tickets will not receive a refund since flights are expected to operate as scheduled.
or C) Cancel their flight and rebook for a date post-November 30. While change fees will be waived, customers may need to pay any fare difference. This policy is applicable to all flights operated by Air Canada, including Air Canada mainline, Air Canada Rouge, and Air Canada Express flights handled by Jazz or PAL Airlines, as well as Air Canada Vacations.
Note that additional fees may apply for hotel changes. Flights by Air Canada Express, operated by Jazz or PAL Airlines, are not piloted by Air Canada pilots and are thus not affected by the negotiations. Furthermore, due to these updates, some special services will be temporarily suspended.
This includes the Unaccompanied Minor Program, special baggage services for items like bicycles and hunting gear, and the Meet and Assist Program in Japan..
