CALGARY— Travellers flying with WestJet (WS) over the upcoming August long weekend could face an unexpected financial setback if cabin crew walk off the job, as travel insurance experts warn that many newly purchased policies are unlikely to cover strike-related disruptions.
The warning comes after the Canadian Union of Public Employees (CUPE) announced that 99.4% of WestJet flight attendants voted in favour of strike action, with a legal strike possible as early as August 2.
The potential labour dispute has raised concerns among passengers departing from major Canadian airports, including Calgary International Airport (YYC), WestJet’s primary hub.
While airlines remain responsible for rebooking or refunding cancelled flights in many cases, travellers without broader trip interruption coverage could still lose significant amounts on hotels, cruises, tours, and other prepaid expenses if their travel plans collapse.
WestJet Crew Strike Limits Insurance Coverage
Travel insurance specialists say the timing of a policy purchase plays a crucial role in determining eligibility for strike-related claims.
Once a labour disruption becomes publicly known, insurers may classify it as a “known event,” meaning policies purchased afterward generally exclude compensation for cancellations or interruptions directly linked to that disruption.
Similar guidance has already been issued by insurers, including Manulife and Allianz Global Assistance, following the strike authorization announcement.
Industry experts explain that travellers buying insurance after the strike vote may still receive protection for unrelated situations such as illness, medical emergencies, or the death of a family member.
However, they should not expect reimbursement simply because a WestJet strike prevents them from reaching their destination.
Passenger Protection Rules
If a strike results in flight cancellations, WestJet must still meet its obligations under Canada’s passenger protection rules.
Typically, the airline must either rebook affected customers on another available flight or provide a refund if transportation cannot be arranged within the required timeframe. However, an alternative itinerary may involve different departure times, additional connections, or longer travel delays than originally booked.
Travel advisers note that airline compensation alone may not protect the most expensive part of a vacation.
For example, travellers could recover the cost of their airfare but still lose thousands of dollars in prepaid cruises, guided tours, resort stays, or event tickets if they fail to arrive on time.
Comprehensive trip cancellation and interruption insurance is generally designed to cover those additional financial risks when purchased before a disruption becomes foreseeable.
Some insurers also offer “cancel for any reason” policies, although these products often reimburse only part of the trip cost and usually carry higher premiums.
Strike Talks Continue
Despite the overwhelming strike mandate, neither side has confirmed that a work stoppage is inevitable.
WestJet Chief Executive Officer Alexis von Hoensbroech has described the strike authorization as a routine step during collective bargaining and said negotiations remain focused on reaching an agreement.
CUPE has also maintained that its preferred outcome is a negotiated settlement rather than industrial action.
The airline’s previous labour dispute in 2024 disrupted travel for tens of thousands of passengers during the Canada Day holiday period, making many travellers particularly cautious as this year’s August long weekend approaches.
For now, passengers with existing bookings are advised to monitor updates from WestJet, review the terms of their travel insurance carefully, and understand exactly what expenses remain protected if operations are disrupted.
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