Grounded Or Covered? What Travellers Need to Know About The Air Canada Strike

With Air Canada flight attendants reaching a tentative agreement, travellers may be breathing a sigh of relief—but the uncertainty around a potential strike has already raised questions for Canadians with fall travel plans. Flight disruptions, cancellations and unexpected expenses can leave passengers scrambling, which is why the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) is urging travellers to review their coverage carefully. We spoke with THIA spokesperson Will McAleer to break down what Canadians need to know about insurance, refunds and navigating the turbulence of airline strikes. —Noa Nichol

What’s the very first step travellers should take if their upcoming Air Canada flight is affected by the strike?

Impacted travellers should start by contacting Air Canada directly for information on refunds and flight rescheduling.

How can Canadians find out if their travel insurance policy actually covers strike-related cancellations or delays?

Canadians should review their travel insurance coverage to determine whether their travel insurance policy covers trip cancellation, interruption, delay or missed connection (and to see if a strike is listed as a covered reason).  Customers can also verify if they purchased their travel insurance coverage before the strike or announcement of the potential strike became considered a “known event” by their travel insurance provider. They can also contact their insurance providers for any clarifications if needed. All insurance providers have easily accessible customer service contact information.

Can you explain the significance of the “known event” date, and how it impacts whether or not travellers are covered?

A “known event” refers to a situation that was already public knowledge or could reasonably have been known by an insured customer before they purchased the insurance policy or booked their trip.

The “known event” date refers to when information about the event has been publicised or reported by the media and has become public knowledge.

Determination of the “known event” date can differ by travel insurance provider. As it relates to airline strikes, the “known event” date may relate to the date that the strike is announced publicly, or the date the threat of a potential strike became public knowledge. This definition is typically outlined in the terms and conditions of the policy. 

Availability of coverage generally depends on whether flights were purchased or if the trip was booked prior to the event being made known.

What kinds of expenses—beyond the flight itself—might be eligible for reimbursement if a strike disrupts a trip?

As Air Canada has said, customers affected by flight cancellations will be eligible for full refunds and is working with other carriers to provide alternative options.

Travel insurance policies may provide reimbursement for other non-refundable, prepaid trip expenses that are not being refunded or credited by the travel supplier, if a policyholder’s trip is cancelled, interrupted or delayed due to the strike, and strikes are listed as a covered reason to claim under these benefits.

For travellers without strike coverage, what options do they have to minimize financial loss or rebook their trip?

The first step should be to contact the airline or travel agent who managed the transaction. Travellers are guaranteed certain protections that a major airline such as Air Canada will honour.

Are credit card travel insurance policies generally as comprehensive as standalone policies when it comes to strike coverage?

Credit card travel insurance policies vary depending on the card type and provider. So, while some may be as comprehensive as standalone policies, others may not be. It is important to review and read the fine print of the policy to ensure you are covered.

If a traveller is already abroad when a strike hits, what should they do to ensure they get home without incurring massive costs?

We advise travellers concerned about returning home from abroad to contact Air Canada or the booking agent. Air Canada has stated it is working to make arrangements with other carriers for alternative options.

How can Canadians better prepare for unexpected events like strikes when booking future travel?

Read your travel insurance policy carefully to ensure that strike coverage is included.

What are the biggest red flags travellers should look for in travel insurance policies that could limit their coverage in situations like this?

Knowing your trip, knowing your health and knowing your policy are the most important aspects to keep in mind when purchasing travel insurance. There are many policies available, and we encourage consumers to call their insurance provider to understand what is and isn’t covered, including listed covered reasons for trip cancellation, as well as exclusions that may limit coverage.