Looks like Air Canada strike is settled!

Kent, Although I'm "potentially affected", but I won't be travelling until August. The "experts" have said that if the strike is limited to the CS agents, there will be minimal disruptions. However, if the Pilots or other Union members refuse to cross picket lines, it the situation will be much more serious. If they haven't got this sorted by the beginning of August, I'll go back to the Travel Agent and see if she can offer any suggestions (I'm glad I used a T.A. to book the tickets!). I'm not sure how much the Air Canada code share partners will be affected by this, so that might be an option? I can easily get to Seattle (Horizon), Toronto, Montreal, Chicago or Newark (WestJet) to connect with other flights. I've enjoyed travelling with Lufthansa (code share), so they'd be my first choice. Hopefully this won't last long......

Yes, of course! After 18 months of planning, we are set to fly out on Air Canada on the 15th! Starting in Seattle, I assume we will be okay as Seatac is not listed as an affected airport. We are then routed through Toronto, which is listed. It's a little nerve-wracking but we're checking in from home and only taking carry-on, so I'm hopeful. Can't get a feel regarding the chances of averting the strike. Looking at the past, does anyone know if Air Canada really lives up to its assertion that it will fly its regular schedule despite the strike?

My AC flight leaves 6 hours before the strike is supposed to start. So I'm a bit worried about my return though being stuck in Germany is not the worst possible outcome - I can stay with family a few minutes away from the airport ;-) However, the information I've received is that the strike will affect mostly the airport customer service agents in Canada. Therefore, it's strongly recommended to do online check-in at home. I have my boarding pass already!

I experienced an Air Canada strike back in the 90's. It was not pleasant. My travel agent (yes back then I used them) supposedly arranged for me to be on an American flight to London. But when I arrived at the airport American had no record of my reservation and told me that I needed to get a voucher from Air Canada. This was all at O'Hare, BTW. I went to the Air Canada desk where we were treated to the worst service I have every experienced. The clerk was unbelievably rude to my 75+ year-old Dad who was just trying to get clarification. Ultimately, American, came through for me and I got the flight to London. I was probably only 14 hours late, which all thing considered wasn't bad. But the return was fraught with the unknown. I had a phone number that I could call to determine the status of my flight, but I could get a time frame as to when I should call. So, I wasted many a morning on a phone in a B&B trying to find out what was going on with my return flight. Ultimately, I was delayed 48 hours on my return. Be grateful that you now have the internet to keep you current on the status of your flights. Go to the airport very, very early so that if you run into issues you have time to wait in lines and still catch a flight. Make sure that you do have a phone number for checking on your return flight while you are in Europe. Good luck and I really hope that none of you encounter the rudeness and attitude of "we don't give a flying leap about your vacation" that I encountered. I've been flying American ever since. ; ) Pam

"Therefore, it's strongly recommended to do online check-in at home." I always use online check-in when flying domestically, as I usually have carry-on only. Unfortunately, online check-in won't work for me on the trip to Europe as I'll have to check luggage. They're apparently making some progress with the contract talks, so maybe there's hope? In the official press releases, AC insists that it will be "business as usual" if a strike does occur. According to the late news tonight, the Federal Government has sent a message to both parties, "urging them" to reach a settlement and avoid a strike. I wonder if that implies that the government will step in if they don't???

Ken, I did online check-in AND I have luggage to check as well. I got my boarding pass printed off at home (there are paperless options for your mobile device). I'll take this boarding pass to the luggage drop-off area at the airport. At the Calgary airport that is separate from the check-in area. It still requires staff that could be on strike at some point in time but it is one less line-up.

Yes, one leg of our return flight on July 5, Barcelona to Toronto, is on Air Canada. Hope it settles quickly.

There's a tentative agreement going to ratification so it should be done before too much longer.

The Air Canada staff are all back to work this morning, and it's "business as usual". I believe the agreement called for a 9% increase over four years, but the Pension issue for new hires still has to be resolved. Cheers!