Then, on August 21, 2025, Air Canada dropped a bombshell. They hope to be back in the air for 76 percent of their scheduled domestic and U.S. routes by Thursday! The airline’s resumption of international routes has been moving at a more timid clip. This announcement follows a summer of service breakdowns at Air Canada, crippled by an inability to operate consistently.
Despite this being a step towards restoring service fully, Air Canada reiterated that its operations still haven’t bounced back to pre-pandemic days. It’s great to hear that the airline is seriously addressing the crisis. In terms of getting service stabilized on both Air Canada and Air Canada Rouge, they expect to have it all settled within the next 10 days. This lengthened timeframe is a sign of the deep waters the airline is still wading through as it attempts to catch up with unprecedented customer demand.
In response to the recent wave of flight cancellations, Air Canada has introduced a new reimbursement policy to help impacted customers. This policy is intended for travelers who booked other modes of transportation. This just means that it applies to people whose flights were cancelled between August 15–August 23. With this policy in place, customers will receive reimbursement, offering some relief during this invasive construction period.
The issues impacting Air Canada and its bankrupt subsidiary, Air Canada Rouge, over the past year have rattled even the most seasoned of travelers. No doubt, millions of confused and angry customers are looking for answers to what their rights and options are after being canceled and delayed at the altar. The airline’s proactive approach in establishing a reimbursement policy reflects its commitment to addressing customer concerns and maintaining transparency during this challenging period.
As Air Canada sails through these operational bumps in the road, service recovery continues to be their priority. With a significant portion of its planned flights expected to operate soon, the airline is optimistic about returning to normalcy in the coming days.
