How do I protect my trip when my airline faces a strike or meltdown?

First, know your rights before you book. In Canada, the WestJet cabin crew strike is scheduled to start at midnight on Sunday, August 2, unless a last-minute deal is reached or the government intervenes. If your flight is canceled or significantly delayed, the airline is generally responsible for rebooking you on its own flights or a partner—but not necessarily on a competitor. Check WestJet's travel advisory page and your fare rules. If you booked with a credit card that offers trip interruption or delay coverage, that may cover reasonable expenses like hotels or meals if you're stranded.

During an operational meltdown like American Airlines' systemwide IT outage, which triggered an FAA ground stop for all U.S. departures, the airline's obligation is to get you to your destination, but it may take time. The best defense is to act fast: if your flight is canceled, call the airline immediately or use its app to rebook. If you're at the airport, get in line for a gate agent, but also try the phone and social media simultaneously. If the airline can't rebook you within a reasonable time, ask if it will endorse your ticket to a partner airline—some will, but it's not guaranteed.

Your best long-term strategy is to book with a travel agent or credit card that provides robust disruption support, and always choose flights early in the day to give yourself more rebooking options if things go wrong. For strikes, consider booking refundable fares or tickets that allow changes without penalty, especially if the strike date is known. And remember: if the strike is called off at the last minute, as the WestJet source suggests is possible, your trip may go ahead—so don't cancel prematurely unless you have a clear refund policy.

If you're already booked and a strike is looming, monitor the airline's updates and the union's statements. WestJet says its Q400 Encore flights and codeshare partners are unaffected, so if you're on one of those, you might be fine. But if you're on a 737, be prepared for cancellations. The key is to have a backup plan—know your alternative routes, keep your phone charged, and have a credit card with a high limit for unexpected expenses.