Calgary 
A majority of Canadians support Air Canada flight attendants in their push for full pay for duties performed before takeoff and after landing, according to an Angus Reid Institute survey.
Credit: Air Canada
The dispute, centred on “ground pay,” could see a strike as early as Saturday, affecting over 130,000 passengers, including 25,000 potentially stranded abroad.
Credit: Angus Reid Institute
Currently, attendants are only paid when planes are airborne. Air Canada has offered half pay for ground duties, but the union representing more than 10,000 attendants is demanding full hourly wages. The airline has asked for binding arbitration, a request the union says it will reject.
Three-quarters (74%) of respondents support legislation requiring airlines to pay employees from the time they report for duty. More than four-in-five (84%) consider the current system unfair. Overall, 59% prioritize full pay for attendants over keeping fares low, while 41% prefer to avoid potential fare hikes. Frequent flyers are divided, with 51% siding with attendants and 49% focused on costs.
Credit: Angus Reid Institute
Cost sensitivity is evident: 34% would not accept any fare increase, 29% would pay less than five per cent more, and just 14% would accept a five per cent or higher increase.
The dispute is already affecting Air Canada’s reputation. Half of Canadians say their opinion of the airline has worsened, including 20% whose views have declined significantly. Among regular customers, the proportion rises to 57%.
The survey, conducted online Aug. 14–15 among 1,507 Canadian adults, has a margin of error of ±2 percentage points, 19 times out of 20.
