Published on February 17, 2026
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In a troubling development for travellers across Canada, WestJet has reported 20 flight cancellations and 86 delays, sending shockwaves through the domestic travel network and sparking anxiety among passengers heading to or from cities including Calgary, Toronto and Vancouver. The disruption has triggered a scramble at airport gates, long queues at service desks and a surge in calls to the airline’s helplines as travellers seek refunds, rebooking and clarity about their journeys.
This latest operational breakdown comes at a time when winter weather and seasonal scheduling pressures have already strained Canadian airport operations. Many passengers have taken to social media and airport information boards to share their frustration — a stark reminder that even minor percentages of cancelled flights can have major ripple effects across connecting itineraries and onward travel plans.
The widespread delays and cancellations echo other recent travel disruptions in Canada, where extreme winter storms have previously grounded flights and snarled ground transport. According to official aviation safety reports, winter weather events in early 2026 forced hundreds of flights to be cancelled just days before WestJet’s operational difficulties surfaced, compounding an already fragile schedule.
Such travel chaos has real consequences. Families planning vacations, business travellers heading to meetings and international guests arriving for events have all been affected. Many passengers missed critical connections or had to overnight in cities far from their intended destinations. The compounded stress of rebooking, lost hotel reservations and disrupted meetings is drawing widespread attention.
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When flights are delayed or cancelled within or from Canada, travellers have specific rights protected under the Air Passenger Protection Regulations administered by the Canadian Transportation Agency (CTA). These rules stipulate that airlines must provide clear communication about delays and cancellations, offer rebooking or refunds, and cover reasonable expenses when the disruption falls within the carrier’s control. The CTA exists to ensure that airlines uphold passenger rights and that disputes are resolved fairly. Official Canadian government guidance highlights that if a scheduled carrier fails to transport a passenger as agreed — whether due to operational issues or staffing shortfalls — passengers may be entitled to compensation or alternative travel arrangements.
This regulatory framework is crucial as more travellers report long waits at airport counters, limited assistance on rebooking and uncertainty about refunds. Airline customer support teams are working to manage a flood of enquiries, but travellers on the ground often find themselves making real‑time choices about alternative connections or accommodation.
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WestJet’s biggest hubs — including Calgary International Airport (YYC), Toronto Pearson International Airport (YYZ) and Vancouver International Airport (YVR) — have borne the brunt of the disruption. Delays at such central nodes in the airline’s network quickly cascade into knock‑on effects for flights nationwide.
CANCELLED FLIGHT DETAILS:

At Calgary, WestJet’s primary operational base, passengers reported long waits at customer service counters and stretched resources as the airline scrambled to rebook flights. At Toronto Pearson, which has its own history of facing heavy delay loads during winter months, the backlog from WestJet compounded existing operational pressure on Canada’s busiest airport. In Vancouver, westbound travellers faced missed connections and tight layovers turning into overnight stays.
This clustering of disruptions at key gateway airports intensifies travel frustration and mock‑chaos at departure lounges and baggage claim areas. Many travellers described scenes of confusion, with departure boards constantly shifting and little guidance from ground staff.
Many affected journeys involve families regrouping for celebrations, tourists arriving for scheduled events or business travellers with contracted meetings. For these travellers, delays and cancellations are more than an inconvenience — they disrupt livelihoods, planned experiences and time with loved ones. Stories of passengers waiting hours at customer service desks or being rerouted through multiple airports paint a vivid picture of travel stress at peak season.
Social media posts from stranded travellers reveal mounting frustration — with many urging WestJet to expand staffing at affected airports and improve communications about delay causes and rebooking timelines. Some passengers reported being informed of cancellations only minutes before scheduled departure, forcing last‑minute decisions about accommodations, food and transport
Travel experts and official sources encourage affected travellers to take the following steps:
Document Communications – Save ticket numbers, texts or emails from the airline about the delay or cancellation.
Know Your Rights – Refer to the CTA’s Air Passenger Protection Regulations for guidance on compensation and rebooking entitlements.
WestJet has acknowledged the operational disruption with statements urging passengers to check flight status and offering assistance where possible. However, many travellers expressed dissatisfaction with the level of support provided, pointing to long wait times and inconsistent communications.
Aviation analysts point to a combination of weather, staffing patterns and heightened travel demand as underlying contributors to instability in scheduled operations. The airline sector is also navigating fluctuating weather patterns across North America, which further pressures scheduling systems and ground operations.
As Canada heads deeper into the winter season, travellers planning air journeys should expect ongoing volatility. Airlines and airports alike are bracing for continued swings in weather patterns that have historically led to cancellations and delays across key routes.
Travel experts recommend flexibility in travel plans, awareness of regulatory rights, and close monitoring of flight updates as travellers navigate this uncertain climate. Despite chaos at key hubs, accommodation, rebooking and proactive planning can help mitigate some of the stress for passengers in transit.
For many travellers, the WestJet disruption is not just a statistic — it is a lived experience marked by stress, disappointment and uncertainty. Whether a family heading to visit relatives, a business traveller racing against time, or an international tourist seeking Canadian adventures, the impact of 20 cancellations and 86 delays is felt in every terminal lounge and departure gate across the country.
In these moments, passengers are reminded of both the fragility and complexity of modern air travel — and the importance of preparedness, clear information and travellers’ rights when journeys are unexpectedly derailed.
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Tags: Air Passenger Protection, air travel chaos, airport delays, calgary airport, Canada travel disruption

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