WASHINGTON (August 19, 2025) – On Saturday, August 16, roughly 10,000 Air Canada flight attendants walked off the job, launching a strike over pay and working conditions. The union representing the workers is demanding compensation for time spent on the ground, such as boarding passengers, which is currently unpaid. Broader wage increases to offset inflation are also central to the dispute.
For expert insight on what this means for travelers, airlines, and the broader hospitality industry, please consider Jungho Suh. Professor Suh is a teaching assistant professor of management at the George Washington University School of Business. His areas of expertise include service management, entrepreneurship, social, and governance reporting in the travel industry, and digital platforms in tourism and hospitality.
"Air Canada’s tentative agreement with striking flight attendants marks a key moment in aviation, where changing traveler expectations and AI-driven workplaces are transforming labor dynamics. The deal isn’t just about wages—it’s about dignity, flexibility, and safeguarding human-centered service in a tech-driven industry. Passengers benefit most when frontline workers are empowered, not pushed aside" said Professor Suh.
If you would like to schedule an interview, please contact Claire Sabin at claire [dot] sabin
gwu [dot] edu (claire[dot]sabin[at]gwu[dot]edu).
-GW-