Air Transat

Air Transat Pilots Secure New Agreement

As 2025 drew to a close, Air Transat pilots achieved a historic milestone in their pursuit of a modern collective agreement. After nearly one year of negotiations, the pilot group reached a tentative agreement with the company on December 9, 2025, hours before the pilots could take legal strike action. The new agreement, which includes significant pay increases and strong quality-of-life provisions, was ratified by the pilots on January 6, 2026, with 98 percent of the pilots participating in the ratification vote and 91 percent voting in favour.

This agreement is the result of the pilot group’s unshakable unity, determination, and resilience. On November 17, 2025, the pilots demonstrated their resolve through multi-base informational picketing events held simultaneously at Montréal–Pierre Elliott Trudeau International and Toronto Pearson International Airports—drawing 85 percent of available pilots. That same day, the results of a strike-authorization vote were announced: 98 percent of eligible pilots participated, and 99 percent voted in favour of a strike, if necessary.

The level of engagement and solidarity shown throughout the year was extraordinary and marks a new chapter in the group’s history. These milestones reflect the pilots’ shared commitment to securing fair, industry-standard working conditions and compensation after more than a decade under an outdated contract.

Formal negotiations began in January 2025, and despite delays and limited company engagement early in the process, the pilot group remained committed to good-faith negotiations and a constructive outcome. Throughout the year, the Master Executive Council (MEC) invested heavily in internal communications, launching new initiatives such as a monthly podcast, a vibrant social media presence, and regular pilot-engagement events. These efforts ensured transparency and a strong sense of collective purpose at every step.

“Air Transat pilots have given their all to this airline—through restructurings, a pandemic, a failed merger, and more. We stood together not just for ourselves, but for the future of our airline,” said Capt. Bradley Small, Air Transat MEC chair. “We’re proud of what we’ve accomplished and are confident that this new agreement reflects the professionalism and dedication of our pilot group. United, we made history.”