Sick Note for Air Canada Employees
Air Canada's attendance policies are strict — especially for operational roles. Get a licensed physician's note delivered same day, wherever you are in Canada. No clinic visit needed.
Air Canada Sick Day Policy
Paid Sick Days: Air Canada provides sick leave per collective agreements (CUPE for cabin crew, IAMAW for ground, ALPA for pilots). Benefits vary by union and tenure.
Note Required: Required for absences of 3+ days. Crew scheduling may request notes for shorter absences during irregular operations (IROPS).
How to Submit: Submit through Air Canada's internal absence management system or email to your base manager/crew scheduling.
Deadline: Submit before your next scheduled duty period. Crew members should notify crew scheduling immediately.
Common Scenarios for Air Canada Workers
- Flight attendant who got sick on a layover in another city
- Ground crew worker with back injury from baggage handling
- Called in sick for a trip and need documentation for crew scheduling
- Caught a cold from passengers and can't fly while congested (ear pressure)
- Ramp agent with knee injury from loading cargo
- Gate agent with severe migraine — can't handle passenger interactions
Why Air Canada Workers Choose Online Sick Notes
- Flight attendants get sick on layovers in cities where they don't have a family doctor
- Crew schedules are irregular — you might be in Vancouver today and Halifax tomorrow
- Reserve crew can be called at any time — you need documentation immediately when sick
- Ground crew early morning shifts (4 AM) mean clinics aren't open when you need them
- Pilots need documentation for Transport Canada fitness-to-fly requirements
Air Canada Sick Leave: What You Need to Know
Air Canada's sick leave policies vary by employee group and collective agreement. Cabin crew (CUPE), ground workers (IAMAW), and pilots (ALPA) each have different provisions. However, all groups require medical documentation for extended absences.
For operational roles (flight crew, ground operations), calling in sick affects scheduling and may trigger a return-to-duty assessment. Having proper documentation from the start streamlines the process and protects your employment record.
- Cabin crew: Notify crew scheduling ASAP, submit note before next pairing
- Ground operations: Notify supervisor, submit note within 48 hours of return
- Pilots: Additional Transport Canada medical considerations may apply
- Corporate: Standard 3-day threshold for note requirement
- All groups: Documented absences don't count toward attendance triggers
Flight Crew: Sick on a Layover?
One of the biggest challenges for Air Canada flight attendants and pilots is getting sick while on a layover in an unfamiliar city. You don't have a family doctor there, walk-in clinics have long waits, and you need to notify crew scheduling immediately.
MedLetter works from anywhere in Canada. Whether you're in your home base or on a layover in St. John's, you can access our service from your phone and have documentation within hours.
FAQ
Does Air Canada accept online doctor's notes?
Yes. Air Canada accepts notes from any licensed physician in Canada. MedLetter notes are issued by provincially-registered physicians and include all required elements for Air Canada's absence management system.
I'm a flight attendant and got sick on a layover. Can I get a note?
Absolutely. MedLetter works from anywhere in Canada. Complete our form from your hotel room, and we'll deliver your note by email. You don't need to find a local clinic in an unfamiliar city.
Will calling in sick affect my Air Canada seniority or bidding?
Legitimate medical absences with documentation should not affect your seniority. However, patterns of undocumented absences can trigger attendance management reviews. Always document your absences to protect your record.
I'm a pilot. Do I need additional documentation beyond a sick note?
For short-term illness (cold, flu, stomach bug), a standard MedLetter sick note is sufficient. For conditions that may affect your medical certificate or fitness to fly, you should also consult your Aviation Medical Examiner (AME). MedLetter does not replace AME assessments.
Get Your Air Canada Sick Note - $49