Holiday turbulence: Why December brings out the worst at 30,000 feetMichael Pihach is an award-winning journalist with a keen interest in digital storytelling. Alia Hussain, an 18-year cabin crew veteran and president of the Canadian Union of Public Employees’ airline division, which represents WestJet and Encore flight attendants, told CBC that December is uniquely intense. The data shows the holiday effect isn’t just seasonal — it’s pinpointed. But the long-term trend offers some relief: overall reports of disruptive passengers have declined from their pandemic-era peak. In 2022, Transport Canada logged 224 reports — the worst year on record — fuelled in part by mask-related confrontations.

Source: CBC News December 23, 2025 13:30 UTC