Air Canada said it will start cancelling flights on Thursday ahead of a possible strike by its flight attendants, which the airline said will allow for an orderly shutdown of Canada's largest airline.

Air Canada has canceled most of its flights over the next few days to prepare for a strike by flight attendants. Some travelers may end up stranded as a result.

Air Canada says it is beginning a "phased wind down" of most of its operations after thousands of flight attendants voted to strike.