Home » Airlines News of France » France and United Kingdom Travel Alert: easyJet France Cabin Crew Strike Set to Disrupt New Year Flights Across Key Airports

Published on
December 30, 2025

New Year travel between France, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe is expected to face operational challenges as easyJet, one of Europe’s largest low-cost carriers, prepares for potential disruption caused by planned industrial action. A strike involving easyJet France cabin crew, based at several major French airports, has been announced for January 1, 2026, a date traditionally associated with high leisure travel demand. The action is expected to affect flights departing from and transiting through France, with ripple effects likely to be felt across the wider European travel network, including routes connecting to the United Kingdom. As New Year flights, French airports, and European leisure travel converge during this peak holiday period, passengers may encounter delays, cancellations, or last-minute schedule changes. The strike has been called following unresolved negotiations between airline management and a representative union, highlighting ongoing tensions around staff scheduling and work-life balance within the low-cost aviation sector. With easyJet typically operating a near-normal timetable on New Year’s Day, the planned walkout introduces uncertainty for travelers, tourism operators, and airport authorities preparing for one of the busiest travel days of the winter season.

Overview of the Planned Industrial Action

A strike by easyJet cabin crew based in France has been scheduled for January 1, 2026, following the failure of compulsory annual negotiations between the airline and employee representatives. The action has been initiated by UNAC, a minority union representing French-based cabin crew. A full stoppage has been filed, with participation expected primarily from crew members stationed at French bases.

Although UNAC does not represent the majority of easyJet’s French cabin crew workforce, the planned action is anticipated to create operational challenges, particularly at airports where easyJet relies heavily on locally based staff. The strike has been positioned as a response to unresolved concerns surrounding scheduling practices and roster stability.

Airports and Routes Most Likely to Be Affected

Operations at several key French airports are expected to be impacted, including Paris Orly, Paris Charles de Gaulle, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nantes. These airports serve as important gateways for both domestic and international travel within France and between France and the United Kingdom, as well as other European destinations.

Early morning departures have been identified as being at the highest risk of disruption, as these flights are more dependent on the availability of overnight-based cabin crew. Flights operating on leisure-heavy routes, particularly those connecting France with popular holiday destinations and UK cities, may face heightened uncertainty.

Implications for New Year Travel and Tourism

Unlike Christmas Day, when airline schedules are typically reduced, New Year’s Day is usually operated at close to full capacity by easyJet. This operational intensity increases the potential visibility of any disruption caused by industrial action. For travelers planning city breaks, winter holidays, or family visits between France and the United Kingdom, even limited cancellations or delays could lead to congestion at airports and knock-on effects across the network.

Tourism stakeholders, including hotels, tour operators, and local transport providers, may also be affected if passengers experience delayed arrivals or missed connections. Airports such as Nice and Paris Orly, which serve as major hubs for leisure and inbound tourism, could experience localized congestion as schedules are adjusted.

Passenger Guidance and Airline Response

Passengers booked to travel with easyJet on January 1, 2026, have been advised to closely monitor flight status updates through official communication channels, including email notifications and the airline’s mobile application. While no final revised schedule had been announced as of December 29, 2025, it has been indicated that mitigation measures may be introduced.

These measures could include proactive cancellations, free rebooking options, or schedule adjustments designed to minimize disruption. Travelers have been encouraged to allow extra time at airports and to remain flexible with travel plans, particularly on early morning services.

Background to the Scheduling Dispute

The dispute at the center of the strike relates primarily to cabin crew scheduling and rostering practices. According to the union, frequent last-minute duty changes have been experienced by staff, sometimes involving multiple adjustments within a single day. Such practices have been described as contributing to fatigue, work-life imbalance, and operational inefficiencies.

It has been argued that unstable schedules can also lead to increased costs for the airline through higher levels of sick leave, crew repositioning, and passenger compensation. From a broader industry perspective, the issue reflects wider challenges faced by low-cost carriers as they balance operational flexibility with employee well-being.

Role of Other Unions and Expected Scale of Disruption

The largest union representing French easyJet cabin crew, SNPNC-FO, had previously considered strike action during the Christmas period. However, that planned action was withdrawn after a late agreement was reached with airline management over similar concerns. As SNPNC-FO has confirmed that it will not participate in the January 1 strike, the overall scale of disruption is expected to be more limited than a full workforce stoppage.

Nevertheless, even partial participation has the potential to affect flight operations, particularly at bases where staffing levels are already tight during peak holiday periods. The situation remains closely monitored by aviation analysts and travel industry observers in both France and the United Kingdom.

Broader Context Within European Aviation

The planned strike has drawn attention to ongoing labor relations challenges within the European low-cost airline sector. As demand for leisure travel continues to rebound, airlines have increasingly relied on flexible scheduling models to maximize aircraft utilization. At the same time, cabin crew unions across Europe have continued to raise concerns about fatigue management, predictability of rosters, and long-term sustainability of working conditions.

While the current action has been filed as a single-day strike, it has been viewed as a signal of unresolved structural issues that could lead to further disruption if not addressed through comprehensive negotiations.

Outlook for Travelers and the Industry

At present, no additional strike dates have been announced beyond January 1, 2026. However, the situation has underscored the importance of contingency planning for travelers during peak holiday periods. Passengers traveling between France, the United Kingdom, and other European destinations have been encouraged to stay informed and to consider travel insurance or flexible booking options.

For the wider travel and tourism industry, the event serves as a reminder of the interconnected nature of airline operations and holiday travel demand. Even localized industrial action can have cross-border implications, particularly on high-traffic dates such as New Year’s Day.

The easyJet France cabin crew strike planned for January 1, 2026, has introduced a degree of uncertainty into New Year travel across France and the United Kingdom. While the scale of disruption is expected to be contained due to limited union participation, noticeable impacts on early flights and major airports remain possible. As discussions around scheduling stability and staff welfare continue, travelers and industry stakeholders alike will be watching closely to see how the situation evolves and what lessons may be drawn for future peak-season travel planning.