EasyJet Cabin Crew Strike in France on the First of January, Likely to Cause New Year Travel Disruptions, Flight Cancellations and Delays

Published on December 29, 2025

EasyJet’s one-day strike by the carrier’s cabin crew in France is expected to result in chaos for passengers traveling into the start of the New Year in 2026. This comes after the union, UNAC, which represents the minority of the company’s crew in France, decided on a one-day “zero take-off” strike due to the failure by easyJet management and the union to agree on the issues pertinent to the crew’s scheduling. This was set for the start of the new year on January 1st but will not see fruition if the full strike does not get support from the majority union.

As the cabin staff at easyJet in France gear up for a one-day strike on January 1, 2026, travelers can expect disruptions in their plans for a happy new year. Many flights may be cancelled, mostly in the morning short-haul flights, due to the call for a day with zero take-offs. While all easyJet flights may not be cancelled, travelers going out and/or returning from France should be prepared for delays.

The Causes Behind the Strike: Scheduling Issues and Operational Chaos

The strike stems from UNAC’s dissatisfaction with easyJet’s management after mandatory annual negotiations broke down. The union’s major concern is the unstable scheduling system that causes ongoing disruptions, both for the airline and its cabin crew. According to the union, frequent last-minute changes to the schedules make it impossible for crew members to maintain a balanced personal life, often leading to burnout and sick leave.

The union claims that the lack of stability in scheduling has caused “operational chaos”, affecting not only the crew’s well-being but also passenger experience. Issues like last-minute flight changes, inconsistent work hours, and fatigue among staff have contributed to the union’s decision to take action. They argue that the cost of these disruptions is harming the airline, leading to increased sick leave, the need for last-minute accommodations, and refunds to passengers impacted by scheduling changes.

Impact on New Year Travel: Disruption Across Major French Airports

As part of the strike, UNAC is targeting easyJet flights operating from six key French airports, including Paris Orly, Paris Charles-de-Gaulle, Nice, Bordeaux, Lyon, and Nantes. While a complete shutdown of all flights, or “zero-takeoffs,” is unlikely without broader union participation, easyJet passengers can still expect delays and flight cancellations, especially on early morning short-haul routes. These are the most likely to be impacted as a result of the strike.

With many cabin crew members based in France, it is anticipated that flights in and out of French airports will see a significant impact. Passengers are advised to remain informed about their flight status, particularly on January 1, as easyJet may offer revised schedules or free alternative flights for those affected.

What You Should Do if You’re Traveling on January 1, 2026

If you have a flight with easyJet on January 1, 2026, it’s essential to stay updated on any changes or cancellations. easyJet has not yet announced any official schedule revisions as of December 29, but passengers are encouraged to check their flight status regularly. You can stay informed through email alerts or the easyJet app, which will provide up-to-date details regarding flight cancellations and delays.

Even though easyJet and other low-cost carriers like Ryanair and Jet2 typically maintain normal operations on January 1, 2026, this strike may cause some level of disruption. It is especially important for those traveling to and from France to monitor the situation closely and plan accordingly.

The Larger Context: A Breakdown in Negotiations and Upcoming Challenges

The easyJet strike follows a failed negotiation between UNAC and easyJet management over scheduling issues. Prior to the holiday period, another union, the SNPNC-FO, had also threatened to strike over similar concerns. However, a last-minute deal struck on December 24 led the SNPNC-FO to call off their planned action, meaning that they will not be joining UNAC in the January 1 strike. While this reduces the potential for widespread disruption, UNAC still holds significant influence within the airline, meaning that their planned action could still affect easyJet operations on the day.

The UNAC strike vote passed with a significant margin, with 64.2% of members rejecting the negotiations and opting for industrial action. The union’s call for a “zero take-off” day is meant to highlight what they describe as “operational chaos”, which, according to the union, has been exacerbated by poor management and disorganized scheduling at easyJet.

EasyJet’s Efforts to Minimize Disruptions

While the strike will certainly cause some travel disruption, easyJet is expected to announce a revised schedule for January 1, particularly for flights to and from France. As is customary in such situations, easyJet may also provide free rebooking options for passengers whose flights are canceled due to the strike. The airline has yet to make an official announcement regarding this but will likely issue instructions on their website and via the easyJet app. In the meantime, easyJet travelers are advised to keep close tabs on real-time updates and be ready for potential delays or cancellations, especially in France-based airports where UNAC will be most active.

Preparing for Potential Travel Disruption

As easyJet goes about organizing the effects of the strike, the issue of schedule conflicts picked up by the union can be seen as indicative of broader concerns regarding the operating efficiency and crew welfare at the airline. Though the effect of the strike might be temporary, the entire schedule dispute between the union and easyJet might have far-reaching consequences. Passengers are advised to be updated and ready for the possibility that their New Year plans might be affected as the airline does something about the disruption caused by the union’s strike action.

Image Source: EasyJet