easyJet Portugal cabin crew strike called for 19 to 23 December

What has been announced

The strike was called by SNPVAC, the Portuguese civil aviation cabin crew union, which says its easyJet members approved the action unanimously. It covers crew based at Lisbon, Porto and Faro. A first strike by the same crew took place from 2 to 6 October 2026.

The union points to unstable rosters, the way the company agreement treats cabin crew compared with pilots, and pressure to work overtime to cover staff shortages. Euronews also reports the union's complaint that pay is lower than at other Portuguese airlines.

What happened in October

The October strike gives an idea of the possible impact. Speaking to the Lusa news agency, as reported by RTP, the union said about 370 flights were cancelled over the five days. easyJet said it had initially planned 786 flights to and from Portugal for the period, reduced the programme to 442 and expected to operate 428 of them. The two sides' figures measure different things and cannot be compared directly.

Before that strike, easyJet said it was cancelling some flights in advance so that passengers could change their plans earlier, and Aviation A2Z reported that around 35 return flights involving the UK were affected.

Minimum services and UK flights

Portuguese law requires minimum services during strikes. For both strike periods, the labour authority DGERT has set minimum services that include one daily Lisbon to London return flight, alongside protected flights to Madeira and, in December, Cape Verde, according to DNoticias. Other UK routes, including flights between the UK and Faro or Porto, are not on that list and could be cancelled if the strike goes ahead.

If you are booked with easyJet to or from Portugal between 19 and 23 December, watch for messages from the airline. Which flights operate will only become clear closer to the date.

Your rights if your easyJet flight is cancelled

Flights from the UK are covered by UK261 (£220, £350 or £520 per passenger, depending on distance) and flights from Portugal by EU261 (€250, €400 or €600). Fixed compensation applies if you arrive 3 hours or more late, or if your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure. A cancellation announced 14 days or more before departure does not give a right to fixed compensation, but you can still choose a refund or an alternative flight.

Under the case law of the Court of Justice of the European Union, a strike by an airline's own staff over their working conditions is generally not an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation can be due. Whatever the cause, the airline must provide meals and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.

FlightClaimHQ can check whether your flight qualifies and handle the claim for you.

When is the easyJet strike in Portugal?

The cabin crew union SNPVAC has called a strike from 19 to 23 December 2026 at easyJet's Lisbon, Porto and Faro bases. It is announced and may still change if talks progress.

Are flights between London and Lisbon protected?

Minimum services set by the Portuguese labour authority include one daily Lisbon to London return flight. Other flights between the UK and Portugal are not guaranteed.