EasyJet Portugal Strikes Threaten Flights
September strike notice covers two five-day walkouts, with hundreds of Portugal flights at risk in October and Christmas week.
What Changed
Who It Affects
EasyJet passengers flying to, from or within Portugal face disruption as cabin crew strike dates threaten hundreds of flights.
EasyJet passengers with Portugal flights are facing a serious strike threat after a fresh warning on 2026-09-17 that two separate walkouts could ground hundreds of services. Members of the SNPVAC union are due to strike from 2 to 6 October 2026 and again from 19 to 23 December 2026, placing both autumn breaks and peak Christmas travel at risk. The action affects Portugal-linked flying, meaning passengers travelling to, from or within the country should now treat their bookings as vulnerable until the airline confirms schedules.
Which EasyJet Flights Are at Risk
The threatened disruption concerns easyJet operations connected with Portugal, rather than every easyJet flight across Europe. Travellers most exposed are those departing from or arriving at Portuguese airports, including popular leisure and city routes used by international visitors. That includes people flying for holidays, family visits, business trips, onward cruises or connections through Portuguese airports. Even if only part of the schedule is cancelled, knock-on aircraft and crew positioning problems can affect later flights, so passengers should monitor both outbound and return legs.
Why the December Dates Matter
The second strike window, from 19 to 23 December 2026, is especially sensitive because it falls immediately before Christmas. Flights during this period are often heavily booked, with fewer spare seats available for re-routing if cancellations begin. Families travelling with children, passengers returning home for the holidays and travellers with fixed accommodation dates could find it harder to switch plans at short notice. If you are booked during this period, it is sensible to identify alternative flights now, even if you do not purchase them yet.
What to Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If easyJet cancels your flight, you should normally be offered a choice between a refund and re-routing, subject to the passenger rights rules that apply to your itinerary. Do not accept a voucher unless you genuinely want one, because a cash refund is usually the safer option if your trip can no longer go ahead. If you still need to travel, request re-routing as soon as possible and keep screenshots of available alternatives if the airline’s options are limited. During a strike window, seats on other flights can be taken quickly, so speed matters.
Practical Tips
- Tip 1: Check your easyJet booking daily from now until departure, especially if you are flying between 2 and 6 October or 19 and 23 December 2026. Use the airline app and website rather than relying only on airport screens or third-party alerts.
- Tip 2: If your flight is cancelled, request either a full refund or re-routing at the earliest opportunity. Under UK and EU passenger rights, airlines must offer care and alternatives, but the best replacement seats can disappear quickly during strike periods.
- Tip 3: Avoid building tight same-day connections around Portugal flights during the strike windows. Leave at least a full day between your easyJet arrival and any cruise departure, long-haul flight, wedding, tour start or non-refundable event.
- Tip 4: Keep receipts for meals, refreshments, transport and accommodation if you are stranded because of a cancellation or long delay. These may be needed for reimbursement, but costs must be reasonable and directly linked to the disruption.
Mistakes to Avoid
- ✕Mistake 1: Waiting until you reach the airport to check your flight. Strike-related cancellations can be announced before travel, and airport staff may have fewer options than online rebooking tools.
- ✕Mistake 2: Assuming travel insurance automatically covers strike disruption. Many policies exclude known industrial action once it has been publicly announced, so check your policy wording before making new bookings.
- ✕Mistake 3: Cancelling your own flight too early without an airline cancellation notice. If you cancel voluntarily, you may lose stronger refund or re-routing rights that apply when the airline cancels the service.
- ✕Mistake 4: Booking separate hotels, ferries, trains or onward flights with no buffer. If your easyJet flight changes, separate bookings may not be protected as part of the same journey.
Quick Checklist
- Confirm whether your flight falls between 2–6 October or 19–23 December 2026
- Check easyJet flight status and app notifications before leaving for the airport
- Save your booking reference, passport details and payment card information
- Verify refund, re-routing and travel insurance rules before buying alternatives
- Have a backup airport, airline or overnight stay option ready
