Back
Feb 17, 2026

Vueling Cabin-Crew Strike in France Enters Sixth Week, Disrupting Paris-Orly Flights

Vueling Cabin-Crew Strike in France Enters Sixth Week, Disrupting Paris-Orly Flights
The SNPNC-FO union representing Vueling’s 400 France-based cabin crew confirmed on 16 February that its open-ended strike, which began on 10 January, will continue this week after talks over health-insurance contributions collapsed.

Operational data from Paris-Orly show the walkout is forcing the Spanish low-cost carrier to cancel between 10 % and 20 % of departures each day, particularly on business-heavy routes to Barcelona, Rome and Lisbon. Passengers are typically re-routed via Charles-de-Gaulle or offered refunds, but many same-day connections are missed, complicating itineraries for corporate travellers.

For travelers scrambling to rebook or reroute, VisaHQ can streamline any unexpected visa or travel-document needs that arise. Its dedicated France page (https://www.visahq.com/france/) lets passengers verify entry requirements and submit applications online, helping avoid compliance snags when last-minute itinerary changes send them through new countries.

Vueling Cabin-Crew Strike in France Enters Sixth Week, Disrupting Paris-Orly Flights


Vueling says it has drafted in volunteer crews from Spain, yet French labour law limits cross-border substitutions, and last-minute rostering gaps persist. Travel-management companies report a spike in demand for Air France and easyJet seats on overlapping routes, pushing fares up by 15 % week-on-week.

The dispute centres on the employer’s proposal to increase employee co-payments on private health cover. SNPNC-FO argues that inflation and Paris’s high living costs justify maintaining the current subsidy; management counters that alignment with other IAG group airlines is needed for cost competitiveness.

Companies with staff scheduled to fly Vueling from French airports through late February should watch the airline’s live strike page, build extra layover time into itineraries, and remind employees of EU261 compensation rights for cancellations under two weeks’ notice.
VisaHQ's expert visas and immigration team helps individuals and companies navigate global travel, work, and residency requirements. We handle document preparation, application filings, government agencies coordination, every aspect necessary to ensure fast, compliant, and stress-free approvals.
Sign up for updates

Email address

Сountries

Choose how often you would like to receive our newsletter:

×