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.
![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.
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.
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.
Source: StrikeTracker
