British holidaymakers heading to Spain this summer may face major disruptions as more than 600 EasyJet cabin crew members prepare to strike over pay and working conditions.
The planned walkout, set to begin on June 25 and last for three days, comes at a time when tensions around mass tourism in Spain are already running high. Protests against platforms like Airbnb have escalated, with some locals even targeting tourists with water pistols in recent weeks.
Now, EasyJet’s Spanish cabin crew—based in Alicante, Barcelona, Malaga, and Palma de Mallorca—are preparing to take action in a push for fairer treatment. The Spanish union USO, which represents the workers, says wages for its members lag significantly behind those of colleagues in other European countries, despite the cost of living in Spain now being broadly in line with the rest of Europe.
According to the union, pay disparities range from 30% to as much as 200% when compared with EasyJet bases in other EU nations. A total of 657 crew members are expected to join the strike.
At this stage, no flights have been cancelled, and EasyJet says it aims to operate a normal schedule during the strike. A company spokesperson stated the airline would take all possible steps to minimise disruption for travellers.
“Cabin crew in Spain earn considerably less than their counterparts in other European countries,” said a USO representative. “The aim of this strike is to bring parity to working conditions and wages across all EasyJet bases in Europe.”
However, Spanish law requires airlines to maintain a minimum level of service during strikes, which may limit the walkout’s overall impact.
Spain remains Britain’s top holiday destination, with around 17.8 million UK tourists visiting the country in 2023—accounting for more than one in five of all trips abroad by British residents. The looming strike could cause significant upheaval for thousands of travellers during one of the busiest times of the year.
