Aer Lingus transatlantic passengers from Manchester will be affected by a four-day cabin crew strike from 30 October to 2 November.
Members of the Unite union who crew flights from the mid-west are to stand down in a dispute over pay and benefits. Most or all flights from the central northwest to New York, Orlando and Barbados are expected to be grounded. All routes are direct to and from Manchester.
The 130 cabin crew have rejected a pay rise of nine per cent this year and three per cent in 2026. The union says: “While they acknowledge this seems like a high figure, the reality is that base salaries are so low that workers have struggled to afford basics such as housing and bills.
“Many have also taken on second jobs or worked large amounts of overtime to try to make up for wage shortfalls, leaving them at risk of stress and burnout.”
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “It is completely unacceptable that hard-working staff at such a profitable airline cannot afford the basics while senior management make millions. Unite will not tolerate this.”
In addition to the issue of basic pay, the union considers the proposed 12 percent increase in the overnight stay allowance for overseas cabin crew insufficient.
For transatlantic cabin crew, Aer Lingus already pays for hotels with breakfast, as well as transport to and from the airport. The tax-free allowance covers dinner and incidentals.
The Irish airline has offered crew a 13 per cent rise this year from $115 (£86) to $130 (£97), with a further 12 per cent rise in 2026. That would take the cash payment to $145 (£108).
But Unite says: “Manchester-based crew have much lower flying assignments than their Dublin-based colleagues.”
The stoppage does not affect Aer Lingus' main operation to and from Dublin. Services to and from the Irish capital were severely affected in the summer of 2024 by a pilot strike over pay, with dozens of flights canceled each day.
