Aer Lingus Strikes Hit Manchester T2 On Multiple November Dates

Published on Nov 10, 2025, 11:33 am CST

4 min read

Key points

Unite confirms Manchester-based Aer Lingus cabin crew strikes on November 9-11, 14, and 16-18
Disruption centers on Terminal 2 services to Dublin, Belfast City, New York JFK, Orlando, and seasonal Barbados
Reroute options include Birmingham, Heathrow, or via Dublin with U.S. preclearance
UK261 duty of care applies, and compensation may be owed when the airline's own staff strike
Allow wide buffers for onward rail and air connections through November 18

Impact

Who Is Affected: Passengers on Aer Lingus services operating from Manchester Terminal 2 to Dublin, Belfast City, New York JFK, Orlando, and Barbados during listed dates
What To Expect: Same-day cancellations, aircraft swaps, and rerouting via Dublin with potential connection retimes
What To Do Now: Monitor booking channels and email, accept free reaccommodation or request refund where eligible, and consider rebooking via Birmingham or Heathrow
Legal Rights: Immediate duty of care under UK261 applies for delays and cancellations, with compensation potentially payable for airline staff strikes when notice is under 14 days
Buffer Advice: Build generous connection buffers, especially for transatlantic links and UK rail transfers

Aer Lingus cabin crew based at Manchester, represented by Unite, will stage additional walkouts focused on Manchester Airport's Terminal 2 on November 9 to 11, November 14, and November 16 to 18. The action follows an earlier four-day stoppage and a rejected pay offer, and it targets the carrier's Manchester network, not the wider UK aviation system. Travelers booked to or from Manchester on Aer Lingus should expect cancellations, aircraft swaps, and rerouting, particularly on Dublin, Belfast, New York, Orlando, and seasonal Barbados links. Build wide buffers for onward connections and be ready to move itineraries to protected alternatives.

Aer Lingus at Manchester, what is at risk

Aer Lingus operates Terminal 2 services from Manchester to Dublin and Belfast City, plus long-haul to New York JFK, Orlando, and a winter seasonal route to Barbados. These are the primary flows exposed to walkouts by Manchester-based cabin crew. If a flight cancels, the airline may reroute you via Dublin, which can preserve long-haul seats and, for U.S.-bound passengers, retain access to U.S. Customs and Border Protection preclearance on Dublin connections.

Latest developments

Unite has confirmed the strike dates as November 9 to 11, 14, and 16 to 18, citing pay and allowances. Irish press reports indicate the October action disrupted 18 flights and about 4,000 passengers, with the airline preparing further mitigations for the November dates. Talks have involved the Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service, but no new agreement has been announced for the November window.

Analysis

For short-haul links to Dublin and Belfast City, same-day reaccommodation is likely on later Aer Lingus services or partner options. For long-haul to New York, Orlando, and Barbados, inventory will be tighter. Moving your origin to Birmingham or Heathrow can preserve a nonstop, and moving to a Dublin connection can keep your booking within the Aer Lingus network. If you hold package travel through a tour operator, contact the operator first for protected remedies.

Background, your rights under UK261

If your flight is canceled or heavily delayed, the airline owes a duty of care, which includes meals, communications, and hotel if an overnight is required. Compensation depends on cause and notice. When airline staff strike, compensation may be payable if you received less than 14 days' notice, unlike strikes by airport or air traffic control staff, which are typically considered extraordinary circumstances. Always document expenses and claim through the operating carrier, escalating to the UK Civil Aviation Authority if needed.

Practical steps

Recheck your reservation inside the airline app, then compare outcomes: refund, rebook to another Aer Lingus service, or accept a reroute via Dublin with preclearance for U.S. trips. If you must travel on specific dates, price one-way alternatives from Birmingham or Heathrow, then ask Aer Lingus to endorse or reissue where policy allows. Build conservative buffers for UK rail connections and, for long-haul, avoid tight minimum connects through November 18. Keep all receipts for duty-of-care claims.

Final thoughts

This is a targeted, Manchester-specific dispute. If you are booked on Aer Lingus from Terminal 2 between November 9 and 18, act early, keep options open via Dublin, Birmingham, or Heathrow, and use UK261 to secure meals, hotels, and, where applicable, compensation. Aer Lingus and Unite updates will determine whether the schedule stabilizes after November 18.