Jetstar workers have walked off the job on day one of rolling strikes as part of a pay and safety dispute.
Baggage handlers and ground staff are striking at different times on Friday in Sydney, at Melbourne's Tullamarine and Avalon airports, and in Brisbane, Cairns and Adelaide.
The strike - less than two weeks out from Christmas - comes after the budget airline rejected workers' demands for pay increases, minimum hours on the job and safety improvements.
"The airline has cut its staffing levels right back to the bone meaning workers are constantly under pressure," Transport Workers Union national secretary Michael Kaine said in a statement.
The union claims Jetstar makes $4 billion in revenue, while workers are forced onto insecure low-paid work.
Negotiations broke down after the company rejected demands including for more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts and a guaranteed 30 hours a week.
This first day of disruption will be followed by pilots halting planes for four hours both on Saturday and Sunday.
Overall, Jetstar claimed it will cancel 44 services on Saturday and 46 services on Sunday.
Industrial action by pilots will continue throughout the week with a range of lower level bans likely to cause delays.
The company says any customers travelling from December 13 to December 20 can request a full refund prior to flying.
We’ve been notified by the Australian Federation of Airline Pilots of plans for a range of industrial actions that will disrupt some of our flights this weekend. We are working hard to minimise any impact & expect around 80% will run as scheduled. Visit
Pay negotiations broke down after nearly a year, with Jetstar warning it wasn't prepared to alter its position.
"The union's demands would put significant pressure on the low fares our customers rely on and force us to review our investments," Jetstar Group CEO Gareth Evans said.
"If we accept an effective 15 per cent net increase in pay that the union is demanding, there will be significant upward pressure on the low fares our customers rely on."
Passengers are being told they will be notified if their flight is disrupted, as long as their contact details are up to date.
Those affected will be able to change their flights or get a refund, the airline advises.
Negotiations broke down after the company rejected demands including for more rest breaks, a guaranteed 12-hour break between shifts and a guaranteed 30 hours a week.
