The worry for travellers is that industrial action will ground flights

Easyjet has offered a wage increase of 3.5% in the first year of the deal, with a guaranteed bonus of 2%.

In the second year, there would be a 3% increase, with a 2% bonus only if the company reached its financial targets.

The T&G said that other workers such as pilots had a better deal at a time when Easyjet's profits were improving.

Clash

"We have been negotiating with Easyjet about our claim since last October," said T&G negotiator John Street.

"We have shown a readiness to be flexible in our demands, but the company is now indicating that it is no longer interested in negotiating."

The union claims that Easyjet has broken off talks and is circulating its pay offer directly to members without going through the T&G.

"We believe we must now give our members the opportunity to show Easyjet management that they will not be taken for granted," Mr Street added.

Easyjet dismissed the union's complaints and said that it had good support amongst staff for the pay deal.

Company spokesman Toby Nicol said 500 of Easyjet's 2,000 cabin crew were not union members. As a result, the firm had a right to circulate its pay offer directly to Easyjet staff.

Andy Harrison, Easyjet's chief executive, said the deal was fair and reflected the pressures the company was facing.

"With oil prices at these levels, how many airlines are offering their people a pay rise of twice the rate of inflation?" Mr Harrison said.

He continued that a strike would be "detrimental to the interests of everyone at Easyjet, including those represented by the T&G".