Airline Strike: The worst form of cancellation

You’ve just received the message. There’s an airline strike! Besides the frustrating and annoying situation, all the questions start to arise. Can you even get compensation for delays or cancellations due to an airline strike? What are your rights during an airline strike? And how do you claim what you are entitled to?

At Refundmore, we have ensured to provide you with an easy overview of all your rights if you experience an airline strike. Find the answers to all your questions below.

(Photo: Fraport AG)

Can I get compensation during an airline strike?

When it comes to an airline strike, it can be difficult to distinguish what is covered and what is not. However, our lawyers have worked to translate the EU regulation into more understandable language in this guide.

As an airline passenger, you may potentially be entitled to airline strike compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to an airline strike - but it depends on the type of strike. Your compensation depends on whether the airline strike is within the airline's control. This means you cannot get compensation if there is a strike among airport employees. However, if there is a strike among the airline's employees, including pilots, cabin crew, and flight engineers, you may be entitled to compensation.

Distinguishing between two types of airline strikes

Your rights during an airline strike depend on the type of strike. There are two types:

• Internal: Strikes among the airline's own staff are the airline's responsibility. This includes strikes by the airline's pilots or cabin crew, but also applies if there is a strike by a baggage handling company owned by the airline.
• External: Strikes not involving the airline's own staff and thus not the airline's responsibility. These fall under the category of “extraordinary circumstances.” This includes strikes by airport security personnel or baggage handlers.

You are only entitled to airline strike compensation if the strike involves the airline's own employees.

Below is a table that shows the two types of airline strikes compared.

When am I entitled to compensation during an airline strike?

You are entitled to airline strike compensation if:

• Your flight was disrupted by an airline strike.
• Your flight was delayed by 3 hours or more, or if it was cancelled less than 14 days before departure.
• Your flight departed from an EU country or was with an European airline arriving in an EU country.
• Your flight reservation was confirmed.
• The disruption occurred within the last 3 years.
• If you took a replacement flight and the new arrival time was significantly different from the original arrival time.
• The strike involved the airline's own staff, including pilots, flight engineers, or cabin crew.
• The strike was external, and the airline was already aware of the strike but did not inform in time or did not try to mitigate the anticipated delay.

How much can I receive in compensation during an airline strike?

You may be entitled to compensation of up to 600 EUR, depending on the length of your journey. Typically, the same rules for compensation apply as with cancelled flights or flight delays.

When am I not entitled to compensation during an airline strike?

You are not entitled to compensation during an airline strike if the airline does not have control over the strike. This includes situations such as:

• Strikes by airport security personnel
• Strikes by baggage handling staff
• Strikes by air traffic control

You may potentially be entitled to compensation during an external strike if the airline was already aware of the strike and did not take timely action to avoid or minimise the delay. If this is not the case, you are not entitled to compensation. However, you still have rights during an airline strike, even if it is categorised as "extraordinary circumstances." The airline is still obligated to rebook you on another flight.

You have the right to be rebooked on a new flight at the earliest opportunity. If the airline delays your departure more than that, you may be entitled to book a new flight yourself through the same or a different airline and subsequently claim reimbursement for the cost of the new ticket. Refundmore can assist you in recovering your expenses for the new ticket in such situations.

Extra expenses in relation to an airline strike

In the event of a strike, airlines are always obligated to take care of you. This means you may be entitled to various services while you wait to continue your journey. The types of services the airline is required to pay for on your behalf include:

• Food and drinks
• Accommodation
• Transportation between the accommodation and the airport

There are different ways to obtain this type of compensation during an airline strike. Refundmore recommends that you always try to go through the airline responsible for your care first. Airlines usually provide food and drinks in the form of vouchers. Be aware of these vouchers, as they may not cover the entire duration of the delay adequately. This means you may be entitled to supplement the amount and later request reimbursement.

If the flight delay or cancellation due to the airline strike lasts for a long time and you need accommodation, you may also be entitled to this at the airline's expense. If you are entitled to accommodation at the airline's expense, you are also entitled to transport between the accommodation and the airport.

To understand why extra expenses are complicated, you can read Refundmore's overview of rights regarding this topic. In this guide, you will also find good advice on navigating the EU regulation so you can claim reimbursement for the extra costs you are entitled to.

Your rights during an airline strike among airport staff

If there is a strike among airport staff, such as security personnel, you as a passenger are not entitled to compensation. However, you still have rights, which include:

• You are entitled to food and drinks while you wait.
• You have the right to be rebooked on another flight.

What are you entitled to when the airline or airport is on strike?

Unfortunately, you are not always entitled to receive compensation for a flight that has been delayed or cancelled due to a strike. However, you can still make claims to the airlines based on your right to care, which entitles you to have your extra expenses covered.

Are you unsure about the type of airline strike you experienced? Or do you have other doubts about whether your journey is eligible for compensation? Feel free to contact us via email at service@refundmore.com or claim compensation in just 3 minutes.