When airline staff or crew announce a strike, it typically leads to significant disruptions in flight schedules. This scenario is not only frustrating but also causes considerable inconvenience for passengers due to flight cancellations and delays. If you’ve been caught in such a predicament, especially while traveling to or from the EU, you might find a silver lining. You could be entitled to compensation of up to €600. Whether it’s a Lufthansa flight cancelled due to strike or a delay caused by a Lufthansa workers strike, the regulations ensure that your rights are safeguarded, and you’re not left stranded without support.
What is a Flight Strike?
A flight strike refers to an organized cessation of work by airline or airport personnel, which often leads to flight delays or cancellations. This type of strike can involve various groups, including air traffic controllers, airline employees, or airport staff like baggage handlers, security guards, and firefighters. The primary reasons for such strikes include disputes over wages, work conditions, health benefits, and other employment-related issues. When staff members engage in a strike, they essentially halt operations to negotiate better terms and conditions with their employer. This disruption means there are insufficient personnel available to maintain normal flight operations, resulting in a significant impact on flight schedules, often necessitating Lufthansa flight strike measures, including both Lufthansa flights cancelled due to strike and delays.
Passenger Rights in Case of Lufthansa Flight Delay or Cancellation due to Strike
Understanding your rights as a passenger is crucial when faced with a Lufthansa flight delay due to strike compensation or cancellation. Particularly, you can claim compensation in two specific scenarios: during a standard airline strike and a wildcat strike. Notably, a recent ruling by the European Court of Justice (ECJ, C-28/20 from 23.3.2021) states that airline personnel strikes are not considered an extraordinary circumstance. Similarly, wildcat Lufthansa strikes, where employees abruptly call in sick and do not report for work, do not fall under extraordinary circumstances either.
In these situations, Lufthansa is obligated to provide compensation for delays and cancellations. The compensation amount varies depending on the flight distance, with a potential entitlement of up to 600 euros. If your delay exceeds five hours and you decide not to continue your journey, you may also receive a full refund. Additionally, Lufthansa must offer essential services such as free meals, refreshments, and, if necessary, accommodation based on the delay duration. This ensures that during a Lufthansa flight cancelled due to strike, your inconvenience is mitigated as much as possible.
When Are You Entitled to Lufthansa Strike Compensation?
You are entitled to compensation when disruptions result from either planned airline personnel strikes or wildcat strikes. Under EU law, as reaffirmed by the ECJ in case C-28/20 from 23.3.2021, these types of strikes are not regarded as extraordinary circumstances. This includes situations where airline personnel abruptly initiate a wildcat strike, claiming illness, which directly impairs flight operations. Thus, whether it’s a meticulously organized or a sudden unofficial strike, Lufthansa must compensate affected passengers.
Lufthansa strike compensation includes not only financial recompense for Lufthansa flights cancelled due to strike or delays but also covers essential services. If your flight is delayed for more than two hours, Lufthansa is required to provide meals, refreshments, and even accommodation and transfers if necessary.
However, compensation is not granted in all cases. Strikes by airport and ground staff, like baggage handlers, security guards, and firefighters, are deemed beyond the airline’s control and thus qualify as extraordinary circumstances. If a cancelled flight or delay results from such a strike, Lufthansa is not liable for compensation under EU regulations.
Compensation in Case of Lufthansa Flight Delay or Cancellation Due to Strike
When facing a flight cancelled due to Lufthansa staff strike or a delay, EU regulations provide a framework for compensation to ensure passengers are not unfairly inconvenienced.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
You are entitled to compensation if Lufthansa notified you less than 14 days before your scheduled departure and failed to offer an alternative flight that arrived at your destination at a similar time. This compensation varies based on the flight distance and the delay in arrival at your final destination.
| Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Never arrived | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ✅ €125 | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 | All flights 1,500 km or less |
| ✅ €200 | ✅ €200 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | Internal EU flights over 1,500 km |
| ✅ €200 | ✅ €200 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km |
| ✅ €300 | ✅ €300 | ✅ €300 | ✅ €600 | ✅ €600 | Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km |
Flight Delay Compensation
Delays resulting from a Lufthansa flight strike can significantly disrupt your travel plans, affecting your arrival time at your final destination. If your flight is delayed by 3 hours or more, you are entitled to compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, depending on the flight distance and the extent of the delay.
| Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights 1,500 km or less | ❌ | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €300 | ✅ €600 | ✅ €600 |
Which Lufthansa Flights are Covered by EU 261
Understanding which Lufthansa flights are covered under EU Regulation 261/2004 is crucial for determining your rights in the event of delays, cancellations, or when you are denied boarding due to a Lufthansa strike. This regulation applies to various flight scenarios depending on the origin and destination, as well as the airline’s operational base.
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ❌ Not covered |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | ❌ Not covered | ❌ Not covered |
This table serves as a guide to help you identify if your Lufthansa flight falls under the protection of EU 261, ensuring you know when you are entitled to compensation for any disruptions caused by airline strikes.
How to Claim Lufthansa Strike Compensation
Experiencing flight problems due to a Lufthansa strike can be distressing, but you may be entitled to compensation. The process for claiming this compensation is straightforward and designed to be user-friendly, supporting affected passengers effectively.
Steps to Claim Compensation:
- Complete the Required Form: Start the process by filling out the necessary compensation form. Be sure to include essential details about your disrupted flight, such as the flight number, the date of the flight, and a detailed description of the specific issues encountered, whether it was a flight cancellation due to a strike or significant delays.
- Submit Your Details: Once you have filled out the form with all the required information, submit it. This will begin the official claims process.
- Expert Handling: After your submission, our team of experts, specializing in EU Regulation 261/2004, will take over. We are experienced in handling such claims and will work diligently on your behalf to ensure you receive the compensation you deserve.
- Relax and Let Us Work: By entrusting us with your claim, you can minimize your stress and maximize your chances of securing adequate compensation from Lufthansa. We handle all the complexities of the process, allowing you to focus on your travel needs.
- Receive Updates and Resolution: We will keep you informed throughout the process and ensure that your claim is resolved as swiftly and favorably as possible.
This streamlined approach ensures that you understand each step of the process and feel supported as you seek compensation for disruptions caused by Lufthansa strikes.
Other Rights Covered by Regulation EU261
In addition to monetary compensation for flight delays or cancellations, EU Regulation 261/2004 grants passengers other crucial rights to ensure comfort and communication during disruptions. These rights are designed to provide immediate relief while you wait at the airport, irrespective of the cause of the delay.
Right to Care
Under the “Right to Care,” if your flight is delayed for more than two hours, Lufthansa is obligated to offer you basic necessities such as food and drinks. You also have access to means of communication, including two phone calls, emails, or faxes. This right applies regardless of whether the flight delay is due to a Lufthansa strike or any other reason.
If the delay extends to six hours or more, the airline must additionally provide hotel accommodation and transportation to and from the airport. These provisions ensure that during extended waits, your inconvenience is minimized and your comfort is prioritized, even in situations where you are not entitled to compensation.
Ticket Refund or Re-routing
If your Lufthansa flight delay surpasses five hours, you have additional rights beyond mere compensation. You are entitled to a refund for the full or partial cost of your original flight ticket, depending on your preference. Moreover, if necessary, Lufthansa must offer you a return flight to your original point of departure. This ensures that you are not financially disadvantaged by a flight cancellation or extended delay, providing options to either continue with altered travel plans or cancel them altogether.
Upgrading and Downgrading
When re-routing is necessary, and you are offered an alternative flight, there might be changes to your travel class. If you are fortunate to receive an upgrade, Lufthansa is not permitted to charge any additional fees for this enhancement. Conversely, if the class of the alternative flight is lower than what you initially paid for, you are eligible for a reimbursement ranging from 30-75% of the ticket price you originally paid. This policy ensures fairness, allowing you to receive appropriate compensation for the service you actually receive compared to what was originally booked.