Skip to content

Strikes: when you are owed compensation

A strike by the airline's own staff does not free it from paying compensation: under EU rules each passenger can be owed up to €250, €400 or €600, depending on the distance, if the flight is cancelled or arrives 3 hours late or more. A strike outside the airline, such as one by air traffic controllers, can free it, but only if it did all it reasonably could.

Checked 9 Oct

Check your flight for free

Enter the flight number and the date. We tell you what you are owed.

Strikes by the airline's own staff

When the airline's own pilots, cabin crew, engineers or ground staff go on strike, it is not an extraordinary circumstance, even when the strike is lawful and called by a union: the Court of Justice decided this on 23 March 2021 (C-28/20). Dealing with its own staff is part of an airline's normal business.

The same goes for a sudden mass sick call by the airline's crew after it announced changes, a so called wildcat strike: the Court of Justice decided on 17 April 2018 that this is not extraordinary either (C-195/17).

Strikes outside the airline

A strike by air traffic controllers, by airport or security staff, or at another company the airline doesn't run can be an extraordinary circumstance. Even then the airline must show it took all reasonable measures to avoid the cancellation or long delay, for example by putting you on another flight as soon as it could, including one of another airline (C-74/19). So a refusal that names an outside strike is worth checking against the records for your flight and what you were offered.

Meals, hotel and your ticket, whatever the cause

Whatever caused the strike, the airline still owes you care while you wait: meals and drinks, and a hotel with transport to it if you are stuck overnight (C-12/11). If your flight is cancelled you also choose between a refund of your ticket and another flight to your destination. These rights don't depend on whether compensation is owed.

Claiming on your own, for free

You can claim for free without us: write to the airline first. If it refuses or doesn't answer, you can complain to the national enforcement body (in Romania, ANPC) or ask the European Consumer Centre in your country for help (in Romania, ECC Romania), also for free. It makes sense to come to us when the airline has refused or ignored your claim, or when you would rather not deal with it yourself.

Related guides

Questions

What are extraordinary circumstances?

Events outside the airline's control, such as severe weather, air traffic control restrictions or security risks. Technical problems with the aircraft usually don't count. The airline has to show the event caused the delay.

Does the airline owe me food or a hotel?

Under EU and UK rules, yes, while you wait for a delayed or cancelled flight: meals and drinks in proportion to the wait, and a hotel with transport if you are stuck overnight. That is separate from compensation.

How far back can I claim?

It depends on the country whose courts would hear the claim. On many EU routes it is several years. The check tells you for your flight.

What does FlyHandled cost?

Checking your flight is free. If we handle the claim, the fee is 25% of what the airline pays, VAT included, plus 15% only if it goes to court, and nothing if it pays nothing.

Sources10
All flight guides