Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for passengers. There is a regulation called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines must issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a strike. In this article, we will clarify what EU261 is and how it can assist you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s focus on the details of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will learn about your entitlement to compensation and what benefits you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation states that if you are covered by the EU 261/2004, you are entitled to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers disrupts your flight. It is worth noting, that both cases do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” which are events outside the airline’s control.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
According to EU Regulation 261, you can receive compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you about the cancellation within 14 days before your planned departure date.
However, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. However, this flight is required to meet certain requirements:
- If your flight is over 3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 4 hours;
- If your flight is 1,500-3,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 3 hours;
- If your flight is less than 1,500 km, your replacement flight must arrive at the point of destination with a delay of less than 2 hours;
If you agreed to the alternative flight offered by the airline but reached your final destination later than you were supposed to, you are still eligible to claim compensation.
The primary factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the duration of the delay. Check the table below for compensation amounts:
| 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 due to airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and can significantly disrupt your itinerary. You are entitled to compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts at least three hours.
As for the possible amount of compensation that passengers can expect, there are two crucial factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table below for compensation amounts:
| Less than 3 hours | Between 3-4 hours | Over 4 hours | Distance |
| €0 | €250 | €250 | All flights up to 1500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km |
| €0 | €400 | €400 | All intra-EU flights over 3500 km |
| €0 | €300 | €600 | All non-EU flights over 3500 km |
Ticket Refund or Alternative Transportation
In the rare cases when a passenger’s flight is either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger obtains more substantial rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the delayed or cancelled flight and choose a full refund, meaning that you will also cancel your planned trip, and there won’t be a financial penalty for this.
- You can agree to use an alternative flight that the airline arranges for you.
As you can see, you have the right to select the option that meets your needs.
Right to Care
In addition to compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight due to an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. So, the airline is required to provide passengers with food, beverages, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. When your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline is required to provide you with a hotel, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Occasionally it occurs the airline might either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to be aware of specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you aren’t required to pay extra for this advantage.
In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline is obligated to reimburse you. Again, the compensation in this case entirely depends on the distance of the flight:
- 30% of the cost of the flights that are 1,500 km or less;
- 50% of the cost of t is an intra-EU flight over 1,500 km; also, if these are all other flights that are 1,500-3,500 km;
- 75% of the cost of the flight is 3,500 km and more.
These regulations cover all flights inside the EU; besides, these regulations cover flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on EU-based airlines.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, you should be aware that in cases in which the airline can’t influence or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute can significantly affect aviation (such as a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such occasions are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation occurs. Therefore, the airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though many cases of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this doesn’t automatically mean that the airline will not pay compensation.
According to the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove it has done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are obliged to pay passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Hawaiian Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This is true even for their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Get Hawaiian Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. It can ruin not just your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To get compensated for this inconvenience, take the following actions:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws thoroughly and will make every effort to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.
Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations
Was your flight delayed or cancelled due to the strike? Check our table for the latest flight delays and cancellations. Assess your right to compensation using our claim checker, and let us protect your rights and pursue compensation for you.
Did not find your flight in our table? Try our compensation form, and we will check it for you.
| Date | Airline (Flight number) | Route | Status | Your compensation |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20.06.202519:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5166 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202519:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5342 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202519:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 5064 | Tokyo (HND) Akita (AXT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202519:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5133 | Tokyo (HND) Ube (UBJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202518:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5051 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202518:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5164 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202518:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5037 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5905 | Tokyo (HND) Yamagata (GAJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5036 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5324 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5294 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5057 | Tokyo (HND) Misawa (MSJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 5266 | Tokyo (HND) Kushiro (KUH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202517:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5160 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5226 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:50 | Hawaiian Airlines 5352 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5073 | Tokyo (HND) Komatsu (KMQ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5131 | Tokyo (HND) Ube (UBJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202516:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5252 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202515:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5185 | Tokyo (HND) Matsuyama (MYJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202515:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5049 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202515:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 5156 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202515:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5901 | Tokyo (HND) Misawa (MSJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5322 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5062 | Tokyo (HND) Akita (AXT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:50 | Hawaiian Airlines 5431 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5350 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5095 | Tokyo (HND) Okayama (OKJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:20 | Hawaiian Airlines 5271 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202514:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5224 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5812 | Fukuoka (FUK) Sendai (SDJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5305 | Tokyo (HND) Nagasaki (NGS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5027 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5336 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5212 | Tokyo (HND) Takamatsu (TAK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202513:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5292 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5024 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5279 | Tokyo (HND) Memanbetsu (MMB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5183 | Tokyo (HND) Matsuyama (MYJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:20 | Hawaiian Airlines 5808 | Fukuoka (FUK) Hanamaki (HNA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5194 | Tokushima (TKS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 5349 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5107 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5150 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202512:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5046 | Aomori (AOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5334 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5182 | Matsuyama (MYJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5909 | Tokyo (HND) Shirahama (SHM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5023 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5022 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5318 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5008 | Tokyo (HND) Singapore (SIN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5223 | Kochi (KCZ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:20 | Hawaiian Airlines 5242 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5285 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5070 | Komatsu (KMQ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5417 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5143 | Fukuoka (FUK) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5331 | Kagoshima (KOJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202511:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5269 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5970 | Tokyo (HND) Miyako Jima (MMY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5172 | Kita Kyushu (KKJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5968 | Ishigaki (ISG) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5360 | Miyazaki (KMI) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5240 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5021 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5315 | Kumamoto (KMJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5055 | Tokyo (HND) Misawa (MSJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:10 | Hawaiian Airlines 5332 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5301 | Tokyo (HND) Nagasaki (NGS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5415 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5268 | Asahikawa (AKJ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5045 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5316 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202510:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5281 | Obihiro (OBO) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5233 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5206 | Takamatsu (TAK) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5422 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5019 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:25 | Hawaiian Airlines 5181 | Tokyo (HND) Matsuyama (MYJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202509:20 | Hawaiian Airlines 5069 | Tokyo (HND) Komatsu (KMQ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:55 | Hawaiian Airlines 5236 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5017 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:15 | Hawaiian Airlines 5127 | Tokyo (HND) Ube (UBJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5345 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5079 | Tokyo (HND) Nagoya (NGO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5357 | Tokyo (HND) Miyazaki (KMI) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:05 | Hawaiian Airlines 5330 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5418 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202508:00 | Hawaiian Airlines 5314 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:50 | Hawaiian Airlines 5283 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5205 | Tokyo (HND) Takamatsu (TAK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5262 | Tokyo (HND) Kushiro (KUH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:45 | Hawaiian Airlines 5267 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5066 | Komatsu (KMQ) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:40 | Hawaiian Airlines 5907 | Tokyo (HND) Shirahama (SHM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:35 | Hawaiian Airlines 5078 | Nagoya (NGO) Tokyo (HND) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5220 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5014 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.06.202507:30 | Hawaiian Airlines 5290 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
