One of the most common causes of flight disruptions is flight strikes, which may be initiated by airline staff, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of EU Regulation 261, according to which you might be eligible for Air France compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Read on to find out how to obtain compensation and under what circumstances.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that every air traveler is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union law that sets the rules for compensation and assistance for travelers in cases of flight delays and cancellations. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, according to EU 261/2004:
- The airline must provide passengers with information about their rights;
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to choose one of these options: either a ticket refund or rebooking to the final destination under similar conditions. To receive a Air France refund, passengers must have a confirmed reservation;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes;
- If you choose an alternative flight, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is required to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel;
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger.
When You Are Entitled to Air France Strike Compensation
Often, Air France strikes involve their workers. These can be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential staff. As you’re now aware, you may be eligible for airline strike compensation, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you encountered because of the strike.
It is also crucial to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events beyond the airline’s control. If a strike is considered one of these circumstances, the airline is not obliged to provide compensation. It is important to note if a staff strike occurs, the airline could have potentially foreseen and managed such incidents, therefore such cases are within the airline’s control. That is when flight disruptions are made by the airline’s own employees, they are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. Consequently, passengers have a right to claim flight compensation.
However, you need to be aware that each incident is individual, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.
Air France Strike Compensation
Before claiming compensation for an airline strike, you need to know about the conditions and the amount of compensation you might receive.
Air France Strike Flight Delay Compensation
If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours because of the Air France strike, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger under EU 261. It is important to note that the amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight and the time of delay.
For more details on the amount of compensation, see the table below:
| 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 |
Air France Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your flight was cancelled and the airline notified you less than 14 days before your scheduled travel, you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 under EU 261. However, in some cases, the airline may avoid paying compensation if it provides an alternative flight to your final destination that satisfies certain criteria listed below:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 1 hour before and arriving less than 2 hours after the original flight |
Importantly, if you used an alternative flight but your final arrival time at the destination point was still delayed, you are entitled to claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation fully depends on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Check the table below for more details:
| 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 |
Which Air France Flights Are Covered by EU261?
Regulation EU261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from outside the EU when operated by EU airlines. It also applies to flights to/from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The following table shows which Air France flights are protected by EU Regulation 261/2004:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Air France Strike Compensation
If you’ve faced flight cancellations or delays at least once, you know how frustrating it can be.
Passengers who face any of these issues are entitled to claim Air France compensation, according to European Union regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws well and will strive 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 | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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