One of the most common reasons for flight disruptions is flight strikes, which are often 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 could be qualified for compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Read on to find out how to obtain compensation and in which situations.
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 regulation 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 passenger rights, according to EU 261/2004:
- The airline needs to provide travelers with information about their rights.
- In case of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to select one of the following options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes.
- If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is obligated to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the the hotel and airport.
- Compensation from 250 to 600 euros per passenger
When You Are Entitled to Alitalia Strike Compensation
Often, Alitalia strikes involve their staff. These can be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential staff. As you’re now aware, you can seek airline strike compensation, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you experienced because of the strike.
It is also important to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events outside of 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 happens, 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 caused by the airline’s own employees, they are not cases of extraordinary circumstances. Consequently, passengers have a right to claim flight compensation.
Nonetheless, you should understand 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.
Alitalia Strike Compensation
Before seeking the airline strike compensation, you should be aware of the criteria and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.
Alitalia Strike Flight Delay Compensation
The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for passengers. When airline workers go on strike, it can disrupt passengers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is crucial to be aware that if your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours because of a strike, you have the right to seek compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.
In evaluating the potential sum of compensation, passengers need to take two critical factors into account: the flight’s distance and the delay length they experience. It’s crucial to understand these details, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. Below you can find a table with the amounts of compensation you could receive.
| 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 |
Alitalia Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellation. According to EU Regulation 261/2004, you may receive compensation of up to 600 Euros. It’s important to know that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline notified you about the cancellation less than 14 days before your travel.
However, there are always some exceptions to the regulations, and here is the case. The airline has a right to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This flight must meet the conditions enumerated 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 Alitalia Flights Are Covered by EU261?
Regulation EU261 covers 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 and from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The following table shows which Alitalia flights are covered by EU Regulation 261:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Alitalia Strike Compensation
If you’ve encountered flight cancellations or delays at least once, you know how frustrating it can be.
Travelers who experience any of these situations on Alitalia flights have a right to claim compensation, according to European Union regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee if we win your case.