Refunds and Compensation for American Airlines Strike

Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be annoying, but there is good news for travelers. There is a law called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It says that airlines are required to issue compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled 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 specifics of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will learn about your eligibility for compensation and what benefits you can expect in case of a flight disruption.

Right to Compensation

The European Union regulation stipulates that if you are protected by the EU 261/2004, you have a right to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers disrupts your flight. Notably, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” i.e., those beyond the airline’s control.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

In line with EU Regulation 261, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you of the flight cancellation within two weeks before your scheduled travel date.

However, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline has a right to refuse compensation if they decide to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight must also meet specific 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 proposed by the airline but arrived at the final destination later than originally scheduled, 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 three or more hours.

Concerning the possible compensation amount that passengers may receive, there are two crucial factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table provided 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 delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger is entitled to more significant rights. There are two options for you to choose from:

• You can refuse the cancelled or delayed flight and choose a full ticket 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 choose the option that meets your needs.

Right to Care

Besides compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight due to an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. Therefore, the airline must provide passengers with meals, 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 transport between the airport and the hotel.

Upgrading and Downgrading

Sometimes it occurs the airline may either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In these situations, you should understand specific rules and your rights:

In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you aren’t required to pay extra for this benefit.

In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline must reimburse you. Furthermore, 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 within the EU; additionally, 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 understand that in situations when the airline can’t control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute could significantly affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such occasions are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation happens. As a result, the airline is not required to pay compensation for disrupted flights.

Although many instances of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this does not automatically mean that the airline will not provide compensation.

In line with the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove they have done everything possible to avoid a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are obliged to provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU 261 applies to all flights departing from European Union airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, American Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required 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 American Airlines Strike Compensation

Dealing with flight cancellations or delays due to strikes is always frustrating. This can spoil your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, follow these steps:

1. Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

Recent Flight Delays and Cancellations