One of the most common factors behind flight disruptions is flight strikes, which may be initiated by the personnel, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of European Union Regulation 261, according to which you could be eligible for Austrian Airlines compensation of up to 600 Euros.
Learn more to find out how you can get compensation and when you qualify.
Your Passenger Rights
The good news is that any passenger is protected by EU Regulation 261. The EU 261 is a European Union regulation that sets the rules for assistance and compensation to passengers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at passenger rights, under European Regulation 261:
- 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 rebooking to the final destination under similar conditions. To receive a Austrian Airlines refund, passengers must have a confirmed reservation;
- Passengers can expect to receive food and beverages; 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 the hotel and airport;
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger.
When You Are Entitled to Austrian Airlines Strike Compensation
Frequently, Austrian Airlines strikes involve their staff. These could be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential personnel. As you now know, you can seek compensation for airline strikes, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you experienced due to the strike.
It is also important 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. Importantly, 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.
Nonetheless, 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 provide compensation.
Austrian Airlines Strike Compensation
Before seeking compensation for an airline strike, it’s important to understand the requirements and the amount of compensation you might receive.
Austrian Airlines Strike Flight Delay Compensation
If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours because of the Austrian Airlines strike, you may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 per passenger under EU 261/2004. 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 |
Austrian Airlines Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your flight was cancelled and the airline informed 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 offers 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 your destination was still delayed, you can claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation is based on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Take a look at the table below for additional information:
| 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 Austrian Airlines Flights Are Covered by EU261?
The EU261 regulation covers all flights departing from EU airports, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries when operated by EU airlines. The regulation also covers flights to and from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The table below shows which Austrian Airlines 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 Austrian Airlines Strike Compensation
If you’ve faced flight delays or cancellations at least once, you know how irritating it can be.
Passengers who experience any of these situations have a right to claim Austrian Airlines compensation, according to EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws well and will do our best 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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