Flight delays or cancellations due to airline strikes can be annoying, but there is good news for passengers. There is a law called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a strike. In this article, we will explain what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can help you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s explore the particulars of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will discover your entitlement to 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 are entitled to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers affects your flight. It is worth noting, such situations 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 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. In particular, the airline has a right to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight should also 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 proposed by the airline but reached the 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 delay time. Check the table provided 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 may seriously affect your plans. You are entitled to compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts three or more hours.
Regarding 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 delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger has more substantial rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the cancelled or delayed 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 choose the option that meets your needs.
Right to Care
In addition to compensation for a disrupted flight resulting from 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. If 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
In some instances, it happens the airline can either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to know about specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you won’t have 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 here 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 can considerably affect aviation (such as a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation occurs. As a result, an airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though 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 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 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 EU 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, Copa Airlines is not a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This applies even to 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 Copa Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with flight delays or cancellations due to strikes is always frustrating. It can ruin not just your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, follow these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to secure your 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20.05.202520:05 | Copa Airlines 1848 | Chicago (IAH) Hobbs (HOB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202520:00 | Copa Airlines 7123 | Ipatinga (IPN) Sao Paulo (CNF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202516:35 | Copa Airlines 1251 | Chicago (IAH) Baton Rouge (BTR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202508:55 | Copa Airlines 3684 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202508:40 | Copa Airlines 3604 | Brasilia (BSB) Sao Paulo (CGH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202508:35 | Copa Airlines 3857 | Brasilia (BSB) S?o Luis (SLZ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202508:30 | Copa Airlines 7049 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
20.05.202506:00 | Copa Airlines 3683 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202522:05 | Copa Airlines 7013 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202522:05 | Copa Airlines 7184 | Sao Paulo (VCP) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202520:50 | Copa Airlines 1029 | Denver (DEN) Boise (BOI) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202520:17 | Copa Airlines 1731 | Chicago (IAH) Tulsa (TUL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202516:35 | Copa Airlines 1752 | Chicago (IAH) Chicago (XNA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202515:00 | Copa Airlines 5057 | Tampa (TPA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
19.05.202514:10 | Copa Airlines 3718 | Salvador (SSA) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202511:15 | Copa Airlines 3567 | Sao Paulo (GIG) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202511:00 | Copa Airlines 5135 | Tampa (TPA) Key West (EYW) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:55 | Copa Airlines 3615 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Porto Seguro (BPS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 3545 | Brasilia (BSB) Fortaleza (FOR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:45 | Copa Airlines 3846 | Brasilia (BSB) Joao Pessoa (JPA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:45 | Copa Airlines 3851 | Brasilia (BSB) Natal (NAT) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:40 | Copa Airlines 3604 | Brasilia (BSB) Sao Paulo (CGH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202508:00 | Copa Airlines 1260 | Newark (EWR) Burlington (BTV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202506:45 | Copa Airlines 5134 | Tampa (TPA) Key West (EYW) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
19.05.202506:35 | Copa Airlines 3617 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202506:00 | Copa Airlines 2672 | Louisville (SDF) New York (IAD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202504:55 | Copa Airlines 7015 | Brasilia (BSB) Recife (REC) | delayed | Claim Refund |
19.05.202504:11 | Copa Airlines 396 | Santiago (SCL) Panama City (PTY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202518:50 | Copa Airlines 1081 | Burbank (BUR) San Francisco (SFO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202518:33 | Copa Airlines 1226 | Laramie (LAR) Denver (DEN) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
18.05.202512:04 | Copa Airlines 1254 | Baton Rouge (BTR) Chicago (IAH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202511:05 | Copa Airlines 3567 | Sao Paulo (GIG) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202509:00 | Copa Airlines 3504 | Brasilia (BSB) Sao Paulo (SDU) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 3545 | Brasilia (BSB) Fortaleza (FOR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202508:45 | Copa Airlines 3846 | Brasilia (BSB) Joao Pessoa (JPA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202508:35 | Copa Airlines 7036 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Barreiras (BRA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202507:20 | Copa Airlines 1243 | Brownsville (BRO) Chicago (IAH) | delayed | Claim Refund |
18.05.202506:00 | Copa Airlines 1075 | Buffalo (BUF) New York (IAD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202520:59 | Copa Airlines 1076 | Denver (DEN) Hays (HYS) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202518:20 | Copa Airlines 20 | David (DAV) Panama City (PTY) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202513:10 | Copa Airlines 3686 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202509:10 | Copa Airlines 7059 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Montes Claros (MOC) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 3684 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202508:35 | Copa Airlines 7036 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Barreiras (BRA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202508:25 | Copa Airlines 1239 | New York (IAD) Buffalo (BUF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202508:25 | Copa Airlines 7052 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Governador Valadares (GVR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
17.05.202506:00 | Copa Airlines 3743 | Salvador (SSA) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202522:05 | Copa Airlines 7013 | Sao Paulo (CNF) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202521:59 | Copa Airlines 1261 | Newark (EWR) Burlington (BTV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202520:50 | Copa Airlines 1029 | Denver (DEN) Boise (BOI) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202520:17 | Copa Airlines 1731 | Chicago (IAH) Tulsa (TUL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202520:15 | Copa Airlines 7058 | Recife (REC) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202519:45 | Copa Airlines 7064 | Sao Paulo (SDU) Sao Paulo (CNF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202519:20 | Copa Airlines 7011 | Brasilia (BSB) Sao Paulo (CNF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202518:15 | Copa Airlines 1680 | Chicago (IAH) Louisville (SDF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:57 | Copa Airlines 1413 | (ORD) Louisville (SDF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:50 | Copa Airlines 3703 | Salvador (SSA) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:26 | Copa Airlines 2766 | New York (IAD) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:15 | Copa Airlines 3511 | Fortaleza (FOR) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202517:10 | Copa Airlines 3847 | Joao Pessoa (JPA) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202516:45 | Copa Airlines 3704 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202516:20 | Copa Airlines 1291 | Tucson (TUS) Denver (DEN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202514:20 | Copa Airlines 1728 | Chicago (IAH) Tulsa (TUL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202510:30 | Copa Airlines 2149 | Buffalo (BUF) New York (IAD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202508:55 | Copa Airlines 3532 | Brasilia (BSB) Manaus (MAO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202508:45 | Copa Airlines 3846 | Brasilia (BSB) Joao Pessoa (JPA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
16.05.202505:10 | Copa Airlines 3742 | Recife (REC) Brasilia (BSB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202521:05 | Copa Airlines 1141 | Denver (DEN) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202518:30 | Copa Airlines 1249 | Chicago (IAH) Baton Rouge (BTR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202518:19 | Copa Airlines 1267 | Burlington (BTV) Newark (EWR) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
15.05.202517:10 | Copa Airlines 7028 | Carajas (CKS) Sao Paulo (CNF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202516:10 | Copa Airlines 1191 | Burbank (BUR) Denver (DEN) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202514:35 | Copa Airlines 1250 | Chicago (IAH) Baton Rouge (BTR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202511:00 | Copa Airlines 2083 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 3545 | Brasilia (BSB) Fortaleza (FOR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
15.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 3555 | Brasilia (BSB) Porto Alegre (POA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202523:13 | Copa Airlines 107 | Panama City (PTY) Santo Domingo (SDQ) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202521:59 | Copa Airlines 1261 | Newark (EWR) Burlington (BTV) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202520:05 | Copa Airlines 1848 | Chicago (IAH) Hobbs (HOB) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202518:35 | Copa Airlines 1365 | (ORD) Buffalo (BUF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202518:19 | Copa Airlines 1267 | Burlington (BTV) Newark (EWR) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
14.05.202517:26 | Copa Airlines 2766 | New York (IAD) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
14.05.202508:55 | Copa Airlines 1277 | Buffalo (BUF) Newark (EWR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.05.202517:25 | Copa Airlines 2142 | New York (IAD) Buffalo (BUF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.05.202514:40 | Copa Airlines 1446 | Seattle (SEA) San Francisco (SFO) | delayed | Claim Refund |
13.05.202508:55 | Copa Airlines 1277 | Buffalo (BUF) Newark (EWR) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
13.05.202508:40 | Copa Airlines 3604 | Brasilia (BSB) Sao Paulo (CGH) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
12.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202518:35 | Copa Airlines 1365 | (ORD) Buffalo (BUF) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202514:35 | Copa Airlines 1250 | Chicago (IAH) Baton Rouge (BTR) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202512:45 | Copa Airlines 5136 | Tampa (TPA) Key West (EYW) | delayed | Claim Refund |
12.05.202508:50 | Copa Airlines 2837 | Tampa (TPA) New York (IAD) | delayed | Claim Refund |
11.05.202520:32 | Copa Airlines 1040 | Denver (DEN) Dickinson (DIK) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202519:00 | Copa Airlines 2082 | Los Angeles (LAX) Seattle (SEA) | delayed | Claim Refund |
09.05.202515:30 | Copa Airlines 7199 | Governador Valadares (GVR) Sao Paulo (CNF) | cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.05.202515:00 | Copa Airlines 5057 | Tampa (TPA) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | delayed | Claim Refund |
