Flight delays or cancellations due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for travelers. There is a law called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines must issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as a result of a strike. In this article, we will clarify what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can assist you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s explore the details of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will learn about your entitlement to compensation and what benefits you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation states that if you are covered by EU 261, you have a right to claim compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers disrupts 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
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 14 days before your planned departure date.
However, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight is required to 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 provided by the airline but reached your final destination later than you were supposed to, you are still eligible to claim compensation.
The key factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the delay time. See 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 itinerary. You are entitled to compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts at least three hours.
As for the potential compensation amount that passengers can expect, there are two crucial factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. See 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 situations when a passenger’s flight is either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger is entitled to more substantial rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the delayed or cancelled 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 select the option that meets your needs.
Right to Care
In addition to compensation for a cancelled or delayed flight due to an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. Therefore, the airline is required to 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 has 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 aren’t required 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 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 rules cover all flights inside the EU; besides, these regulations cover flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on airlines based in the EU.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, you should know that in cases when the airline cannot control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute could 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.
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 pay compensation.
According to the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove they have done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, it is required to provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. This regulation also extends 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, Emirates isn’t a European airline. Consequently, they don’t have 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 Emirates Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. It can ruin not just your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To seek compensation for this inconvenience, proceed with these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to get you your compensation. You only incur a fee 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11.07.202518:05 | Emirates 4971 | Athens (ATH) Samos (SMI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:55 | Emirates 4973 | Athens (ATH) Tirana (TIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:35 | Emirates 209 | Athens (ATH) Newark (EWR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:30 | Emirates 3584 | Jakarta (CGK) Solo City (SOC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:15 | Emirates 230 | Seattle (SEA) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:10 | Emirates 4907 | Athens (ATH) Santorini (Thira) (JTR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:05 | Emirates 4941 | Athens (ATH) Chios (JKH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:50 | Emirates 4060 | Cape Town (CPT) Bloemfontein (BFN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:50 | Emirates 4915 | Athens (ATH) Heraklion (HER) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:35 | Emirates 4958 | Athens (ATH) Kos (KGS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:25 | Emirates 4901 | Athens (ATH) Thessaloniki (SKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:05 | Emirates 4968 | Athens (ATH) Mytilene (MJT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:45 | Emirates 4026 | Johannesburg (JNB) Upington (UTN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:20 | Emirates 7515 | Hamilton Island (HTI) Sydney (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:10 | Emirates 4529 | Phuket (HKT) Pattaya (UTP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:30 | Emirates 4039 | Hoedspruit (HDS) Johannesburg (JNB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:20 | Emirates 4137 | Johannesburg (JNB) Bulawayo (BUQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:35 | Emirates 2320 | Dubai (DXB) Krakow (KRK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202512:50 | Emirates 4008 | Johannesburg (JNB) Hoedspruit (HDS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202512:05 | Emirates 2412 | Dubai (DXB) Batumi (BUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202512:00 | Emirates 7259 | Padang (PDG) Jakarta (CGK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202510:25 | Emirates 2090 | Dubai (DXB) Lar (LRR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202509:25 | Emirates 7258 | Jakarta (CGK) Padang (PDG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202507:45 | Emirates 312 | Dubai (DXB) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202519:59 | Emirates 6301 | Chicago (ORD) Seattle (SEA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
10.07.202517:30 | Emirates 3584 | Jakarta (CGK) Solo City (SOC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202516:20 | Emirates 2412 | Dubai (DXB) Batumi (BUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202514:20 | Emirates 4137 | Johannesburg (JNB) Bulawayo (BUQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202514:15 | Emirates 4112 | Kasane (BBK) Johannesburg (JNB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202512:05 | Emirates 4724 | Calgary (YYC) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202511:55 | Emirates 7439 | Kunming (KMG) Guangzhou (CAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202509:55 | Emirates 229 | Dubai (DXB) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
10.07.202500:05 | Emirates 313 | Tokyo (HND) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202519:55 | Emirates 6112 | Chicago (IAH) Hobbs (HOB) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202518:59 | Emirates 6524 | Chicago (PIB) Chicago (IAH) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202518:25 | Emirates 6445 | Chicago (IAH) Meridian (MEI) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202517:15 | Emirates 230 | Seattle (SEA) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202516:05 | Emirates 7503 | Ballina (BNK) Melbourne (MEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202515:00 | Emirates 4113 | Johannesburg (JNB) Maseru (MSU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202514:55 | Emirates 3551 | Balikpapan (BPN) Jakarta (CGK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202514:50 | Emirates 7510 | Sydney (SYD) Ballina (BNK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202514:30 | Emirates 2013 | Zagreb (ZAG) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202514:20 | Emirates 4137 | Johannesburg (JNB) Bulawayo (BUQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202512:55 | Emirates 2186 | Catania (CTA) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202512:15 | Emirates 5761 | Toronto (YYZ) Regina (YQR) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202512:10 | Emirates 7514 | Sydney (SYD) Hamilton Island (HTI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202512:05 | Emirates 4724 | Calgary (YYC) Seattle (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202512:00 | Emirates 2490 | Dubai (DXB) Tehran (IKA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202511:00 | Emirates 2092 | Dubai (DXB) Shiraz (SYZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:50 | Emirates 358 | Dubai (DXB) Jakarta (CGK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:40 | Emirates 2146 | Dubai (DXB) Mikonos (JMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:40 | Emirates 123 | Dubai (DXB) Istanbul (IST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:40 | Emirates 723 | Dubai (DXB) Addis Ababa (ADD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:35 | Emirates 434 | Dubai (DXB) Brisbane (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:25 | Emirates 396 | Dubai (DXB) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:20 | Emirates 412 | Dubai (DXB) Sydney (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202510:15 | Emirates 2190 | Dubai (DXB) Zanzibar (ZNZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202509:45 | Emirates 5764 | Sudbury (YSB) Toronto (YYZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202509:20 | Emirates 2012 | Dubai (DXB) Zagreb (ZAG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202509:15 | Emirates 2122 | Dubai (DXB) Ljubljana (LJU) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202509:10 | Emirates 398 | Dubai (DXB) Denpasar (DPS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202509:00 | Emirates 370 | Dubai (DXB) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:55 | Emirates 127 | Dubai (DXB) Vienna (VIE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:55 | Emirates 215 | Dubai (DXB) Los Angeles (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:40 | Emirates 3725 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Campo Grande (CGR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:40 | Emirates 157 | Dubai (DXB) Stockholm (ARN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:40 | Emirates 3631 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Porto Alegre (POA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:35 | Emirates 2446 | Dubai (DXB) Kathmandu (KTM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:30 | Emirates 2066 | Dubai (DXB) Poznan (POZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:30 | Emirates 201 | Dubai (DXB) New York (JFK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:25 | Emirates 3619 | Sao Paulo (GRU) Fortaleza (FOR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:25 | Emirates 45 | Dubai (DXB) Frankfurt (FRA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202508:00 | Emirates 15 | Dubai (DXB) London (LGW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:50 | Emirates 27 | Dubai (DXB) Glasgow (GLA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:50 | Emirates 855 | Dubai (DXB) Kuwait City (KWI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:50 | Emirates 941 | Dubai (DXB) Baghdad (BGW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:40 | Emirates 2391 | Dubai (DXB) Napoli (NAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:40 | Emirates 600 | Dubai (DXB) Karachi (KHI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:30 | Emirates 159 | Dubai (DXB) Oslo (OSL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:25 | Emirates 17 | Dubai (DXB) Manchester (MAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:15 | Emirates 2326 | Dubai (DXB) Zurich (BSL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:15 | Emirates 2365 | Dubai (DXB) Trabzon (TZX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202507:05 | Emirates 2192 | Dubai (DXB) Kabul (KBL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202506:55 | Emirates 805 | Dubai (DXB) Jeddah (JED) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202506:00 | Emirates 5624 | Townsville (TSV) Brisbane (BNE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202506:00 | Emirates 2218 | Dubai (DXB) Asmara (ASM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202505:50 | Emirates 2419 | Bishkek (FRU) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202505:50 | Emirates 5807 | St Johns (YYT) Montreal (YUL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202505:30 | Emirates 9875 | Shanghai (PVG) Dubai (DWC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202505:25 | Emirates 2162 | Shimkent (CIT) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:45 | Emirates 523 | Thiruvananthapuram (TRV) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:35 | Emirates 525 | Hyderabad (HYD) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:30 | Emirates 2458 | Dubai (DXB) Kabul (KBL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:25 | Emirates 2256 | Dubai (DXB) Al Najaf (NJF) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:20 | Emirates 658 | Dubai (DXB) Male (MLE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:15 | Emirates 145 | Dubai (DXB) Amsterdam (AMS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:15 | Emirates 513 | New Delhi (DEL) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:15 | Emirates 2389 | Dubai (DXB) Penang (PEN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:10 | Emirates 2182 | Dubai (DXB) Hargeisa (HGA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
09.07.202504:05 | Emirates 71 | Dubai (DXB) Paris (CDG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
