Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for travelers. There is a regulation called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It stipulates that airlines must 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 specifics of EU Regulation 261/2004. In the following sections, you will discover your rights to compensation and what advantages you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation states that if you are protected by EU 261, you are entitled to claim compensation if a wildcat or planned strike by airline workers affects your flight. Notably, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” meaning circumstances the airline cannot 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.
Yet, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they decide 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 proposed by the airline but arrived at your 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. See 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 plans. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay resulting from an airline strike lasts three or more hours.
Regarding the potential amount of compensation that passengers could be entitled to, there are two important things 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 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
Besides compensation for a disrupted flight resulting from an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. So, the airline is required to provide passengers with meals, drinks, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. If your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline is obliged to provide you with a hotel, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Sometimes it occurs the airline can either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In these situations, you need to be aware of 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 must reimburse you. Again, the compensation here is based 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 apply to all flights inside the EU; besides, these rules 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 where the airline cannot control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute may considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation occurs. Therefore, the airline is not required to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Although many cases of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this doesn’t 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 it has done everything possible to prevent a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are obliged to pay passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU 261 applies to all flights departing from airports in the EU. 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, Japan Airlines is not a European airline. Consequently, they are not obliged 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 Japan Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with flight cancellations or delays due to strikes is always frustrating. This can not only ruin your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, proceed with these steps:
- Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We know the EU laws thoroughly and will strive to obtain your rightful compensation. You are only charged 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
12.07.202509:45 | Japan Airlines 477 | Tokyo (HND) Takamatsu (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202509:35 | Japan Airlines 143 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202509:30 | Japan Airlines 111 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202509:15 | Japan Airlines 493 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202508:30 | Japan Airlines 107 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202508:15 | Japan Airlines 505 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202508:05 | Japan Airlines 201 | Tokyo (HND) Nagoya (NGO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202508:00 | Japan Airlines 153 | Tokyo (HND) Misawa (MSJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202508:00 | Japan Airlines 905 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:55 | Japan Airlines 90 | Seoul (GMP) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:50 | Japan Airlines 573 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:45 | Japan Airlines 551 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:30 | Japan Airlines 585 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:30 | Japan Airlines 491 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:20 | Japan Airlines 305 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202507:20 | Japan Airlines 503 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202506:45 | Japan Airlines 141 | Tokyo (HND) Aomori (AOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202506:45 | Japan Airlines 971 | Tokyo (HND) Ishigaki (ISG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202506:35 | Japan Airlines 501 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202506:25 | Japan Airlines 641 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
12.07.202501:55 | Japan Airlines 38 | Singapore (SIN) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202523:05 | Japan Airlines 70 | Ho Chi Minh City (SGN) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202522:50 | Japan Airlines 59 | Tokyo (HND) Doha (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202521:25 | Japan Airlines 530 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:35 | Japan Airlines 486 | Takamatsu (TAK) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:30 | Japan Airlines 599 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:20 | Japan Airlines 616 | Nagasaki (NGS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:10 | Japan Airlines 638 | Kumamoto (KMJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:00 | Japan Airlines 566 | Memanbetsu (MMB) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202520:00 | Japan Airlines 138 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:55 | Japan Airlines 576 | Obihiro (OBO) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:55 | Japan Airlines 209 | Tokyo (HND) Nagoya (NGO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:45 | Japan Airlines 544 | Kushiro (KUH) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:40 | Japan Airlines 51 | Tokyo (HND) Sydney (SYD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:40 | Japan Airlines 443 | Tokyo (HND) Matsuyama (MYJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:35 | Japan Airlines 134 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:15 | J-Air 167 | Tokyo (HND) Akita (AXT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:15 | Japan Airlines 158 | Misawa (MSJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:10 | Japan Airlines 139 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:10 | Japan Airlines (Dream Sho Jet Livery) 333 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:10 | Japan Airlines 524 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202519:00 | Japan Airlines 328 | Fukuoka (FUK) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:55 | Japan Airlines 499 | Tokyo (HND) Kochi (KCZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:55 | J-Air 697 | Tokyo (HND) Miyazaki (KMI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:55 | Japan Airlines 674 | Oita (OIT) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:45 | Japan Airlines 137 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:40 | Japan Airlines 527 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:35 | Japan Airlines 485 | Tokyo (HND) Takamatsu (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:30 | Japan Airlines 130 | Tokyo (ITM) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:25 | Japan Airlines 377 | Tokyo (HND) Kita Kyushu (KKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:20 | Japan Airlines 265 | Tokyo (HND) Hiroshima (HIJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202518:05 | Japan Airlines (Oneworld Livery) 522 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:45 | Japan Airlines 637 | Tokyo (HND) Kumamoto (KMJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:40 | Japan Airlines 916 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:35 | Japan Airlines 131 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:30 | Japan Airlines 525 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:30 | Japan Airlines 557 | Tokyo (HND) Asahikawa (AKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:30 | Japan Airlines 579 | Tokyo (HND) Obihiro (OBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:30 | Japan Airlines 569 | Tokyo (HND) Memanbetsu (MMB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:25 | Japan Airlines 589 | Tokyo (HND) Hakodate (HKD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:20 | Japan Airlines 634 | Kumamoto (KMJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:20 | Japan Airlines 239 | Tokyo (HND) Okayama (OKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202517:15 | Japan Airlines 159 | Tokyo (HND) Misawa (MSJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:55 | Japan Airlines 923 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:45 | Japan Airlines 669 | Tokyo (HND) Oita (OIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:40 | Japan Airlines 295 | Tokyo (HND) Ube (UBJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:35 | Japan Airlines 556 | Asahikawa (AKJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:35 | Japan Airlines 651 | Tokyo (HND) Kagoshima (KOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:30 | Japan Airlines 127 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:30 | Japan Airlines 523 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:05 | Japan Airlines 86 | Shanghai (PVG) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202516:00 | Japan Airlines 516 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:55 | Japan Airlines 921 | Tokyo (HND) Okinawa (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:40 | Japan Airlines 461 | Tokyo (HND) Tokushima (TKS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:35 | Japan Airlines 914 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:15 | Japan Airlines 483 | Tokyo (HND) Takamatsu (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:15 | Japan Airlines 323 | Tokyo (HND) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:15 | Japan Airlines 146 | Aomori (AOJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:15 | Japan Airlines 482 | Takamatsu (TAK) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:10 | Japan Airlines 514 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:05 | Japan Airlines 564 | Memanbetsu (MMB) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202515:05 | Japan Airlines 988 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:55 | Japan Airlines 125 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:45 | J-Air 3526 | Hanamaki (HNA) Fukuoka (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:35 | Japan Airlines 973 | Tokyo (HND) Ishigaki (ISG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:30 | Japan Airlines (Dream Sho Jet Livery) 519 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:25 | J-Air 693 | Tokyo (HND) Miyazaki (KMI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:20 | Japan Airlines 934 | Miyako Jima (MMY) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:05 | Japan Airlines 658 | Amami (ASJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:05 | Japan Airlines 258 | Hiroshima (HIJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:05 | Japan Airlines 694 | Miyazaki (KMI) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202514:00 | Japan Airlines 512 | Tokyo (CTS) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:55 | Japan Airlines 912 | Okinawa (OKA) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:55 | Japan Airlines 630 | Kumamoto (KMJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:45 | J-Air 2331 | Tokyo (ITM) Oki Island (OKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:45 | Japan Airlines 375 | Tokyo (HND) Kita Kyushu (KKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:40 | Japan Airlines 572 | Obihiro (OBO) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:30 | Japan Airlines 119 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:30 | Japan Airlines 517 | Tokyo (HND) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
11.07.202513:25 | Japan Airlines 554 | Asahikawa (AKJ) Tokyo (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
