Flight delays or cancellations 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 have to issue compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled because of a strike. In this article, we will clarify what EU261 is and how it can help 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 discover your rights to compensation and what benefits you can expect in the event 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 by airline workers disrupts your flight. It is worth noting, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” i.e., those beyond the airline’s control.
Japan Airlines Flight Cancellation Compensation
Under 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 planned departure date.
Yet, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. However, 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 offered 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. 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 |
Japan Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Delays caused by airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and can significantly disrupt your itinerary. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay resulting from an airline strike lasts three or more hours.
As for the potential compensation amount that passengers could be entitled to, there are two important things 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 cases when a passenger’s flight is either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger has more substantial rights. There are two options for you to choose 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
Besides flight compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight due to an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. So, the airline is required to provide passengers with food, beverages, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. If your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline has to provide you with a hotel, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Occasionally it happens the airline can either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In these situations, you need to understand specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you don’t need 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 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 rules cover all flights within the EU; besides, these regulations apply to 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 be aware that in cases where the airline cannot influence or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute can considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such situations are not under the airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation occurs. Therefore, the airline is not required to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though 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 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 obliged to pay passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU airports. It also covers 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 isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they aren’t required 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 Japan Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can spoil 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 flight details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- 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 secure 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
08.01.202601:30 | Japan Airlines 79 | (HND) (SGN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202623:30 | Japan Airlines 59 | (HND) (DOH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202621:15 | Japan Airlines 530 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202621:00 | Japan Airlines 654 | (KOJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:55 | Japan Airlines 922 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:40 | Japan Airlines 531 | (HND) (CTS) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:30 | Japan Airlines 599 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:25 | Japan Airlines 598 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202620:10 | Japan Airlines 526 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:55 | Japan Airlines 920 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:55 | Japan Airlines 576 | (OBO) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:35 | Japan Airlines 544 | (KUH) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:30 | Japan Airlines 674 | (OIT) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:10 | Japan Airlines 2754 | (HKD) (OKD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:00 | Japan Airlines 918 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:45 | Japan Airlines 485 | (HND) (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:45 | Japan Airlines 485 | (HND) (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:40 | Japan Airlines 735 | (NRT) (HKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:35 | Japan Airlines 148 | (AOJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:35 | Japan Airlines 148 | (AOJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:30 | Japan Airlines 527 | (HND) (CTS) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:30 | Japan Airlines 527 | (HND) (CTS) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:15 | Japan Airlines 326 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:15 | Japan Airlines 326 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:10 | Japan Airlines 68 | (NRT) (SEA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:00 | Japan Airlines 2755 | (OKD) (HKD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:50 | Japan Airlines 597 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:50 | Japan Airlines 597 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:30 | Japan Airlines 131 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:30 | Japan Airlines 131 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:20 | Japan Airlines 923 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:55 | Japan Airlines 669 | (HND) (OIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:35 | Japan Airlines 189 | (HND) (KMQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:30 | Japan Airlines 147 | (HND) (AOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:25 | Japan Airlines 127 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:15 | Japan Airlines 574 | (OBO) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:05 | J-Air (Expo 2025 Osaka Livery) 2157 | (ITM) (AOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:00 | Japan Airlines 921 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:55 | Japan Airlines 320 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:45 | Japan Airlines 496 | (KCZ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:45 | Japan Airlines 914 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:35 | Japan Airlines 651 | (HND) (KOJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:50 | Japan Airlines 586 | (HKD) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:50 | Japan Airlines 188 | (KMQ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:45 | Japan Airlines 125 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:45 | Japan Airlines 125 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:45 | Japan Airlines 125 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:40 | Japan Airlines 237 | (HND) (OKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:40 | Japan Airlines 648 | (KOJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:40 | Japan Airlines 237 | (HND) (OKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:40 | Japan Airlines 237 | (HND) (OKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:30 | Japan Airlines 120 | (ITM) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:30 | Japan Airlines 658 | (ASJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:25 | Japan Airlines 519 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:25 | Japan Airlines 519 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:25 | Japan Airlines 519 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:15 | Japan Airlines 912 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202614:05 | Japan Airlines 512 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:55 | Japan Airlines 316 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:35 | Japan Airlines 495 | (HND) (KCZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:30 | Japan Airlines 119 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:20 | Japan Airlines 517 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:15 | Japan Airlines 572 | (OBO) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202613:00 | Japan Airlines (Dream Sho Jet Livery) 314 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:35 | Japan Airlines 2890 | (OIR) (HKD) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:35 | Japan Airlines 117 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:30 | Japan Airlines 515 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:25 | Japan Airlines 908 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:05 | Japan Airlines 665 | (HND) (OIT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:00 | Japan Airlines 312 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202612:00 | Japan Airlines (Tokyo DisneySea Livery) 317 | (HND) (FUK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:55 | Japan Airlines 915 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:40 | Japan Airlines 494 | (KCZ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:30 | Japan Airlines 513 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:25 | Japan Airlines 904 | (OKA) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202611:20 | Japan Airlines 479 | (HND) (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202610:35 | Japan Airlines 664 | (OIT) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202610:20 | Japan Airlines 511 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202610:00 | Japan Airlines 509 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:50 | Japan Airlines 43 | (HND) (LHR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:50 | Japan Airlines 552 | (AKJ) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:50 | J-Air 689 | (HND) (KMI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:50 | Japan Airlines 476 | (TAK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:40 | Japan Airlines (Tokyo DisneySea Livery) 584 | (HKD) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:35 | Japan Airlines 110 | (ITM) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:30 | Japan Airlines 562 | (MMB) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:30 | Japan Airlines 562 | (MMB) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:30 | Japan Airlines 562 | (MMB) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:01 | Japan Airlines 454 | (TKS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:50 | Japan Airlines 502 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:30 | Japan Airlines 304 | (FUK) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:10 | Japan Airlines 201 | (HND) (NGO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:05 | Japan Airlines 505 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202608:00 | Japan Airlines 905 | (HND) (OKA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:50 | Japan Airlines 373 | (HND) (KKJ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:45 | Japan Airlines 573 | (HND) (OBO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:45 | Japan Airlines 475 | (HND) (TAK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:40 | Japan Airlines 500 | (CTS) (HND) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:30 | Japan Airlines 103 | (HND) (ITM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:30 | Japan Airlines 503 | (HND) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
