LOT Polish Airlines Strike Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
21.08.2024

One of the most common reasons for flight interruptions is flight strikes, which are often initiated by airline staff, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of EU Regulation 261, according to which you could be entitled to compensation of up to 600 Euros.

Read on to find out how to obtain compensation and when you qualify.

Your Passenger Rights

The good news is that every air traveler is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union law that sets the rules for compensation and assistance to passengers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at passenger rights, under European Regulation 261:

  • The airline is required to provide passengers with information about their rights.
  • In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger has the right to choose one of these options: either a ticket refund or rebooking to the final destination under similar conditions;
  • 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 from 250 to 600 euros per passenger

When You Are Entitled to LOT Polish Airlines Strike Compensation

Often, LOT Polish Airlines strikes involve their staff. These could be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or other essential personnel. As you’re now aware, you may be eligible for compensation for airline strikes, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you encountered because of the strike.

It is also crucial 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 handled 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. As a result, passengers are entitled to claim flight compensation.

Nonetheless, you should understand that each incident is unique, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.

LOT Polish Airlines Strike Compensation

Before seeking the airline strike compensation, you need to know about the conditions and the amount of compensation you could be entitled to.

LOT Polish Airlines Strike Flight Delay Compensation

The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for travelers. When airline staff go on strike, it can disrupt travelers’ plans and make them arrive at their final destination much later than expected. It is essential to know that if your flight is delayed for over 3 hours due to a strike, you are entitled to compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.

When assessing the potential sum of compensation, passengers need to take two critical factors into account: the flight’s distance and the duration of the delay. It’s essential to understand these factors, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. In the following, you can find a table with the amounts of compensation you can receive.

Less than 3 hoursBetween 3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursDistance
€0€250€250All flights up to 1500 km
€0€400€400All flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
€0€400€400All intra-EU flights over 3500 km
€0€300€600All non-EU flights over 3500 km

LOT Polish Airlines Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation

Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes result in flight cancellations. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you may receive compensation of up to 600 Euros. It’s important to know that the regulation also states that you are entitled to compensation in the case when the airline informed you about the cancellation less than 14 days before your travel.

Nevertheless, there are always some exceptions to the rules, and here is the case. The airline has a right to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This flight must meet the conditions enumerated below:

Advance NoticeRe-routing Requirements
14 DaysNone
7 – 13 DaysAlternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight
Less than 7 DaysAlternative 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 are entitled to claim compensation.

The amount of the compensation is determined by the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Check the table below for additional information:

Under 2 hours2-3 hours3-4 hoursOver 4 hoursNever arrivedDistance
€125€250€250€250€250All flights 1,500 km or less
€200€200€400€400€400Internal EU flights over 1,500 km
€200€200€400€400€400Non-internal EU flights 1,500 km- 3,500 km
€300€300€300€600€600Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km

Which LOT Polish Airlines Flights Are Covered by EU261?

Regulation EU261 applies to every flight departing from airports in the EU, regardless of the airline, as well as flights arriving in the EU from non-EU countries if they are operated by airlines based in the EU. It also applies to flights to/from Switzerland, Iceland, and Norway.

The table below shows which LOT Polish Airlines flights are protected by EU 261/2004:

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing the EU airports✅ Covered
Flights arriving at the EU airports✅ Covered

How to Claim LOT Polish Airlines Strike Compensation

If you have experienced flight cancellations or delays at least once, you understand how irritating it can be.

Travelers who encounter any of these issues on LOT Polish Airlines flights have a right to claim compensation, according to EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:

  1. Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
  2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to secure your compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

Claim your compensation now

Check your claim now, quickly and for free. We enforce your rights for you!