One of the most common causes of flight interruptions is flight strikes, which can be initiated by airline staff, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of the EU 261 regulation, according to which you could be eligible for Lufthansa 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 any passenger is protected by the EU 261 regulation. The EU 261 is a European Union regulation that sets the rules for compensation and assistance for travelers in cases of flight disruptions. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, according to EU 261:
- The airline needs to provide passengers with information about their rights;
- In the event of flight cancellation, a passenger is entitled to select one of these options: either a ticket refund or rerouting to the final destination under similar conditions. To receive a Lufthansa refund, passengers must have a confirmed reservation;
- Passengers can expect to receive meals and drinks; they are also entitled to have two free phone calls, e-mails, or faxes;
- If you decide to reroute, and it involves an overnight stay, the airline is obligated to provide hotel accommodation, as well as transportation between the airport and the hotel;
- Compensation between 250 to 600 euros per passenger.
When You Are Entitled to Lufthansa Strike Compensation
Frequently, Lufthansa strikes involve their staff. These can be pilots, engineers, flight attendants, or any other crucial personnel. As you’re now aware, you can seek airline strike compensation, if your travel was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you faced due to the strike.
It is also crucial to understand what “extraordinary circumstances” are. These are events outside of 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 these situations 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.
However, you need to be aware that each incident is individual, meaning that every flight disruption caused by a strike must be carefully analyzed to determine whether the airline will pay compensation.
Lufthansa Strike Compensation
Before claiming compensation for an airline strike, you need to know about the criteria and the amount of compensation you might receive.
Lufthansa Strike Flight Delay Compensation
If your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours as a result of the Lufthansa strike, you are entitled to compensation of up to €600 per passenger under EU 261/2004. It is important to note that the amount of compensation depends on the distance of the flight and the time of delay.
For more details on the amount of compensation, see the table below:
| 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 |
Lufthansa Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation
If your flight was cancelled and the airline notified you less than 14 days before your scheduled travel, you might qualify for compensation of up to €600 under EU 261. However, in some cases, the airline may avoid paying compensation if it offers an alternative flight to your final destination that satisfies certain criteria listed below:
| Advance Notice | Re-routing Requirements |
| 14 Days | None |
| 7 – 13 Days | Alternative flight departing no more than 2 hours before and arriving less than 4 hours after the original flight |
| Less than 7 Days | Alternative 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 the destination point was still delayed, you can claim compensation.
The amount of the compensation fully depends on the flight distance and the time of delay in arriving at the final destination. Take a look at the table below for additional information:
| 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 |
Which Lufthansa Flights Are Covered by EU261?
EU261 regulation covers 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 EU airlines. The regulation also covers flights to and from Norway, Switzerland, and Iceland.
The table below shows which Lufthansa flights are protected by EU 261/2004:
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
| Flights arriving at the EU airports | ✅ Covered |
How to Claim Lufthansa Strike Compensation
If you’ve faced flight delays or cancellations at least once, you know how annoying it can be.
Passengers who experience any of these issues are entitled to claim Lufthansa compensation, according to EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:
- Fill in this form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We are well-versed in the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort to obtain your rightful 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 | Flight number | Route | Status | Compensation |
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