SmartLynx Airlines Strike Compensation

Yurii Semikopenko
21.08.2024

One of the most common causes of flight disruptions is flight strikes, which are often initiated by airline workers, an airport itself, or an airline. As a passenger, you should be aware of European Union Regulation 261, according to which you may be eligible for compensation of up to 600 Euros.

Learn more to find out how to obtain compensation and under what circumstances.

Your Passenger Rights

The good news is that any passenger is protected by EU Regulation 261. The EU 261/2004 is a European Union law that sets the rules for compensation and assistance for travelers in cases of flight delays and cancellations. Now, let’s take a closer look at air passenger rights, according to EU 261/2004:

  • The airline has to provide travelers with information about their rights.
  • In case 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;
  • Passengers can expect to receive food and beverages; 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 required 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 SmartLynx Airlines Strike Compensation

Often, SmartLynx Airlines strikes involve their workers. These can be engineers, pilots, flight attendants, or other essential staff. As you’re now aware, you may be eligible for compensation for airline strikes, if your trip was disrupted. The compensation will then cover the inconvenience you faced because of the strike.

It is also essential 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. It is important to note if a staff strike happens, 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.

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.

SmartLynx Airlines Strike Compensation

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

SmartLynx Airlines Strike Flight Delay Compensation

The longer a flight is delayed, the more trouble it creates for passengers. 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 important to be aware that if your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours due to a strike, you can claim compensation from the airline for the inconvenience caused.

In considering the potential sum of compensation, passengers need to take two critical facts into account: the distance of the flight and the delay length they experience. It is important to understand these factors, as only that is how you can be calm regarding the fair flight delay compensation you deserve. Below you can find a table with the amounts of compensation you may 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

SmartLynx Airlines Strike Flight Cancellation Compensation

Sometimes, it also happens that airline strikes cause flight cancellations. Under EU 261, you may receive compensation of up to 600 Euros. Keep in mind 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.

However, there are always some exceptions to the rules, and here is the case. The airline is entitled to avoid paying compensation if it provides the passenger an alternative flight. This alternative 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 the destination point was still delayed, you have a right to claim compensation.

The amount of the compensation is based on 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 SmartLynx 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 outside the EU 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 SmartLynx Airlines flights are protected by EU Regulation 261/2004:

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

How to Claim SmartLynx Airlines Strike Compensation

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

Travelers who encounter any of these situations on SmartLynx Airlines flights have a right to claim compensation, according to the EU regulations. Follow these steps to claim compensation:

  1. Complete our form. You’ll need to provide details including your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
  2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will handle the rest. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will do our best to obtain your rightful compensation. You only pay us if we win your case.

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