Refunds and Compensation for Southwest Airlines Strike

Yurii Moskalenko
30.08.2024
Updated 05.05.2025

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 says that airlines have to issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as a result of a strike. In this article, we will explain what the EU 261 regulation is and how it can assist 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 entitlement to compensation and what benefits you can expect in case 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 of the airline’s workers affects your flight. It is worth noting, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” which are events outside the airline’s control.

Flight Cancellation Compensation

According to EU Regulation 261, you may be eligible for compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you about the cancellation within two weeks before your scheduled travel date.

Yet, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight should also meet certain 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 reached the final destination later than originally scheduled, you are still eligible to claim compensation.

The main factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the duration of the delay. Check the table provided below for compensation amounts:

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

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 caused by an airline strike lasts three or more hours.

Regarding the possible amount of compensation that passengers could be entitled to, there are two crucial factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. See the table below for compensation amounts:

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

Ticket Refund or Alternative Transportation

In the rare situations when a passenger’s flight is delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger is entitled to 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 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 meals, beverages, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. When your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline is required to provide you with a hotel, as well as transport to and from the hotel.

Upgrading and Downgrading

Occasionally it happens the airline might either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In these situations, you should be aware of specific rules and your rights:

In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you aren’t required to pay extra for this benefit.

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 inside the EU; additionally, these rules cover 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 know 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 could considerably affect aviation (it can be a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such situations are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation happens. As a result, the airline is not obligated to pay compensation for disrupted flights.

Although many cases of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this does not automatically mean that the airline will not provide compensation.

According to the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove it has done everything possible to avoid a strike. If the airline cannot prove it, they are obliged to provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.

Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?

EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from European Union airports. It also applies to flights arriving in the EU if the airline originates in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

However, Southwest 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.

ItineraryCovered by EU 261
Flights departing from EU airports✔️ Yes
Flights arriving at EU airports❌ No

How to Get Southwest Airlines Strike Compensation

Dealing with flight delays or cancellations due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can ruin not just your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To seek compensation for this inconvenience, take the following actions:

  1. Complete this form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
  2. Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws comprehensively and will make every effort 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 Airline (Flight number) Route Status Your compensation

08.05.202514:55

Southwest Airlines

2925

Chicago (MCI)

Burbank (BUR)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202514:45

Southwest Airlines

1197

San Antonio (SAT)

Houston (HOU)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

3212

San Antonio (SAT)

Atlanta (ATL)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202513:40

Southwest Airlines

3135

San Antonio (SAT)

El Paso (ELP)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202511:40

Southwest Airlines

2765

San Antonio (SAT)

Chicago (MCI)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202511:35

Southwest Airlines

3056

Tampa (TPA)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202511:30

Southwest Airlines

2743

Tampa (TPA)

Pittsburgh (PIT)

delayed

Refunds

08.05.202510:50

Southwest Airlines

4217

Tampa (TPA)

Houston (HOU)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202520:40

Southwest Airlines

4386

Honolulu (HNL)

Hilo (ITO)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202518:40

Southwest Airlines

3593

Chicago (MDW)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202517:50

Southwest Airlines

3907

Denver (DEN)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202513:40

Southwest Airlines

1276

Nashville (BNA)

Houston (HOU)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202513:35

Southwest Airlines

4563

Nashville (BNA)

West Palm Beach (PBI)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202513:10

Southwest Airlines

210

Nashville (BNA)

Birmingham (BHM)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202511:40

Southwest Airlines

960

Nashville (BNA)

Covington (CVG)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202511:40

Southwest Airlines

2016

Nashville (BNA)

Norfolk (ORF)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202511:10

Southwest Airlines

1625

Tampa (TPA)

Nashville (BNA)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202511:10

Southwest Airlines

1517

Tampa (TPA)

Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:40

Southwest Airlines

2275

Tampa (TPA)

Windsor Locks (BDL)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:30

Southwest Airlines

1593

Tampa (TPA)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:25

Southwest Airlines

3924

Tampa (TPA)

Havana (HAV)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:15

Southwest Airlines

1391

Nashville (BNA)

Philadelphia (PHL)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:15

Southwest Airlines

1098

Tampa (TPA)

Denver (DEN)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:10

Southwest Airlines

1094

Nashville (BNA)

Columbus (CMH)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:05

Southwest Airlines

2210

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:00

Southwest Airlines

2483

Tampa (TPA)

Atlanta (ATL)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202510:00

Southwest Airlines

8500

Tampa (TPA)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202509:25

Southwest Airlines

1088

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (DAL)

delayed

Refunds

07.05.202509:05

Southwest Airlines

1672

Tampa (TPA)

Providence (PVD)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202521:35

Southwest Airlines

470

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202520:50

Southwest Airlines

257

Phoenix (PHX)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202518:45

Southwest Airlines

3906

San Jose (SJC)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202516:25

Southwest Airlines

1101

Memphis (MEM)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202514:10

Southwest Airlines

1477

Las Vegas (LAS)

Palm Springs (PSP)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202508:10

Southwest Airlines

2214

Honolulu (HNL)

Las Vegas (LAS)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202506:10

Southwest Airlines

1292

Honolulu (HNL)

Kona (KOA)

delayed

Refunds

06.05.202506:00

Southwest Airlines

747

Honolulu (HNL)

Hilo (ITO)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202521:30

Southwest Airlines

1839

Phoenix (PHX)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202520:25

Southwest Airlines

368

Oakland (OAK)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202519:10

Southwest Airlines

2050

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202517:20

Southwest Airlines

3830

Buffalo (BUF)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202516:00

Southwest Airlines

1880

Nashville (BNA)

Milwaukee (MKE)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202515:45

Southwest Airlines

3541

Grand Rapids (GRR)

Baltimore (BWI)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202515:25

Southwest Airlines

2608

Nashville (BNA)

Austin (AUS)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202514:20

Southwest Airlines

4563

Nashville (BNA)

West Palm Beach (PBI)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202514:05

Southwest Airlines

3668

Nashville (BNA)

Covington (CVG)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

857

Nashville (BNA)

Valparaiso (VPS)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:35

Southwest Airlines

2803

Nashville (BNA)

Las Vegas (LAS)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:25

Southwest Airlines

1694

Phoenix (PHX)

Burbank (BUR)

cancelled

Refunds

05.05.202513:25

Southwest Airlines

3373

Nashville (BNA)

Denver (DEN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:15

Southwest Airlines

1719

Nashville (BNA)

Columbus (CMH)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:15

Southwest Airlines

3067

Nashville (BNA)

Omaha (OMA)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:15

Southwest Airlines

3083

Nashville (BNA)

Memphis (MEM)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:05

Southwest Airlines

1348

Nashville (BNA)

Pensacola (PNS)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202513:05

Southwest Airlines

2231

Nashville (BNA)

St Louis (STL)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:35

Southwest Airlines

2689

Nashville (BNA)

Fort Lauderdale (FLL)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:30

Southwest Airlines

8700

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (MCI)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:20

Southwest Airlines

1333

Nashville (BNA)

Long Beach (LGB)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:20

Southwest Airlines

2247

Nashville (BNA)

Birmingham (BHM)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202512:10

Southwest Airlines

2415

Nashville (BNA)

Phoenix (PHX)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202511:00

Southwest Airlines

2611

Denver (DEN)

Detroit (DTW)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202511:00

Southwest Airlines

672

Chicago (MDW)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202510:00

Southwest Airlines

8530

Houston (HOU)

San Salvador (SAL)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202509:35

Southwest Airlines

3211

Nashville (BNA)

Savannah (SAV)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202509:15

Southwest Airlines

2197

Chicago (DAL)

San Diego (SAN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202509:00

Southwest Airlines

3678

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202508:15

Southwest Airlines

938

Chicago (DAL)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202508:05

Southwest Airlines

2283

Chicago (MDW)

San Diego (SAN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202508:00

Southwest Airlines

1201

Houston (HOU)

San Diego (SAN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202507:10

Southwest Airlines

1319

Denver (DEN)

San Antonio (SAT)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202506:25

Southwest Airlines

1104

Tucson (TUS)

Denver (DEN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202506:10

Southwest Airlines

931

Las Vegas (LAS)

San Diego (SAN)

delayed

Refunds

05.05.202505:55

Southwest Airlines

603

San Antonio (SAT)

Nashville (BNA)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202522:55

Southwest Airlines

1893

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202522:35

Southwest Airlines

3268

Houston (HOU)

Tucson (TUS)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202522:15

Southwest Airlines

3481

New York (MCO)

Windsor Locks (BDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202521:35

Southwest Airlines

278

Baltimore (BWI)

Minneapolis (MSP)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202521:10

Southwest Airlines

2500

Phoenix (PHX)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202520:10

Southwest Airlines

4323

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tulsa (TUL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202519:15

Southwest Airlines

1894

Denver (DEN)

Windsor Locks (BDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:05

Southwest Airlines

575

Phoenix (PHX)

Burbank (BUR)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:05

Southwest Airlines

2185

Tampa (TPA)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202517:00

Southwest Airlines

3751

Baltimore (BWI)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202516:15

Southwest Airlines

257

Phoenix (PHX)

Seattle (SEA)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202515:00

Southwest Airlines

2993

Baltimore (BWI)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202513:55

Southwest Airlines

24

Chicago (DAL)

Atlanta (ATL)

cancelled

Refunds

04.05.202512:40

Southwest Airlines

3530

Baltimore (BWI)

Jacksonville (JAX)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:25

Southwest Airlines

1607

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancun (CUN)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:25

Southwest Airlines

140

Baltimore (BWI)

New York (MCO)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202512:00

Southwest Airlines

948

Baltimore (BWI)

Phoenix (PHX)

cancelled

Refunds

04.05.202512:00

Southwest Airlines

4669

Baltimore (BWI)

West Palm Beach (PBI)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202511:30

Southwest Airlines

1529

Baltimore (BWI)

Miami (MIA)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202511:20

Southwest Airlines

2637

Baltimore (BWI)

Pittsburgh (PIT)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202510:55

Southwest Airlines

1034

Baltimore (BWI)

New York (RSW)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202510:35

Southwest Airlines

1447

Baltimore (BWI)

Rochester (ROC)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202510:20

Southwest Airlines

1149

Baltimore (BWI)

Windsor Locks (BDL)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202510:15

Southwest Airlines

3416

Baltimore (BWI)

Chicago (MDW)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202509:50

Southwest Airlines

3777

Baltimore (BWI)

Nashville (BNA)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202509:20

Southwest Airlines

4148

New York (MCO)

Buffalo (BUF)

delayed

Refunds

04.05.202509:20

Southwest Airlines

2229

Baltimore (BWI)

Covington (CVG)

delayed

Refunds
Yurii Moskalenko
2193 articles
Yurii educates people about human rights and advocacy. He creates helpful materials for travelers to assert their rights. With certifications in law and economics, Yurii turns legal terms into simple, actionable advice. His travel experience gives him valuable insight into the challenges travelers face, helping him better understand their needs.

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