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 Flight number Route Status Compensation

17.07.202514:20

Southwest Airlines

2054

Columbus (CMH)

Nashville (BNA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

17.07.202512:45

Southwest Airlines

114

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Nashville (BNA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

17.07.202512:20

Southwest Airlines

981

Columbus (CMH)

Baltimore (BWI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

17.07.202509:30

Southwest Airlines

126

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Baltimore (BWI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

17.07.202506:55

Southwest Airlines

656

Tampa (TPA)

Baltimore (BWI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

205

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

2830

Las Vegas (LAS)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:45

Southwest Airlines

3469

St Louis (STL)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:45

Southwest Airlines

3478

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:30

Southwest Airlines

3353

Chicago (MDW)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202521:10

Southwest Airlines

3946

Chicago (MDW)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202520:50

Southwest Airlines

963

New Orleans (MSY)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202520:45

Southwest Airlines

4393

Chicago (DAL)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202520:35

Southwest Airlines

2068

Chicago (MDW)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202519:50

Southwest Airlines

840

Austin (AUS)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202519:40

Southwest Airlines

302

Denver (DEN)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202519:25

Southwest Airlines

1841

Indianapolis (IND)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

16.07.202519:00

Southwest Airlines

2046

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:55

Southwest Airlines

1521

Milwaukee (MKE)

New York (MCO)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:50

Southwest Airlines

4007

Chicago (MDW)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:45

Southwest Airlines

1081

Tampa (TPA)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:35

Southwest Airlines

2278

Milwaukee (MKE)

St Louis (STL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:35

Southwest Airlines

2702

Denver (DEN)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:30

Southwest Airlines

3970

Milwaukee (MKE)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

16.07.202517:25

Southwest Airlines

3825

Milwaukee (MKE)

Nashville (BNA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202516:30

Southwest Airlines

8914

Milwaukee (MKE)

Nashville (BNA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202516:20

Southwest Airlines

3971

Milwaukee (MKE)

New York (DCA)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

16.07.202516:20

Southwest Airlines

3899

Las Vegas (LAS)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202516:15

Southwest Airlines

1798

Baltimore (BWI)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202516:05

Southwest Airlines

2838

Denver (DEN)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202515:50

Southwest Airlines

3329

Milwaukee (MKE)

Chicago (DAL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202515:45

Southwest Airlines

3381

New York (DCA)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202515:25

Southwest Airlines

1192

Nashville (BNA)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202515:00

Southwest Airlines

2305

Denver (DEN)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202514:00

Southwest Airlines

291

Austin (AUS)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202513:50

Southwest Airlines

3551

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202513:20

Southwest Airlines

733

Nashville (BNA)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202513:10

Southwest Airlines

2590

Chicago (DAL)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:55

Southwest Airlines

101

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Austin (AUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:55

Southwest Airlines

3345

Las Vegas (LAS)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:30

Southwest Airlines

2114

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Chicago (DAL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:25

Southwest Airlines

522

Denver (DEN)

Burbank (BUR)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:00

Southwest Airlines

2769

Albuquerque (ABQ)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

16.07.202512:00

Southwest Airlines

4240

San Jose (SJC)

San Diego (SAN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202511:50

Southwest Airlines

4484

San Jose (SJC)

Austin (AUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202511:15

Southwest Airlines

1015

San Jose (SJC)

Denver (DEN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202511:00

Southwest Airlines

3372

Phoenix (PHX)

Louisville (SDF)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202510:35

Southwest Airlines

1941

Baltimore (BWI)

Louisville (SDF)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202510:35

Southwest Airlines

2382

Tampa (TPA)

Buffalo (BUF)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202510:20

Southwest Airlines

2150

Houston (HOU)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202509:40

Southwest Airlines

951

Phoenix (PHX)

Milwaukee (MKE)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202509:05

Southwest Airlines

1283

Raleigh (RDU)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202507:55

Southwest Airlines

2845

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202507:35

Southwest Airlines

4021

New Orleans (MSY)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202506:45

Southwest Airlines

4770

Tampa (TPA)

Columbus (CMH)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202506:45

Southwest Airlines

2454

Houston (HOU)

Tampa (TPA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

16.07.202506:20

Southwest Airlines

3491

Tucson (TUS)

Denver (DEN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202522:55

Southwest Airlines

3506

Los Angeles (LAX)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202522:05

Southwest Airlines

1765

New York (MCO)

Memphis (MEM)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202522:05

Southwest Airlines

559

Chicago (MDW)

Memphis (MEM)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202522:05

Southwest Airlines

149

New York (MCO)

New Orleans (MSY)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202522:00

Southwest Airlines

1902

Baltimore (BWI)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

255

Chicago (MDW)

Buffalo (BUF)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

3726

New York (MCO)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

3175

Houston (HOU)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:50

Southwest Airlines

1010

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:45

Southwest Airlines

3469

St Louis (STL)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:45

Southwest Airlines

2307

St Louis (STL)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:30

Southwest Airlines

3097

Houston (HOU)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202521:00

Southwest Airlines

3579

Chicago (MDW)

New York (DCA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202520:55

Southwest Airlines

261

Austin (AUS)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202520:40

Southwest Airlines

1974

Tampa (TPA)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202520:35

Southwest Airlines

2022

St Louis (STL)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202520:00

Southwest Airlines

2644

New York (MCO)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:40

Southwest Airlines

302

Denver (DEN)

Tulsa (TUL)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:30

Southwest Airlines

290

Phoenix (PHX)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:25

Southwest Airlines

4453

Denver (DEN)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:25

Southwest Airlines

1178

Nashville (BNA)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:15

Southwest Airlines

224

Tampa (TPA)

Chicago (MCI)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:10

Southwest Airlines

372

Chicago (MCI)

New York (MCO)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:10

Southwest Airlines

3986

Bozeman (BZN)

Denver (DEN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202519:00

Southwest Airlines

2628

Chicago (MDW)

New York (MCO)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202517:25

Southwest Airlines

3755

Denver (DEN)

New York (MCO)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202517:20

Southwest Airlines

2909

Las Vegas (LAS)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202516:30

Southwest Airlines

2532

Denver (DEN)

New York (MCO)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202515:50

Southwest Airlines

2773

Los Angeles (LAX)

Chicago (MDW)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202512:55

Southwest Airlines

1540

Burbank (BUR)

Phoenix (PHX)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

15.07.202512:30

Southwest Airlines

1466

Memphis (MEM)

Nashville (BNA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202511:40

Southwest Airlines

785

St Louis (STL)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202511:15

Southwest Airlines

1015

San Jose (SJC)

Denver (DEN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

15.07.202511:05

Southwest Airlines

1543

Oakland (OAK)

Burbank (BUR)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

15.07.202508:40

Southwest Airlines

4277

San Jose (SJC)

Denver (DEN)

Delayed

Claim Refund

14.07.202522:40

Southwest Airlines

2844

Denver (DEN)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

14.07.202521:55

Southwest Airlines

4423

San Diego (SAN)

Tucson (TUS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

14.07.202517:30

Southwest Airlines

543

Grand Rapids (GRR)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

14.07.202516:45

Southwest Airlines

1437

Chicago (MDW)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

14.07.202516:15

Southwest Airlines

1545

Burbank (BUR)

Phoenix (PHX)

Cancelled

Claim Refund

14.07.202516:10

Southwest Airlines

491

Grand Rapids (GRR)

Las Vegas (LAS)

Delayed

Claim Refund

14.07.202515:35

Southwest Airlines

4473

St Louis (STL)

Seattle (SEA)

Delayed

Claim Refund

13.07.202520:10

Southwest Airlines

2399

Louisville (SDF)

Baltimore (BWI)

Cancelled

Claim Refund
Yurii Moskalenko
2470 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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