Flight delays or cancellations due to airline strikes can be frustrating, but there is good news for passengers. There is a law called EU 261/2004 that protects you. It says that airlines must issue compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as a result of a strike. In this article, we will explain what EU261 is and how it can assist you.
Passenger Rights Under EU 261/2004
Now let’s focus on the particulars of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will discover your entitlement to compensation and what advantages you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation stipulates that if you are protected by the EU 261/2004, you are entitled to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers disrupts your flight. Notably, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” i.e., those beyond the airline’s control.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
In line with EU Regulation 261, you can receive compensation of up to €600 if your flight is cancelled and the airline does not notify you about the cancellation within 14 days before your planned departure date.
However, as it often happens, there are exceptions you should be aware of. In particular, the airline is entitled to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. Though this flight is required to 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 arrived at your final destination later than you were supposed to, you are still eligible to claim compensation.
The key factors that affect the amount of compensation are the flight distance and the duration of the delay. Check the table below for compensation amounts:
| 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 |
Flight Delay Compensation
Delays due to airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and can significantly disrupt your plans. You may be eligible for compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts at least three hours.
Regarding the possible compensation amount that passengers may receive, there are two important things to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. Check the table provided below for compensation amounts:
| 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 |
Ticket Refund or Alternative Transportation
In the rare cases when a passenger’s flight is delayed for 5 or more hours or cancelled, the passenger obtains more substantial rights. You have two options to select from:
- You can refuse the delayed or cancelled flight and choose a full ticket 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 resulting from an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. Therefore, the airline is required to provide passengers with meals, drinks, and the opportunity to make two phone calls, fax messages, and emails. When your flight is rescheduled for the next day, the airline is obliged to provide you with a hotel, as well as transport between the airport and the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Sometimes it happens the airline might either downgrade or upgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In these situations, you need to 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 in this case 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 regulations cover all flights inside the EU; additionally, these regulations apply to 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 understand that in situations where the airline cannot control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute may significantly affect aviation (such as a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such situations are not under an airline’s control, and it’s not its fault that this situation happens. As a result, an airline is not required to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though 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.
In line with the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove it has done everything possible to prevent 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?
European Union Regulation 261 applies to all flights departing from EU 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, Spirit Airlines isn’t a European airline. Therefore, they are not obliged to issue compensation if their flights operate outside the European Union. This applies even to their flights to the European Union if they start outside the EU.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Get Spirit 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, proceed with these steps:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide details such as your flight number, date, and what went wrong.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We are well-versed in the EU laws well and will make every effort to secure your 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
11.07.202517:30 | Spirit Airlines 1682 | Seattle (SEA) Las Vegas (LAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.07.202521:35 | Spirit Airlines 2496 | Detroit (DTW) New York (LGA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.07.202511:42 | Spirit Airlines 723 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Kingston (KIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.07.202505:10 | Spirit Airlines 2243 | Nashville (BNA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202522:55 | Spirit Airlines 2144 | Las Vegas (LAS) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202521:46 | Spirit Airlines 2324 | Phoenix (PHX) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202516:17 | Spirit Airlines 2073 | Louisville (SDF) Los Angeles (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202515:42 | Spirit Airlines 2393 | New York (MCO) Latrobe (LBE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202513:15 | Spirit Airlines 145 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Santo Domingo (SDQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202509:20 | Spirit Airlines 881 | New York (MCO) San Pedro Sula (SAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.07.202509:02 | Spirit Airlines 2791 | Detroit (DTW) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202522:15 | Spirit Airlines 2390 | Las Vegas (LAS) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202521:45 | Spirit Airlines 2582 | Las Vegas (LAS) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202515:26 | Spirit Airlines 2506 | San Jose (SJC) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202514:35 | Spirit Airlines 2236 | Miami (MIA) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202514:07 | Spirit Airlines 2092 | Atlanta (ATL) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202512:22 | Spirit Airlines 2126 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202512:11 | Spirit Airlines 2376 | Las Vegas (LAS) Burbank (BUR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202506:00 | Spirit Airlines 2311 | Tampa (TPA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.07.202505:10 | Spirit Airlines 2243 | Nashville (BNA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202520:42 | Spirit Airlines 2258 | New York (MCO) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202519:59 | Spirit Airlines 2517 | Myrtle Beach (MYR) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202518:38 | Spirit Airlines 2374 | Las Vegas (LAS) Burbank (BUR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202518:28 | Spirit Airlines 2233 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202515:45 | Spirit Airlines 2012 | Windsor Locks (BDL) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:55 | Spirit Airlines 1922 | Bogota (BOG) New York (MCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202512:17 | Spirit Airlines 829 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Pedro Sula (SAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202510:39 | Spirit Airlines 243 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Guatemala City (GUA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202510:00 | Spirit Airlines 286 | Cancun (CUN) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.07.202509:40 | Spirit Airlines 881 | New York (MCO) San Pedro Sula (SAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202522:33 | Spirit Airlines 2741 | Detroit (DTW) Dallas (DFW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202520:42 | Spirit Airlines 2258 | New York (MCO) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202516:57 | Spirit Airlines 2046 | Dallas (DFW) Chicago (ORD) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202515:51 | Spirit Airlines 2349 | Atlanta (ATL) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202514:41 | Spirit Airlines 2744 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202512:55 | Spirit Airlines 1922 | Bogota (BOG) New York (MCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202512:04 | Spirit Airlines 2646 | Myrtle Beach (MYR) Latrobe (LBE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202511:09 | Spirit Airlines 2458 | Atlanta (ATL) Louisville (SDF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202510:11 | Spirit Airlines 2738 | Miami (MIA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202509:40 | Spirit Airlines 6013 | New Orleans (MSY) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202508:00 | Spirit Airlines 2126 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202507:40 | Spirit Airlines 2325 | Las Vegas (LAS) Reno (RNO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202507:35 | Spirit Airlines 1438 | New Orleans (MSY) San Pedro Sula (SAP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202506:55 | Spirit Airlines 2149 | Detroit (DTW) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202506:10 | Spirit Airlines 1627 | Chicago (IAH) Guatemala City (GUA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202506:00 | Spirit Airlines 2737 | Detroit (DTW) Miami (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202505:45 | Spirit Airlines 2516 | Baltimore (BWI) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.07.202505:10 | Spirit Airlines 2243 | Nashville (BNA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202522:15 | Spirit Airlines 2390 | Las Vegas (LAS) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202521:51 | Spirit Airlines 2105 | Baltimore (BWI) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202521:46 | Spirit Airlines 2324 | Phoenix (PHX) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202521:36 | Spirit Airlines 2185 | Reno (RNO) Las Vegas (LAS) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
03.07.202520:53 | Spirit Airlines 3704 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) San Antonio (SAT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202520:42 | Spirit Airlines 2258 | New York (MCO) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202519:38 | Spirit Airlines 2212 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202519:21 | Spirit Airlines 2184 | Las Vegas (LAS) Reno (RNO) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
03.07.202517:09 | Spirit Airlines 2295 | Las Vegas (LAS) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202516:33 | Spirit Airlines 2856 | Detroit (DTW) St Louis (STL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202515:58 | Spirit Airlines 2328 | Seattle (SEA) Las Vegas (LAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202514:26 | Spirit Airlines 2739 | Detroit (DTW) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202514:18 | Spirit Airlines 2377 | Burbank (BUR) Las Vegas (LAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:21 | Spirit Airlines 2846 | Detroit (DTW) Austin (AUS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:10 | Spirit Airlines 2032 | Tampa (TPA) Nashville (BNA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:10 | Spirit Airlines 2032 | Tampa (TPA) Nashville (BNA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202513:00 | Spirit Airlines 8801 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202512:40 | Spirit Airlines 2037 | Miami (MIA) Nashville (BNA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202511:15 | Spirit Airlines 2797 | Higuey (PUJ) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202510:50 | Spirit Airlines 2835 | Richmond (RIC) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202510:31 | Spirit Airlines 2050 | Dallas (DFW) Louisville (SDF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202509:04 | Spirit Airlines 2490 | Charlotte (CLT) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:30 | Spirit Airlines 2578 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:27 | Spirit Airlines 2157 | Chicago (ORD) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202507:10 | Spirit Airlines 2251 | Nashville (BNA) New York (MCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202506:37 | Spirit Airlines 2136 | New York (MCO) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202506:00 | Spirit Airlines 2106 | Boston (BOS) Baltimore (BWI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202505:45 | Spirit Airlines 2742 | Dallas (DFW) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.07.202505:15 | Spirit Airlines 2189 | Chicago (ORD) New York (MCO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202522:00 | Spirit Airlines 8802 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202521:39 | Spirit Airlines 2413 | Nashville (BNA) Los Angeles (LAX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202521:11 | Spirit Airlines 2715 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Louisville (SDF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202520:42 | Spirit Airlines 2258 | New York (MCO) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202520:09 | Spirit Airlines 2495 | New York (RSW) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202519:59 | Spirit Airlines 2517 | Myrtle Beach (MYR) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202518:50 | Spirit Airlines 2455 | New York (MCO) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202516:37 | Spirit Airlines 142 | Santo Domingo (SDQ) Fort Lauderdale (FLL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202514:41 | Spirit Airlines 2744 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:09 | Spirit Airlines 2142 | Las Vegas (LAS) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:08 | Spirit Airlines 2158 | Tampa (TPA) Louisville (SDF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202512:01 | Spirit Airlines 8899 | New York (LGA) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202505:45 | Spirit Airlines 2257 | Boston (BOS) New York (MCO) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
02.07.202500:35 | Spirit Airlines 2250 | Las Vegas (LAS) Nashville (BNA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.07.202500:30 | Spirit Airlines 2705 | Las Vegas (LAS) San Antonio (SAT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:55 | Spirit Airlines 2144 | Las Vegas (LAS) Detroit (DTW) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202522:15 | Spirit Airlines 2390 | Las Vegas (LAS) San Diego (SAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202520:42 | Spirit Airlines 2258 | New York (MCO) Boston (BOS) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
01.07.202519:59 | Spirit Airlines 2517 | Myrtle Beach (MYR) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202519:38 | Spirit Airlines 2212 | Fort Lauderdale (FLL) Boston (BOS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202518:00 | Spirit Airlines 8815 | New York (ACY) Miami (MIA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.07.202517:00 | Spirit Airlines 2696 | Newark (EWR) Miami (MIA) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
01.07.202516:16 | Spirit Airlines 2468 | Atlanta (ATL) Tampa (TPA) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
