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 stipulates that airlines must issue compensation if your flight is delayed or cancelled because 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. In the following sections, you will learn about your entitlement to compensation and what benefits you can expect in the event of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation stipulates that if you are covered by the EU 261/2004, you have a right to seek compensation if a wildcat or planned strike of the airline’s workers affects your flight. It’s important to note, that both cases do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” which are events outside the airline’s control.
Thai Lion Air Flight Cancellation Compensation
In line with 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 of the flight cancellation within two weeks before your planned departure date.
However, 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. However, this flight must also meet specific 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 offered by the airline but arrived at 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 delay time. Check the table provided 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 |
Thai Lion Air Flight Delay Compensation
Delays due to 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 a minimum of three hours.
Regarding the possible compensation amount that passengers could be entitled to, there are two key factors to consider: the duration of the delay and the flight distance. See the table 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 has more significant rights. There are two options for you to choose from:
- You can refuse the cancelled or delayed 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
In addition to flight compensation for a disrupted flight resulting from an airline strike, passengers also have the right to care. Therefore, the airline must provide passengers with food, 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 to and from the hotel.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Sometimes it happens the airline might either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when providing an alternative flight. In these situations, you should understand specific rules and your rights:
In case of upgrading: if your class has been upgraded, you don’t need to pay extra for this benefit.
In case of downgrading: if your class is downgraded, the airline is obligated to reimburse you. Furthermore, the compensation here entirely depends 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 situations when the airline can’t influence or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute can significantly affect aviation (such as a national labor or air traffic strike); however, such events are not under the airline’s control, and it’s not their fault that this situation happens. Therefore, the 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.
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, it is obliged to provide passengers compensation for flight disruptions.
Which Flights are Covered by EU 261/2004?
EU Regulation 261 covers all flights departing from airports in the EU. It also covers flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. This includes airlines from EU countries as well as Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
However, Thai Lion Air is not a European airline. Consequently, they aren’t required 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.
| Itinerary | Covered by EU 261 |
| Flights departing from EU airports | ✔️ Yes |
| Flights arriving at EU airports | ❌ No |
How to Get Thai Lion Air Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. Such situations can spoil your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, follow these steps:
- Fill in our form. You’ll need to provide flight details like your flight number, date, and the problem you faced.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will take over. We understand the EU laws well and will do our best to get you your compensation. You are only charged 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
07.01.202622:05 | Thai Lion Air 765 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202619:30 | Thai Lion Air 764 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202618:40 | Thai Lion Air 761 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202617:00 | Thai Lion Air 767 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202616:30 | Thai Lion Air 760 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202615:00 | Thai Lion Air 766 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202609:00 | Thai Lion Air 783 | (NST) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.01.202607:01 | Thai Lion Air 782 | (DMK) (NST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202618:40 | Thai Lion Air 259 | (DPS) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
06.01.202617:20 | Thai Lion Air 920 | (DMK) (HGH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202621:50 | Thai Lion Air 725 | (HDY) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202621:50 | Thai Lion Air 770 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202619:45 | Thai Lion Air 724 | (DMK) (HDY) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:40 | Thai Lion Air 259 | (DPS) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202618:35 | Thai Lion Air 762 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202617:00 | Thai Lion Air 393 | (CTS) (KHH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
05.01.202615:30 | Thai Lion Air 826 | (DMK) (TST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202618:35 | Thai Lion Air 762 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202615:00 | Thai Lion Air 766 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202609:20 | Thai Lion Air 735 | (URT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
04.01.202607:25 | Thai Lion Air 734 | (DMK) (URT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202617:05 | Thai Lion Air 104 | (DMK) (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
03.01.202608:10 | Thai Lion Air 532 | (DMK) (CEI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202612:35 | Thai Lion Air 538 | (DMK) (CEI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202611:00 | Thai Lion Air 807 | (KBV) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202610:50 | Thai Lion Air 392 | (KHH) (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202610:15 | Thai Lion Air 533 | (CEI) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
02.01.202608:55 | Thai Lion Air 806 | (DMK) (KBV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
01.01.202614:35 | Thai Lion Air 740 | (DMK) (URT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202518:45 | Thai Lion Air 515 | (CNX) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202517:25 | Thai Lion Air 509 | (CNX) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202517:25 | Thai Lion Air 674 | (DMK) (KOP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202517:15 | Thai Lion Air 7325 | (KHH) (CNX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202516:45 | Thai Lion Air 514 | (DMK) (CNX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202516:30 | Thai Lion Air 760 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202515:15 | Thai Lion Air 582 | (UTP) (CNX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202515:00 | Thai Lion Air 766 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202514:25 | Thai Lion Air 757 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202512:10 | Thai Lion Air 756 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
30.12.202511:20 | Thai Lion Air 214 | (DMK) (ATQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
29.12.202506:25 | Thai Lion Air 800 | (DMK) (KBV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202511:50 | Thai Lion Air 391 | (OKA) (KHH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202510:45 | Thai Lion Air 754 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202509:20 | Thai Lion Air 671 | (KOP) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202508:50 | Thai Lion Air 751 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
27.12.202506:45 | Thai Lion Air 750 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
26.12.202517:15 | Thai Lion Air 395 | (NRT) (TPE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
25.12.202514:35 | Thai Lion Air 935 | (CSX) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
25.12.202506:30 | Thai Lion Air 117 | (CGK) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202521:20 | Thai Lion Air 395 | (TPE) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202520:55 | Thai Lion Air 218 | (DMK) (BOM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202517:15 | Thai Lion Air 395 | (NRT) (TPE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202516:30 | Thai Lion Air 760 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202515:00 | Thai Lion Air 766 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202512:20 | Thai Lion Air 755 | (HKT) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202512:10 | Thai Lion Air 756 | (DMK) (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202509:20 | Thai Lion Air 360 | (DMK) (HKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
24.12.202506:30 | Thai Lion Air 117 | (CGK) (DMK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
