Flight cancellations or delays due to airline strikes can be annoying, 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 because 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 explore the particulars of EU Regulation 261. In the following sections, you will discover your eligibility for compensation and what benefits you can expect in case of a flight disruption.
Right to Compensation
The European Union regulation stipulates that if you are protected by EU 261, you are entitled to claim compensation if a wildcat or planned strike by airline workers disrupts your flight. It is worth noting, such situations do not qualify as “extraordinary circumstances” i.e., those beyond the airline’s control.
Turkish Airlines 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 about the cancellation within 14 days before your scheduled travel date.
However, as is frequently the case, there are exceptions you should be aware of. Specifically, the airline has a right to refuse compensation if they choose to offer you an alternative flight. However, 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 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 duration of the delay. See 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 |
Turkish Airlines Flight Delay Compensation
Delays caused by airline strikes of any duration can be frustrating and may seriously affect your itinerary. You are entitled to compensation if the flight delay caused by an airline strike lasts three or more hours.
Regarding the potential compensation amount that passengers can expect, 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 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 either cancelled or delayed for 5 or more hours, the passenger has more significant rights. You have two options to select 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 choose the option that meets your needs.
Right to Care
Besides flight compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight resulting from an airline strike, passengers are also entitled to the right to care. Therefore, the airline is required to provide passengers with food, 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 transportation from the airport to the hotel and back.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Occasionally it happens the airline might either upgrade or downgrade your flight’s class when offering an alternative flight. In such cases, you need to understand 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 must 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 regulations cover all flights within the EU; additionally, these regulations apply to flights that are either departing from or arriving in the European Union on EU-based airlines.
When Are You Not Entitled to Compensation?
Unfortunately, you should know that in situations where the airline can’t control or prevent the strike, there will be no compensation for passengers. Let’s take an example: any labor dispute may considerably 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 its fault that this situation occurs. Therefore, an airline is not required to pay compensation for disrupted flights.
Even though many instances of strikes are not covered by EU261 and are classified as “extraordinary circumstances”, this does not automatically mean that the airline will not pay compensation.
In line with the ECJ ruling of 11 June 2020 (Case C-74/19), the airline must prove they have done everything possible to prevent 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 261 covers all flights departing from EU airports. It also applies to 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, Turkish 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 Turkish Airlines Strike Compensation
Dealing with cancelled or delayed flights due to strikes is always frustrating. It can spoil your trip but also create problems – emotional, financial, etc. To claim compensation for this inconvenience, take the following actions:
- Complete this form. You’ll need to provide flight details like your flight number, date, and the issue you encountered.
- Let our experts help you. Once you submit the form, our team will manage the process. We know the EU laws comprehensively and will strive to obtain your rightful 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
09.12.202501:40 | Turkish Airlines 4802 | Auckland (AKL) Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202518:15 | Turkish Airlines 4472 | Koh Samui (USM) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202518:05 | Turkish Airlines 8730 | Brisbane (BNE) Auckland (AKL) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.12.202517:40 | Turkish Airlines 4439 | Koh Samui (USM) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202517:30 | Turkish Airlines 8019 | Bangkok (BKK) Hanoi (HAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202517:25 | Turkish Airlines 4492 | Pattaya (UTP) Koh Samui (USM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202516:35 | Turkish Airlines 4471 | Phuket (HKT) Koh Samui (USM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202516:25 | Turkish Airlines 4469 | Koh Samui (USM) Singapore (SIN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202516:10 | Turkish Airlines 1909 | Istanbul (IST) Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:45 | Turkish Airlines 4405 | Bangkok (BKK) Koh Samui (USM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:40 | Turkish Airlines 4850 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota-Kinabalu (BKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:25 | Turkish Airlines 8294 | Oulu (OUL) Helsinki (HEL) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:20 | Turkish Airlines 1753 | Istanbul (IST) Oslo (OSL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:10 | Turkish Airlines 4489 | Phuket (HKT) Pattaya (UTP) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202515:05 | Turkish Airlines 4504 | Koh Samui (USM) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202514:40 | Turkish Airlines 3004 | Istanbul (SAW) Istanbul (ESB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202514:25 | Turkish Airlines 4151 | Erzincan (ERC) Istanbul (ESB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:55 | Turkish Airlines 8017 | Vientiane (VTE) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:55 | Turkish Airlines 8748 | Sydney (SYD) Auckland (AKL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:45 | Turkish Airlines 4478 | Krabi (KBV) Koh Samui (USM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:45 | Turkish Airlines 4890 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kuching (KCH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:35 | Turkish Airlines 8293 | Helsinki (HEL) Oulu (OUL) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:05 | Turkish Airlines 8369 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:00 | Turkish Airlines 2150 | Istanbul (IST) Istanbul (ESB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202513:00 | Turkish Airlines 4878 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota Bharu (KBR) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:50 | Turkish Airlines 8374 | Bangkok (BKK) Taipei (TPE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:45 | Turkish Airlines 9460 | Bangkok (BKK) Taipei (TPE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:45 | Turkish Airlines 1913 | Istanbul (IST) Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:40 | Turkish Airlines 4487 | Bangkok (BKK) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:25 | Turkish Airlines 4477 | Koh Samui (USM) Krabi (KBV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:25 | Turkish Airlines 8392 | Bangkok (BKK) Chiang Rai (CEI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:10 | Turkish Airlines 4544 | Luang Prabang (LPQ) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202512:00 | Turkish Airlines 53 | Istanbul (SAW) Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:55 | Turkish Airlines 8016 | Bangkok (BKK) Vientiane (VTE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:45 | Turkish Airlines 1665 | Istanbul (IST) Hamburg (HAM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:45 | Turkish Airlines 4530 | Bangkok (BKK) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:35 | Turkish Airlines 8775 | Auckland (AKL) Queenstown (ZQN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:30 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (IST) Moscow (VKO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:20 | Turkish Airlines 4526 | Bangkok (BKK) Phnom Penh (SAI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:20 | Turkish Airlines 9409 | Bangkok (BKK) Taipei (TPE) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202511:15 | Turkish Airlines 9135 | Edmonton (YEG) Toronto (YYZ) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:55 | Turkish Airlines 4887 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kuching (KCH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:55 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (ESB) Istanbul (IST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:40 | Turkish Airlines 510 | Berlin (BER) Istanbul (ESB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:35 | Turkish Airlines 8020 | Hanoi (HAN) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:25 | Turkish Airlines 9261 | Bangkok (BKK) Khon Kaen (KKC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:20 | Turkish Airlines 8097 | Sydney (SYD) Seoul (ICN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:05 | Turkish Airlines 4773 | Kuching (KCH) Kuala Lumpur (KUL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202510:00 | Turkish Airlines 4543 | Bangkok (BKK) Luang Prabang (LPQ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202509:50 | Turkish Airlines | Istanbul (IST) Istanbul (ESB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202509:45 | Turkish Airlines 8013 | Kratie (KTI) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202509:35 | Turkish Airlines 4845 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota-Kinabalu (BKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202509:05 | Turkish Airlines 8292 | Oulu (OUL) Helsinki (HEL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202508:40 | Turkish Airlines 8486 | Ubon Ratchathni (UBP) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202508:10 | Turkish Airlines 580 | Istanbul (IST) Taif (TIF) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202508:05 | Turkish Airlines 8835 | Tokyo (KIX) Tokyo (CTS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202507:40 | Turkish Airlines 2504 | Istanbul (IST) Milas (BJV) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202507:30 | Turkish Airlines 4572 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota-Kinabalu (BKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202507:20 | Turkish Airlines 8795 | Reykjavik (KEF) Munich (MUC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202507:00 | Turkish Airlines 8726 | Queenstown (ZQN) Auckland (AKL) | Cancelled | Claim Refund |
08.12.202505:30 | Turkish Airlines 564 | Zanzibar (ZNZ) Istanbul (IST) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202503:35 | Turkish Airlines 564 | Kilimanjaro (JRO) Zanzibar (ZNZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202502:25 | Turkish Airlines 164 | Istanbul (IST) Hanoi (HAN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202502:15 | Turkish Airlines 90 | Istanbul (IST) Seoul (ICN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202501:45 | Turkish Airlines 144 | Istanbul (IST) Riyadh (RUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202501:40 | Turkish Airlines 68 | Istanbul (IST) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
08.12.202501:20 | Turkish Airlines 571 | Istanbul (IST) Banjul (BJL) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202523:59 | Turkish Airlines 8384 | Bangkok (BKK) Tokyo (KIX) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202522:30 | Turkish Airlines 4498 | Krabi (KBV) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202522:20 | Turkish Airlines 8083 | Manila (MNL) Davao (DVO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202522:20 | Turkish Airlines 8083 | Manila (MNL) Davao (DVO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202522:20 | Turkish Airlines 8702 | Dubai (DXB) Muscat (MCT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202522:15 | Turkish Airlines 4639 | Manila (MNL) Davao (DVO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:45 | Turkish Airlines 8085 | Manila (MNL) Cebu (CEB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:25 | Turkish Airlines 2236 | Istanbul (IST) Gaziantep (GZT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:20 | Turkish Airlines 1911 | Istanbul (IST) Zurich (ZRH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:10 | Turkish Airlines 3230 | Istanbul (SAW) Gaziantep (GZT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:10 | Turkish Airlines 140 | Istanbul (IST) Riyadh (RUH) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:05 | Turkish Airlines 8390 | Chiang Mai (CNX) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:00 | Turkish Airlines 1667 | Istanbul (IST) Hamburg (HAM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202521:00 | Turkish Airlines 4847 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota-Kinabalu (BKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:55 | Turkish Airlines 8696 | Toronto (YYZ) Edmonton (YEG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:50 | Turkish Airlines 9106 | Montreal (YUL) Edmonton (YEG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:40 | Turkish Airlines 8479 | Hat Yai (HDY) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:30 | Turkish Airlines 4525 | Phnom Penh (SAI) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:25 | Turkish Airlines 8082 | Manila (MNL) Davao (DVO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:25 | Turkish Airlines 8082 | Manila (MNL) Davao (DVO) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:25 | Turkish Airlines 8021 | Hanoi (HAN) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:20 | Turkish Airlines 8701 | Muscat (MCT) Dubai (DXB) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:20 | Turkish Airlines 8398 | Krabi (KBV) Bangkok (BKK) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:10 | Turkish Airlines 4483 | Bangkok (BKK) Phuket (HKT) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:05 | Turkish Airlines 9225 | Bangkok (BKK) Hong Kong (HKG) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202520:00 | Turkish Airlines 8816 | Sao Tome Island (TMS) Accra (ACC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:45 | Turkish Airlines 4411 | Bangkok (BKK) Koh Samui (USM) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:45 | Turkish Airlines 9263 | Bangkok (BKK) Khon Kaen (KKC) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:40 | Turkish Airlines 4857 | Kuala Lumpur (KUL) Kota-Kinabalu (BKI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:40 | Turkish Airlines 2580 | Istanbul (IST) Denizli (DNZ) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:35 | Turkish Airlines 4531 | Bangkok (BKK) Kratie (KTI) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:30 | Turkish Airlines 8490 | Bangkok (BKK) Penang (PEN) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
07.12.202519:20 | Turkish Airlines 9158 | Bucharest (OTP) Iasi (IAS) | Delayed | Claim Refund |
