Airline Strike Compensation: How to Claim up to £520 For Disrupted Flights

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Last Updated: January 22, 2025

Claim up to £600 for flight disruption due to airline strike

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During the busiest travel seasons like summertime and the winter holidays, you might notice a wave of airline strikes that invariably cause delays and cancellations. This can lead to enormous amounts of stress and frustration, but fortunately, you might be able to get compensated for the inconvenience!

Every time air traffic controllers or ground staff decide to strike, flight schedules are disrupted and lead to significant chaos, disruption to your plans or extra costs.

Understanding Airline Strike Action

When airline employees decide to go on strike, they will usually announce their intentions. This gives airlines the opportunity to meet the demands of the workers or further negotiate. If an agreement cannot be reached by the strike date, then a work stoppage will happen.

Sometimes airlines will cancel flights in anticipation of a strike. Other times, last minute cancellations or delays will take place. Either way, you could be eligible for up to £520 in compensation if the airline strike makes you 3 or more hours late at your destination.

What if the strike is unannounced?

If airline employees decide to strike without announcing it beforehand, then it is called a wildcat strike. If this work stoppage leads to delays and cancellations, then you are entitled to compensation because the European Court of Justice ruled that airlines are ultimately responsible for their employees even when they strike without warning.

Care & Assistance During Strike-related Flight Disruptions

No matter what caused the flight cancellation or delay, the airline is still obliged to provide you with appropriate support and assistance at the airport.

If you're delayed for 2 hours or more, the airline will provide food and beverage vouchers. If you don't receive them, be sure to ask. Also, if you end up paying out-of-pocket for any essentials, be sure to keep your receipts.

If the flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, you are entitled to a full ticket refund or a rebooking. Remember, you are always entitled to support and assistance in the event of a long delay or cancellation of your flight, even in cases caused by extraordinary circumstances. So, if your flight is delayed until the next day, then the airline will provide lodging and relevant transport.

Mostly in such cases, passengers are left to fend for themselves: they are confused and do not receive adequate information or assistance.

In the event of a strike, under UK Regulation 261, you may be entitled to the following options:

• Replacement of transport: the airline is obliged to arrange alternative transport to the destination
• Right to Support: If you have to wait a long time at the airport, the airline is obliged to provide you with drinks and food in proportion to the waiting time, as well as two free phone calls/text messages and, if necessary, a place to stay overnight.
• Ticket refund: Flight delay of 5 hours or more? You are entitled to have your flight cancelled and your ticket refunded.
• Compensation in the event of an airline's cabin crew going on strike (unlike, for example, a nationwide strike). Passengers are entitled to compensation of between 250 and 600 euros each (this depends on the length of the flight delay and the distance of the flight)

Given the above, we suggest to consider in more detail what monetary compensation is and when you are entitled to it by law.

In 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that the airline was liable for strikes called by its workers and therefore liable for monetary compensation.

These cases are known as “wildcat strikes” because they involve strikes that airline workers announce at the last minute, as opposed to those planned in advance.

Thanks to EU regulation 261, in the event of a “wildcat strike”, airlines must compensate passengers whose cases meet the criteria for compensation, because they are responsible.

You can also claim compensation if the strike has affected your flight. For example, if the strike happened the day before your flight and it was cancelled the next day, you can claim compensation for any delays caused as a result.

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How Much Can You Get for Strike-related Flight Disruptions?

In the United States, airlines are not required to compensate passengers whose flights have been disrupted because of an airline strike. In the European Union and United Kingdom, on the other hand, you can get cash compensation for strike-related disruptions based on the distance of your flight. 

Compensation Payout Amounts

Can You Get Compensation for Airport and Air Traffic Control Strikes?

Unfortunately, passengers are not eligible for compensation if they have flight disruptions caused by third party strikes. Third parties can include airport staff, air traffic control, fuel delivery workers or any other party not directly employed by the airline. 

A flight delay or cancellation due to a strike can be stressful and confusing for sure. To find out if you're entitled to compensation for a disrupted flight, use our free and quick compensation check form. If your flight meets the criteria, we'll help you resolve your issue quickly and easily.

Airline Strike Disruptions Outside the Strike Period

When a strike causes multiple cancellations and delays, passengers can feel the effects for days and even weeks afterwards. Based on EU261 regulations, passengers are entitled to compensation during the active strike period, but they might also get compensation for flight interruptions that happen after the strike period.

Because of this, it might be worth filing a claim if you suffered knock-on effects. For example, if your flight was delayed because of prior disruptions caused by the strike then the airline will have to prove it did everything possible to avoid it. If that cannot be proven, then you might be able to get some money back. Check to see if your flight is eligible in our compensation calculator! 

Does travel insurance cover airline strike disruptions?

Travel insurance policies can vary quite a bit, but generally, most will cover strike-related delays, cancellations, missed connections, and denied boarding. If you’re travelling in the United States, travel insurance would be especially helpful because airlines are not required to pay passengers for the inconvenience as they are in Europe and the UK.

What to Do When an Airline Announces a Strike

1. Stay informed: Download the airline’s app and check their announcement or news page on their official website for updates.
2. Consider changing your flight: If you have a refundable ticket, you might want to change your flight dates. 
3. If you have a non-refundable ticket, contact the airline to see if they will allow you to make changes without extra fees. Otherwise, wait until they cancel your flight so you can get a rebooking or a refund without paying more. 
4. Pack for delays: Make sure you bring a change of clothing and toiletries in a carry-on bag so you’re prepared for long delays.
5. Contact your travel insurance to see what is and isn’t covered for strike related flight disruptions. 

How to File a Strike Compensation Claim

If your strike-disrupted flight was scheduled to depart from the EU or UK, you should contact the airline in writing. Most of them will have a dedicated form on their site for compensation claims. So, be sure to include all the relevant information about your particular situation and any supporting documents including correspondence with the carrier.

The claim process itself is fairly straight-forward, but don’t be surprised if your claim is denied or if the airline won’t respond to your messages. It can take weeks and even months for them to reach a decision, but that’s where we can help!

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Frequently asked questions