Eurowings Strikes: What to Do & Steps to Take to Prepare
If you’re flying with Eurowings, you can breathe easy. The airline isn’t often affected by strikes. In the summer of 2024, passengers faced some delays because of a ground crew strike in Spain, but prior to that, the last strike that affected the carrier was in 2022 when pilots went on strike.
If you’ve heard about a potential Eurowings strike on the horizon, there are a few steps you can take to prepare. So, keep reading and we’ll explain what you need to know and do, including your passenger rights and what to expect.
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Changing Your Booking Before a Eurowings Strike
The first thing you’re probably wondering about is whether or not you can make changes to your flight, especially if you’re planning to travel during the time when Eurowings has announced that a strike will take place.
Can you cancel your flight?
- Refundable tickets can be cancelled or changed according to the terms and conditions of your ticket
- Non-refundable tickets. You might be able to cancel and change these kinds of tickets without the usual fees, but check on the Eurowings website for more information. Sometimes, they will give passengers the option of changing their travel dates and will post these dates on their travel alerts page.
If you don’t see anything on their official website or haven’t received any communication from Eurowings, you can also contact their customer service department to ask for assistance.
If you can’t change or cancel your ticket without a fee, then wait until Eurowings to cancel your flight so you can get an automatic rebooking or refund.
4 Steps to Prepare for a Eurowings Strike
- Sign up for Eurowings email and/or SMS alerts. This will keep you updated about any pending strike action.
- Download the airline app because you can easily keep track of your flight status and any changes made to your itinerary.
- Read up on the refund policy for your ticket. This will help you plan and make better decisions.
- If you have to travel when a strike has been announced, be sure to pack snacks and any essentials you’d need if you get stranded at the airport.
Eurowings Strike Basics
A Eurowings strike would take place if the ground crew, pilots, or other employees can’t negotiate with airline management for better wages, working conditions, or other labour-related issues.
Usually, a strike will be announced in advance, but sometimes, employees will walk out unannounced. When this happens, it is called a wildcat strike, and it’s important to know the difference between these two types.
As long as Eurowings staff announce a strike first, you could get compensation if you have ensuing delays or cancellations. In contrast, wildcat strikes are not eligible for airline compensation.
Do Lufthansa strike affect Eurowings passengers
Fortunately, no. Even though Eurowings is part of the Lufthansa Group, the two still operate as two completely different airlines. So, Lufthansa strikes would not directly affect Eurowings and vice versa.
Your Rights as a Passenger
Regulation EU261/2004 will protect you, if you have delays or cancellations as a result of a Eurowings strike.
If Eurowings cancels your flight, you’re entitled to the choice of a refund or a rebooking to your final destination. Additionally, if your flight arrives 3 or more hours late, then you’re entitled to as much as 600 EUR in compensation.
Finally, if you’re waiting for a delayed flight for more than 2 hours at the airport, then Eurowings must give you food and refreshments. This will usually be provided as vouchers. If you have to wait overnight, then you are also entitled to a hotel stay and a taxi or shuttle there and back.
Always remember to keep receipts if any flight disruptions lead to out-of-pocket spending. You can submit these along with your compensation claim for reimbursement.
Strikes that Don’t Lead to Compensation
If your Eurowings flight is delayed or cancelled by an airport or air traffic control strike, then you won’t be able to make a claim for compensation. The reasoning behind this is that Eurowings has no way to avoid strikes from other parts of the industry that cause flight disruptions.
However, you are still entitled to a refund or a rebooking if your flight is cancelled - regardless of the cause behind it.
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