What to Do When Finnair Goes on Strike: Advice From the Experts

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  May 29, 2026

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

If you’ve booked a trip with Finnair recently, you’ve probably heard the airline has had quite a few strikes during the past year. Knowing that your travel dates correspond with a work stoppage can make you feel powerless, but there are a few things you can do to prepare. In fact, you might even be able to make changes to your ticket without additional fees! Keep reading to learn about what you can do and what to expect when a Finnair strike is looming.

You can also see if your flight could be eligible for airline repayment by entering your flight information in the link below.Free checker

If Finnair is on Strike, Do This First

Whether a Finnair strike is pending or already in progress, take these steps:

1. If you haven’t already, sign up for SMS and/or email alerts and download the Finnair app.
2. Check the airline’s alert pages for updates about if and how to make changes to your booking.
3. If you want to make changes to a non-refundable ticket, contact Finnair to see if you can move your flight to another time or cancel. 

Facts About Finnair Strikes

• If your Finnair booking is affected by an airline employee strike, (for example pilots or cabin crew), then you may be able to collect as much as £520 from the airline because of the inconvenience. 
• If your flight is cancelled because of the strike, then Finnair must give you the choice of a rebooking or a refund no matter what caused the strike or the class of your ticket (refundable and non-refundable).
• If your flight is delayed by 2 hours or more and you’re at the airport, you are entitled to food and refreshments provided by Finnair. These will usually be given to you as a voucher or coupon.
• You can also get a refund or a rebooking if your Finnair flight is delayed by 5 hours or more.
• If you have a delay or cancellation that causes you to wait overnight, Finnair must provide hotel accommodation and a taxi, if you can’t get a shuttle.
• If you arrive at your destination 3 or more hours late because of an employee strike, then you can get repaid by Finnair for the trouble and inconvenience that it caused.

When You Won’t Get Payment from Finnair

In some cases, Finnair flights will be disrupted because of an airport, air traffic control, or another third party strike. When this happens, you will not be able to collect compensation as the airline had no way of avoiding the situation that led to the disruption. 

Wildcat Strikes

If Finnair employees stop working without announcing the strike beforehand, it is called a wildcat strike. Fortunately these strikes are extremely rare, but if it does happen, you will not be entitled to any repayment from the airline.  

No matter who is on strike, you are still entitled to a refund or a rebooking if your flight is cancelled or severely delayed.

Changing and Cancelling Your Finnair Flight 

As soon as you hear a strike has been called, you’ll probably want to see if you can alter your booking to avoid any disruptions. Here’s what you need to know.

1. If you have a refundable ticket, you can usually make changes or cancel without additional fees, but always check the terms and conditions to be sure.
2. If you have a non-refundable ticket, you should contact Finnair to see if they will allow you to make changes without incurring the usual fees associated with doing this. Sometimes, they will make exceptions in light of strike action.
3. If you can’t make changes, just wait until Finnair cancels your flight so you can choose a new flight or a refund without fees of any kind.

Your Rights as a Passenger

All the rules we’ve mentioned here are set by UK Regulation 261, and EU261. Both protect you as a Finnair passenger whenever you have a disrupted flight.

It states that you can receive up to £520 in compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as long as Finnair is at fault for the disruption. More specifically, if your flight is 3 or more hours late, then you could be eligible for some kind of repayment depending on the distance of your flight.

Recent Finnair Strikes

Some airlines rarely go on strike, either because employees don’t see a need or because employee strikes are prohibited in the country. Finnair has had quite a few strikes recently as you can see in the table.

Need Help?

It can be tricky sorting out all the details of strike-related flight disruptions, but AirAdvisor can help! Our legal team has been protecting passengers’ rights since 2017 in cases around the world! Plus, we have already helped over 720,000!

You can start your claim or check your eligibility for compensation today! Just enter your flight details below.Check Your Flight

• Finnair Compensation

Author:

Joanna Teljeur

Job/Position: Senior Editor & Content Lead

Joanna Teljeur is a senior editor and writer with 15+ years of experience in editorial leadership, journalism, and content development, specialising in consumer rights, aviation law, and public-interest reporting. Her work focuses on transforming complex regulatory and legal topics into clear, accurate, and accessible content for international audiences.

•