What to Do When Iberia Flights are Affected by Strike-related Disruptions

Joanna Teljeur

By:  Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated:  February 23, 2026

Reviewed by:  Anton Radchenko

Do you know your options if your flight is delayed or cancelled because of a strike? You can learn more in our airline strike compensation guide. Whether it’s an airline, airport, or air traffic control strike affecting your travel plans, you have certain rights that protect you, including compensation for delayed flights.

In this guide, we’ll help you figure out what to do when you hear about an Iberia work stoppage and understand when you can get help and even repayment from the airline for the inconvenience.

You can also check to see if your flight is eligible for any recompenseIt’s easy! Start by entering your flight details below!Free flight checker

Iberia Strikes: What to Expect

In January 2024, Iberia’s ground staff held a 4-day strike at Spanish airports that led to numerous flight disruptions and affected more than 45,600 passengers according to Spain in English.

Because the airline could have prevented the strike by meeting the demands of the workers, they owed enormous sums of money to passengers for the flight delays and cancellations caused by it.

This is because:

1. Iberia is an airline based in the EU
2. The strike was within the airline’s control, and
3. The flights were inside EU territory.

So, anytime a strike meets these criteria, Iberia is required to abide by the laws outlined in EU261. This means that as a passenger, you’re owed a rebooking, a refund, and even compensation from the airline. 

What to Do When You Hear About a Strike

As soon as you hear about a strike overlapping with your travel plans, you should take these steps:

1. If you haven’t already, sign up for SMS and/or email alerts and download the Iberia 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 Iberia to see if you can move your flight to another time or cancel. 

Facts About Strike-Related Disruptions in the EU & UK

• If your Iberia flight 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 you are departing from an airport in the European Union or the UK.
• If your flight is cancelled because of any strike, Iberia will give you the choice of a rebooking or a refund.
• 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 Iberia. These will usually be given to you as a voucher or coupon.
• You can also get a refund or a rebooking if your Iberia flight is delayed by 5 hours or more. 
• If you have a delay or cancellation because of an Iberia strike that causes you to wait overnight, the airline 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 Iberia for the trouble and inconvenience that it caused.

Iberia Will Not Repay You If . . . 

If the flight disruption was caused by an airport, air traffic control, or any other 3rd party strike, you will not be able to collect any form of recompense from Iberia, but the airline will still offer you the choice of a rebooking or a refund if your flight is cancelled.

Changing and Cancelling Your Iberia Flight 

If you hear about a strike that may affect your travel plans, here’s what you need to know about altering your booking: 

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, contact Iberia 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, wait until Iberia 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 Regulation EU261. This law protects you as an Iberia passenger whenever you have a disrupted flight set to depart from an EU or UK airport. 

It stipulates that you can receive up to €600 in compensation if your flight is cancelled or delayed as long as Iberia 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.

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 700,000!

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

• Iberia 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.

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