How to fill a claim with {{airline}}?

If your flight was cancelled or delayed due to {{airline}} flight strike, you can check if you have an eligible claim for compensation based on the EU Reg 261. To find out, use AirAdvisor’s free compensation form now!

Will {{airline}} refund my ticket because of strike?

If your {{airline}} flight is cancelled, you should receive a refund or a replacement flight. If your flight delay exceeds 5 hours or more, the ticket cost will be fully reimbursed back to you upon cancelling the flight yourself.

What is the {{airline}} strike refund policy?

If strike happened and it affected your flight schedule, you might decide not to proceed with your travel at all and in order to cancel and refund your ticket. In such case airline shall cancel or amend your booking totally free if disruption is caused by airline employee’s strike. But if it is not airline’s controlled event, airline will likely waive change fees but you might be required to pay difference in air fare as airline will typically rebook you on another available flight and will agree to issue a refund only if airline cannot provide you a service at all.

Still waiting for {{airline}} strike refunds?

{{airline}} customers are often left without help and answer from the airline, as it introduces further flight cancellations due to the current worldwide situation. Strikes cost airlines hundreds of millions in losses. It should not suprise that airlines are slow to respond to such refunds requests. Air carriers tend to seat on these claims, as most passengers will give up or accept a voucher. In order to find out the status of your {{airline}} strike refund, contact {{airline}} customer service via email. Remember that compensation is payable if it was caused by {{airline}} employee strike. If you want to avoid the hassle of enforcing your passenger rights, please entrust AirAdvisor to do this for you, as airline strike compensation claims will typically have to go to courts to succeed in collection.

What is the {{airline}} claim response time?

Whenever you are owed feedback, refund, or compensation from {{airline}}, airlines shall respond within 30 days, however with strikes we tend to see delays in responses. However, whenever the airline turns down your compensation request, feel free using the help of our claim service to help your case.

{{airline}} Flight Strike Updates – How how to check your flight status?

Whether you are an air passenger experiencing flight disruptions such as pilot or cabin crew strike, or looking to inspect the status and updates of your future flight, use the airline app (typically Manage My Booking section) or call/email your airline.

When is {{airline}} going on strike?

It is typically easy to spot early signs of potential strike. It is either airline notifies about its employees strike on website and typically by email to all potentially affected passengers. However, external strikes may be less predictable and it is worth to check with airline couple of days before you travel. Checking news will be helpful as typically media would highlight such event in press. Also, typically strikes happen more often during spring or fall, as people seem to be more busy with vacations during the summer and it is simply too cold during winter.

Lufthansa Strikes: What it Means for Passengers and What to Do When They Happen

Written By Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated: December 03, 2024

In 2024, Europe saw quite a few airline strikes, and Lufthansa has had three so far this year. If you’re reading this, you probably already know how badly flights can be disrupted in the wake of labour disputes.

So in this guide, we’re going to explain the most important facts about Lufthansa strikes and what to do the next time one arises.

Basic Information About Lufthansa Strikes

Before we get into the details about Lufthansa, let’s look at what airline strikes are all about.

Here’s what you need to know about strikes:

An airline strike happens when employees choose to stop working after labour negotiations fail to produce the workers’ desired outcome, be it improved working conditions, wage, etc..
Airline strikes can happen with pilots, ground crew, cabin crew, and baggage handlers just to name a few.
Most strikes are planned and announced ahead of time, but sometimes they can happen suddenly. These are known as wildcat strikes.
Many times, a threat of a strike will lead to preemptive cancellations even when the actual work stoppage doesn’t happen. Sometimes, negotiations can be nerve wracking for passengers as they can extend up until the very last minute before the strike deadline.

Need help figuring out if your flight is covered by EU261 strike regulations?Just enter your flight details below and find out!Check Your Flight

Past Lufthansa Strikes

If you want to get a better idea of what to expect for upcoming work stoppages with Lufthansa, it’s helpful to look at what happened as a result of past events. The following table can give you a good idea of how these strikes play out.

Event

Passengers Affected

Details

Ground Staff Strike

April 2018

10,000+ - exact numbers vary

This led to the cancellation of over 800 flights across Lufthansa’s hubs in Germany. Frankfurt, Munich, and Cologne airports were impacted the most.

Cabin Crew Strike

(November 6-7, 2019)

180,000+

More than 1,300 flights were cancelled, and mostly European routes were affected. Frankfurt and Munich airports had the most disruptions.

according to dw.com

Ground Staff Strike

(July 27, 2022)

134,000+

678 flights were cancelled between Munich and Frankfurt during the high travel season.

according to newsroom.lufthansagroup.com

Ground Staff Strike

(February 7-8, 2024)

100,000+

Approximately 80-90% of flight from Lufthansa’s key hubs were affected. Roughly 1,000 flights were cancelled.

dw.com

Ground Staff Strike

(February 20, 2024)

Unknown

Staff went on strike for 35 hours

onemileatatime.com

Ground Staff Strike

(March 7, 2024)

Unknown

This strike lasted 51 hours

onemileatatime.com

What to Know and Do Before and During a Lufthansa Strike

When you think that a strike will upend your travel plans, bear in mind that as a passenger, your rights are protected by Regulation EU261/2004.

Put another way, if your flight is interrupted in any way as a result of the strike, and you end up at your final destination at least 3 hours past your scheduled arrival time, then you could get payment from Lufthansa.

As long as the dispute was caused by pilots, ground staff, cabin crew, or other airline employees, you can expect the rules of this regulation to kick in.

Before a Lufthansa Strike

The most important thing to do ahead of an announced strike is to pay close attention to updates from the airline. We highly recommend downloading the Lufthansa app or regularly checking the official website for updates and advice.

You can also sign up for SMS alerts. These will tell you if and when your flight has been delayed or cancelled.

About Cancelled Flights & Refunds

If you cancel your flight, you will not get a refund unless your ticket is refundable.
If Lufthansa cancels the flight, they should help you with a rebooking. If they don’t or if it isn’t acceptable, then you will get refunded.
If you want to cancel your non-refundable ticket, check on Lufthansa’s Current Travel Information page beforehand to see if they are allowing passengers to cancel or change flights without incurring the usual fees. If they are not, you should consider waiting until the airline initiates the cancellation.

Lufthansa Strike Travel Info

At the Airport During a Labour Dispute

You might already be on your way and at the airport when a Lufthansa strike occurs. If this happens and you’re temporarily stranded at the airport for 2 hours or more, remember that Article 9, of EU261 regulations, states that Lufthansa must help you by providing meal vouchers, hotel accommodation and transport if you have to wait overnight.

Depending on how many flights are affected, you might have problems getting a hotel. If you have to pay for anything out-of-pocket as a result of the strike disruption, hang on to your receipts so you can include them in a reimbursement claim.

Don’t accept airline vouchers

Let AirAdvisor help your case.

Check Your Flight

To Sum Up . . .

Use the Lufthansa app or check the website for travel advisories and alerts.
Contact Lufthansa customer service if you need more information or help changing your flight.
Check the refund policies of your ticket. If it is non-refundable, consider waiting until your flight is cancelled, as this will initiate automatic refunds if you don't accept a rebooking.
Review your passenger rights.
Pack and prepare for potential delays and other disruptions.
Check to see if your travel insurance will help cover expenses or flight disruptions.