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.

TAP Portugal Strikes: Key Information and How to Manage Disruptions

Written By Joanna Teljeur

Last Updated: January 17, 2025

You’re excited to start your journey when you suddenly hear rumors that TAP is threatening to go on strike. You begin to scramble, trying to decide if and when to cancel or rearrange your travel plans. Have you been there?

This guide, will help you make more sound decisions when you hear about potential TAP Air Portugal strikes. You’ll learn about the airline’s recent strike history, your passenger rights, and the rules about cancelling or changing flights preemptively.

Why TAP Goes on Strike & What It Means for Passengers

A strike happens when airline employees, (pilots, cabin crew, or ground staff), decide to stop working after negotiations for better pay or working conditions don't go as planned. Most strikes are announced ahead of time, giving TAP the opportunity to rectify the situation before the work stoppage begins.

On rare occasions, workers will decide to strike without any forewarning. This is known as a wildcat strike, and the rules pertaining to airline recompense are distinctly different from that of announced strikes. To understand this better, let’s take a look at your rights as a TAP passenger.

Your Rights as a TAP Air Portugal Passenger

In the European Union, your rights are protected by Regulation EU261/2004. These rules protect you when you have flight disruption, as long as the airline is responsible.

For example, if TAP airline employees announce a strike on a certain date, the airline has the opportunity to avoid flight disruptions through successful negotiations. So, if a strike actually happens, then the airline is at fault and passengers will be repaid for the inconvenience, as long as they’re delayed by at least 3 hours.

What Happens with Wildcat Strikes?

If TAP employees go on a wildcat strike, the airline doesn’t a chance to work out an agreement, so they are not responsible for any ensuing flight disruptions. The same is true when airport or air traffic control workers strike. Because they are not direct airline employees, TAP has no way of avoiding delays or cancellations that happen as a result.

Confused about whether your delay or cancellation is eligible for airline repayment? Let us help! Just enter your flight details below to find out!Free Flight Check

How Often Does TAP Air Have Strikes?

There are actual strikes and threatened strikes. As with other airlines, TAP has had several announced strikes that were resolved before the deadline, sparing the grief of an untold number of passengers. Nonetheless, threatened work stoppages can still lead to cancellations as the airline tries to mitigate the damage.

The table below will give you an idea of some recent events.

Event

Details

December 8-9, 2022

Cabin Crew Strike

TAP's cabin crew went on a two-day strike that resulted in 360 flights to be cancelled.

Source: https://www.aviation24.be

March 28 – July 30, 2024 Ground Staff Overtime Strike

Ground staff went on strike due to delayed salary increases. Although it lasted months, only a few flights were disrupted.

Source: https://www.theportugalnews.com

Making Changes to Your Booking Ahead of a TAP Strike

If you’re scheduled to fly during the proposed work stoppage, and you’re wondering about whether you can rearrange your ticket, here’s what you need to know.

Cancelling Your TAP Flight

If you have a refundable ticket, then you can cancel or make changes to your itinerary as you normally would in accordance with TAP’s policies.

If you have a non-refundable ticket, you should contact TAP customer service. Most of the time they will allow some flexibility for changes when a strike has been announced.

If TAP cancels your flight, you are entitled to a rebooking free of charge OR a full refund regardless of your ticket type.

Getting Paid for the Inconvenience of Disrupted Flights

If you have delays or cancelled flights as a result of an announced TAP employee labour dispute, and you arrive at your final destination 3 or more hours late, then you are eligible for as much as 600 EUR as per the rules of Regulations 261/2004.

TAP Strike Alerts

How to Prepare for a TAP Strike

Sign up for TAP alerts to get up-to-date email and SMS notifications about changes to your booking.
Check the official website’s Alert Page regularly.
Download TAP’s mobile app. Not only will you get notifications about flight changes, but you can also use it to manage your itinerary.
Check the refund policy of your ticket so you can plan accordingly.
Pack smart. Remember that you have a greater chance of delays, so carry essentials in your hand luggage.

When You’re Trip is Underway

If your journey has already begun and you’re stuck at an airport for at least 2 hours because of an active strike, TAP must provide you with meals, refreshments, and hotel accommodation if your flight is delayed until the following day.

If you aren’t given these things free-of-charge, keep track of your receipts so you can submit them to the airline for reimbursement.

Finally, don’t be afraid to politely remind airline staff of your EU passenger rights if they’re not forthcoming with these things.

Need help with a TAP flight disruption? AirAdvisor can give you the assistance you need to get the repayment that’s rightfully yours. Start by entering your flight details below.Free Flight Check