Strikes and flights: your rights and compensation
A strike does not automatically cancel your rights. Under EU Regulation 261/2004 what matters is whose staff walked out: a strike by the airline's own pilots or crew usually leaves you owed €250 to €600 per passenger, a strike by air traffic controllers usually does not, and in every case the airline must refund or re-route you and look after you while you wait.
Last updated: October 3, 2026
Airkarma handles claims under EU Regulation 261/2004: flights departing from the EU, Iceland, Norway or Switzerland, and flights into those countries on a European airline. Flights departing from the United Kingdom fall under UK261, which we do not handle yet.
How much you can claim
- €250
- Flights up to 1,500 km
- €400
- Flights of 1,500 to 3,500 km, and every flight over 1,500 km within the EU
- €600
- Flights over 3,500 km, except flights within the EU
Per passenger, including children with their own seat.
No win, no fee: if we recover your compensation, we keep 25% incl. VAT. If we don't, you pay nothing.
The airline's own staff on strike: compensation is usually due
In 2021 the Court of Justice of the European Union held that a strike called by a union of the airline's own staff, such as its pilots or cabin crew, to obtain better pay or conditions is not an extraordinary circumstance: it is part of the normal running of an airline, which can expect labour disputes with its staff (Airhelp v SAS, C-28/20). Cancellations and delays of 3 hours or more caused by such a strike therefore generally give a right to compensation.
The same applies to a so-called wildcat strike, when a large part of the crew calls in sick at once after a surprise announcement by management (Court of Justice, Krüsemann, C-195/17, 2018).
A strike by others: usually no compensation
A strike by people who do not work for the airline, such as air traffic controllers, airport security staff or the staff of the airport itself, is usually an extraordinary circumstance: it is outside the airline's control. If it caused your cancellation or delay, compensation is usually not owed, provided the airline did what it reasonably could to limit the disruption, including re-routing you on another airline's flight when that was faster (Court of Justice, TAP, C-74/19, 2020).
Air traffic control strikes in one country also hit flights that only cross its airspace: a French controllers' strike delays flights between Spain and Germany, for example.
Whoever struck, the airline must refund or re-route you and look after you
Even when the strike is an extraordinary circumstance, your other rights stay intact. If your flight is cancelled you choose between a refund of your ticket within 7 days and another flight to your destination. While you wait, the airline must offer meals and refreshments, two phone calls or emails and, if you have to stay overnight, a hotel and transport to it (Articles 8 and 9). Keep the receipts for anything you have to pay yourself.
Strikes announced in advance
Strikes are often announced days or weeks ahead. If the airline cancelled your flight and told you at least 14 days before departure, no compensation is owed, but you keep the choice between a refund and another flight. If it told you later than that, the usual notice rules for cancellations apply: compensation can be due if the strike was by the airline's own staff.
Guaranteed flights during strikes
Some countries require a minimum service during transport strikes. In Italy, for example, flights scheduled between 7:00 and 10:00 and between 18:00 and 21:00 must operate during air transport strikes, as must certain flights to the islands. If your flight was in a guaranteed slot and was cancelled anyway, ask the airline why: the strike alone may not explain it.
When compensation is unlikely
Compensation is usually not due when:
- the flight arrived less than 3 hours late;
- you were told about the cancellation at least 14 days before departure;
- the disruption was caused by extraordinary circumstances that could not have been avoided even if all reasonable measures had been taken — for example severe weather, air traffic control restrictions, a security risk, or a strike by staff who do not work for the airline;
Frequently asked questions
My flight was cancelled because of an air traffic control strike. Can I claim compensation?
Usually not: an air traffic controllers' strike is outside the airline's control. You are still entitled to a refund or another flight, and to meals and, if needed, a hotel while you wait.
The airline's pilots went on strike and my flight was cancelled. Am I owed compensation?
Generally yes, if you were told less than 14 days before departure or arrived 3 hours or more late: a strike by the airline's own staff is not an extraordinary circumstance, as the Court of Justice held in 2021.
Half the crew called in sick on the same day and my flight was cancelled. Does that count as a strike?
It is treated as the airline's own problem. The Court of Justice held in 2018 that a mass sick call by crew after a surprise restructuring announcement is not an extraordinary circumstance, so compensation can be due.
The strike was announced a month in advance and the airline cancelled my flight three weeks before. Can I claim?
Not compensation: you were told more than 14 days before departure. You can still choose between a full refund and another flight.