Flying during strike season? How to protect your rights

Jan 10 2025 MFR travel team

Strikes can be a common occurrence during the peak season, and this may result to  cancelled or delayed flights. It can affect pilots, flight attendants, and even the air traffic controllers  and workers at the airport. In case you are a traveler in a strike situation, then it is  crucial to know your rights and how to protect your trip. Here’s what you need to know about  what to expect and how you can ensure that you will be compensated if your flight is cancelled due to  a strike.

Understand how strikes affect flights

Strikes can come from various sources within the airline and travel industry, including:

• Airline staff strikes: The employees of the  airline company such as the pilots, flight attendants or any other employees may go on strike which will  impact the normal schedule of flights.
• Air traffic control strikes: This is where air traffic  controllers are on strike and this may cause a problem with the airspace of an entire country which may result  to numerous cancellations and delays.
• Airport staff strikes: Ground staff for instance baggage  handlers, security, or the check in crew going on strike can lead to long queues, delays and  sometimes cancellations.

Airlines generally notify passengers of any anticipated disruptions. However, strikes can happen on short notice, so it’s wise to stay alert when traveling during peak strike seasons.

Know your rights under EU261 Regulation

The EU261 regulation provides robust protections for passengers flying within, from, or to the EU. Here’s how it covers you if your flight is delayed or canceled due to a strike:

1. Right to compensation: If the airline’s own staff (like pilots or cabin crew) are striking, you’re entitled to compensation if your flight is delayed more than 3 hours or canceled on short notice. Compensation ranges from €250 to €600, depending on flight distance.
2. Right to care: When a flight is delayed, airlines are required to provide essentials for affected passengers. This includes:
• Food and drinks: Airlines typically offer meal vouchers for delays lasting a few hours or more.
• Accommodation: If the delay is overnight, the airline must arrange and pay for hotel accommodations, along with transportation to and from the airport.
• Communication: Access to phone calls or emails should also be provided to keep you connected.
3. Right to rebooking or refund: If your flight is canceled, the airline must offer you a choice between:
• A full refund for your ticket, or
• A rebooking on the next available flight to your destination, even if it’s with a different airline.

It is  important to note that these rights are only applicable in situations where the strike is by the airline’s  workers. External strikes, for instance from air traffic controllers or the airport ground personnel, are usually considered as  ‘extraordinary circumstances’, which means that the airline may not be legally obliged to give you any form  of compensation. However, the airline is still obligated to offer care and assistance to the affected passengers.

Flight disrupted by a strike?

If a strike affects your flight, here’s a step-by-step plan to manage the situation:

1. Check flight status regularly: Use the airline’s app or website for real-time updates, and sign up for email or text alerts to stay informed.
2. Contact the airline promptly: If you hear about an upcoming strike that could affect your flight, contact your airline as soon as possible. Many airlines offer the option to reschedule without additional fees during strike periods.
3. Request necessary documentation: If your flight is delayed or canceled due to a strike, ask the airline for documentation confirming the cause of the disruption. This documentation can be helpful for claims, especially if you need to follow up later.
4. Save all receipts for out-of-pocket expenses: If you incur additional costs due to a delay (such as food or hotel stays), keep all receipts. These may be reimbursable under EU261 or travel insurance policies.

Consider travel insurance for extra coverage

Travel insurance can be quite beneficial  in the course of a strike. Policies differ, so it is advisable to read the fine print,  but some of them provide for other expenses or compensation in case of delay or cancellation of the flight. Here  are key benefits to look for: Trip delay benefits, trip cancellation benefits, missed connection coverage. It is advisable  to purchase insurance before your trip especially during the high risk strike periods so that in case of any  inconvenience, you can be reimbursed.

How MYFLYRIGHT can assist with your claim

If a strike disrupts your travel plans, filing a compensation claim can be time-consuming and complex. MYFLYRIGHT is here to help. Specializing in EU261 claims, we can manage the entire process on your behalf, from documenting the disruption to negotiating with the airline. With our “no win, no fee” policy, there are no upfront costs, and you can rest easy knowing that experts are handling your case. MYFLYRIGHT is committed to securing the compensation you deserve, letting you focus on enjoying your trip. 

Final tips for managing strike season travel

To minimize the impact of strikes, consider these additional strategies:

• Fly on non-strike days: Avoid using the airlines during the strike period if  at all possible. Generally, mid-week or early morning flights tend to cause less problems and are less  likely to be disrupted. 
• Pack essentials in your carry-on: Having items such as  toiletries, an extra change of clothes and any medication in your hand luggage will come in handy in the  event that you are delayed. 
• Plan for extra travel time: This means that in case  of strikes, it may take longer than usual at the airports especially at the security checks and at the  check in desks.

Flying during strike season doesn’t have to be stressful if you’re prepared. Understanding your rights under EU261, investing in travel insurance, and staying informed can go a long way toward managing disruptions. And if you encounter any issues, MYFLYRIGHT is here to support you, ensuring you get the compensation and care you’re entitled to.