What to do in case of a Lufthansa strike? Everything you need to know

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You are informed that your flight is cancelled or delayed due to a Lufthansa strike? Whether it involves cabin crew, pilots, or ground staff, this action can disrupt your travel plans. But did you know that under certain conditions, you may be entitled to compensation?

Indemniflight explains everything you need to know about strikes, your rights as a passenger, and the procedure to claim financial compensation. Depending on the origin of the industrial action, the airline may be required to compensate you. Here are the scenarios you should know:

  • If the Lufthansa strike is external (air traffic controllers, general strike, etc.), the airline is not obliged to compensate you unless it has failed to take necessary measures to limit the disruption.
  • If it is internal (pilots, flight attendants, technicians, etc.), you may be entitled to compensation of up to €600, according to European regulations.

Find out now how to quickly receive your compensation in case of a Lufthansa strike.

What are your rights and how to obtain compensation?

When a Lufthansa strike disrupts your flight, whether you are in Germany or elsewhere, you may experience delays, cancellations, or overbooking. But did you know that you might be entitled to compensation? Indemniflight explains everything you need to know to recover financial compensation.

Lufthansa Strike: Consequences for Passengers

When Lufthansa is on strike, many passengers find themselves stranded without an immediate solution:

  • Significant delays: your flight may depart much later than scheduled.
  • Flight cancellations: Lufthansa may decide to cancel certain flights.
  • Overbooking: due to flight rearrangements, some passengers may be denied boarding.

In the face of these disruptions, the European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 protects air passengers by imposing strict obligations on airlines. It notably provides for:

  • Financial compensation of up to €600 in case of delay or cancellation under certain conditions.
  • Passenger assistance, including provision of meals, accommodation, and transport in case of prolonged waiting.
  • The possibility to obtain a replacement flight or a refund if your flight is cancelled or delayed by more than five hours.

Are you eligible for compensation during a Lufthansa strike?

There are two distinct situations that determine if you can be compensated:

  • If the strike is caused by an external factor to Lufthansa (air traffic controllers’ strike, security staff strike, etc.), the airline is not obliged to compensate you.
  • If the strike is initiated by the German airline’s own staff, then the airline is responsible and must compensate you.

Additionally, certain conditions must be met to be entitled to compensation. Your flight must be covered by the regulation, meaning it must either depart from an airport located in the EU or arrive there if the airline operating the flight is European.

For example, a Lufthansa flight from Frankfurt, Germany to Paris is eligible, whereas a New York-Frankfurt flight is only eligible if Lufthansa is the operator. The arrival delay must also be at least three hours. This is the minimum duration from which compensation is possible, calculated based on your actual arrival time at the destination compared to the originally scheduled time.

In the case of a flight cancellation, you must have been informed by the airline less than fourteen days before the departure date. If Lufthansa warned you in advance, it may be exempt from paying compensation, unless it did not offer you a satisfactory alternative solution.

Finally, even if a replacement flight is offered, you remain eligible for compensation if you experience a delay of more than three hours at your final arrival.

Victim of a Lufthansa strike

How much can you get in case of a Lufthansa strike?

The amount of compensation depends on the flight distance:

Flight distance Compensation amount
Less than 1500 km 250 euros
Between 1500 km and 3500 km 400 euros
More than 3500 km 600 euros

If your flight is to a destination in Germany, the compensation rules remain the same. Note that each country applies a time limit for making a claim. In France, you have up to 5 years to assert your rights, whereas in Belgium, this period is one year.

Lufthansa on strike: what are your alternatives?

When your Lufthansa flight is canceled or delayed due to a strike, several options are available to you. Depending on your situation and needs, you can either accept an alternative proposed by the airline or look for another transport option.

Take another plane or get a refund for your ticket

If your flight was canceled or significantly delayed due to industrial action, the airline is required to offer you a replacement flight to your final destination. However, their offer does not always suit passengers, especially when the new schedules do not fit their travel constraints.

In this case, you can refuse the proposed option and request a full refund of your plane ticket. This right applies in several situations, notably if the delay exceeds five hours or if the replacement flight does not meet your expectations. Lufthansa must then reimburse you within seven days after your official request.

Once refunded, you are free to book a flight with another airline to reach your destination as soon as possible. Be sure to compare offers and check flight availability to avoid prolonging your wait.

Opt for another means of transport

If the disruptions related to the strike cause excessive delays or lack of availability on other flights, it may be worth considering another mode of transport. For intra-European trips, the train can be a fast and comfortable alternative, especially thanks to high-speed rail connections available in several countries.

In some cases, car rental or carpooling can also be a viable solution, particularly for short or medium-distance travel. If your destination is accessible by ferry or coach, these means of transport can also be considered depending on the circumstances and your budget.

Whatever alternative you choose, remember to keep all your payment and booking receipts. These documents may be necessary if you wish to request reimbursement or partial coverage of your additional expenses.

How to make a compensation claim?

To obtain your compensation, it is essential to follow several precise steps. First, you must gather all documents proving your booking and the disruption of your flight. The boarding pass, booking confirmation, as well as an official certificate from Lufthansa indicating the strike and the delay or cancellation, are indispensable documents.

If you had to incur additional expenses due to the delay or cancellation (hotel night, meals…), keep all invoices, as they can support your claim.

Contact the airline

Once these documents are collected, you must file a claim with the carrier whose headquarters are located in Germany. This procedure can be done online via their customer service or by registered mail with acknowledgment of receipt. It is important to detail your request well by providing the flight number, the disruption suffered, and the amount of compensation you are claiming.

If the German airline refuses to compensate your trip or if their services do not respond within a reasonable time, you can contact the French Civil Aviation Authority (DGAC) for arbitration. As a last resort, legal action can be considered to assert your rights.

Simple and effective process with Indemniflight

Why use Indemniflight to get your compensation?

Obtaining compensation from a carrier can be complex, as the airline often tries to avoid responsibility by citing “extraordinary circumstances.” This strategy allows them to avoid paying the compensation required by European regulations.

Employees of Lufthansa mobilized to defend their working conditions can cause a series of cancellations. Faced with these repeated refusals or tedious administrative procedures, many passengers give up their claims due to lack of time or legal expertise.

This is where Indemniflight steps in. By relying on our expertise, you maximize your chances of obtaining the compensation you are entitled to. We handle all the procedures, from assembling your file to negotiating with the carrier, and if necessary, we initiate legal action to defend your interests.

Our service is completely risk-free for you: no fees are required upfront and we only take a commission if you receive your compensation. You thus benefit from efficient, fast, and stress-free support to assert your rights.

Assert your rights with peace of mind

A strike can seriously disrupt your trip, causing delays, cancellations, or last-minute changes. However, as a passenger, you have rights clearly defined by regulations. Whether you choose to request compensation, a refund, or explore other alternatives to reach your destination, it is essential to act quickly and know your options well.

Rather than embarking alone on long and sometimes complex procedures, you can turn to Indemniflight to maximize your chances of obtaining compensation. Thanks to our expertise and personalized support, you have nothing to lose and everything to gain: we take care of everything without you having to pay any fees upfront.

Don’t let Lufthansa escape its obligations. Assert your rights today and get the compensation you deserve with Indemniflight!

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