UK Airline Strike Compensation in 2023

UK airline strike compensation.

Are you entitled to it? How much can you claim? What are the rules?

You might not know this, but airline strikes are not extraordinary circumstances. Because extraordinary circumstances are events the airline has no control over. And it’s not the case with airline strikes. The airline is responsible for its staff. If you are experiencing delay or cancellation due to a strike, you might be entitled to compensation. Also you have a right to care.

You can claim this compensation yourself, or you can work with professionals.

1. UK Airline Strike Compensation

In the UK you are protected by the Regulation UK261.

The rules on airline strike compensation are specific, and rather simple. The most important thing to understand is that you are paid for the inconvenience. You are paid for this delay or cancellation that you had to experience, not simply because there was a strike.

1. If it’s a flight delay, it must be at least a 3-hour flight delay. How to calculate the delay time the right way? Calculate it when you land at your destination, at the moment when doors of an airplane are opened and you are free to leave the aircraft. If it’s 3 or more hours later than scheduled, then it counts. And you might be entitled to UK flight delay compensation.
2. If it’s a flight cancellation, it must be a last-minute — up to 14 days before departure date. And it must be due to the airline’s fault. If your flight meets these criteria, you might be entitled to UK flight cancellation compensation (not only cancellation refund).

The rules apply to flights to, within and from Europe (including the UK).

You don’t have to be a citizen of the UK to be entitled to UK flight compensation. Because these rules apply also to tourists travelling in the UK. Everyone on the same flight is equally protected.

By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.

2. Airline Strikes Aren’t Extraordinary Circumstances

No, airline staff strikes aren’t extraordinary circumstances.

Just like technical faults and staffing shortages aren’t extraordinary circumstances. All of these events are within the airline’s control. If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to any of these events, you might be entitled to flight cancellation or late flight compensation (see flight delay compensation).

No, airline staff strikes aren’t extraordinary circumstances.

If you are claiming compensation on your own (without the help of a flight compensation company), keep in mind that airlines might use a term “extraordinary circumstances” as an excuse. Passengers often don’t know about their rights, or aren’t 100% sure about them, and airlines are using that in their favour. If an airline tells that the flight was delayed / cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, it’s highly likely, that many passengers won’t double-check and see if it’s true. Take this into account. And double-check what you are told.

Because your flight may have been disrupted due to events that are within the airline’s control, such as airline staff strikes. And it is when you can get flight compensation.

If all of this sounds confusing, make a claim with the help of a flight compensation company. They will check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.

Just fill in the claim form linked below, and they will do that for you.

3. You Have a Right to Care at the Airport, If There’s a Strike

Whenever you have to wait longer than planned, you have a right to care.

In the UK (and the EU), affected passengers are entitled to receive certain services from the airline if they are stuck at the airport in the event of flight delay, cancellation or denied boarding. The reasons for flight disruption don’t matter. You are entitled to receive care even if your flight is disrupted due to bad weather or other extraordinary circumstances. If you have to wait at the airport for at least 3 hours, you have a right to care.

The airline must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes. If the flight is delayed overnight, you should be offered a free hotel stay and free transfer to the hotel (and back to the airport).

All passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline. It doesn’t matter what is your nationality. 

If nothing is being offered, contact the airline’s staff at the airport.

4. Scenarios When You Can Get Flight Compensation (UK Law / EU Law)

Below are all the possible scenarios.

In some cases you can refer to any of the two laws when making a compensation claim against the airline, in others — only to one. Take into account that if it’s a connecting flight, your destination is your final destination (your last stop).

You’re flying with a UK airline:

	Regulation UK261	Regulation EC261/2004
EU – EU	✓	✓
EU – UK	✓	✓
EU – Third Country	✓	✓
UK – EU	✓	–
UK – UK	✓	–
UK – Third Country	✓	–
Third Country – EU	✓	–
Third Country – UK	✓	–

You’re flying with a EU airline:

	Regulation UK261	Regulation EC261/2004
EU – EU	–	✓
EU – UK	✓	✓
EU – Third Country	–	✓
UK – EU	✓	✓
UK – UK	✓	–
UK – Third Country	✓	–
Third Country – EU	–	✓
Third Country – UK	✓	–

You’re flying with other airlines (non-EU, non-UK):

	Regulation UK261	Regulation EC261/2004
EU – EU	–	✓
EU – UK	–	✓
EU – Third Country	–	✓
UK – EU	✓	–
UK – UK	✓	–
UK – Third Country	✓	–

• You Are Flying With a UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
• You Are Flying With a EU Airline: Which Laws Protect You as a Passenger?
• You Are Flying With a Non-EU, Non-UK Airline: Which Laws Protect You?

4.1 What Has Changed After Brexit?

When it comes to airline strikes in the UK and elsewhere, and your rights to flight compensation, almost nothing has changed after Brexit.

The same is true with everything else related to air passenger rights in the UK – you might be amazed to know that not much has really changed since the UK left the EU in February 2020. Before, the EU rules protected you, and now, UK law (Regulation UK261) does that in a similar way.

As mentioned above, now, in some situations, you are protected by two laws. Meaning that you may have an option to choose what law to refer to and what governmental institutions to work with. Whenever you have that choice, you can choose to work with ones you have a better experience with (that is, if the airline isn’t cooperative and isn’t paying the compensation).

5. How to Claim UK Airline Strike Compensation?

How can you claim compensation for cancelled flight due to strike? How can you claim flight delay compensation? There are two ways to claim EU / UK flight compensation.

One of the options is to contact the airline directly. Get in touch with your airline using social media channels, or write an e-mail to the airline’s customer support center. Alternatively, you can use a contact form provided on your airline’s website. When making a claim, make sure you mention your rights. Refer to the Flight Compensation Regulations UK261. If you are claiming EU flight compensation, refer to the Regulation (EC) No 261/2004. 

Make sure you have all the necessary information about your flight.

Be prepared that it may take months until there’s any progress. 

You can also take the easiest path — legal representation.

In this case, everything is handled by legal professionals (a flight compensation company). All you need to do is to fill in a single form — compensation claim form. The rest will be done on your behalf. You won’t need to deal with the airline.

Our partners offer such services.

When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:

And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.

* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.

Read more: Why Seek Legal Representation to Claim UK Flight Compensation?

5.1 How Long Does It Take?

In most cases, it takes a few months. 

It could take less, but, unfortunately, often airlines aren’t really cooperative. 

If everything goes well, you might receive compensation after 3 months. But it’s not always the case. The airline might refuse to cooperate or deny your claim, even if compensation is due. In such cases, you will need to work with a national enforcement body or even take your case to court. Flight compensation companies follow the same route. All of this takes time, and adds at least a couple of months to the process.

Most people receive compensation after a few months of waiting.

6. How Much Can You Claim?

The compensation amounts are fixed and range from £220 to £520.

These amounts are regulated by the EU and UK regulations.

Here is how you can calculate the compensation amount:

When your destination is within the UK / EU:

When your destination is outside the UK / EU:

There is one exception. If the distance of your flight is greater than 3,500 kilometres, and you reach your destination with a delay between 3 to 4 hours, you will be receiving £260 not £520 (50% of the compensation). If the delay is longer than 4 hours, you will get full compensation of £520.

6.1 Voucher Refund or Cash?

You might be offered a voucher instead of compensation.

However, you don’t have to accept any vouchers. In the UK (and the EU), if you are entitled to flight compensation, the airline has to pay it in cash or by bank transfer. You don’t have to accept any other forms of compensation. Refunds also have to be made by bank transfer, or in cash.

7. Travel Insurance?

A travel insurance may come in handy in these situations.

Some comprehensive travel insurance policies may provide coverage for expenses like accommodation and meals if your flight is delayed or canceled due to an airline strike. However, it’s crucial to review the policy terms and conditions to understand the extent of coverage and any exclusions related to labor actions.

While insurance can provide some assistance during these situations, staying informed about the strike’s progress and the airline’s policies is equally important for making informed decisions about your travel plans. The more you know, the easier you’ll get through a situation like this.

Read more:

• How to Get a Refund From British Airways?
• How to Get a Refund From easyJet?
• How To Get a Refund From Wizz Air UK?
• How to Get a Refund From Jet2?
• How to Get a Refund From Loganair?
• How to Get a Refund From BA EuroFlyer?
• How to Get a Refund From Eastern Airways?

UK Airline Strike Compensation: FAQ

UK – Third Country Flights, Tourists

Other Situations

What is your experience with airline strikes? Have you ever been affected by one? If yes – did you receive UK airline strike compensation? Do you still have questions about compensation claim procedures and policies in the UK or the EU? Ask in the comments.

Featured photo by Pixabay from Pexels