What are my rights if strikes delay or cancel my flight?
June 21, 2024
If your flight is delayed or cancelled due to strike action, you have rights.
In this article, we’ll explore the key rights you have, what you can expect from airlines, and practical tips to navigate the situation smoothly. Whether you’re dealing with rebooking, refunds, or additional compensation, knowing your rights can turn a challenging experience into a manageable one.
What if my flight is cancelled?
If an airline cancels your flight for any reason, including a strike, they must offer you a choice between a refund and rerouting. Rerouting means finding you an alternative way to travel to your destination.
If you choose a refund, your full ticket price must be refunded within seven days.
Rerouting could include a replacement flight with the same airline or with a different airline, at a different time or on a different date. It could also include travel to or through another airport, or travel by train or bus instead of a flight. If you are rerouted to a different airport, the airline must pay for your transport on to the original airport (or to another agreed place).
The airline must offer you rerouting as soon as possible, although if you prefer you can choose to take your rerouted journey at a later date. If your new flight does not suit, contact the airline as soon as possible. The flight you would like to take may book out quickly during times of strikes.
Top Tip
If you choose to make your own arrangements with another company, your original airline may not refund these costs. Make sure you contact your original airline first to understand your options.
What if my flight is delayed?
If your flight is substantially delayed (over two hours for a short-haul flight, for example) you are entitled to care and assistance from the airline, as well as written information about your rights.
Care and assistance can include drinks and meals, two free phone calls and access to emails. It will also include accommodation, and transport to accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary.
Learn more about the care and assistance airlines should provide.
What about compensation?
If your arrival is delayed by more than three hours, you are entitled to compensation. You are also entitled to compensation if the airline cancels your flight with less than 14 days’ notice and rebooks you on a flight which arrives or departs significantly earlier or later than your original flight. This doesn’t apply in ‘extraordinary circumstances’, such as severe weather, or strikes by workers not employed by the airline, for example, air traffic controllers.
When a cancellation is due to a strike by staff of the airline you have booked with, such as pilots or cabin crew, then the ‘extraordinary circumstances’ exception does not apply. This means that passengers who have a flight cancelled with less than 14 days’ notice due to an internal airline strike are entitled to compensation.
The compensation you are entitled to depends on how long the flight is – from €250 for short-haul flights to €600 for the longest flights.
You must apply to the airline to get your compensation. You can apply through the airline’s website. Compensation is not automatic, so if you do not apply you will not receive any compensation.
Learn more about compensation due to flight cancellations on the IAA website.
What if I booked a package holiday?
When you book a package holiday from an EU company you have stronger consumer rights than if you book all the individual elements of your holiday separately. If your flight is delayed or cancelled, your travel agent must help you with rebooking, rescheduling, or cancelling your holiday.
If you’re entitled to compensation under EU rules, you can also claim this directly from the airline. There is no need to go through your travel agent.
Learn more about package holidays.
What about other holiday bookings, like car hire?
If you have other bookings as part of your holiday, now is a good time to check the terms and conditions carefully. Look to see what the cancellation policy is in case your holiday is cancelled or postponed.
With car hire, for example, you might have additional rights and better customer service if you contact the company in advance – even with last minute delays. With advance notice, some companies might be more accommodating about keeping offices open beyond scheduled closure time. Always provide your flight number to your car hire company as some companies will extend the grace period for car hire pick up if they can see you are travelling on a delayed flight.
What about travel insurance?
If your flight is cancelled, your travel insurance may cover you for any accommodation and/or activities that you have booked. To check what is covered, you should read the terms and conditions of your policy. You should call your insurance company if you’re not sure.
However, if you take out travel insurance after a strike is announced, it may not cover you if your flight is cancelled. This may also apply even if dates aren’t fixed for the strike, but it has been notified.
Where can I complain?
If an airline fails to provide you with any of the entitlements listed here, make a formal complaint to the airline. Learn more about making a complaint.
If you’re not happy with the airline’s response, you can lodge a complaint with the Irish Aviation Authority (IAA) or with the relevant national authority listed on the IAA website. You can also call the IAA helpline on (+353) 1 603 1100 for further information.
If you’re having problems with a package holiday booking, you can contact the CCPC helpline.
To learn more about your rights when taking a flight, see our consumer hub.
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