Flight cancellations are increasingly becoming a threat to the art of traveling. They can be even more frustrating when they are due to a multi-day strike by airlines or airports. An unfortunately recurring phenomenon… Here are a few tips for the next time your air travel is disrupted by a strike.
1.Contact your airline for more information
When a strike is announced, whether among airport staff or among airline employees, it is essential
to take charge of your own business. Consult your airline immediately to find out whether your flight
will be affected. The airline’s travel alert page on the website should contain information such as
when the strike is taking place and which airports and flights might get disrupted. This page also
contains information on whether the carrier issues waivers of change fees, allowing you to book
your trip for a strike day. In some cases, it may offer a full refund that will allow you to cancel and
book with another airline or airport.
2. Request to book another flight via a partner airline
Should your flight be suddenly cancelled and your airline does not offer other departing flights, you
can ask to change your reservation with a partner in your home airline’s alliance. This option is highly
recommended for international flights, as most airline alliance partners are based in different
countries.
Airlines do not like to book customers with other carriers (even alliance partners), but in extreme
circumstances they will. The Sky team alliance even introduced a new booking engine last year for all
partner airlines (such as Delta and Air France) to re-book each other’s customers.
3.Are you eligible for compensation?
If you booked a flight with a European airline outside Europe, and your flight is cancelled without
any other flight at night, your airline is responsible for accommodating you at the hotel, providing
you with transport and paying for your food. Some traditional travel insurance policies also cover the
additional costs of aeronautical strikes.
When a strike is announced, whether among airport staff or among airline employees, it is essential
to take charge of your own business. Consult your airline immediately to find out whether your flight
will be affected. The airline’s travel alert page on the website should contain information such as
when the strike is taking place and which airports and flights might get disrupted. This page also
contains information on whether the carrier issues waivers of change fees, allowing you to book
your trip for a strike day. In some cases, it may offer a full refund that will allow you to cancel and
book with another airline or airport.
Should your flight be suddenly cancelled and your airline does not offer other departing flights, you
can ask to change your reservation with a partner in your home airline’s alliance. This option is highly
recommended for international flights, as most airline alliance partners are based in different
countries.
Airlines do not like to book customers with other carriers (even alliance partners), but in extreme
circumstances they will. The Sky team alliance even introduced a new booking engine last year for all
partner airlines (such as Delta and Air France) to re-book each other’s customers.
If you booked a flight with a European airline outside Europe, and your flight is cancelled without
any other flight at night, your airline is responsible for accommodating you at the hotel, providing
you with transport and paying for your food. Some traditional travel insurance policies also cover the
additional costs of aeronautical strikes.
