Lufthansa strike on February 12, thousands of passengers affected

A major strike is set to hit Lufthansa. Pilots and cabin crew will walk out for 24 hours on Thursday, February 12, due to a dispute over pensions and employment conditions. As a result, tens of thousands of passengers could face cancellations and long delays. Are you flying with Lufthansa to or from Germany? Here’s what you need to know about your rights and how to claim compensation.

Are you entitled to compensation?

If your flight is cancelled or you arrive at your final destination 3 hours or more late, you may be entitled to compensation under European Regulation EC 261/2004.

Because this is an internal staff strike, Lufthansa will likely struggle to argue that the disruption was caused by “extraordinary circumstances.” In many cases, this means the airline is required to pay compensation.

The amount depends on the flight distance:

• €250 for flights up to 1,500 km
• €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km
• €600 for flights over 3,500 km

Claim your compensation here

Right to care, refund or rebooking

If your flight is cancelled or significantly delayed, you are not only potentially entitled to compensation, but also to care and assistance. During the waiting time, Lufthansa must provide:

• Meals and refreshments
• Hotel accommodation if an overnight stay is necessary
• Transport between the airport and the hotel

This obligation applies regardless of the cause of the disruption. In the event of a cancellation, you are entitled to choose between:

• A full ticket refund within 7 days, or
• Rebooking to your final destination under comparable conditions at the earliest opportunity, or
• Rebooking at a later date of your choice (subject to availability)

If you opt for a refund, your right to onward transport ends. If you choose rebooking, the airline’s duty of care continues until you reach your destination.

Important: You are not obliged to accept a voucher if you prefer a cash refund. The choice is yours.

What is happening at Lufthansa?

The strike has been called by the pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit and the cabin crew union UFO. The 24-hour walkout will run from 00:01 to 23:59 on February 12 and is expected to affect all Lufthansa departures from German airports, including major hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich.

The dispute centers on pension schemes and employment conditions. Pilots are demanding higher employer contributions to pension plans after changes were made to the retirement system. Cabin crew are also taking action over collective labor agreements and restructuring plans, including the closure of Lufthansa CityLine.

Previous strikes at Lufthansa have resulted in hundreds of cancelled flights and left hundreds of thousands of passengers stranded. This new strike could once again cause significant disruption across Europe.