What Happens to Your Flight During an Airline Strike

Q: What should I do if I hear a strike is planned for my travel dates?

Check your airline's official channels for advisories, since airlines often proactively cancel a portion of the schedule and notify passengers days in advance. Avoid changing your own plans purely on rumor, and wait for an official notice before assuming your specific flight is affected.

Q: Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled due to a strike?

It depends on whose strike it is. A strike by the airline's own staff is typically treated as within the airline's control, which can trigger compensation obligations under rules like EU261. A strike by external staff, such as air traffic controllers, is usually treated as an extraordinary circumstance that limits compensation, though rebooking and refund rights still generally apply.

Q: Will I get a refund if I decide not to travel because of a strike?

If your specific flight is cancelled, most regulators require a full refund option if you choose not to be rebooked. If your flight is still operating but you personally don't want to travel during the disruption, refund rights are weaker and depend on your fare's own change and cancellation terms.

Q: Should I still go to the airport if my flight isn't officially cancelled?

Yes, unless the airline has explicitly told you otherwise. Strikes often cause rolling delays and last-minute cancellations rather than a full shutdown, and a flight that looks fine the night before can still be affected on the day.

Reviewed by the ScanFlyGo team · Last updated: September 2026. Strike situations change quickly — always check your airline's official channels for the latest status.

Quick answer

During a strike, airlines typically cancel a portion of their schedule in advance rather than waiting for the day itself, and they're usually required to offer you a free rebooking or a refund if your flight is cancelled. Whether you're also owed cash compensation depends on whose strike it is: airline-staff strikes are generally treated as within the airline's control, while air traffic control or third-party strikes are usually treated as extraordinary circumstances with weaker compensation rights. Either way, check official notices directly rather than relying on rumors, and have a flexible mindset about rebooking.

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How airlines usually handle a planned strike

When a strike is announced with advance notice, airlines commonly pre-cancel a percentage of flights on the affected days to reduce chaos at the airport, rather than letting every flight roll the dice on the day. Passengers on cancelled flights are typically notified by email or app alert and offered rebooking on another flight, sometimes on a different day or via a different airport, along with a refund option if the new itinerary doesn't work for them.

Airline strikes vs third-party strikes

Type of strike	Typical treatment
Airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew, ground staff)	Often treated as within the airline's control — stronger compensation rights may apply
Air traffic control strike	Usually treated as an extraordinary circumstance — rebooking and refund apply, cash compensation often limited
Airport ground handling or security staff strike	Varies by jurisdiction and contract; often closer to extraordinary circumstance
Strike at a connecting airport, not your own airline	Can still disrupt your itinerary even if your airline isn't involved

Your core rights when a strike hits your flight

Regardless of which category the strike falls into, most aviation regulators require the airline to offer you one of two paths when your flight is cancelled: free rebooking onto an alternative flight to your destination, or a full refund if you'd rather not travel. Whether you also receive cash compensation on top of that is where the airline-versus-third-party distinction usually matters most, so it's worth checking the specific circumstances your airline is citing.

What to do before and during a strike

Check official advisories, not headlines. News coverage of a planned strike often overstates the scale; your airline's own status page is the more reliable source for your specific flight.
Don't rebook prematurely. If your flight hasn't been cancelled, changing it yourself may forfeit rights the airline owes you for an official cancellation.
Keep your contact details current in your booking so cancellation notices reach you quickly, ideally by both email and text.
Have a backup route in mind — an alternative airport or a one-stop option — in case rebooking options on your original route are limited.
Track your flight status live on the day, since strike-related schedule changes can move quickly even after an initial announcement. Track any flight live on ScanFlyGo →

If you're mid-trip when a strike starts

A strike that begins while you're already traveling is more disruptive to plan around, since you may be relying on a connection that's suddenly affected. Speak to airline staff or use the app to check rebooking options as early as possible, and keep receipts for any meals, transport or accommodation you have to pay for yourself, in case they're later reimbursable under the airline's disruption policy.

Frequently asked questions

What should I do if I hear a strike is planned for my travel dates?

Check your airline's official channels rather than acting on rumor. Airlines often pre-cancel some flights and notify affected passengers in advance.

Am I entitled to compensation if my flight is cancelled due to a strike?

It depends on whose strike it is — airline-staff strikes are more likely to trigger compensation, while air traffic control or third-party strikes are usually treated as extraordinary circumstances with weaker compensation rights.

Will I get a refund if I decide not to travel because of a strike?

If your flight is cancelled, a refund option is typically required. If your flight is still operating but you personally choose not to fly, refund rights depend on your fare's own terms.

Should I still go to the airport if my flight isn't officially cancelled?
Yes, unless told otherwise — strikes often cause rolling, last-minute changes rather than a clean full-day shutdown.

The bottom line

Strikes are disruptive but rarely leave you without options: rebooking or a refund is almost always available, and cash compensation depends on whose strike it is. Stay close to official updates, keep a flexible mindset, and compare backup routes on ScanFlyGo or browse popular routes if you need an alternative.

Some links on ScanFlyGo are affiliate links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. Passenger rights during strikes vary by jurisdiction and circumstance; always confirm current rules with your airline and local regulator.