February 12, 2026, 9:11 am | Read time: 5 minutes
The crews of Germany’s largest airline are on strike. Many flights are canceled, and passengers have to reschedule. These are the most important passenger rights—from compensation to replacement flights.
Pilots and flight attendants at Lufthansa are in a labor dispute, leading to extensive flight cancellations on Thursday, with only a few connections appearing on the departure boards at major airports like Berlin or Frankfurt.
According to Lufthansa, passengers should primarily be informed digitally and should not go to the airport on their own. The airline plans to offer electronic rebookings on a large scale. So far, so good—yet passengers should know their rights in this case. Compensation might also be possible. Here’s an overview.
Overview
Compensation for Flight Cancellations or Delays
If a flight is canceled due to a pilot strike or experiences significant delays, affected passengers may be entitled to compensation ranging from 250 to 600 euros, depending on the flight distance. The condition is that the cancellation occurs less than 14 days before departure or that the arrival at the destination is delayed by more than three hours.
Even if a replacement flight departs more than an hour earlier than originally planned, compensation may be due. This is pointed out by attorney Matthias Böse, who specializes in passenger rights.
A strike by the airline’s own staff does not count as an extraordinary circumstance that would exempt airlines from paying compensation. “The argument is that the airline could simply spend more money, and then the pilots wouldn’t strike—so they could prevent it,” Böse explains. The European Court of Justice confirmed this in 2021.
In contrast, events like natural disasters or volcanic eruptions are considered extraordinary circumstances, as they are beyond the airlines’ control. A well-known example is the eruption of Eyjafjallajökull in Iceland in 2010, which paralyzed large parts of European airspace with its ash cloud.
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Right to Replacement Transportation–Even with Other Airlines
If a flight is canceled or delayed by more than five hours, passengers have the right under EU regulations to the quickest possible replacement transportation. There is no need to wait for the next Lufthansa flight.
“Airlines can be very difficult in this regard,” says attorney Böse, based on his experience. Often, affected passengers are only rebooked on other Lufthansa flights—sometimes with several days’ delay. But Böse clarifies: “If, for example, KLM, Iberia, or British Airways also fly to the destination, Lufthansa must rebook me for free on the earliest possible alternative flight connection.”
The portal Flightright also emphasizes that airlines are obligated to organize replacement connections as quickly as possible, even with other airlines or with connecting flights. For domestic routes in Germany, train tickets are also an option, according to Flightright.
If Lufthansa does not fulfill this obligation, travelers are allowed to book a flight themselves. “Then I can book another flight myself and get reimbursed,” says Böse. Although this is often expensive, especially with short-term rebookings, he has never encountered a case where a court did not award the passenger the money.
Important: Before taking action during a strike, Lufthansa should be given the opportunity to organize a replacement flight. The appropriate time frame depends on the situation. If the cancellation occurs shortly before departure, a reaction time of just a few minutes may be sufficient, according to Böse.
Alternatively, a refund of the ticket price is also possible—provided the delay is more than three hours or the flight is canceled. Those who choose this route must organize their onward travel themselves. Lufthansa is then no longer obligated.
Right to Care During Waiting Times
Passengers stranded at the airport due to delayed or canceled flights are entitled to free refreshments and two phone calls. Depending on the flight distance, this entitlement applies at different times:
- after two hours for short-haul flights (up to 1,500 kilometers),
- after three hours for medium-haul flights (1,500 to 3,500 kilometers),
- after four hours for long-haul flights (over 3,500 kilometers).
If travelers need to stay overnight, the airline must also cover hotel costs. “If Lufthansa does not provide me with food or a hotel, I can take care of it myself and get reimbursed later,” says Böse. It’s important to keep receipts.
Special Considerations for Package Tours
If the booked flight is part of a package tour, affected passengers should also contact the tour operator. The operator is obligated to arrange replacement connections. Compensation claims against the airline remain valid.
However, if you also request a reduction in the travel price from the tour operator due to lost vacation days, such payments will be offset against the airline compensation.
At least the current strike lasts only one day, and Lufthansa expects to return to its normal flight schedule on Friday, according to its own statements.
With material from dpa