Lufthansa pilot strike on 13 and 14 April 2026: what you need to know

If you're flying with Lufthansa this week, you may already be dealing with some unwelcome news. Germany's Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) pilots' union has called a two-day strike affecting Lufthansa flights across Germany — and if your flight is canceled or delayed by 3 or more hours as a result, you may be eligible for up to €600 in compensation. Here's everything you need to know.

The VC pilots' union has called Lufthansa pilots out on strike on Monday 13 April and Tuesday 14 April 2026. The action affects Lufthansa and Lufthansa CityLine flights on both days, and Eurowings Germany flights on 13 April only. Note that only Eurowings Germany is affected — flights operated by Eurowings Europe, the airline's European sister company, will run as normal.

The dispute centres on pay and working conditions, including a long-running disagreement over pilot pension schemes. Lufthansa has described the strike as a "disproportionate and very short-notice" announcement, and says it is working to minimise the impact on passengers by operating as many flights as possible through other Lufthansa Group airlines and partner carriers.

This follows the cabin crew strike that disrupted Lufthansa on 10 April, called by the UFO union — meaning passengers have now faced two separate bouts of disruption in the space of just a few days.

The following airlines within the Lufthansa Group are not affected: Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, Eurowings Europe, and Lufthansa City Airlines.

Yes — unlike some causes of flight disruption, a pilot strike sits firmly within an airline's control. Under EC 261, the EU regulation that protects air passengers, Lufthansa cannot class this as extraordinary circumstances — the legal threshold that would let them off the hook.

That's an important distinction. An air traffic control strike, for example, involves workers outside the airline's organisation, so it does qualify as extraordinary circumstances. A pilot strike does not. Lufthansa's own pilots walking out is Lufthansa's responsibility — and that means you have rights.

You're likely eligible to claim if:

•       Your flight was canceled with fewer than 14 days' notice

•       Your flight arrived at your final destination 3 or more hours late

•       Your flight departed from an EU airport, or was operated by an EU airline flying into the EU

How much compensation could I receive?

EC 261 sets fixed compensation amounts based on flight distance — so the further you were flying, the more you could be owed:

•       Flights up to 1,500 km — €250 per person

•       Flights between 1,500 km and 3,500 km — €400 per person

•       Flights over 3,500 km — €600 per person

Even if your flight ultimately operates, German airports will be under significant pressure across both days. Check in online if you haven't already, and consider travelling with hand luggage only to avoid baggage delays. You can check the latest status of your flight at lufthansa.com.

We recommend arriving earlier than usual:

•       Short-haul flights: at least 2–3 hours before departure

•       Long-haul flights: at least 3–4 hours before departure

My flight has been canceled — what now?

Start by checking your eligibility for compensation — you could be owed up to €600. Check your flight for free here.

Lufthansa is also required to offer you a choice of:

•       A full refund — request this by 13 April

•       A free rebooking onto another Lufthansa Group flight

Lufthansa says it will proactively contact affected passengers — but only if your contact details are saved in your booking. Check that now if you haven't already. If you booked through a travel agency, reach out to them directly rather than the airline.

My flight's delayed — what am I entitled to?

If you land at your destination 3 or more hours after your scheduled arrival time, you could be entitled to up to €600 in compensation. The delay at the airport doesn't count — it's your arrival time that matters. Check your flight for free with our compensation tool.

While you wait, Lufthansa has a duty of care towards you. From 2 hours of delay, the airline must provide:

•       Meals and refreshments

•       Access to communication (phone calls or emails)

•       Hotel accommodation and transport to/from the hotel, if an overnight stay becomes necessary

Hold onto every receipt. Reasonable costs you've paid out of pocket — food, drinks, accommodation — can be reclaimed from the airline.

Lufthansa isn't responding — what can I do?

It happens. When thousands of passengers are all trying to rebook at once, airline phone lines and websites can grind to a halt. Here's how to give yourself the best chance:

•       Don't rely on just one channel — try the app, website, phone, and social media

•       Look for a self-service rebooking option in your original booking confirmation

•       If you used a travel agent, they can often act on your behalf and may have faster access

•       Document everything — note the times and methods you used to try to reach the airline

If you end up booking your own alternative flight because you can't get through, keep all your receipts. You may be able to recover those costs.

How do I claim?

The good news is you don't need to rush. You have up to 3 years to submit a compensation claim under EC 261 (exact limits vary slightly by country). That said, there's no advantage in waiting — the sooner you claim, the sooner you get paid.

You can check your eligibility and start your claim at airhelp.com. AirHelp handles everything — gathering evidence, dealing with the airline, and chasing payment if needed. We only charge a fee if we win compensation for you.

The last thing you need on a strike day is to be caught off guard at the airport. The free AirHelp app monitors your flight and sends you instant alerts about cancellations, gate changes, and delays — so you always know where you stand.

It also keeps your passenger rights and claim history in one place. Download it before you travel.