Was your flight delayed or cancelled due to a British Airways strike?
You may be legally entitled to up to €600 in compensation under EU Regulation 261/2004, depending on who went on strike and how British Airways handled the situation. This applies even if you were offered a rebooking, voucher, or refund your rights go beyond basic reimbursement, and you can still submit a flight compensation claim if certain conditions are met.
Can you claim compensation for a British Airways strike?
Yes — but it depends on the type of strike.
Under EU Regulation 261/2004, you can claim up to €600 if:
- The strike was within British Airways´s control (e.g., pilot or cabin crew strike)
- Your flight was delayed 3+ hours, cancelled with short notice, or you were denied boarding
- You had a valid booking and checked in on time
- British Airways didn’t inform you at least 14 days before the cancellation
Who went on strike - does it matter?
Yes. Whether or not you can claim depends on who organized the strike:
- British Airways staff ( pilots, cabin crew)
- British Airways ground crew
- Airport staff
- Air Traffic Control
- General national or sectoral strik
Yes
Yes
No
No
No
Airline is responsible for its own staff
Airline responds for employees
Outside airline’s control
Managed by state, not the airline
Political or external, not airline
Examples of issues that give you compensation
Flight operational issues
Cancellation due to a problem related to the crew's planning (i.e. illness or overtime), documents, cargo or fuel loading, etc.
Flight technical issues
The most frequent argument that airlines provide - something is broken on the plane and needs to be repaired. Includes de-icing and accidents like bird or stairs strike, blown tire, etc.
Flight rotation issues
British Airways cancelled the flight due to previous delays or cancellations that hindered the normal operation of aircraft.
Strikes
Problems due to strikes inside British Airways.
More about British Airways
With over 100 years of aviation history, British Airways has flown royalty, rockstars, and millions of everyday passengers to all corners of the world. Today, it serves over 200 destinations, operates nearly 280 aircraft, and is a founding member of the Oneworld alliance. But let’s be honest — even legendary airlines have rough days. And in recent years, British Airways has had more than a few.
In 2024, British Airways reported £14.4 billion in revenue and carried around 45 million passengers. Impressive, right?
Now here’s the less glamorous side:
- It also recorded a delay rate close to 24%, placing it among Europe’s top 10 most disrupted carriers.
- By mid-2025, British Airways had logged over 18,000 delayed flights, many exceeding the critical 3-hour threshold for compensation.
- In May 2025, a major IT failure grounded more than 200 flights in 72 hours, creating chaos at Heathrow and Gatwick.
It’s not always British Airways´s fault. European airspace is getting more crowded, and air traffic control strikes in France are causing ripple effects across the continent. In fact, a growing share of British Airways´s delays in 2025 have been directly linked to ATC disruptions — especially during school holidays and long weekends.
Still, many delays are within the airline’s control — from technical issues to staff shortages and late aircraft turnarounds. And that’s where your rights come in.
How much can you claim?
The amount of flight claim compensation you receive depends on the distance of your flight and can be €250, €400, or €600. You can also claim for care expenses with food, transport and accommodation as well as a refund of the alternative flight.
250€
Up to 1500 km
400€
From 1500 km to 3500 km
600€
More than 3500 km
How to claim Flight Compensation Step-by-Step
Claiming your airline strike compensation with AireClaim is quick and simple:
1. Complete your flight compensation form
- Enter your departure airport and final destination.
- Indicate if you had connecting flights.
2. Add your disruption details
- Select the type of disruption (delay, cancellation, missed connection).
- Enter the scheduled and actual arrival times.
3. Provide the reason for the disruption (if known)
4. Review and submit
- We’ll analyse your case, contact British Airways, and handle all the paperwork at no upfront cost.
Our process covers all types of air travel disruptions from cancellations to flight delays and missed flights — ensuring you get the compensation you’re entitled to.
You can start your claim now using our secure online form.
Was your flight disrupted due to an airline strike?
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FAQs About British Airways Strike Compensation
Airlines have the ability to complicate compensation claims, delaying or rejecting them and making the process irritating.
We can help with that. We take care of all the paperwork, discussions, and even court appearances, saving you the trouble. Our professionals maximize your chances of winning because they are experienced in air passenger rights laws. Additionally, we don't charge a service fee until we are successful in getting you paid.
You can still claim your flight delay compensation if:
- The initial delay caused you to miss your connecting flight.
- Your final arrival at the destination was more than 3 hours late.
- Both flights were part of the same booking.
Learn more about our full process for missed connection compensation.
Yes, your citizenship does not impact your rights as an air passenger.