Strike Notice and Airline Alerts
When claiming EU261 compensation for a strike-related delay, the key question is whether the strike was within the airline's control. Courts across Europe have generally held that strikes by an airline's own staff are "extraordinary circumstances" the carrier could reasonably have anticipated or prevented, so you can claim the standard €250–€600 compensation. For third-party strikes, such as air traffic control walkouts or the Italy Air Transport Strike on June 13, airlines usually escape compensation but must still provide care and assistance. Your core evidence is the boarding pass, booking confirmation, and proof of the actual arrival time, ideally from the airline itself or flight-tracking records. If the strike was announced in advance and the airline operated anyway, that notification history can strengthen your case.
Also worth reading: How Do EU261 Flight Compensation Claims Work in 2026, and What Evidence Do You Need? · EU261 Strike Cancellation Compensation: What Are Your Rights? · How can an AI airline compensation claim simplify EU261 refunds?
You should also gather evidence of out-of-pocket expenses, including meals, hotels, and transfers, since these are recoverable regardless of strike status. Written correspondence with the airline, delay confirmation at the gate, and any rebooking documents help enormously. Keep everything before submitting a claim.
Booking and Payment Records
When preparing an EU261 claim for a strike-related delay, your booking confirmation is the foundation of the evidence. This should show your name, flight number, departure and arrival airports, scheduled departure time, and the booking reference. Keep the payment receipt or credit card statement too, as it proves you were the ticket holder and helps establish the fare class, which can matter for compensation amounts. If you booked through a travel agency, retain the original airline confirmation as well, since claims must generally go to the operating carrier.
Beyond booking documents, you need proof of the actual disruption. Boarding passes, the airline's delay notification email or app screenshot, and photographs of departure boards showing the revised time all help. If the delay exceeded three hours at arrival, note the actual landing time. For strikes specifically, airlines sometimes invoke "extraordinary circumstances," so save any official statements from the carrier or airport about the strike's cause and scope. Recent examples like the Italy air transport strike on June 13 and the easyJet Portugal strike, which saw 443 cancellations, show how documentation of the strike's nature strengthens your case. Keep all receipts for expenses like meals or accommodation, as these may be recoverable separately under the duty of care provisions.
Delay or Cancellation Confirmation
To pursue an EU261 strike delay claim, you need documented proof that the disruption actually occurred and that it caused your specific delay. Start with your booking confirmation and boarding pass, which establish your reservation and the scheduled departure time. The airline’s written notice of delay or cancellation is essential, whether sent by email, SMS, or app notification. Keep receipts for any replacement flights, meals, or accommodation, since these support out-of-pocket expenses. A stamped airport notice or official strike announcement from a union or airport authority helps confirm the industrial action, as seen in cases like the Italy air transport strike on June 13 or the easyJet Portugal strike that caused 443 cancellations.
You should also gather evidence linking the strike to your delay, not to unrelated technical faults or weather. Screenshots of departure boards, airline social media posts, and news reports from outlets covering events like the Brussels Airport strike on 9 October 2026 or Europe’s summer air crisis can strengthen your file. Under EU Regulation 261/2004, extraordinary circumstances such as strikes may reduce compensation, but only if the airline proves the disruption was unavoidable. Submit a clear timeline, your flight number, and all correspondence with the carrier to AI Flight Refunds for assessment.
Boarding Passes and Travel Documents
When claiming EU261 compensation for a flight delay caused by a strike, your boarding pass is one of the most important pieces of evidence. It proves you actually held a confirmed reservation and that you were checked in for the affected flight. Keep both your paper or mobile boarding pass and the original booking confirmation, since airlines sometimes dispute whether passengers were ready to travel. Your passport or ID card should also be retained, as it ties your identity to the booking and helps verify the route's eligibility under EU261, which generally covers flights departing from EU airports or arriving in the EU on an EU carrier.
Beyond travel documents, gather proof of the actual delay or cancellation. Screenshots of the airline's app or departure boards, emails or SMS notifications about schedule changes, and receipts for meals, accommodation, or alternative transport all strengthen your claim. Note the exact departure and arrival times, and request written confirmation from airline staff at the airport if possible. Since strikes can be classed as extraordinary circumstances, thorough documentation helps demonstrate the disruption's scale and supports your case if the airline initially refuses compensation.
Expense Receipts and Correspondence
When preparing an EU261 claim for a delay caused by a strike, your primary evidence is the boarding pass and booking confirmation, which establish that you held a confirmed reservation on the affected flight. You should also obtain written confirmation from the airline of the actual departure and arrival times, as compensation depends on arriving at your destination three hours or more late. Keep all airline communications, including cancellation notices, rebooking emails, and any texts explaining the disruption, since these documents show when the airline informed you and what reason it gave. Recent strike events, such as the Italy air transport strike in June and the easyJet Portugal strike that caused 443 cancellations, demonstrate how frequently these disputes arise.
Beyond travel documents, retain receipts for expenses incurred during the delay, including meals, refreshments, hotel accommodation, and ground transport, because airlines must cover the duty of care regardless of whether the strike qualifies as extraordinary circumstances. Photograph receipts where possible, and keep proof of any alternative flights booked at your own cost. Finally, note witness details or airport announcements if the airline later disputes the delay length or cause, as contemporaneous records significantly strengthen your claim.
EU261 Strike Claim Evidence Checklist
| Evidence | Why It Matters | How to Get It |
|---|---|---|
| Boarding pass and booking confirmation | Proves you held a confirmed reservation on the affected flight | Airline confirmation email or check-in app screenshot |
| Proof of delay or cancellation | Establishes the disruption length and whether compensation thresholds are met | Airline notification emails, airport departure boards, or flight tracking records |
| Written explanation from the airline | Determines whether the strike counts as "extraordinary circumstances" | Request in writing at the airport or via customer service |
| Receipts for extra expenses | Covers meals, hotels, and transport under EU261 duty of care rules | Keep itemised receipts for all reasonable costs incurred |