When airline staff or crew go on strike, it often results in serious disruptions, such as Wizz Air flights cancelled due to strike. This situation can be highly inconvenient and confusing for air passengers. If you’ve been caught in such disruptions, especially when traveling to or from the EU, you might be entitled to up to €600 in compensation. Understanding your rights is crucial, particularly in cases of Wizz Air flight delays and cancellations due to strikes. Whether it’s a Wizz Air flight cancelled due to strike compensation you seek, or simply need advice on how to handle a Wizz Air flight delay due to strike compensation, it’s important to know the steps to take to ensure you are fairly compensated.
What is a Flight Strike?
A flight strike involves the organized cessation of work by airline or airport personnel, such as air traffic controllers, airline crews, or airport staff, including baggage handlers and security guards. This type of strike usually emerges from disputes over wages, working conditions, or benefits, leading to significant flight delays or flight cancellations. When employees of an airline or airport strike, they effectively stop working to negotiate better terms, often causing operational disruptions. This lack of sufficient staff to maintain normal operations means that many flights may be delayed or canceled, impacting air passengers significantly.
Passenger Rights in Case of Wizz Air Flight Delay or Cancellation due to Strike
If your Wizz Air flight is delayed or cancelled due to a strike, particularly those involving airline crew or unexpected wildcat strikes, you are entitled to compensation. According to the European Court of Justice (ECJ, C-28/20 from 23.3.2021), such strikes do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances, ensuring that passengers can claim compensation. The amount can be as high as 600 euros depending on the flight distance. Furthermore, if the delay extends beyond five hours and you choose not to continue your journey, Wizz Air is obligated to offer a full refund. It is crucial for passengers to be aware of these rights to ensure they receive fair treatment during such disruptions.
When Are You Entitled to Wizz Air Strike Compensation?
You are entitled to compensation from Wizz Air in the event of both scheduled airline personnel strikes and unexpected wildcat strikes. As ruled by the European Court of Justice, these incidents are not deemed extraordinary circumstances, thus requiring the airline to compensate affected passengers. However, it’s crucial to note when compensation is not available. Under EU regulations, if the strike is by airport staff and ground personnel like baggage handlers, security guards, or firefighters, these are deemed beyond the airline’s control and thus considered extraordinary circumstances. In these situations, Wizz Air is not liable for compensation if such strikes cause flight delays or cancellations. Understanding these distinctions is key to determining whether you can claim Wizz Air flight compensation under these frustrating circumstances.
Compensation in Case of Wizz Air Flight Delay or Cancellation Due to Strike
When you face a flight delay or cancellation due to a Wizz Air workers strike, it’s important to know the compensation you are entitled to, ensuring your inconvenience is minimized.
Flight Cancellation Compensation
When Wizz Air cancels a flight and notifies you less than 14 days before your departure without offering a viable alternative flight that arrives at or around your originally scheduled time, you are entitled to Wizz Air compensation. This policy is designed to mitigate the impact of last-minute cancellations caused by airline strikes, ensuring you are not unduly disadvantaged.
Here’s a detailed breakdown of the compensation you may expect based on the flight distance and the delay in offering an alternative flight.
| Distance | Under 2 hours | 2-3 hours | 3-4 hours | 4+ hours | Never Arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights 1,500 km or less | ✅ 125€ | ✅ 250€ | ✅ 250€ | ✅ 250€ | ✅ 250€ |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | ✅ 200€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights 1,500-3,500 km | ✅ 200€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ | ✅ 400€ |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | ✅ 300€ | ✅ 600€ | ✅ 600€ | ✅ 600€ | ✅ 600€ |
Flight Delay Compensation
Wizz Air flight strike can sometimes lead to lengthy delays that significantly affect your arrival at your final destination. You are entitled to compensation if your Wizz Air flight is delayed by 3 hours or more. This compensation is designed to mitigate the inconvenience and potential additional costs incurred during such delays.
| Distance | Less than 3 hours | 3 – 4 hours | More than 4 hours | Never arrived |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| All flights 1,500 km or less | ❌ | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 | ✅ €250 |
| Internal EU flights over 1,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 | ✅ €400 |
| Non-internal EU flights over 3,500 km | ❌ | ✅ €300 | ✅ €600 | ✅ €600 |
Which Wizz Air Flights are Covered by EU 261
EU Regulation 261/2004, commonly referred to as EU 261, covers passengers flying with Wizz Air under certain conditions. This includes flights departing from any airport within the EU as well as flights arriving in the EU if the airline is based in the EU. Therefore, all Wizz Air flights that either depart from or are bound for an EU country with Wizz Air, an EU-based airline, are under the purview of this regulation.
| Itinerary | EU Air Carrier | Non-EU Air Carrier |
|---|---|---|
| From inside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From inside the EU to outside the EU | ✅ Covered | ✅ Covered |
| From outside the EU to inside the EU | ✅ Covered | ❌ Not covered |
| From outside the EU to outside the EU | ❌ Not covered | ❌ Not covered |
How to Claim Wizz Air Strike Compensation
Flight disruptions can arise for many reasons, including strikes. When you are inconvenienced by a Wizz Air strike, you may be entitled to compensation. Our service simplifies the process to make it as straightforward as possible for you.
Steps to Claim Your Compensation:
- Fill Out the Online Form: Start your claim by filling out the online form with crucial details about the incident, such as the flight number, the date of travel, and a brief description of what went wrong. This information is essential for assessing your eligibility for compensation under EU Regulation 261.
- Submit Your Information: Once you’ve entered all the necessary details, submit the form. Our team of experienced professionals will then begin processing your claim.
- Let Us Handle Everything: We take care of everything from evaluating the details of your flight disruption to communicating directly with Wizz Air on your behalf. Our goal is to secure fair compensation for you without the stress and time commitment typically involved in these claims.
By entrusting us with your claim, you can rest assured that we will advocate for your rights and work tirelessly to secure the compensation you deserve for any flight disruptions caused by Wizz Air strikes. This allows you to focus on your travel plans without the added burden of navigating the claims process.
Other Rights Covered by Regulation EU261
In addition to monetary compensation for flight delays and cancellations, Regulation EU261 ensures several other air passenger rights to minimize inconvenience during travel disruptions.
Right to Care
Under EU261, if your Wizz Air flight is delayed for more than two hours, the airline is required to provide you with necessary care. This includes food, drinks, and access to communication methods such as two phone calls, emails, or faxes. For delays extending beyond six hours, Wizz Air is obliged to offer not only meals and refreshments but also hotel accommodation and transportation to and from the airport, ensuring that your extended wait is as comfortable as possible.
Ticket Refund or Re-routing
If your Wizz Air flight delay exceeds five hours, EU261 gives you the option to either abandon your trip or continue under altered circumstances. You are entitled to a full or partial refund of your original ticket, along with a return flight to your point of departure if you decide not to continue with your travel plans. Alternatively, if you choose to proceed, the airline must offer you re-routing under comparable transport conditions to your final destination at the earliest opportunity.
Upgrading and Downgrading
Should you be re-routed and an alternative flight is offered, EU261 protects you from additional charges if you receive an upgrade. Conversely, if the class of the alternative flight is lower than what you paid for, you are eligible for a reimbursement between 30-75% of the price you originally paid. This ensures that you are fairly compensated for any changes in service level that may occur during your re-routing.
Navigating the complexities of flight disruptions can be challenging, but understanding your rights under EU261 can significantly ease the process. Whether it’s receiving compensation for delays, ensuring proper care during extended waits, or ensuring fair treatment during re-routing, these regulations are designed to protect and benefit passengers. Remember, if you’re impacted by a Wizz Air flight delay or cancellation, these rights are there to support your journey and mitigate any inconveniences.