Situation today (26 October 2026)
- Announced strikes: none at Lufthansa or BER in the sources checked on 26 October 2026.
- Lufthansa in 2026: strike by the pilots' union Vereinigung Cockpit and the cabin-crew union UFO on 12 February; five strike days in a row in spring, with pilots from 13 April and cabin crew on 15 and 16 April; on one day Lufthansa cancelled over 900 take-offs and landings in Frankfurt and Munich (press).
- Arbitration: since August 2026 Lufthansa and Vereinigung Cockpit negotiate under Bodo Ramelow and Roland Koch on pay and company pensions, with a parallel mediation on fleet size and how flying is shared out; the source we read mentions no no-strike period. The position of UFO is not confirmed.
- BER: a Verdi warning strike on Wednesday 18 March 2026 halted passenger flights; we did not find the outcome of the pay talks afterwards.
Calendar
| Date | Event | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| 12 Feb, 13-16 Apr 2026 | Lufthansa strikes (Cockpit, UFO) | Hundreds of flights cancelled (past) |
| 18 Mar 2026 | Verdi warning strike at BER | Passenger flights halted (past) |
| 15 Nov 2026 | Target date for the mediator's proposal | No strike announced, outcome open |
| 31 Dec 2026 | Target date for the whole process | A target, not binding |
What you can do in a strike
- Check your flight: status in the airline's app and on the BER website; Lufthansa informs passengers of cancelled flights by e-mail or app.
- Rebook: free of charge onto another flight or onto a train in a strike; the train can be hit as well (see our train strike article).
- Stay nearby: if a flight is cancelled late you need a hotel at the airport; choices in Hotels near BER airport.
Your rights under EU261
If your flight is cancelled, EU Regulation 261/2004 always gives you the choice between a refund (within seven days) and rerouting, plus meals, hotel and transfer if you have to wait. Flat-rate compensation (250 euros up to 1,500 km, 400 euros up to 3,500 km, 600 euros beyond) is due if you were told less than 14 days ahead and the strike is by the airline's own staff: under the EU Court of Justice ruling of 23 March 2021 (C-28/20) that is not an extraordinary circumstance. It usually falls away for strikes by airport staff or air traffic controllers. For help: the free conciliation body söp. Background in Strikes and disruptions in Berlin.
Flight cancelled or delayed by a strike: are you owed compensation?
- Who is covered: EU Regulation 261/2004 (EU261) applies to flights leaving the EU (any airline) and flights into the EU on an EU airline.
- Amounts: €250 up to 1,500 km, €400 from 1,500 to 3,500 km (or intra-EU flights over 1,500 km), €600 beyond 3,500 km, if the flight is cancelled less than 14 days before departure or arrives 3 hours or more late. The amount can be cut by 50% if you are rerouted at times close to the original.
- Strike: the case on this page — It depends on who is on strike. A strike by the airline's own staff (pilots, cabin crew) usually gives a right to compensation (CJEU, TUIfly 2018 and SAS 2021). An air traffic control strike, an airport staff strike or a general strike is usually an extraordinary circumstance: no compensation, but the airline must still offer a refund or rebooking and care (meals, hotel).
- Claim for free: directly with the airline, using the form on its website; keep your boarding pass and all proofs. Deadline depends on the country — Germany: 3 years.
- Claims service: AirHelp checks your flight for free and handles the claim, taking a commission only if it wins (about 35% of the compensation, VAT included, plus 15% if legal action is needed). You can also claim yourself at no cost.
What to do safely during the airport strike
Here is a plan B to keep your trip going without taking risks.
- Outing that does not depend on the strike: Potsdam and Sanssouci, organised trip with transport included, no train or bus to book yourself.
- Airport hotel, free cancellation: hotels near Berlin Brandenburg (BER) airport, refundable if your flight is cancelled or moved.
FAQ
Is Lufthansa striking in November 2026?
As of 26 October 2026 nothing is announced. The mediator's proposal is due by 15 November 2026; before you fly, check news from Lufthansa and Vereinigung Cockpit.
Do I get compensation in a strike?
Refund or rerouting and care, always; flat-rate compensation only if the airline's own staff strike and you were told less than 14 days ahead.
Sources checked on 26 October 2026: trade press on the arbitration process (aviation.direct), German press on the February and April 2026 strikes, Berlin press on the BER warning strike in March 2026. We did not find the outcome of the BER pay talks or the position of UFO. This page will be updated as soon as a strike is announced.
