- Flight Disruptions
- Lufthansa strike cancels nearly 800 flights in Germany
Lufthansa strike cancels nearly 800 flights in Germany
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Eligible for compensation
Checked by Matteo Floris
Last updated on February 13, 2026
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
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Affected airports
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Affected airlines
What Happened
Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew staged a 24-hour strike on 12 February 2026, prompting the cancellation of nearly 800 flights and disrupting travel for around 100,000 passengers. The heaviest impact was at Frankfurt and Munich, with about 450 of 1,117 scheduled flights canceled at Frankfurt alone. Some regional airports were also affected, including Düsseldorf and Münster/Osnabrück. Lufthansa rebooked customers, offered rail alternatives on domestic routes, and stated that compensation applies under EU rules. The airline aimed to return to a near-normal schedule by 13 February.
Passengers affected by this flight disruption may be eligible for compensation of up to US$650 under passenger rights regulations.
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Flight Disruption Details
Lufthansa’s operations in Germany were heavily disrupted on Thursday, 12 February 2026, when coordinated 24-hour strikes by pilots and cabin crew led to the cancellation of nearly 800 flights, affecting approximately 100,000 passengers. The actions involved separate disputes, with pilots seeking improved employer pension contributions and cabin crew pushing for talks over contract terms and protections during planned restructuring.
Disruptions were most concentrated at the airline’s main hubs in Frankfurt and Munich. At Frankfurt, around 450 of 1,117 scheduled flights were canceled. Munich also experienced extensive cancellations across domestic and international services. Regional impacts varied: Düsseldorf Airport reported 12 canceled flights, largely on routes to Munich and Frankfurt, while Münster/Osnabrück had one evening flight to Munich canceled. Cologne/Bonn was largely unaffected.
Lufthansa characterized the impact as harsh but indicated it aimed to restore a near-normal schedule by Friday, 13 February. The airline began assisting affected customers with rebooking, including options on Lufthansa Group partners such as Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines, as well as other carriers. Domestic travelers were offered free rail alternatives. Reports from airports described long rebooking queues and difficulties for passengers, including delays and issues with baggage.
Other airlines not involved in the action—including Eurowings, Discover, Ryanair, EasyJet, Condor, Austrian Airlines, Swiss, Brussels Airlines, and ITA Airways—continued operating as normal.
Lufthansa outlined remedies consistent with European passenger protection rules, including automatic rebooking, refunds, catering, hotel accommodation where needed, and compensation. The airline indicated that compensation between €250 and €600 applies because these strike-related cancellations do not fall under “extraordinary circumstances.”
The strike coincided with high-profile events in Germany, adding to the visibility of the disruption. While operational recovery was targeted for the following day, the one-day stoppage caused severe disruption at major hubs and select regional airports, with extensive cancellations and widespread passenger inconvenience.
Know your rights
These are your air passenger rights
When your flight's disrupted, you may be entitled to various forms of care and compensation under EC 261 and other applicable laws.
Up to €600 compensation
Passengers whose flights were canceled or delayed over 3 hours may be entitled to financial compensation ranging from €250 to €600 per person. Check your flight.
Rerouting or refund
If your flight is canceled, your airline must provide an alternative. You may also get a full refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Care and assistance
Your airline must provide food and refreshments if your journey is delayed more than a few hours.
Accommodation
If you are away from home and your journey is delayed overnight, the airline must offer you accommodation and transportation to it.
Communication
Under EC 261 you are entitled to 2 phone calls or emails if your journey is delayed over 1 hour.
This advice is provided to help you if your flight is delayed or canceled. However, the exact care and compensation you are entitled to will depend on your specific circumstances and flight. Always follow the directions of your airline, particularly with regard to check-in and boarding times.
Quick facts
Summary
Disruption
Cancellations
Cause
Airline strike
Status
Past disruption
Compensation
Could be eligible for up to US$650 compensation
Airlines affected
Lufthansa
Airports affected
Frankfurt Airport, Munich Airport, Düsseldorf Airport, Münster/Osnabrück Airport
Cities affected
Frankfurt, Munich, Düsseldorf, Münster/Osnabrück
Countries affected
Germany
Start date
2026-02-12
End date
2026-02-12
Checked by
Matteo Floris
Date updated
February 13, 2026
What To Do If Your Flight Is Cancelled
If you're traveling to or from the European Union, here's what to do when your flight is unexpectedly scrubbed:
Gather evidence that your flight was delayed, canceled, or overbooked.
Get the airline to provide written confirmation of the disruption and the reason behind it.
Request an alternative flight to your destination — or a refund if you no longer wish to travel.
Make a note of the arrival time at your final destination.
Ask the airline to provide vouchers for meals and refreshments.
Avoid signing documents or accepting offers that may waive your passenger rights.
If an overnight stay is required, ask the airline to provide accommodation.
Save receipts for any additional expenses caused by the disruption.
