Aegean Airlines strike compensation in Europe.
Do you qualify? How much could you potentially claim? What regulations apply?
A large number of travellers are unaware of the fact that strikes are not classified as extraordinary events. If it’s the airline staff of Aegean Airlines that are on strike, not the airport staff, and this leads to flight delays or cancellations, passengers might be eligible to claim compensation from Aegean Airlines. This is applicable to all qualifying flights and passengers. Moreover, passengers also have a right to care.
You can choose to claim this compensation on your own or work with a flight compensation agency.
1. Aegean Airlines Strike Compensation
The conditions to qualify for Aegean Airlines strike compensation are simple.
The flight has to be delayed or entirely cancelled:
- The flight delay must be a minimum of 3 hours, starting from the moment the aeroplane doors are opened at the destination, enabling passengers to disembark. If the delay extends to 3 hours or more past the expected arrival time, passengers might be eligible for flight delay compensation.
- The flight cancellation must be on short notice. This covers all Aegean Airlines flights cancelled up to 14 days prior to the departure date. In each of these scenarios, you could potentially be eligible for Aegean Airlines flight cancellation compensation (not just Aegean Airlines refund for cancellation).
Are you going to miss a connecting flight because of the cancellation or delay?
Aegean Airlines is liable to provide a complimentary new flight to ensure you reach your destination. This is their responsibility. All airlines operating in Europe must adhere to the same regulations. See our guide on Aegean Airlines missed connection compensation.
In simple terms, it isn’t a specific compensation for Aegean Airlines strikes (such compensations aren’t a thing in Europe), but rather a compensation for delays or cancellations.
These regulations are applicable to all Aegean Airlines flights to, from, and within Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page (and on this website in general) we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
1.1 Extraordinary Circumstances
Remember that personnel strikes by the airline are not classified as extraordinary conditions.
Similarly, issues such as mechanical problems or a lack of staff are not considered extraordinary conditions.
Nonetheless, airlines might sometimes attribute a delay or cancellation to an extraordinary condition when it isn’t. In such scenarios, it is most effective to directly approach the airline for clarification in case of a flight delay or cancellation.
Airlines may suggest that a flight delay or cancellation resulted from extraordinary situations, even if this is not the case, to avoid giving compensation. This is due to the fact that airlines favour extraordinary situations as it absolves them from the responsibility to pay.
Therefore, it’s always a good idea to cross-verify the details provided by the airline before accepting it. It is advisable to recheck all details regarding flight reimbursement and refunds.
Read more:
- Your Aegean Airlines Refund Is Taking Forever. What Can You Do About It?
- Your Aegean Airlines Compensation Claim Has Been Denied. What’s Next?
1.2 Right to Care
In situations where you have to wait longer than expected, you are entitled to right to care.
This gives you access to a number of free services. For instance, if you are made to wait at the airport for three hours or more, you may be eligible for a free meal and drink. If the delay extends beyond three hours during the night, you might qualify for free lodging and transfers to and from the airport.
As per the law, Aegean Airlines is required to provide these services to passengers based on the duration of their wait. If you haven’t received any assistance, please reach out to Aegean Airlines representatives at the airport.
2. How to Claim Aegean Airlines Strike Compensation?
There are two methods to apply for EU flight compensation.
To claim compensation for an Aegean Airlines strike on your own, you can reach out to Aegean Airlines directly by visiting their website and requesting compensation through their customer support team. It’s important to remember, however, that the process can take a few months and may involve some negotiation to achieve a satisfactory resolution.
An alternative and simpler route is to seek legal representation.
If you prefer to avoid the hassle, you can opt for professional legal assistance to handle your issue. There are several companies in Europe that specialize in compensation for flight-related problems and can handle everything for you.
All you need to do is complete one form, the compensation claim form.
Our partners provide such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
Read more: How to Claim Aegean Airlines Compensation?
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
What is the usual timeline for receiving compensation?
Usually, the process takes a minimum of 2-3 months. Of late, it has been seen that the process takes longer, especially if you submit a claim by yourself and the airline decides to disregard your claim.
It’s not a quick process, so don’t be taken aback if it takes some time.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
Compensation amounts are set and fluctuate between €250 to €600.
EU regulations control these sums.
Here’s how you can calculate your Aegean Airlines compensation:
When your destination is within the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
When your destination is outside the EU/UK:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1,500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1,500 – 3,500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3,500 km
3.1 Aegean Airlines Voucher Refund or Cash?
It’s a common tactic for airlines to propose vouchers instead of compensation.
This practice is more cost-effective for airlines than dispensing cash refunds and compensation. However, as a passenger, you reserve the right to reject the voucher and demand a cash or bank transfer refund instead. Compensation and refunds from airlines should be paid in cash or via bank transfer, and it is crucial to insist on this method of reimbursement. This is a legal requirement in the EU. You don’t have to agree to a voucher, unless you want a voucher.
Aegean Airlines Strike Compensation: FAQ
My flight was cheap. Can I get compensation?
Yes, because the price of the ticket doesn’t matter.
If your flight is eligible to compensation, the price of your ticket won’t matter when you’ll make a claim. No one is going to ask you for that. The cheap price of your ticket also doesn’t affect the compensation amount either.
I don’t have travel insurance. Do I need it in order to claim compensation?
No, you don’t.
Just like with the ticket price, insurance doesn’t matter.
If you flight is eligible to compensation, you don’t need insurance to claim it. When you will be making a claim, you won’t be asked to provide insurance papers.
Can my kid get compensation from Aegean Airlines?
Yes.
If you are entitled to compensation (EU flight delay compensation / flight cancellation compensation / denied boarding compensation), your child/baby will be too. Even if you were traveling with an infant who had a special infant ticket. Your child will get the same amount as you.
Can I claim compensation for another person?
Yes, you can.
You can help your friend, relative, family member or acquaintance get flight compensation. Even if you weren’t on that flight yourself. Just ask them to provide a boarding pass and passport copy. They will also need to sign some documents.
Can I claim compensation for old flights?
How far back can I claim compensation?
It depends on the laws of the country.
But in most cases, in Europe, you can claim compensation even for old flights. If your flight was 2-3 years ago, you might still claim compensation for it.
What to do if Aegean Airlines is denying my claim?
Aegean Airlines is refusing to pay compensation even though you are entitled to it.
What to do in such a situation? How can you proceed? Either you can hand over your case to a flight compensation company for them to continue on your behalf. Or you could contact the respective national enforcement body and ask them to help solve your case. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU countries.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If it’s an Aegean Airlines flight, then yes.
Aegean Airlines is a EU airline. And you are protected under the European law on all their flights, even if they depart from a country outside Europe (including EEA member countries and the UK).
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If it’s an Aegean Airlines flight, then yes.
Aegean Airlines is a EU airline.
You are protected as a passenger on all Aegean Airlines flights.
I am not a European. Can I get compensation?
Yes.
It doesn’t matter if you are European or not.
The EU Regulation 261/2004 protect all passengers — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
Other Situations
Aegean Airlines provided me with a new flight to my destination and a free hotel stay. Can I still get flight compensation?
If your flight is eligible to compensation, then yes.
In this case, you are entitled to all of it. Your flight was cancelled, and you were provided with a new flight. It departed on the next day, so you were provided with a free hotel stay. And as it was cancelled last-minute due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to compensation.
Aegean Airlines took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
If your flight is eligible to compensation, then yes.
If you arrived 3+ hours later than scheduled, and the disruption was due to the fault of the airline, you can get compensation. Even if you were given a new ticket to your destination.
Have you ever had an experience with Aegean Airlines strike compensation or refund? Did Aegean Airlines pay the compensation in timely manner? Do you still have questions about Aegean Airlines compensation policies? Ask in the comments.