It’s every traveler’s nightmare: Your long-awaited trip collides with a labor dispute, and suddenly the airline you’re booked on is walking off the job. Flight canceled. Travel plans upended. Now what?
Strikes aren’t just a European quirk anymore.
“Airline strikes are not uncommon, especially as the travel industry continues to recover from the pandemic,” said Christina Tunnah, head of the Americas for World Nomads Travel Insurance. “Staffing shortages, contract negotiations, and increased demand for flights can all contribute to labor disputes. While transportation strikes are commonplace in Europe, we’re increasingly seeing a bolder labor movement on this side of the Atlantic – the latest being the Air Canada strikes.”
So what should you do if your airline goes on strike?
The short answer: Act fast, know your rights, and lean on the pros.
Step One: Contact the Airline Immediately
Whether you hear about a strike before takeoff or while you’re in the middle of your journey, your first call should be to the airline.
“The first step is to contact your airline directly to understand your options, whether that’s rebooking, rerouting, or securing a refund,” Tunnah advised. Once you have that information, review your travel insurance policy to see what additional protections may apply.”
“If your flight is cancelled, the airline must offer a full refund, future credit, or rebooking on another flight,” added Frank Ventresca, owner of Ventresca Travel Agency, an affiliate of TRAVELSAVERS Canada. “You can choose the option that works best for you. Act quickly and stay updated. Rebook as soon as you hear about a strike — seats fill fast.”
But don’t just stand in line. Tunnah recommends multitasking: “If you are at the airport when you find out the news, we suggest waiting in line and also calling the customer service center at the same time — you may speed things up this way.”
Step Two: Know What’s Covered
One of the biggest misconceptions is assuming insurance will magically cover everything.
“Many policies will cover unexpected strikes, but not if the strike was publicly announced before you purchased your plan,” Tunnah clarified. “Another misconception is that insurance pays out automatically, when in fact, airlines are the first line of recourse.”
That’s where documentation matters.
“Keep copies of boarding passes, receipts for any additional expenses, and communications log from the airline about cancellations or delays,” Tunnah said. “The more complete your paper trail, the smoother the claims process will be.”
Ventresca agrees that coverage comes down to timing.
“Some travel insurance plans cover strikes, offering reimbursement for additional expenses,” he said. “Purchase the insurance with FAR (for any reason) unexpected occurrences. Check your policy for exclusions or required conditions.”
Step Three: Lean on a Travel Advisor
Sure, you can play phone roulette with an airline call center. Or you can skip the stress entirely.
“First you thank your lucky stars that you have a travel advisor working for you,” said Michaela Moore, senior travel advisor with Creative Vacations/All-Travel, a member of the Signature Travel Network. “You should find that they are already on top of the situation and have alternatives for you.”
That help isn’t just for outbound flights.
“If you happen to be in destination when a strike occurs, you still have your travel advisor to help,” Moore notes. “They can help again with new flights, adjusting needed travel arrangements and starting an insurance claim if needed.”
“Book with a travel agent,” Ventresca added via email. “You’ll have a friend when in need!”
Step Four: Plan Ahead for Next Time
Even if you dodge this disruption, it’s worth preparing for the next one. Buy insurance early, build buffers into your itinerary (arrive a day or two before a wedding or cruise departure), and watch for red flags like tense labor talks or union strike authorization votes.
“Travel insurance is designed to protect against unforeseen events, so once a strike has been publicly announced or widely reported, it’s considered a known event and can no longer be covered,” Tunnah emphasized.
In other words, don’t wait until turbulence hits to buckle your seatbelt.
The Bottom Line
If your airline goes on strike, your best tools are speed, knowledge, and professional backup. Call the airline immediately, document everything, check your insurance fine print, and — most importantly — make sure you have a travel advisor in your corner before you board.
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