Lufthansa Strike 2026: 100,000 Passengers Affected by 24-Hour Walkout

Breaking: Lufthansa Strike Disrupts 100,000 Passengers Across Germany

Germany's flagship airline Lufthansa has been forced to cancel nearly 800 flights affecting approximately 100,000 passengers due to a coordinated 24-hour strike by pilots and cabin crew on February 12, 2026. The industrial action, which began at midnight and will continue for 24 hours, has paralyzed operations at major German airports including Frankfurt and Munich, with Lufthansa expecting normal service to resume on February 13.

What is the Lufthansa Strike About?

The current Lufthansa strike involves two major unions: the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) representing pilots and the UFO union representing flight attendants. This dual-union action represents one of the most significant labor disputes in recent European aviation history, affecting both passenger and cargo operations across Germany's largest airline network.

Pilots are striking primarily over pension benefits, with the VC union seeking improved retirement arrangements for approximately 5,000 pilots. Meanwhile, cabin crew at Lufthansa CityLine, the airline's regional subsidiary, are protesting the planned shutdown of flight operations that threatens around 800 jobs. The simultaneous nature of these strikes has created unprecedented disruption, similar to the 2025 European airline labor disputes that affected multiple carriers.

Impact on Travel Operations

The strike has resulted in:

• Approximately 800 flight cancellations
• 100,000 affected passengers
• Major disruptions at Frankfurt and Munich airports
• Cancellation of most domestic German flights
• Some international routes also affected

At Frankfurt Airport's Lufthansa terminal, departure boards showed significantly fewer flights than usual, with long queues forming at rebooking counters. The airline has offered domestic passengers the option to exchange their flight tickets for Deutsche Bahn train tickets to their destinations, though this alternative doesn't cover all affected routes.

Union Demands and Company Response

Pilot Pension Dispute

The VC union, representing Lufthansa's pilots, is demanding improved pension benefits through the strike action. VC Chairman Andreas Pinheiro expressed satisfaction with the number of participating pilots, stating, 'As a union, we have few other means than taking action. If there's no offer, the conflict will escalate further.' Pinheiro denied that the simultaneous strikes were coordinated, though their timing creates maximum operational impact.

Cabin Crew Concerns

The UFO union's strike focuses on securing a new collective bargaining agreement for cabin crew and protesting Lufthansa's plans to shut down CityLine operations. This comes amid broader industry challenges, including the European aviation labor market trends that have seen increased union activity across the continent.

Lufthansa has stated there is no financial flexibility to meet the union demands, citing recent financial challenges. The airline reported losing one-fifth of its earnings in 2024 and has implemented various cost-cutting measures, including job reductions. However, the company's 2025 financial results showed improvement with revenues reaching €29.6 billion and Adjusted EBIT increasing 26% to €1.48 billion.

Passenger Rights and Compensation

Under EU Regulation 261/2004, passengers affected by the Lufthansa strike may be entitled to:

Passengers should keep all travel documentation and monitor their flight status through official channels. Lufthansa has established rebooking options and alternative travel arrangements, particularly for domestic routes where train travel offers a viable alternative.

Broader Implications for European Aviation

The Lufthansa strike occurs during a critical period for European aviation, coinciding with major events like the Berlinale film festival and Munich Security Conference. This disruption highlights ongoing tensions in the German transportation sector labor relations and raises questions about airline operational stability during peak travel periods.

Industry analysts note that such strikes can have ripple effects throughout the European aviation network, potentially impacting connecting flights and partner airlines. The situation also underscores the importance of effective labor negotiations in maintaining service reliability, particularly for flag carriers like Lufthansa that serve as critical infrastructure for national and international travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Lufthansa flights resume normal operations?

Lufthansa expects flights to resume as scheduled on February 13, 2026, following the 24-hour strike period ending at midnight on February 12-13.

What compensation are passengers entitled to?

Affected passengers may be eligible for compensation ranging from €250 to €600 under EU Regulation 261/2004, plus refunds or rerouting options and necessary care provisions like meals and accommodation.

Are other Lufthansa Group airlines affected?

The strike primarily affects mainline Lufthansa and Lufthansa CityLine. Subsidiaries including SWISS, Austrian Airlines, Eurowings, and Discover Airlines are not directly affected by this industrial action.

What should affected passengers do?

Passengers should check their flight status via official Lufthansa channels, consider rebooking options, and keep all travel documentation for potential compensation claims. Domestic travelers can explore train alternatives offered by the airline.

Could there be more strikes?

Union leaders haven't ruled out further industrial action if their demands aren't met, suggesting the current disruption could escalate if negotiations fail to produce satisfactory outcomes.

Sources

Simple Flying: Lufthansa 24-Hour Strike Details
RTE: Hundreds of Lufthansa Flights Cancelled
AirHelp: Passenger Rights and Compensation
Lufthansa Group Financial Reports