Pilot strike in Germany on April 13–14, 2026
Pilot Strike in Germany – April 13–14, 2026
On April 13 and 14, 2026, airline passengers in Germany must expect significant disruptions. The pilots’ union Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) has announced a strike affecting part of the Lufthansa Group carriers.
Update: The UFO cabin crew union has announced another strike, which will affect Lufthansa (LH) and Lufthansa CityLine (CL) on April 15, 16, 17 2026 (Wednesday-Friday). The airline is taking measures to minimize disruption to passengers, including operating as many flights as possible with the support of other Lufthansa Group airlines and partners. However, some flights will be canceled. The strike does not affect flights operated by Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, or Lufthansa City Airlines.
Scope of the Strike
The strike action applies to:
- Lufthansa (LH) and Lufthansa CityLine (CL) – on April 13 and 14 (Monday–Tuesday),
- Eurowings (EW) – on April 13 (Monday).
The strike was announced at very short notice, which significantly limited the airlines’ ability to implement alternative solutions.
Disruptions for Passengers
Despite intensive efforts by the airlines to minimize disruptions (including using other Lufthansa Group carriers and partner airlines), flight cancellations have been unavoidable.
Passengers whose flights have been cancelled or automatically rebooked will be informed by the airline—provided that their contact details are included in the booking.
Airlines Not Affected
It is important to note that the strike does not affect the following carriers:
- Austrian Airlines
- Brussels Airlines
- SWISS
- Air Dolomiti
- Discover Airlines
- Edelweiss
- Lufthansa City Airlines
Flights operated by these airlines are running as scheduled.
Applicable Policies and Compensation
In case of disruptions, the following apply:
- standard procedures for schedule changes (so-called Schedule Change/Irregularity Policy),
- a special goodwill policy (TWP 2608) for travel to, from, and within Germany—even if the flight has not been cancelled.
What Should Passengers Do?
Travelers are advised to:
- regularly check their flight status,
- ensure their contact details in the booking are up to date,
- follow airline communications regarding changes and available options.
The pilot strike in mid-April 2026 is causing significant disruptions to air traffic in Germany. Although airlines are taking steps to reduce the impact, some cancellations are unavoidable. Passengers should closely monitor the situation and be prepared for possible changes to their travel plans. Airlines have apologized for the inconvenience, emphasizing that the strike was announced suddenly and is disproportionate to the situation.
Update: The UFO cabin crew union has announced another strike, which will affect Lufthansa (LH) and Lufthansa CityLine (CL) on April 15 and 16, 2026 (Wednesday-Thursday). The airline is taking measures to minimize disruption to passengers, including operating as many flights as possible with the support of other Lufthansa Group airlines and partners. However, some flights will be canceled. The strike does not affect flights operated by Austrian Airlines, Brussels Airlines, SWISS, Air Dolomiti, Discover Airlines, Edelweiss, or Lufthansa City Airlines.
If you have any questions or concerns, please contact the eTravel Customer Service Office.
