Overview of the strike
On Thursday, 12 February 2026, a day‑long strike by pilots from the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) and cabin crew from the Unabhängige Flugbegleiter‑Organisation (UFO) grounded departures from German airports for the full day, from 00:01 until 23:59 local time. The action affected flights operated by Lufthansa, Lufthansa Cargo and Lufthansa CityLine and led to hundreds of cancellations, with estimates of over 460 cancelled services and around 69,000 affected passengers. Major hubs such as Frankfurt, Munich and Hamburg were hit hardest, causing knock‑on effects for connecting flights. Normal operations are expected to resume on Friday.
Why the unions are striking
Pilots are demanding higher contributions to the company pension scheme for about 4,800 employees. Since 2017 the pension arrangements were changed to a capital‑market funded model, which the pilots say has reduced the effective pension level. The pilot union VC has said it tried to avoid escalation and remains willing to talk after a positive ballot in October 2025.
Key demands from staff
- Higher employer contributions to the company pension scheme for pilots to protect retirement levels.
- Reassessment of the capital‑market funded pension model introduced in 2017.
- Improved working conditions and pay terms for cabin crew in collective bargaining.
- A social plan to address the planned closure and staff impacts at CityLine.
The cabin crew union UFO is pursuing better working conditions for roughly 20,000 cabin staff in the collective bargaining talks and is asking for a social plan in connection with a planned closure of CityLine. Both unions framed the strike as a necessary step after several failed negotiation rounds.
Impact on flights and passengers
The strike produced massive operational disruption: scheduled departures from German airports were suspended for the whole day, many flights were cancelled and passengers faced delays or lost connections. Hubs such as Frankfurt and Munich experienced the most cancellations and long cascading effects across international and domestic networks.
| Item | Estimate / Detail |
|---|---|
| Cancelled flights | Over 460 (estimated) |
| Affected passengers | About 69,000 (estimated) |
| Strike window | 00:01–23:59 local time on 12 Feb 2026 |
| EU compensation | €250–€600 per passenger where applicable |
| Expected resumption | Normal operations planned from Friday |
Union and company reactions made clear the strike produced the intended disruption. An expert for UFO confirmed the action proceeded as planned.
Passenger rights and airline measures
The airline notified affected passengers automatically and offered options to help. People impacted by cancellations are entitled to either free rebooking — including on partner airlines where available — train tickets for affected domestic journeys, or a full refund. Where EU rules apply, passengers may also be entitled to financial compensation between €250 and €600, plus meals and hotel accommodation for long waits. The airline advised customers not to travel to airports without clear confirmation of their flight status.
How to claim refunds, rebooking or compensation
- Check official notifications from the airline and your booking for specific options offered to you.
- Accept rebooking on partner airlines or request a refund if the new option does not suit you.
- If you incur extra expenses (meals, hotel, transport), keep all receipts — these may be reimbursable.
- If you believe you are entitled to EU compensation, submit a claim through the airline’s customer service with booking details and receipts.
- Contact your travel insurance provider if you have additional coverage for delays and cancellations.
Airline response and negotiation status
The airline described the strike as an ‘extremely hard and disproportionate’ measure that unnecessarily escalated the conflict after seven failed negotiating rounds. The carrier rejected the unions’ requests on grounds of high costs and limited profitability. Despite this, the pilot union had already offered mediation and said it remained open to talks after its internal ballots and preparations.
Practical tips for travellers
If your travel plans are affected by the strike, follow these simple steps to reduce stress and protect your rights. Stay informed, use the rebooking and refund options offered, and keep documentation for any extra costs you incur.
- Check flight status online or via official airline messages before going to the airport.
- Accept rebooking options or request a refund promptly if you cannot travel.
- Ask for train tickets for domestic routes if offered as an alternative.
- Keep receipts for meals, hotels and transport to support any reimbursement claims.
- Expect normal flight operations to restart the following day, but allow extra time for eventual backlog and delays.
