Lufthansa flights hit by pilot strike in April

Lufthansa has warned of significant disruptions to its flight schedule after the Vereinigung Cockpit union announced a short-notice pilot strike for April 13 and 14, 2026.

 

The airline said it is working to minimize the impact on passengers by operating as many flights as possible through other Lufthansa Group carriers and partner airlines. However, cancellations and schedule changes are expected across its network.

Passengers affected by disruptions will be notified by email, with the airline advising customers to check their flight status online before heading to the airport and ensure their contact details are up to date.

Lufthansa has introduced flexible rebooking and refund options for impacted travelers. Customers with tickets issued on or before April 11 for flights scheduled during the strike period can rebook free of charge to another Lufthansa Group flight between April 11 and 21, or request a refund.

The airline also noted that passengers whose flights are cancelled may be automatically rebooked onto alternative services. Where no suitable flight is available, customers may be able to exchange their ticket for a Deutsche Bahn rail journey under a dedicated program.

Due to the expected surge in inquiries, Lufthansa warned of longer waiting times at its service centers and encouraged passengers to use digital tools for managing bookings.

The strike, announced at short notice, adds to ongoing challenges in the aviation sector and is likely to affect thousands of passengers traveling across Europe during the two-day period.