Lufthansa Strike Disrupts Flights Across Germany

A pilot strike called by the Vereinigung Cockpit union has disrupted Lufthansa flight operations, forcing the airline to adjust schedules and offer passengers flexible travel options.

 

Passengers holding tickets for flights scheduled on 13 March 2026 have been given the option to rebook free of charge onto another Lufthansa Group flight between 10 and 23 March through the airline’s Help Center. Customers may also request a full ticket refund if they choose not to travel.

Lufthansa said its service centers are currently experiencing a high volume of calls due to the disruption and encouraged passengers to use online tools and digital services to manage their bookings whenever possible.

The airline expects flight operations to largely return to normal from Saturday, 14 March.

Passengers are advised to check the status of their flight before traveling to the airport and to ensure their contact details are updated in their booking profile so they can receive important updates.

If a flight is cancelled, Lufthansa typically rebooks affected passengers automatically onto an alternative service and notifies them by text message or email. Travelers can also modify their rebooking through the airline’s website or via the Lufthansa chat assistant.

For certain routes, Lufthansa passengers whose flights are cancelled may convert their airline ticket into a Deutsche Bahn rail ticket free of charge. The option applies to domestic routes within Germany as well as connections between Germany and several European cities including Amsterdam, Brussels, Paris, Zurich, Vienna, Prague and Warsaw.

Passengers eligible for the rail option are usually notified automatically by email up to five days before departure, though vouchers can also be requested manually if needed.

Lufthansa has advised passengers connecting through major hubs such as Frankfurt or Munich to allow sufficient time for onward flights when choosing train travel as a substitute.