Wizz Air strike compensation in the EU and UK.
Because yes – airline strikes aren’t considered extraordinary circumstances.
If there’s a Wizz Air strike (Wizz Air staff on strike, not airport staff), and if that causes 3+ hour flight delay or last-minute flight cancellation, you might be entitled to flight compensation from Wizz Air. These are the rules in Europe, and these rules apply to all Wizz Air flights and all Wizz Air passengers. Also, in the event of an airline staff strike, you have a right to care from Wizz Air.
How to claim Wizz Air strike compensation?
1. Wizz Air Strike Compensation
The rules are very simple and specific.
- If it’s a flight delay, it must be a 3-hour flight delay (or more). Keep in mind that delay time is calculated at the moment you reach your destination. To be specific, at the moment when the doors of the aeroplane are opened and passengers are free to leave. If it’s 3 or more hours later than scheduled, then you might be entitled to Wizz Air flight delay compensation.
- If it’s a flight cancellation, it must be a last-minute cancellation. And it must be due to the airline’s fault. Last-minute flight cancellation is when a flight is cancelled not earlier than 14 days before departure. If your flight is cancelled last minute due to the airline’s fault, you might be entitled to Wizz Air flight cancellation compensation (and also – a Wizz Air cancellation refund).
The rules apply to all Wizz Air flights to, within and from Europe.
By Europe and EU here on this page we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
2. How to Claim Wizz Air Strike Compensation?
There are two ways how to claim EU flight compensation.
One of the options is to contact Wizz Air yourself. Visit wizzair.com and look for the “Contact Us” section. There you will see a step-by-step guide on how to contact the airline and request flight compensation. When submitting a compensation claim, mention European Flight Compensation Regulations (Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 or Regulation UK261). Make sure you have all the necessary information about your flight.
This process may take a few months. Be prepared for negotiations.
The second option is — legal representation.
It’s the easiest of the two options.
In this case, everything is handled by legal professionals. In most cases, you will need to fill in a single form — compensation claim form. The rest will be done by the company on your behalf.
Our partners offer such services.
When choosing this option, here is all you will have to do:
And that’s it — the rest is handled by professionals.
* Your boarding pass and passport or ID copy.
2.1 How Long Does It Take?
No matter how you proceed, it isn’t a short process.
If everything goes well, it might take about 3 months.
It takes at least twice as much if your case has to be taken to court — if the airline isn’t ready to cooperate and doesn’t want to pay compensation even if it’s due.
3. How Much Can You Claim?
The compensation amount is fixed and ranges from €250 to €600.
These amounts are regulated by the EU and UK regulations.
Here is how you can calculate the amount of Wizz Air compensation:
When your destination is within the EU:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km
When your destination is outside the EU:
€250
If the distance of your flight is
up to 1500 km
€400
If the distance of your flight is between 1500 – 3500 km
€600
If the distance of your flight is more than 3500 km
3.1 Wizz Air Voucher Refund or Cash?
You might be offered a voucher instead of compensation.
However, you don’t have to accept it. Unless, of course, you want a Wizz Air coupon instead of money, if you know that you’ll be using it anyway.
Airline compensation and refunds have to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.
4. Extraordinary Circumstances
Airline staff strikes are not extraordinary circumstances.
Just like problems with staff and technical problems aren’t extraordinary circumstances. It’s airline’s responsibility to deal with issues like this.
However, if you are claiming Wizz Air strike compensation yourself, you might face certain problems during the process. The airline might tell you the wrong reason for delay/cancellation, or tell you that airline staff strikes are considered to be extraordinary circumstances (i.e., something the airline can’t avoid). Even if it’s not true. You have to be prepared for that.
Airlines love this term. They often use the term extraordinary circumstances as an excuse why they will not pay compensation. Even when it’s not true. Remember this. Always double-check what you are told. And always ask for proof. Especially when you are trying to get compensation.
Or you can work with a flight compensation company. They will check your flight and claim compensation on your behalf. Our partners offer such services.
Just fill in our claim form, and our partners will do that for you.
5. Right to Care from Wizz Air
In Europe, you also have a right to care.
If your flight is delayed for several hours, cancelled last minute or overbooked, you might be entitled to receive certain services for free from the airline. It’s called the right to care. Some refer to it as a right to assistance. It’s the same thing. Passengers are entitled to this if they have to wait for 3+ hours.
Wizz Air must offer you free meals and drinks in a reasonable relation to the waiting time, and two free phone calls or e-mails. If the flight is delayed overnight, they must offer free accommodation and free airport transfer as well. In Europe, all passengers are eligible for this type of care from the airline.
Remember! Wizz Air isn’t one company. There are several companies registerd in different countries. If you are flying with Wizz Air Hungary, you are protected by Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 on all flights. With Wizz Air UK, you have the same rights like with Wizz Air Hungary. With Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, you have the same rights only on flights that are departing from Europe (EU, EEA, UK).
Wizz Air Strike Compensation: FAQ
My Wizz Air flight was very cheap. Can I get compensation?
Yes, absolutely! The price of your Wizz Air tickets doesn’t matter.
It also doesn’t affect the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive. You may receive compensation of 400 euros even if your flight costs 4 euros. All because the whole purpose of denied boarding compensation, flight delay compensation, and flight cancellation compensation, is to compensate for the inconveniences you have to go through.
Do I need to have insurance for this?
No, you don’t need to have insurance.
According to European Regulation EC 261/2004, every passenger who experiences a flight delay, last-minute flight cancellation, or boarding denial due to overbooking, can get compensation. As long as it’s due to the fault of the airline.
Can my child get compensation from Wizz Air?
Yes. All travellers in Europe are protected under the law, including children.
People of any age can get compensation if they are eligible for it. Even infants who have a special, infant ticket and don’t have a seat, are entitled to full compensation.
Can I claim compensation for another person?
Yes, you can claim compensation for another person.
You don’t even have to be on that flight yourself.
You can file a compensation claim for your family member, relative or friend, as long as they provide you with a boarding pass and passport copy. The only thing the person in question will have to do is to sign any documents Wizz Air may ask to sign. If you decide to work with flight compensation companies, mostly it’s only one document and signature.
How far back can I claim flight compensation?
You can claim compensation also for old flights. The exact deadline varies from country to country. You have to look at the laws and regulations in the country your flight departed from.
Mostly, you can claim compensation for flights that are up to 2-3 years old.
What to do if Wizz Air is refusing my claim?
Your Wizz Air compensation claim is refused. What’s next? The easiest way to get compensation Wizz Air owes you is to file a claim against Wizz Air with a flight compensation company.
Alternatively, you can try and contact the respective national enforcement body. There are national enforcement bodies in all the EU Member states. They will help you or point you in the right direction. These are government agencies, so be prepared for a likely lengthy process.
EU – Non-EU Flights, Tourists
I’m flying to the EU from a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
If you’re flying with Wizz Air then yes, you can.
Wizz Air is registered in the EU and the UK, and in this case, EU regulations apply to all its flights to and from the EU. If you’re flying with an airline that is not registered in the EU, it applies only to its flights departing from Europe but not the other way around.
With Wizz Air Abu Dhabi, most of the information on this website applies only to flights from Europe. Because Wizz Air Abu Dhabi is not a European airline.
I’m flying from the EU to a country outside the EU. Can I get compensation?
Yes, with Wizz Air you can.
The same stands true also for all other airlines (including non-EU airlines).
The same applies to Wizz Air Abu Dhabi flights.
I am not a European. Can I apply for compensation?
Yes, you can.
Travellers of any nationality can claim Wizz Air flight delay compensation. In the EU, all travellers are protected under the same law — tourists from overseas and Europeans alike.
All passengers on the same flight have the same rights.
Other Situations
Wizz Air provided me with a free hotel room and took me to my destination. Can I still get compensated for the delay?
Yes, you may still receive flight compensation, if you are eligible for it.
In Europe, passengers have a right to care no matter the reason for delay. And if you’re eligible for compensation, you can get both – assistance and flight compensation. Just do not forget to file a compensation claim. Do it as soon after the flight as possible.
Wizz Air took me to my destination. Can I still get compensation?
If you arrived at least 3 hours later than planned, then, yes.
There are many situations in which you may get compensated. Depending on the distance of your flight, you may receive a compensation of up to €600 per passenger. Even if you were taken to your final destination.
What is your experience? Have you ever received Wizz Air strike compensation? Do you still have questions about Wizz Air compensation claim procedures and policies? Ask in the comments.