Lufthansa Strikes Again: Numerous Flights Canceled Over Two Days

Lufthansa Celebrates 100 Years

As Lufthansa marks its 100th anniversary, its pilots are preparing to strike, heavily impacting numerous flights. This will be the second strike in just a month, following a recent strike by flight attendants. What a unfortunate turn of events!

Strike Details

Pilots represented by the Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) union have announced a strike starting at 12:01 AM on Monday, April 13, 2026, and lasting until 11:59 PM on Tuesday, April 14, 2026. This strike will affect pilots from Lufthansa, Lufthansa CityLine, and Lufthansa Cargo.

Notably, pilots from Eurowings will only strike for one day, from 12:01 AM to 11:59 PM on April 13, 2026. Earlier, on March 12-13, 2026, pilots also went on strike for two days, and flight attendants struck on April 10. A total of five strike days in just over a month is quite concerning.

Impacted Flights

Flights departing from Germany will face significant disruptions, except for those to and from the Middle East due to the critical nature of these routes. Flights to Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Yemen, Jordan, Qatar, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates will continue as scheduled.

Statement from the Union President

Andreas Pinheiro, president of the VC union, shared insights on the ongoing strike situation: “The union feels compelled to strike after employers showed no willingness to resolve wage disputes. Although there was a decision not to strike during the Easter holiday, no serious proposals have been put forward.”

He added, “Employers always have the opportunity to prevent strikes by making negotiable offers. Strikes are always a last resort when negotiations fail.”

Travel Advisory

Lufthansa has issued notifications to passengers regarding the status of flights on Monday and Tuesday, allowing them to easily adjust their travel plans. The airline advises passengers to check the flight status page to see if their flights are operating, and most cancellations have been updated.

Reasons for the Strike

So, why are Lufthansa pilots striking? There are two main reasons. Firstly, the retirement policy for pilots at Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo. Secondly, unsuccessful wage negotiations at Lufthansa CityLine. Before 2017, pilots enjoyed a traditional retirement plan with guaranteed payouts. However, at the company’s request, this was replaced with a market-based financial model that does not meet previous retirement expectations.

Regarding salary for Lufthansa CityLine pilots, since August 2025, the negotiation committee has been trying to negotiate a new wage contract, but no viable proposals have been presented. Although the company made an offer on February 25, 2026, the union considers it far from their demands and unacceptable.

Future of the Strike

In summary, Lufthansa pilots will strike for two days next Monday and Tuesday, while Eurowings pilots will only strike on Monday. This will significantly affect many flights departing from Germany, except for 'essential' flights to the Middle East. For Lufthansa’s main pilots, the strike revolves around retirement negotiations, while for CityLine pilots, it concerns the new contract.

As usual, the union emphasizes that management is unwilling to make acceptable offers. This is Lufthansa's third strike in about a month, which is certainly not a positive sign for the airline. Are any of you planning to fly with Lufthansa in the coming days? Share your thoughts!