Lufthansa pilots threaten two-day strike starting Thursday

Lufthansa pilots and cabin crew unions announced a one-day strike beginning Thursday, 12 February 2026, disrupting operations at Germany's largest airline. The Vereinigung Cockpit (VC) and UFO unions staged the 24-hour action to protest disputes over pension reforms for pilots and broader negotiations for cabin crew according to AP News. The strike affected mainline Lufthansa and Lufthansa Cargo flights departing from Germany, with significant cancellations reported at hubs like Frankfurt and Munich. Lufthansa stated that most morning flights from Frankfurt were grounded, though subsidiaries such as Eurowings, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines remained unaffected.

The airline criticized the strike as "disproportionate" but pledged to restore normal operations by Friday. Passengers were rebooked onto partner carriers within the Lufthansa Group, including Swiss and Austrian Airlines, while affected travelers could claim refunds or rerouting under the airline's irregularity policies. Under EU Regulation 261/2009, passengers facing cancellations or delays exceeding three hours may be entitled to compensation of up to €600 per person. Lufthansa also offered alternatives such as Deutsche Bahn rail tickets for domestic flights.

The action follows prior industrial disputes, including a 5% pilot pay raise in January 2026, which contrasted with rejected demands for ground staff. Analysts note the strike's short-term operational and reputational risks for Lufthansa, though the airline's diversified network and rebooking strategies may mitigate financial impacts. Investors are monitoring resolution prospects in ongoing labor negotiations.