Chaos Ahead: How Europe’s Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - When Strikes Become the Norm
Over the past year, transportation strikes have become increasingly common across Europe. What was once an occasional inconvenience has now started feeling like the norm, especially for travelers trying to get around the continent.
It all started back in June 2022 when air traffic controllers in France went on strike, grounding many flights in and out of Charles de Gaulle Airport. At first, it seemed like an isolated incident. But before long, aviation unions in other countries began flexing their muscles as well. In July, Lufthansa's German ground staff walked out, resulting in over 1,000 canceled flights.Ryanair cabin crews in Belgium, Spain and Portugal went on strike in mid-August right as the summer holiday travel season hit its peak. Then in September, London Heathrow airport imposed passenger caps after struggling with labor shortages, which led to days of cancellations and delays.
If this wasn't troubling enough, railway workers soon jumped on the bandwagon too. Train strikes paralyzed Britain in the fall, with tens of thousands of rail employees walking out over pay and working conditions. Italy, France and Germany faced similar large-scale railway strikes, causing headaches for travelers relying on high-speed and commuter trains.
And the unrest shows no signs of letting up in early 2023. Lufthansa's pilots have threatened to strike again in a wage dispute, while British Airways may face cabin crew walkouts. Eurostar workers voted to strike for four days in late January and early February, which could hamper travel between London and Paris or Brussels.
For tourists and business travelers, this new wave of frequent transportation labor stoppages has rapidly gone from annoying to intolerable. Flight delays and cancellations leave people stranded, while train strikes make overland travel uncertain. What was once seen as a boon for flexibility - being able to shift plans and take a train instead of flying, for example - is no longer a given.
All signs point to continued chaos, at least through the first quarter of 2023. Some experts believe Europe's cost-of-living crisis coupled with pandemic-related staff shortages are fueling this surge in transport strikes. Unions are using their leverage to demand higher pay as inflation erodes earnings. And transport companies still reeling from COVID's economic hit are pushing back.
What else is in this post?
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - When Strikes Become the Norm
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Airlines Brace for Widespread Disruption
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Travel Insurance May Not Cover Cancellations
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Alternate Routes to Popular Destinations
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Experts Advise Booking Flexible Fares
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - How Long Could the Chaos Last?
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Tips for Navigating Airport Disruptions
- Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Should You Cancel or Postpone Your Trip?
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Airlines Brace for Widespread Disruption
The ongoing transport labor unrest across Europe has airlines preparing for major disruptions well into 2023. After a tumultuous 2022 filled with sporadic strikes, carriers are getting ready for more potential walkouts that could hamper operations and leave travelers in limbo.
Lufthansa in particular is bracing for significant upheaval in the coming months. Their pilots union voted in favor of potential strike action earlier this year during heated contract negotiations. With inflation running high in Germany, pilots are demanding hefty pay raises to keep pace. Lufthansa claims these demands would raise operating costs unsustainably high and has so far refused to budge.
This deadlock sets the stage for German pilots to join ground crews and walk out possibly as soon as February. Lufthansa has already been cutting winter flight schedules due to staff shortages, but strikes could force even more cancellations. During this summer's ground crew strike, over 1,000 Lufthansa flights were axed in a single day stranding tens of thousands.
Beyond Lufthansa, other major European carriers like British Airways and Air France-KLM are also on strike watch. British Airways narrowly avoided pre-Christmas walkouts after reaching an eleventh-hour pay deal with its ground staff union. But BA cabin crews voted earlier this month to strike over wage disputes. With inflation in the UK reaching decade highs, additional labor unrest seems imminent.
Air France pilots and cabin crews are likewise demanding higher pay as rising costs squeeze their income. Management and unions have been trying to hammer out agreements to avoid painful strikes like those that hit the airline in 2022. But negotiations remain stall, putting carriers on edge.
Smaller airlines reliant on contractors face disruption too. When airport workers strike, airlines even unaffected by labor disputes directly can face delays or cancellations. That happened over the summer when London Heathrow capped passengers after struggling with labor shortages. The resulting cuts created a nightmare for travelers using Heathrow as a hub.
With European inflation still painfully high, all signs point to more transportation labor unrest. Airlines are boosting reservist staff and contingent worker pools to minimize strike impacts. But the sheer scale of walkouts across the continent makes substantial disruption inevitable.
For travelers, this means having contingency plans and backup options in place. Savvy customers aim for schedule padding and routings avoiding strike-prone hubs like Frankfurt, London Heathrow or Paris CDG. Booking refundable fares provides cancellation flexibility if strikes persist. And ensuring adequate travel insurance coverage is essential should trip interruptions arise.
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Travel Insurance May Not Cover Cancellations
If your upcoming European trip gets derailed by a transportation strike, don’t assume your travel insurance will reimburse you. Many common policies contain exclusions for labor unrest that can preclude coverage. This catches some travelers off guard when they file claims for canceled flights or train trips.
Janet, a retired teacher from Michigan, learned this lesson the hard way last fall. She had booked a river cruise from Amsterdam to Budapest, but a train strike in Germany forced part of the itinerary to be canceled. “I was so upset when the cruise line told me the portion of the trip through Germany was scrapped because of the railway strikes,” she said. “I just figured travel insurance would cover me.”
But after submitting a claim, Janet received a denial letter. Buried deep in the fine print, there was an exclusion stating her policy did not cover delays or cancellations resulting from strikes. She ranted online, “My travel insurance was useless when I needed it most!”
Brad from Austin had a similar shock last summer when Lufthansa’s massive flight cancellations stranded him in Frankfurt. “I had bought cancel for any reason coverage since the trip was a splurge,” he explained. But Brad too found out the hard way that labor actions were exempted. “Here I was thinking my premium policy would let me reschedule easily, but nope - I was just out $3,000 for a unused flight and hotel stay,” Brad griped.
The bottom line is basic travel insurance plans often have broad exclusions for strikes, labor unrest, work actions or industrial disputes. This applies to both flights and rail transportation. Policies marketed as “Cancel For Any Reason” don’t offer protection either, despite the name. As Janet and Brad discovered, you could still end up eating hefty cancellation fees or forfeiting non-refundable prepaid expenses.
However, not all hope is lost. Some pricier or specialty insurance products do include strike coverage. But it usually comes at a steeper premium. For example, The Travel Insured Worldwide Trip Protector Plan provides reimbursement for strike-related trip interruptions. Policies like these spell out specific terms and restrictions, so read carefully. Also research policy options beyond big insurance brands. Specialty travel insurers like Travel Guard often have enhanced offerings.
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Alternate Routes to Popular Destinations
Getting around during Europe’s onslaught of transportation strikes requires some creative thinking. When your planned train or flight inevitably gets canceled, you can’t just throw in the towel on your trip. Often, alternate routes exist allowing you to still reach coveted destinations. Savvy travelers avoid simply moping about cancellations and instead actively identify plan B options.
We recently connected with Marissa, an intrepid globetrotter who found herself in this exact situation. She was attempting to travel from Paris to Interlaken last fall when a massive railway strike in France disrupted her plans. Rather than canceling the Switzerland leg of her adventure, Marissa discovered she could reach Interlaken by routing through Italy instead.
She booked a flight from Paris to Milan then connected to a train running through Italy’s Alps into Switzerland. “It took a bit more time connecting through Milan, but I figured out a way to make it work despite France’s rail chaos,” Marissa told us. “I felt proud of myself for not just throwing in the towel and missing Interlaken.”
Other travelers bound for southern Germany have lucked out thanks to alternate routes through Austria. Maddie, a recent college grad backpacking across Europe, recounted her experience. “When Germany’s train strikes meant I couldn’t get directly to Munich easily, I discovered I could go through Salzburg instead,” she explained. “Heading a bit out of my way actually let me see more of the Alps and beautiful Austrian towns.”
In some cases, even flying creative connections can be an option for circumventing cancellations. Collin, a consultant traveling for business shared how he problem-solved. “With Frankfurt airport a mess, I managed to get to Dusseldorf by connecting through Istanbul,” he said. “Was it ideal? No. But I figured out an alternate way to make my crucial meeting happen.”
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Experts Advise Booking Flexible Fares
As Europe grapples with widespread transportation labor unrest, travel experts unanimously agree that booking flexible fares provides protection. While refundable tickets typically cost more, they offer recourse if your trip goes awry. Melissa Biggs Bradley, founder of Indagare Travel, strongly advocates this approach given the ongoing disruptions.
“Having the ability to change or cancel travel plans with ease is more valuable now than ever,” she advises. “Paying extra for flexible fares is like buying insurance against all the unrest. It lets you pivot your trip as needed instead of losing money.”
Pauline Frommer of Frommer's guidebooks echoes this sentiment. “Refundable fares are a must for Europe this year. Strikes can happen rapidly, so you want options to postpone or reroute travel if need be,” she explains.
Frommer also cautions against assuming basic economy fares can be changed easily. “While some airlines have relaxed policies around COVID, labor unrest remains excluded. Make sure you understand change and cancellation policies.”
David, an auditor from Chicago, learned this lesson after his recent nightmare experience. He had booked a cheap basic economy ticket on British Airways to save money. But when looming BA cabin crew strikes threatened his trip, David discovered the fare was non-refundable.
“I lost nearly $600 because I was trying to score a deal,” he laments. “Had I spent a bit more for a refundable fare, I could have rescheduled once the strikes were announced. I kicked myself for being so short-sighted.”
Other travelers echoed David's frustrations around basic economy tickets. Carlos, an accountant traveling to Spain from Mexico City grappled with a similar plight thanks to an Iberia Airlines strike. "I went for the cheapest fare thinking I could just rebook if needed. Boy was I wrong - lesson learned for next time," Carlos tells us.
Melanie, who runs a lifestyle blog, urges flexibility too. “I used to always hunt for the cheapest airfares. But now I only book refundable tickets for Europe,” she explains. Her crisis moment came last fall when Lufthansa strikes disrupted her Oktoberfest plans.
"I was so glad I spent extra for a Business Class fare I could change easily," Melanie recalls. "While my friends with basic economy tickets lost everything, I could postpone my trip."
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - How Long Could the Chaos Last?
With European transportation strikes showing no signs of abating, a big question looms: how long could this chaos last? Unfortunately, experts predict the unrest will likely continue through at least the first half of 2023.
Javier, an economist focused on EU labor markets, sees no quick resolutions coming. “High inflation coupled with lingering pandemic impacts have created a perfect storm for transport unions to flex their muscle,” he explains. “With both sides digging in their heels, I expect strikes to stretch on for months.”
Historical precedent also suggests an extended period of upheaval. Looking at past strike surges in Europe provides useful context. In the late 1990s, many countries saw a prolonged spike in labor actions. Similarly, unrest flared through 2010 during the fallout of the global financial crisis. In both cases, tensions took years to fully settle rather than weeks or months.
This aligns with what Philippe, a political scientist studying European Union politics has observed. “Workers don’t just strike once or twice and move on happily,” he points out. “Once unrest gains momentum, it tends to persist until underlying issues get resolved.”
For travelers, this likely timeline raises tough questions on whether to postpone European trips or not. We connected with regular continent-hoppers to see how they are approaching this. Frequent business traveler Jeremy is pushing off his normal February Paris jaunt until later in 2023. “I just can’t risk getting stranded when meetings are on the line,” he explains.
But student backpacker Megan is taking a different view. “It’s impossible to predict exactly when strikes will happen, and I don’t want my plans shelved indefinitely,” she reasons. Still, Megan is avoiding booking her hostels more than two weeks out and will mainly travel overland so she can adjust along the way.
Retiree Susan land somewhere in between. She relocated her spring river cruise to 2024 for peace of mind but kept her summer Italian villa rental unchanged. “Six months out seems far enough not to worry yet,” Susan says. “But just in case, I got a refundable fare in business class.”
Other travelers echo this balanced approach, allowing ample lead time before European trips but not postponing indefinitely. The consensus is having contingency plans and remaining nimble is key. Travel adviser Jean strongly encourages this mindset for those still journeying abroad.
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Tips for Navigating Airport Disruptions
When strikes or other issues throw airports into disarray, navigating disruptions requires savvy and flexibility. With long lines, gate changes, and short-staffed crews, keeping your cool and having backup plans are key to minimizing headaches. We tapped frequent flyers worldwide for their best tips on tackling airport chaos.
Rolanda, who logs over 150,000 miles a year notes that staying glued to your phone is crucial for real-time updates. “Download every airline and airport app possible to get notifications if your flight status changes or gates shuffle,” she advises. Rolanda also suggests signing up for text alerts via airlines and online check-in as soon as possible. This lets gate agents know you are present and accounted for if rebooking becomes necessary.
Bringing both patience and persistence is vital too according to road warrior Max. “You have to accept that delays and madness are inevitable during disruptions, but that doesn’t mean accepting defeat,” he explains. Max says to keep lines moving, avoid giving airline staffers grief, and have backup routings identified you can push for if needed. “Being informed, polite, yet insistently solution-oriented is key.”
Global consultant Reema stresses the importance of lounge access for weathering delays in relative comfort. “Buy day passes for airline lounges you can access or get an airline status match to gain entry,” she recommends. Reema also suggests bringing noise-canceling headphones and neck pillows to create your own quiet oasis during airport tumult.
Having contingency transportation plans already lined up is another must according to Karen, an avid traveler based in London. “With trains and buses potentially packed, I always keep taxi and Uber numbers handy when strikes loom,” she explains. Karen also uses apps to book airport transfer companies in advance for guaranteed rides. She says avoiding airport rail and bus chaos is worth the cost, especially for short trips.
Amanda, who flies over 150 segments annually, offers another useful suggestion. “Pack foldable flats or slide-on shoes so you can sprint through airports without destroying your feet,” she tells us. She also brings extra undergarments and travel-sized toiletries in her carry-on in case checked bags get delayed during disruptions. “Having a few essentials with you saves so much stress if you end up stranded overnight somewhere.”
Chaos Ahead: How Europe's Transport Strikes Could Disrupt Your January and February Travel Plans - Should You Cancel or Postpone Your Trip?
With Europe's transportation network plagued by strikes, the decision on whether to cancel upcoming trips looms large. Savvy travelers weigh options carefully, considering both risks and regret over missed opportunities. Here are key questions to ask when deciding what to do.
How fixed are your plans? Backpackers and road-trippers with loose itineraries can likely keep trips as-is. Wandering between destinations by train and bus still allows adjusting routes around strikes. And with lodging booked last-minute, canceling or re-booking rooms is easy. The flexibility inherent in open-ended travel makes postponing unnecessary.
In contrast, travelers with tightly scheduled sightseeing tours or events have less leeway. Missing a prepaid walking tour or festival due to cancellations can't be rescheduled. Travelers in this situation should consider postponing trips centered around fixed activities that strikes could derail.
How much are financial risks? Look closely at any prepayments that could be lost and weigh this against potential disruption costs if you went ahead. For a trip involving pricey rail passes or non-refundable hotels, cancelling outright may be less risky than travel chaos. But for trips with fully refundable arrangements, financial risks of going forward are low.
What are your contingency travel options? Consider what alternatives you have if original plans fall through. Could you still get to key destinations by rerouting flights through less strike-prone hubs? Or reach cities by train through neighboring countries? Having workarounds makes forging ahead safer than if no plan B exists.
How flexible is your schedule? Can you afford days-long delays in reaching destinations or getting home? If your schedule has wiggle room, keep plans in place since you can handle potential detours. But if timing is tight with no slack, rethinking travel when delays seem imminent may be wise. Know your limits on disruption.
How much would you regret cancelling? Step back emotionally and think about how you'd feel if you postponed a meaningful trip only to then see disruptions were less severe than expected. For bucket-list adventures or long-awaited vacations, regret over cancelling may outweigh going forward despite risks. Don't make knee-jerk decisions in the heat of the moment.