Delay Draft

Spain General Strike on 11 November 2026: What It Means for Your Flight

Spain's two largest unions, CCOO and UGT, have called a 24-hour nationwide general strike for Wednesday 11 November 2026. Other unions, including CGT, are backing it. It covers every sector across the whole country, including the Balearic and Canary Islands. Airports stay open, but flights to, from and within Spain may be cancelled or delayed that day. Here is what is known so far, what EU rules generally say, and how to protect your claim.

What we know so far

  • Date: Wednesday 11 November 2026, 00:00–23:59, nationwide.
  • Minimum services for flights: At the time of writing, Spain's Ministry of Transport has not yet published them. It usually does so a few days before a strike.
  • For reference only: In the 2010 and 2012 general strikes, the guaranteed flights were about 10% of mainland domestic flights, 20% of flights to the rest of Europe, 50% of flights to the islands, Ceuta and Melilla, and 40% of other international flights. This year's figures may be different. In the October 2025 general strike, the percentages were set airport by airport.
  • Most at risk: short mainland domestic routes that have a train or road alternative.
  • Check your airline's app and email on 9–11 November, and make sure the airline has your current phone number and email.

What EU261 generally says about strikes

EU Regulation 261/2004 (and the UK version, UK261) gives you different rights depending on who went on strike and when you were told.

These rights always apply, whatever the reason for the cancellation:

  • A refund or rerouting: you choose either a full refund (paid within 7 days) or a replacement flight to your destination (Article 8).
  • The right to care: meals and refreshments while you wait, plus a hotel and transfers if you are stuck overnight (Article 9). If the airline doesn't provide these, keep reasonable receipts and claim the costs back.

Fixed compensation (€250 / €400 / €600, or £220–£520 under UK261) depends on the cause and the notice:

  • Told 14 days or more before departure: for 11 November flights, that means on or before 28 October. No fixed compensation is due for the cancellation.
  • The airline's own staff on strike (its pilots, cabin crew or ground staff): the EU Court of Justice has held this is generally not an extraordinary circumstance (case C-28/20, Airhelp v SAS). Compensation can apply if you were told less than 14 days ahead.
  • Third-party strikes (air traffic control, airport staff, or a general strike by outside workers): these are often treated as extraordinary circumstances, which usually means no fixed compensation. Refund or rerouting and care still apply.
  • A general strike: there is no specific Court ruling on general strikes. It depends on which staff actually stopped work and whether that caused your flight's cancellation. Ask the airline in writing for the specific reason.

The airline has to prove an extraordinary circumstance, and that it took all reasonable measures. A vague "strike" label is not proof.

This page is general information, not legal advice. Outcomes depend on your facts and the airline's response. DelayDraft does not guarantee any payment.

What to keep as evidence

  • Booking confirmation, e-ticket and boarding pass
  • The cancellation or delay notice, with a screenshot showing the date and time you were told
  • The airline's stated reason, in writing (ask for it)
  • Departure-board photos and the actual arrival time (note when the doors opened)
  • Every receipt: meals, hotel, taxis, replacement transport
  • Any rebooking offer, plus your refund or rerouting choice, in writing
  • All emails and chats with the airline or travel agent

Write your claim letter (you send it yourself)

DelayDraft gives you a clear, dated EU261 claim letter template that sets out refund or rerouting, care costs and, where it applies, compensation, each as a separate item. You send it yourself. We don't file claims for you, take a cut, or promise any outcome.

Create my EU261 letter →

UK flight? Use the UK261 letter. More Spain info: Flight delay in Spain.

Questions: claims@delaydraft.com

FAQ

Will there be flights on 11 November?

Yes. The strike doesn't close airports, but some flights are expected to be cancelled or delayed. How many depends on the minimum services and on who takes part.

Do I get compensation if my flight is cancelled because of the strike?

It depends. If the airline's own staff struck and you were told less than 14 days ahead, compensation often applies. If outside workers struck (air traffic control, airport staff, a general strike), it's often treated as extraordinary and no fixed compensation is due. A refund or rerouting and care apply either way.

What is the 14-day cut-off for 11 November?

28 October 2026. A cancellation notified on or before that date carries no fixed compensation, but you still get a refund or rerouting.

The airline won't give me a hotel or meals. What do I do?

Pay for reasonable options yourself, keep every receipt, and claim the costs from the operating airline in writing afterwards.

Should I take a voucher?

You don't have to. Under EU261, refunds are paid in money unless you agree in writing to a voucher.

What if the airline refuses or doesn't reply?

For flights from Spain, you can escalate to AESA (Spain's aviation authority) after one month. For UK flights, use the airline's ADR scheme or the CAA.

Did the new EU passenger-rights law change this?

Not for this strike. The revised regulation (EU) 2026/2202 only applies to flights from 23 October 2027.