23 September 2026Strike by the airline's own staff

Icelandair aircraft mechanics' strike cancels morning flights, 23 September

WHAT'S HAPPENING

Aircraft mechanics employed by Icelandair, represented by the Icelandic Aircraft Mechanics' Association (FVFÍ), began an indefinite strike just after midnight on 23 September 2026 after wage talks that had run since November failed.
Icelandair cancelled its morning departures from Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavík Airport: 26 international flight legs and five domestic services, affecting close to 5,500 passengers.
The union called the strike off later the same day after agreeing with Icelandair to hold four weeks of focused talks led by the State Mediator.
Icelandair said afternoon departures from Keflavík and Reykjavík returned to schedule once the strike was withdrawn.

Sources: Iceland Review — strike begins · Iceland Review — strike called off · FlightGlobal · The Reykjavík Grapevine

WHAT IT MEANS FOR YOUR CLAIM

COMPENSATION: LIKELY IN SCOPE

A strike by the airline's own employees (pilots, cabin crew, ground staff on its payroll) is not an “extraordinary circumstance”. The Court of Justice held in Airhelp v SAS (C-28/20) that staff strikes are inherent in running an airline, so the airline cannot normally use them to refuse compensation.

Basis: Airhelp v SAS (C-28/20) · Krüsemann v TUIfly (C-195/17)

WHATEVER THE CAUSE, YOU'RE OWED

Meals and refreshments after 2–4 hours' wait (by flight distance), plus hotel and transfers if you are delayed overnight.
On cancellation: the choice between rerouting as soon as possible, rerouting at a later date, or a full refund within 7 days.
If the airline provides no care, keep receipts — reasonable expenses are reimbursable.
These duties apply even when the disruption itself is extraordinary.

CAUGHT IN THIS RIGHT NOW?

Open the Black Box and record what the airline tells you — especially the reason. The exact wording decides the extraordinary-circumstances question later.
Ask for rerouting in writing (app chat or email), and keep every receipt.
Once you know your final delay, check your flight and generate the letter.
Airline already replied with an excuse? Decode it.

This page explains the rules that generally apply to this type of disruption. Airlines assess each claim on its own facts; eligibility for a specific flight depends on its circumstances.