Originally Posted by
CGNC
Thanks all for the info. I looked and saw that AF now characterized the delay as due to 'labor dispute' which was never what was told to us throughout the experience. I wonder if this change was made to help protect against reimbursements (if labor disputes don't qualify as valid reasons) but I will press my case and let you know how it turns out!
First about the paid vs award, in my experience it makes little to no difference in the way I have been treated with different airlines including AF and indeed for what is within the realm of the EU regulation it makes no dfference (possible exception for the calculation of downgrade compensation).
Second on labour dispute, there is a bit of ambiguity as to whether this would be deemed circumstances beyond the airline's control or not. I believe some people have filed during the BA strike but I'm unsure what the result was. Third party strikes definitely 'cover' the airline but my guess is that airlines' own strikes probably won't.