On February 12, 2026, a series of one-day strikes organized by unions representing pilots and cabin crew at Lufthansa led to significant flight cancellations, impacting operations at Germany's largest airline. The strikes were initiated by the Vereinigung Cockpit and UFO unions, focusing on unresolved disputes regarding pilot pension systems and negotiation demands, respectively.

Lufthansa expressed strong disapproval of the walkouts, labeling them as disproportionate to the issues at hand. However, the airline announced plans to return to a mostly normal flight schedule by the following day, Friday. The strike action on Thursday predominantly affected flights departing from Frankfurt, where the departures board indicated a majority of flights were canceled.

In an effort to accommodate stranded passengers, Lufthansa reported that it was working to rebook travelers onto flights operated by its partner airlines and subsidiaries. These include well-known carriers such as Swiss, Austrian Airlines, and Brussels Airlines. Despite the unions' refusal to disclose exact cancellation figures, the extent of disruption was evident across major airport hubs.

The two unions had called for the 24-hour strikes just two days prior, on Tuesday. The Vereinigung Cockpit union specifically targeted flights leaving from Germany as part of their ongoing battle regarding pension benefits for pilots, affecting both Lufthansa and its cargo division, Lufthansa Cargo. Meanwhile, the UFO union's strike notice encompassed flights departing from both Frankfurt and Munich, including operations by the Lufthansa Cityline unit, stemming from a demand for negotiations across various operational issues.

The strike resulted in chaos and frustration for travelers, with many left scrambling to find alternative travel options. Lufthansa remains committed to resolving the disputes, yet the labor actions underscore the ongoing tensions between the airline and its workforce regarding working conditions and employee benefits.

As the situation unfolded, passengers were urged to remain informed about their flight statuses and to utilize the airline’s rebooking services, highlighting the operational challenges faced by Lufthansa amidst this labor dispute.