You could also try to travel during period of air company strike. It's a gamble, but it could pay off.

My wife and sons where in south asia in april. And they should have returned to EU through a flight with Lufthansa. There was a strike that delayed there return by 4 days. I agree this was a shitty and stressful situation to manage.

After their return, I filled a form to ask for a refund at least for the hotel room. I didn't expect anything. Well they refund me more than the full price of the flights go and return.