When a flight does not go as planned, such as a canceled flight or a delayed flight, it can cause extra waiting time and logistics problems for passengers. In most cases, delayed passengers might experience additional costs that incur from the extra waiting times. But are you aware of what options you have if you experience flight delays and cancellations? Continue reading to get informed on what are your air passenger rights and how to get the airlines to pay compensation.
The process of reaching out to airlines and claiming compensation on your own can be very time-consuming and stressful. Most airlines try to avoid their obligation to compensate passengers, and are very good at coming up with bad excuses or offering vouchers that are only a portion of what you are entitled to. However, we at Air-Delay.com specialize in travel agency and airline compensation in regards to delayed or canceled flights. We make it easy for you to go through the whole process to claim compensation. The only thing you have to do is send all your flight details and documents (boarding pass, booking reference, etc) and we take care of the rest.
Air passenger rights in the event of flight delay
It is common for air travel passengers to experience disruptions and there can be many reasons for this, for example, air traffic delays and weather delays. It is no doubt how inconvenient a flight delay can be, no matter the reason for the travel. You as a passenger, fortunately, have different options in terms of accommodation, meals, and a refund of your ticket when a flight is delayed.
The European Regulation 261/2004 ensures that passengers can get compensated for a delayed flight and a canceled flight. However, this applies only in cases where:
- flights have both legs in the European Union.
- All flights departing from an EU country.
- All flights departing from a non-EU country but arriving at an EU country – If the air carrier is a European airline.
This means that if it is not an EU airline and the flight is not based in the EU, there is no flight delay compensation to be paid under EU reg. 261/04.
If your flight is delayed by 5 hours or more, you are entitled to a refund of your airline ticket. If you instead want to rebook your ticket for a return ticket, it is also possible.
A significant delay can also mean that you do not arrive at your destination in time. Here you may be entitled to flight delay compensation. The amount of compensation depends on how long your flight is.
The flight delay compensation amount distinguishes between these three distances:
- Is your flight 1,500 km or less. (250 EUR)
- Is your flight between 1,500 km – 3,500 km (400 EUR)
- Is your flight over 3,500 km and outside the EU. (600 EUR)
However, there are some cases where compensation is not possible: If the delay is due to for example work strike or bad weather that is outside of the airline’s control and could not have been prevented. These situations are called extraordinary circumstances. However, many airlines use extraordinary circumstances as excuses in many cases of delayed flights and canceled flights when it wasn’t the real cause.
Below you can also get an overview of your rights in relation to overnight stays, meals, and refunds of your flight ticket in the event of a late flight cancellation.
Hotel accommodation due to delayed or canceled flight
When a flight departs later than scheduled, both domestic and international flights, it may mean that air travelers need to book a hotel room. But how exactly does it work for stranded passengers who are faced with the extra cost of an overnight stay in the event of a flight delay and flight cancellation?
As a rule of thumb, air travelers are entitled to a paid hotel room if a flight disruption causes them to stay overnight. The same applies to transport to and from the hotel – this expense is also carried by the airline.
If you experience extra expenses when booking a temporary hotel, then it is always an advantage to keep all your receipts. This puts you in a better position when you have to seek compensation or reimbursement for extra expenses in connection with flight delays and cancellations.
On the other hand, if you do not reach your destination in time, this can mean that you miss out on hotel nights that you have already booked. In this case, the airline is also bound to offer compensation.
Meals for passengers due to flight delays and cancellations
When a flight is delayed, you can have free meals while waiting. However, it requires that your flight delay is at least 2 hours. In that case, the airline must serve both free food and drink. However, you should be aware that the right to free meals also depends on how long your upcoming flight is. Reimbursements of meals and refreshments distinguish between these three points below. You are entitled to free food and drink when you experience a flight delay of:
- Two hours or more on a route under 1,500 km.
- Three hours or more on a route more than 1,500 km – within the EU.
- Four hours or more on trips more than 3,500 km – outside the EU.
Refund of a ticket in an event of late flight cancellation
When a flight is canceled, it can result in difficulty in reaching your desired final destination. Therefore, there is also the possibility of a refund of one’s ticket. As a rule of thumb, you are always entitled to this when late flight cancellations occur. You can choose to get the ticket price refunded, you can have the ticket rebooked for the next flight available, or you can have it rebooked for a later flight.
If the airline cancels your flight less than 2 weeks before your scheduled departure, you will also be able to claim compensation. However, not in cases where the flight is canceled due to extraordinary circumstances such as storms, work strikes, etc.
Create your case and get expert help to claim flight delay compensation, flight cancellation compensation and additional compensation: Air-Delay.com
