Aer Lingus: Compensation for delayed flights, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim Aer Lingus compensation online?
Aer Lingus is the flag carrier of Ireland. The airline's head office and main hub is located in Dublin Airport. Aer Lingus operates scheduled flights to more than 90 destinations in Asia, Europe and North America. Are you flying Aer Lingus? Was your Aer Lingus flight disrupted? What are your rights in such cases? Are you entitled to compensation? In some cases, yes.
How to claim Aer Lingus flight delay compensation?
How to claim Aer Lingus flight cancellation compensation?
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Here are 5 main topics that we will focus on:
1. What to do if your flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim Aer Lingus flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim Aer Lingus flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim Aer Lingus denied boarding compensation?
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
Could you be entitled to Aer Lingus compensation for delayed flights? We talk about compensations further below, but now let’s answer the question, what should you do? There are two most likely scenarios.
1.1 If you are still at home
You haven’t left for the airport yet.
You have checked your flight status online and found out that your flight will be late. Or you have received an e-mail notifying you about the delay. What now? You have to find out what is the check in status for your flight, even if you have already checked in online. This way you’ll know when to leave for the airport.
If check in is going to be delayed, wait for a while.
If check in isn't delayed, go to the airport as normally.
Do you have another flight you may miss?
Do you have a connecting flight, and wondering if you might miss it? Do you need to be worried about this? Depends. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, you will be taken care of. The airline will put you on another flight completely for free. If it’s a separately booked connecting flight, then you’ll need to book a new flight yourself (and pay for it too). Flights like the latter are called self transfer flights.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
You have arrived at the airport, but unfortunately you are not going anywhere yet. Your flight has been delayed. What should you do in a situation like that?
See if check in for your flight has started.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
Do not go through airport security if you have already checked in. Wait until check in desks open. Only then you can be sure that your flight is going to depart. But until that, wait at the landside area (public access area) of the airport.
If check has started, that’s a good sign.
Check in and proceed through airport security.
- 3 hour flight delay
Aer Lingus is a European airline.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
If you have to wait at the airport due to flight delay, cancellation or overbooking, you are entitled to some services for free. In case of waiting for 3+ hours, you have a right to care from the airline. Aer Lingus has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Aer Lingus flight delays and all passengers.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get a hotel room.
Aer Lingus has to offer you free hotel room and free transfer.
Everyone has the right to this type of care.
1.3 If it is fault of Aer Lingus
That includes things like technical problems and staff shortage.
In this case, you may also be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
Have you experienced a flight delay?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
1.4 Why do flights get delayed?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get delayed.
2. What to do if your flight is CANCELLED?
Your flight is cancelled. What should you do?
Normally, if your flight is cancelled the airline will rebook you on the next available flight with no additional charges. In some situations you can also claim compensation.
2.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Aer Lingus, if they haven’t contacted you already.
Aer Lingus is an airline registered in the EU. When travelling with EU airlines, you are protected by the EU law. Generally speaking, when a flight is cancelled, the airline must offer you a new flight or full refund. You have a right to request a refund if you don’t want to take the alternative flight provided by the airline. If your flight is cancelled due to the airline’s fault, you can get compensation.
More on compensations further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
You have found out about the delay upon arriving at the airport.
What should you do? First of all, don’t go through the airport security. Your flight is cancelled, and there will be a new flight. And you will have to check in for that new flight. So, that’s why you need to stay at the landside (public access) area of the airport. Second of all, try to get in touch with the representatives of Aer Lingus to learn what’s happening next — what’s their plan.
If you don’t want to fly, you may ask for a refund.
- 3 hour flight delay
Aer Lingus is an airline registered in the EU.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
If you have to wait at the airport 3 or more extra hours, due to delay, cancellation or denied boarding, you have a right to care from the airline. The airline has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails (or internet access) and also a free meal and drink.
Cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances?
This applies to all flight cancellations of Aer Lingus.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
In this case you have a right to free accommodation.
If it’s a long delay overnight, the airline has to offer you a free hotel stay and transfer. It is airline's responsibility to provide these services for free, but there are exceptions. For example, the wait caused by flight delay or cancellation is not that long, only 6-7 hours, and there are just too many affected passengers. As it may take 3 hours just to take every passenger to a hotel, the airline may decide not to provide hotel stay to the affected passengers.
2.3 If it is fault of Aer Lingus
That includes things like technical problems and bad planning.
If that causes a cancellation, it is considered fault of the airline.
And you may also be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
Have you experienced a flight cancellation?
If you have — file a compensation claim.
2.4 Why do flights get cancelled?
Here are some of the top reasons why flights get cancelled.
3. How to claim Aer Lingus flight delay compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
The delay must be due to the fault of Aer Lingus and it should be at least 3 hours long. If your flight meets these conditions, you may get EU flight delay compensation. The most important thing to remember — you need to make a claim in order to get compensation. There are two ways how to claim flight delay compensation from Aer Lingus.
1. You can do it all on your own.
You can do it on your own, without the help of a flight compensation company. Contact the airline and request the compensation. Use the contact form provided on Aer Lingus website. When you’re making a claim, quote the Regulation EC 261/2004. Be prepared that your claim may be refused. Be ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us for legal help with Aer Lingus claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
You don’t have to deal with compensation claim yourself, if you don’t want to. Hand over your case to us and we will do all the necessary paperwork. In this case, we will be your legal representatives. We will help you to get your Aer Lingus compensation easy and with zero stress.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
That’s all from you. We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
If you work with us, this process takes around 3 months.
If you are claiming compensation all by yourself, it may take longer. It depends from the situation. As of 2020, airlines have become really slow at this.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
According to the law, you can get compensation also for old flights.
In most countries in the EU, you can file a claim for flights up to 2-3 years old. However, we would suggest you to file a claim as soon as you return from your trip. The sooner you do it, the higher your chance of success.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to all passengers.
You don't have to be European to claim compensation from Aer Lingus. Every person, no matter the citizenship, has the same rights when traveling with Aer Lingus.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
The amounts are as follows: 250 euro for short flights, 400 euro for longer flights, and 600 euro for long-distance flights to non-EU destinations. These amounts are the same for all passengers flying on the same flight. You can get compensation no matter the nationality, airline you are flying with, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even infants can receive full flight compensation.
4. How to claim Aer Lingus flight cancellation compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
Your flight must be cancelled due to the fault of the airline, and it must be a last-minute cancellation (not more than 14 days before departure). If that’s what has happened to your flight, you have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation. There are two options how to claim flight cancellation compensation from Aer Lingus.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact the customer service of Aer Lingus.
Submit your claim and all they are asking. Wait.
Contact us for legal help with Aer Lingus claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
This is the easiest option.
Legally it’s called legal representation. In this case, it’s us who do all the work. You just need to fill in one form, sign this form online, and that’s all.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about yourself and your flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
We will do the rest.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How long does it take?
If you work with us, it will take about 3 months.
If you are claiming compensation yourself and facing problems along the way, it will take longer than that. Problems you may be facing could be anything from slow communication to need to take a case to court.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
According to the law, you can claim compensation for old flights too.
In most situations, you can file a claim up to 2-3 years after the day of cancellation. It depends on the country, but mostly the deadline is 2 or 3 years. However, as you can imagine, the sooner you do it, the better, the higher your chance of success.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
The rules are the same for everyone. When it comes to flight delays, flight cancellations and denied boarding, you don't have to be a European to receive EU flight compensation from Aer Lingus.
- How much can you claim?
It’s very easy to calculate the amount of compensation.
Here is how much you can claim, depending on the distance:
- €250 — if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
- €400 — if the distance is between 1500 to 3500 kilometres;
- €600 — if the distance is more than 3500 kilometres.
These amounts are per passenger. They are exactly the same for all passengers flying on the same flight. No matter the nationality, airline you are flying with, price of the ticket, travel insurance and age. Even infants can receive full flight compensation.
5. How to claim Aer Lingus denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
Actually, it’s a common practice in the aviation industry after 2010. Airlines often sell more tickets than there are seats to avoid losses. When an airline sell more tickets, but everyone shows up, passengers may be asked to give up their seats and fly later (+ get some perks). If that has happened to you, you may agree to that or not. Whenever you are denied boarding against your will, you have a right to receive EU denied boarding compensation.
With Aer Lingus it applies to flights to and from Europe.
Compensation amounts are fixed — 250, 400 or 600 euro.
And mostly you can get both — a new flight and compensation.
It applies only to overbooking. If there are problems with your travel documents, your passport expires soon, or if you voluntarily give up your seat, and agree to fly on another flight, then you won’t be entitled to any compensation from Aer Lingus.
Check your compensation online!
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
By Europe and EU we mean all EU Member States, the United Kingdom (UK), Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin, the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
Remember, whenever your Aer Lingus flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding - you might be entitled to flight compensation. File a claim to get it sorted out right away!