Air China: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim Air China compensation online?
Air China is the flag carrier of China, with headquarters in Shunyi District, Beijing. Alongside China Southern Airlines and China Eastern Airlines, Air China is one of the "Big Three" mainland China airlines. The airline operates scheduled flights to destinations in Asia, Europe, the Middle East, Oceania, Africa and the Americas. What if your Air China flight is delayed or cancelled? Are you protected under the EU law in any of these situations?
How to claim Air China flight delay compensation?
How to claim Air China 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 Air China flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim Air China flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim Air China denied boarding compensation?
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
There are two most likely scenarios (see below). First of all, do not panic. You will get to your destination. Keep in mind, that if your Air China flight departs from the EU, you are entitled to receive certain services from the airline. And, in some situations — flight delay compensation.
1.1 If you are still at home
You have received an email notifying you of the delay.
Or, you have checked flight status online, and you see that your flight is delayed. You need to find out, if check in for your flight is going to be postponed too or not. Find this out even if you have already checked in online. Thus you’ll know what to do next — go to the airport as planned or wait at home for a while and go later. Call the airport to ask this.
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 to worry about your connection? It depends on the type of your connecting flight. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, you will be OK. The airline will put you on another flight completely for free. In this case, your missed connection is airline’s responsibility.
If you have planned the connection yourself, and booked separate flights, this is your responsibility. Flights like these are called self transfer flights.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
You have already arrived at the airport.
What now? Find out if check in for your flight has started.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
If check in for your flight is delayed, there’s a possibility that your flight may also get cancelled. This doesn’t happen too often, but we shouldn’t forget about such a possibility. That’s why it’s a good idea to wait at the public access area for a while. At least until you see that check in for your flight starts, then you can proceed as normally.
If check has started, that’s a good sign.
Now you can check in (if you haven’t already).
After that proceed through the airport security.
- 3 hour flight delay
Air China is a Chinese airline.
Despite that, on some flights you are protected by the EU.
If your Air China flight departing from the EU has been disrupted and because of that you have to wait at the airport, there are some things you should know. In case of waiting for 3 or more hours extra, you have a right to care from the airline. Air China has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Air China flights from the EU.
All passengers are equally protected by the EU.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get a hotel room.
Air China 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 Air China
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?
Will you be offered a new flight free of charge? In what situations can you ask for compensation from Air China? What are the rules? What about Air China refund?
2.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Air China, if they haven’t yet contacted you.
Generally speaking, the process in the EU is very simple and straightforward. In case of a flight cancellation, the airline must offer you a new flight or refund, and you can choose either. You have a right to request a refund if you don’t want to take an alternative flight offered by Air China. For example, if it doesn’t fit your travel plans. On EU flights you have such a right.
If it’s fault of the airline, you may have a right to compensation.
More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
Don’t go through the airport security just yet.
Your flight is cancelled. There will be a new flight. There must be. Air China must offer you a new flight your destination as soon as possible. And since you will need to check in for this new flight, don’t go through the airport security. Try to get in touch with the representatives of Air China to learn what’s happening next.
Keep in mind that you can ask for a refund, if you don’t want to take the new flight. This refund, same like compensation (when it’s due) must be paid to your bank account.
- 3 hour flight delay
Air China is an airline registered in China.
Despite that, on some flights you are protected by the EU.
Let’s assume, your Air China flight departing from the EU is disrupted. If you have to wait at the airport because of 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 and also a free meal and drink.
Cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances?
This applies to all flight cancellations of Air China, as long as the flight departs from the EU. Otherwise the European laws don't apply.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
In this case you have a right to free accommodation.
Free hotel stay and free transfer has to be offered in case of a long delay/wait. It is airline's responsibility, and every passenger has a right to this type of care. In this case it doesn’t even matter what’s cause of this wait. The airline has to take care of its passengers.
2.3 If it is fault of Air China
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 Air China flight delay compensation?
There are three conditions that should be met.
It must be due to the fault of Air China, and the delay must be at least 3 hours. In addition to that, the flight must depart from the EU. Otherwise the European laws don't apply. If this is what has happened with your flight, you have a right to EU flight delay compensation. Make a claim and receive up to 600 euro.
There are two ways how you can make a claim.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact Air China and request flight delay compensation. Mention the Regulation EC 261/2004. Be prepared that your claim may be denied. Here are some of the most popular ways airlines try to avoid paying compensation, even if it’s due.
Contact us for legal help with Air China claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
If you want a hassle free option, contact us.
Working with us is the easiest option that you have. All you need to do is to fill in one form, and we will do the rest. In this case we are your legal representatives. We will help you to get your Air China compensation for delay faster.
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?
On average — 2 to 3 months.
As our experience shows, if you are claiming compensation yourself (not with a help of a law office), it often takes longer. Often airlines do not want to cooperate, and you need to get governmental institutions or lawyers involved.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
It depends on the country you are travelling from.
Most countries in the EU, allow you to file a claim for old flights, up to 2-3 years. However, we would recommend you not to postpone it, and file a claim as soon as possible. The sooner you do it, the higher your chances of success in the case against the airline.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to all passengers.
The rules are the same for tourists from abroad.
You don't have to be European to have these rights.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
For short flights, you can get 250 euro. For longer flights — 400 euro. For long-haul flights — up to 600 euro per person. All of these amounts mentioned in this article are the same for all passengers travelling on the same flight. No matter the nationality, your airline, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even infants can receive full flight compensation. Because, when it comes to air travel, in the EU everyone has equal rights.
4. How to claim Air China flight cancellation compensation?
There are 3 conditions that should be met.
It must be due to the fault of airline, and the flight must be cancelled not more than 14 days before the planned date of departure. Then it’s considered a last-minute cancellation. In addition to that, the flight must depart from the EU. If your flight meets these conditions, you have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation. Submit a complaint and receive up to 600 euro.
How you can claim compensation from Air China?
There are two options.
1. You can do it all on your own.
You can do it yourself. Contact the customer service of Air China. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004, and request Air China flight cancellation compensation. Be prepared to wait and fight for your rights. When nothing works, you can always contact us.
Contact us for legal help with Air China 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 negotiations and prepare all the necessary paperwork. You just submit your details once and that’s all. We do the rest of the work on your behalf.
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?
On average, flight compensation claims take 2-3 months.
In our experience, it takes longer if you claim compensation yourself. Especially when your case has to be taken to court. If you work with us, we take the case to court on your behalf.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
It depends on the country you are travelling from.
You may be able claim compensation even if you have a flight cancelled 2 or 3 years ago. Most European countries allow you to do that. However, the sooner you do it, the better.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, this law protects also tourists from countries outside the EU.
The rules are the same for everyone. When it comes to flight delays, flight cancellations and overbookings, you don't have to be European to receive the EU flight compensation.
- How much can you claim?
The amounts are regulated by the European laws.
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 travelling on the same flight. No matter the nationality, airline a passenger is flying with, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even infants can receive full flight compensation if a flight is cancelled last-minute due to fault of the airline. The rules are the same with low-cost airlines in the EU.
5. How to claim Air China denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
Overbooking happens when airline sells too many tickets. Whenever that happens, and you are denied boarding because of that, you have a right to EU denied boarding compensation.
With Air China it applies to flights from Europe.
Compensation amounts are fixed — 250, 400 or 600 euro.
And mostly you can get both — a new flight or refund and compensation.
Keep in mind that this applies only to overbooking. If there are problems with your travel documents, your passport expires soon, or if you voluntarily give up your seat, agreeing to fly later, then you won’t be entitled to any compensation from Air China. That’s the rules, in short.
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 Air China 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!