AirBaltic: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim compensation from airBaltic online?
AirBaltic is the flag carrier of Latvia. With its main hub at Riga International Airport, the airline operates flights to more than 70 destinations in Europe and the Middle East. What does this mean for you as a passenger? What if your airBaltic flight is disrupted? In short, whenever your flight is cancelled or you are arriving later than planned, you might be entitled to compensation.
How to claim airBaltic flight delay compensation?
How to claim airBaltic 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 airBaltic flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim airBaltic flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim airBaltic 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.
1.1 If you are still at home
First of all, try to find out how long will be the delay.
Second of all, call airBaltic or airport you are flying from to find out what is happening with check in. Try to find this out even if you have checked in online, and you wouldn’t be checking in at the airport. Thus you’ll know better, 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?
What happens if your flight is delayed and you miss your connection? It depends on the type of your connection. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, you don’t have to worry about anything. You will get to your destination. The airline will take care of that — you will be put on another flight completely for free.
If, however, you have booked two or more flights separately, this is your responsibility. Flights like these are called self transfer flights. In this case, you are not entitled to free flight tickets in case of missed connection.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
You are at the airport, ready for the adventure.
But you find out that, unfortunately, you are not flying anywhere, at least not yet. What now? You need to find out if check in for your flight has started already.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
It may be a long delay. Or your flight may even get cancelled. That’s why it’s better to just wait for a while until check in for your flight starts.
If check has started, that’s a good sign.
Check in and proceed through airport security.
Go to your gate and wait for your flight.
- 3 hour flight delay
AirBaltic is a European airline.
And that means you are protected by the EU law.
If you have to wait at the airport due to delay, cancellation or denied boarding, you are entitled to some services. In case of waiting for 3+ hours, you have a right to care from the airline. airBaltic has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all airBaltic flights 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.
AirBaltic 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 airBaltic
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 get a new flight ticket free of charge? Are you entitled to compensation? In which situations can you ask for compensation from airBaltic?
2.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact airBaltic, if they haven’t yet contacted you.
AirBaltic is an airline registered in the EU. So it has to comply with certain rules. In case of flight cancellation, the airline must offer their passengers a new flight or refund. A passenger has a right to choose either. You have a right to request a refund from airBaltic, if you don’t want to take the alternative flight offered by the airlane (for example — it doesn’t fit your travel plans anymore).
If the cancellation is due to the fault of the airline, you might get compensation. More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
Stay at the landside area of the airport.
That's where check in desks are located.
Don’t go through the airport security.
Since your initial flight has been cancelled, you will be booked on another flight free of charge. And you will have to check in for that new flight. So, that’s why it’s important for you stay at the landside area of the airport. Also, try to get in touch with the representatives of airBaltic, to learn what’s happening next — what’s their plan.
You can ask for a refund, if you don’t want to fly.
- 3 hour flight delay
AirBaltic is an airline registered in the EU.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
If you have to wait at the airport, 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 airBaltic.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- 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 long delay. It is the airline's responsibility to provide these services for free to all affected passengers. However, there are exceptions. For example, if the delay is not so long, but there are just too many affected passengers to serve most in time. This might a valid reason for an airline to decide against that.
2.3 If it is fault of airBaltic
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 airBaltic flight delay compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
It must be due to the fault of airBaltic, and the delay must be at least 3 hours long. If your flight meets these conditions, you may have a right to EU flight delay compensation. Make a claim and receive compensation of up to 600 euro per passenger.
How to claim compensation from airBaltic?
There are two ways.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact airBaltic yourself. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004. Keep in mind that this process takes a while, a few months. Be prepared for a refusal and be ready to fight for your rights. Here you can see some of the most popular ways how airlines try to avoid paying compensation to passengers. Read it, to know what to expect.
Contact us for legal help with airBaltic claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
Work with us, to save time and nerves!
All you need to do is to file a single form, and we will do the rest. In this case we are your legal representatives. We will help you to get your airBaltic flight delay compensation 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?
If you work with us, the whole process takes around 3 months.
If you do it yourself, it may take longer. Every case is different.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
You can get compensation also for your old flights.
It depends on the laws of the country you are flying from. In most countries in the EU, you can file a claim even if you had your flight delayed 2 or 3 years ago. However, we would recommend you file a claim as soon as possible. If the flight is from Latvia, do it within 6 months after the flight.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
You don't have to be European to have these rights. You don't have to be European to receive compensation from airBaltic. When it comes to air travel and travel disruptions, in the EU everyone has the same rights.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
Compensation amounts are 250, 400 and 600 euro per passenger.
These are standard amounts, regulated by law. And they are the same for all passengers travelling on the same flight. 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 airBaltic flight cancellation compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
It must be a last-minute cancellation (not more than 14 days before departure). And the most important thing — cancellation must due to the fault of the airline. If this is what has happened to your airBaltic flight, you may have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation. There are two options how to claim flight cancellation compensation from airBaltic.
1. You can do it all on your own.
Contact customer service of airBaltic. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004, and request a cancellation compensation. Be prepared to wait and fight for your rights.
Contact us for legal help with airBaltic 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 need to fill in and sign only one form, and we do the rest.
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, the whole process takes around 3 months.
If you do it yourself, it may take longer. Especially if your case has to be taken to court. At times, it can be very hard to get compensation from airBaltic, even when it’s due and there are no doubts about that. If you work with us, we take the case to court on your behalf, and still -- you pay only if you get the money. So, it's zero-risk for you.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
You can get compensation also for your old flights.
It depends on the laws of the country you are flying from. In most countries in the EU, you can file a claim even if your flight was cancelled 2 or 3 years ago. However, we would recommend you file a claim as soon as you return back from your trip. For flights from Latvia, it’s recommended to do it within 6 months from the date of departure.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to everyone.
When it comes to flight delays and cancellations, as well as denied boarding, you don't have to be European to receive European flight compensation. All passengers are equally protected.
- How much can you claim?
The amounts are regulated by the EU law.
Here is how you can calculate your compensation.
It depends from the distance of your flight:
- €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 you are flying with, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even infants can receive full flight compensation. On the same route, compensation you’ll get from airBaltic will be the same as if you would have flown with Lufthansa or KLM.
5. How to claim airBaltic denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
How so? It happens when a flight is overbooked. Overbooking is a very common practice in the aviation industry. Airlines often sell more tickets than there are seats on the plane. This is done in order to prevent losses, and also to earn more. Very often there are people who don’t fly, even though they have bought a ticket. But there are also times when all passengers show up for their flight. And that’s when you may be asked to give up your seat. If you are denied boarding against your will, you have a right to EU denied boarding compensation.
With airBaltic it applies to all 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.
Please keep in mind that 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 take another flight, then you won’t be entitled to receive denied boarding compensation from airBaltic.
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 airBaltic 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!