Croatia Airlines: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim Croatia Airlines compensation online?
Croatia Airlines is the flag carrier of Croatia, and a member of Star Alliance. The airline has its headquarters in Zagreb. It operates scheduled flights mainly to European destinations. What are your rights if your Croatia Airlines flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding? Could you be entitled to some sort of compensation from Croatia Airlines?
How to claim Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation?
Croatia Airlines 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 Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim Croatia Airlines flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim Croatia Airlines denied boarding compensation?
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Your flight is delayed. What should you do?
There are two scenarios. In both of these scenarios, you’ll need to find out if check in for your flight has started. Even if you have already checked in. Learn more below.
1.1 If you are still at home
First of all, try to find out something more about the delay.
Why your flight has been delayed? Will it be a long delay? The most important thing is to find out if check in for your flight has started. You have to find it out even if you have already checked in. Thus you will know when to head for the airport, now or later.
If check in is going to be delayed, wait for a while.
Do not go to the airport just yet. It is possible that the delay will be long. Or, your flight may be cancelled altogether. By not rushing to the airport, you will avoid getting stuck at the airport.
If check in isn't delayed, go to the airport as planned.
Do you have another flight you may miss?
Do you have a connecting flight? What will happen if you miss your connecting flight due to delay of the first one? It depends. If it’s an airline-protected connecting flight, your connection is protected by the airline. Your airline will take care of the problem. If necessary, you will be put on another flight for free. If, however, you have planned the connection yourself and booked flights separately, this is your responsibility. Flights like these are called self transfer flights.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
You have found out about the delay upon arriving at the airport.
Just like in the previous situation, you have to find out if check in for your flight has started. Do this the first thing you find out about the delay.
If check in hasn’t started, for now just wait.
Do not go through airport security. Your flight may be heavily delayed, or even cancelled. If your flight is cancelled, you will be put on a new flight. There is no reason to go through security. It’s better to wait until check in for your flight starts. Even if you have already checked in.
If check has started, that’s a good sign.
You can check in and proceed through airport security.
If you have already checked in, just go through airport security. And then go to your gate and keep following information about your flight.
- 3 hour flight delay
Croatia Airlines is a European airline.
And that means you are protected by the EU.
If your Croatia Airlines flight has been cancelled, delayed, or you have been denied boarding, you may end up waiting at the airport. There are a few things you should know. In case of waiting 3+ hours, and unless it’s due to your fault, you have a right to care from the airline. Croatia Airlines has to provide you with two free phone calls or e-mails and also a free meal and drink.
This applies to all Croatia Airlines 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.
The airline has to offer you free room and free transfer.
Everyone has the right to this type of care.
1.3 If it is fault of Croatia Airlines
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 booked on another flight? Will it be for free? Can you get flight cancellation compensation from Croatia Airlines? What about refund for cancellation?
2.1 If you are still at home
You need to find out what’s happening next.
Contact Croatia Airlines, if they haven’t contacted you yet.
Croatia Airlines is an airline based in the EU, that’s a good thing. Because when flying with EU airlines, you are protected under the EU law. According to the EU Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004, the airline must offer you a new flight or full refund. At the same time, you have a right to request a refund if you don’t want to take the alternative flight offered by Croatia Airlines. Reason of the cancellation doesn’t matter in this case.
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
You are at the airport. You have arrived.
And then you find out that your Croatia Airlines flight has been cancelled. What now? The most important thing is — don’t go through the airport security.
Since your flight is cancelled, you will be put on a new flight. You will need to check in for that new flight, and collect your new boarding pass/ passes. This can be done only at the public access area of the airport, also known as the landside area. This is where all the airline counters and check in desks are located. Once you have your tickets, you’ll know when boarding for your new flight starts. It may be only tomorrow.
If you have already gone through security, try to get back to the landside area of the airport. If you don’t know how to get there, ask at the information desk. Keep in mind that you are entitled to receive full refund, if that’s what works better for you — if you don’t want to take the alternative flight, ask for a refund.
- 3 hour flight delay
Croatia Airlines 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 receive certain services from the airline. As long as it isn’t your fault. In the EU this is called the right to care. The airline you are flying with 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 Croatia Airlines flight cancellations.
All thanks to Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
In this case you have a right to free accommodation.
In the EU, airlines have to offer a free hotel stay and transfer to all affected passengers. However, this is assessed case by case. As a result, not always airlines provide that. For example — if the wait is not that long, but there are just too many affected passengers.
2.3 If it is fault of Croatia Airlines
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 Croatia Airlines flight delay compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
First of all — the delay must be due to the fault of Croatia Airlines.
Second— the delay should be 3 or more hours.
If your flight meets these conditions, you are entitled to EU flight delay compensation. In order to get this compensation, you need to make a claim, to request this compensation. There are two ways how to do it.
1. You can do it all on your own.
This is a more complicated way.
To request compensation, contact the airline. Use the Claim/Complaint form on the website of Croatia Airlines. This process may take a while. Be prepared for a refusal. Airlines often refuse compensation (even when it's due) to avoid losses. Here you can learn about some of the most popular ways how airlines avoid paying compensation. If you are facing problems, contact us for legal help with Croatia Airlines claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
Working with us is the easiest option.
You fill in one form, and we do the rest. In this case, we are your legal representatives. We do everything on your behalf — we help you to get your 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?
The process may take a while.
Usually, it’s around 2-3 months with Croatia Airlines.
If you make a claim yourself, mostly it takes longer.
Especially, if the airline refuses to cooperate.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
You can get compensation for a flight delayed 2-3 years ago.
In most EU member countries, you are allowed to make a claim for flights up to 2-3 years old. However, we would recommend you not to postpone that, and file a claim as soon as you arrive home from your trip.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
You don't have to be European for this.
Everyone might be entitled to receive compensation.
- How much can you claim?
The longer the flight, the more you can claim.
The amounts are as follows: 250, 400 or 600 euro per passenger. They are the same for all passengers travelling on the same flight. Passenger’s nationality, price of the ticket or travel insurance doesn’t matter. Keep in mind that your child or baby can receive full flight compensation too. These rules apply to all Croatia Airlines and other EU airline flights to and from the EU/UK.
4. How to claim Croatia Airlines flight cancellation compensation?
There are two conditions that should be met.
The cancellation must be due to the fault of the airline, and it must be a last-minute cancellation. Keep in mind that for this, a cancellation is considered last-minute cancellation if it has happened not more than 14 days before the planned date of departure. If this is what has happened to your flight, you have a right to EU flight cancellation compensation. There are two ways, how you can claim flight cancellation compensation from Croatia Airlines.
1. You can do it all on your own.
You can do it yourself. Keep in mind that this process will take a while. How to do it? To request flight cancellation compensation, contact the airline. Use the Claim/Complaint form on the website of Croatia Airlines. Be prepared for a refusal. Be ready to fight for your rights.
Contact us for legal help with Croatia Airlines claims.
2. You can hand the case over to us.
This is the easiest option. In this case, it’s us who do all the negotiations and prepare all the necessary paperwork. All you need to do, is to fill in and sign one form.
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 process will take 2-3 months.
If you claim compensation by yourself, it may take longer. Especially if you are facing problems with your compensation claim. If your case has to be taken to court, it will most likely add at least a couple of more months to the process. If you work with us, we take the case to court on your behalf. It's zero-risk for you - you pay only if you get the money. No win, no fees.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
You can get compensation for old flights.
You can get compensation for a flight that has been cancelled 2-3 years ago. In most EU member countries, you are allowed to make a claim for flights that have been cancelled 2 or even 3 years ago. However, we would recommend you not to postpone that, and file a claim as soon as you arrive home from your trip.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No.
You don't have to be European to receive compensation for your delayed, cancelled or overbooked flight. The nationality of the passenger doesn’t matter.
- How much can you claim?
The amounts are regulated by EU law.
That’s one of the best things about the EU Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004, that it makes things so much easier for passengers. You always know what you are entitled to. Here is how much you can claim:
- €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 on the same flight. No matter the nationality, airline you are flying with, price of the ticket or travel insurance. If you are travelling with a child/baby, keep in mind that even infants/kids can receive full flight compensation.
5. How to claim Croatia Airlines denied boarding compensation?
You may get denied boarding even if you have a valid ticket.
It can happen if your flight is overbooked. Airlines often sell more tickets than there are seats (to prevent losses or earn extra). In aviation this is called overbooking. Whenever you are denied boarding due to that, and aren't even given a choice, you have a right to EU denied boarding compensation.
With Croatia Airlines 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 or refund and compensation.
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 (you may agree to fly later on a different flight), then you won’t be entitled to any compensation from Croatia Airlines.
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 Croatia Airlines 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!