Finnair: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim Finnair compensation for delayed flight or cancellation?
Finnair is the largest airline of Finland. The company and its subsidiaries dominate in domestic and international air travel in Finland. What if your Finnair flight gets delayed or cancelled? Could you be entitled to flight compensation from Finnair? In short — yes, whenever your flight gets delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding, you might be entitled to EU flight compensation up to €600.
How to claim Finnair flight compensation online?
How to claim Finnair cancelled flight compensation?
Check your compensation online!
Or continue reading to learn more about your rights.
Here are 6 main topics that we will focus on:
1. What to do if your Finnair flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your Finnair flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim Finnair flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim Finnair flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim Finnair denied boarding compensation?
6. Connecting flights with Finnair
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
Could you be entitled to Finnair delay compensation?
What are the conditions for you to receive Finnair compensation for delayed flight or cancellation? Do you have to do anything to get this money?
1.1 If you are still at home
Don’t leave home or hotel just yet.
Try to find out more about what has happened first. Contact Finnair or airport information desk to find out what is happening with check in, if it has been delayed as well. Find it out even if you have checked in online and don’t need to check in at the airport. Just so you know if to wait or proceed to the airport as planned.
If check in is happening as planned, proceed to the airport.
If check in is delayed, it is better to stay at home or hotel for a while. Your flight may as well get cancelled. In this case keep checking your flight status online, to stay up to date with the latest information about your flight.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it’s a connecting flight with Finnair, you are fully protected.
Finnair is a 4-star traditional airline offering airline protected connecting flights. If one of your flights gets delayed or cancelled, and you miss a connecting flight because of that, Finnair takes care of the situation by putting its passengers on another flight completely for free. It is their responsibility.
When flights are booked separately — it is your responsibility.
If you miss a self transfer flight, it is your responsibility.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
Go and see if check in for your flight has already started.
If check in hasn’t started, try to find out if it is delayed or not. Find it out even if you have already checked in online and are travelling without checked luggage.
If check in is delayed, at first just wait. Even if you have already checked in online. Do not proceed through airport security until check in for your flight starts. Just to be sure you don’t get stuck at the airport in case it is a very long flight delay, or if your flight gets cancelled later.
If check in has started, proceed as normally. Check in for the flight, proceed through airport security and head for your gate. Check your flight status occasionally.
You'll make a claim for Finnair compensation later (3+ hour delays).
You can do it when you arrive to your destination.
- 3 hour flight delay
Finnair is a European airline.
That means you are protected if your flight is late or cancelled.
If you are flying to or from Europe (that includes connecting flights), and you have to wait at the airport 3 or more hours extra, your airline has to provide you with two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes and a free meal and drink.
With non-European airlines it applies only to flights to Europe.
Mostly it is provided in the form of coupons.
Contact Finnair if you haven’t yet received anything.
All passengers are entitled to this type of care, and it doesn’t matter what is the reason of your flight delay. All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is longer, you may also get free accommodation.
If your flight is departing only tomorrow, and you would otherwise have to wait at the airport, Finnair is obliged to take care of that. According to EC 261/2004, they must be providing you with a free hotel stay.
It is responsibility of Finnair, as an airline operating in the EU.
All passengers have the right to this type of care.
1.3 If it's fault of Finnair
Flight delays happen due to number of reasons.
What if your flight delay was due to Finnair mistake?
Then you might be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
For example, technical problems mostly are considered airline’s fault.
Mostly it applies to flight delays of 3 or more hours, but sometimes even a 2 hour flight delay (or less) is enough for you to be entitled to compensation in the end. One example is connecting flights. It is important to understand that with connecting flights you should be looking at the time you reach your final destination. Your first flight may be only 1 hour late, but because of that you may miss your next flight. Even though Finnair will put you on another flight for free in a situation like this, you will still be entitled to compensation.
If you will reach your destination 3 or more hours late.
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?
Could you be entitled to compensation?
What if you have a connecting flight that you might miss? How to get this compensation? How to get a refund if you don’t want to take another flight?
2.1 If you are still at home
Don’t go to the airport before you have contacted Finnair.
It is important to understand what is going to happen next.
From the legal point of view, everything is very easy — if a flight is cancelled, Finnair must offer you a new flight or full refund, paid within 7 days to your bank account. The rules are the same even if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances, if, for instance, the weather is very bad and it isn’t safe to fly. You still must be given a choice between a new flight and refund.
It can be a flight with Finnair or another airline.
If it is their fault, you may also be entitled to compensation.
More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
Have you already gone through airport security?
If you have gone through airport security — try to go back to the landside of the airport. Mostly it is possible only if you are travelling without checked luggage. You see, your flight is cancelled, and that means that there will be a new flight. It may be a new flight with Finnair or with another airline. The important fact is that you will have to check in for that flight.
Wait for more information from Finnair.
If you haven’t gone through airport security — wait where you are. Because you may not fly anywhere today. Your new flight may be only tomorrow.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it is a connecting flight with Finnair, you are protected.
If you will miss it, Finnair will give you another flight for free.
However, if it is a self transfer flight, it is your responsibility.
- 3 hour flight delay
Finnair is a European airline.
That means you are protected by the EU laws.
If your flight is either from or to Europe and because of cancellation you have to wait at the airport 3 or more hours extra, Finnair has an obligation to take care of you. It is their responsibility to offer you two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes and a free meal and drink.
All Finnair passengers have the right to all of this no matter the reason of the flight cancellation, and whether it is or isn't airline’s fault.
All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
What if the new flight is departing only tomorrow?
Does it mean you will have to stay at the airport and wait?
No, you will not have to wait at the airport. And again, thanks to the same flight compensation regulation. Because if after 3 hours an airline must provide you with a free meal and drink, then a long delay means that the airline must provide you with free hotel accommodation.
All passengers have the right to this type of care.
It doesn’t even matter if you have travel insurance or not.
If it is airline’s fault, you can get both compensation and care.
2.3 If it's fault of Finnair
What if the reason of the cancellation is Finnair’s mistake?
If it is their fault and you have learned of the cancellation not more than 14 days before the flight, you are also entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
The compensation amounts in the EU are 250-600 euro.
In order to receive it you should make a claim.
Have you ever 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 Finnair flight delay compensation?
If you have reached your final destination with a delay of 3+ hours and if it has been your airline’s fault (including technical problems), according to the EU flight compensation regulation EC 261/2004, now you are entitled to EU flight delay compensation up to €600.
What should you do to get it successfully?
How to claim Finnair flight delay compensation?
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. Go to the website of Finnair. Find the right contact form and submit your Finnair delayed flight compensation claim. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004. Be prepared that even an airline like Finnair may try to avoid paying EU flight compensation.
Contact us, if you will need legal advice.
2. You can also take the easiest path — register your compensation claim online with us, and let us be your legal representatives. We will lead all the negotiations regarding your Finnair compensation claim. We will help you to get your Finnair compensation easier and 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.
We will do the rest.
With us you don’t have to pay any upfront fees. You don’t pay anything also if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to compensation after all. You pay only if you are getting compensation from the airline, and that is it. Our fee is fixed — €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
Speaking from our experience, on average it takes 2-3 months.
It takes longer if the airline isn’t cooperative.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
In most cases it is 2 to 3 years.
It depends from the local laws of the country a flight is from.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to everyone, also to tourists from overseas.
You don't have to be European to be entitled to this EU compensation. All that matters is that your flight is from or to a country where Regulation EC 261/2004 is in effect, and that you have filed a compensation claim. If you don’t file a claim, mostly you will not get compensation.
- What about codeshare flights?
What if it was a codeshare flight?
What if you booked a flight from Finnair, but you had to fly with British Airways or Qatar Airways? It is a common practice nowadays — airlines share flights. What does it mean for passengers? Who is responsible if there are problems with a flight?
Who will pay the flight compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it was Qatar Airways flight, Qatar Airways will be responsible.
3.1 How much can you claim?
Compensation amounts are fixed - 250, 400 or 600 euro.
There are exceptions, but mostly your compensation will be between 250 to 600 euro. The longer the flight, the bigger will be your Finnair flight delay compensation.
The amounts are the same for all airlines operating in the EU, and they are the same for all their passengers. It is obligation of Finnair (EU261, Article 7) to follow this regulation. No matter the age, nationality, airline, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even your under 2 years old kids can receive full flight compensation.
4. How to claim Finnair flight cancellation compensation?
How to claim Finnair cancelled flight compensation?
You are entitled to compensation every time your flight is cancelled less than 14 days before the time of departure, and if it happens due to Finnair mistake or problem. According to the regulations, that includes everything from technical problems with the airplane to staff shortage, and gives you the right to flight cancellation compensation up to €600.
The first most important thing is to file a compensation claim.
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. Contact Finnair, claim compensation by filing the right form and wait. Be prepared that airlines, both big and small, use all kind of methods in order to avoid paying EU flight compensation. That is annoying, but that happens.
Contact us, if at some point you will need legal advice.
2. You can also take the easiest path — register a compensation claim with us, and let us be your legal representatives. We will help you to get your Finnair flight cancellation compensation faster.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in your Finnair flight information;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
One online form, and that’s it. We will do the rest.
No paperwork. No stress. No any upfront fees.
You will not pay a single cent if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation. There is no risk for you. If, however, the claim is successful and you are getting your compensation, we charge a fee of €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation.
Remember that if you chose a refund instead of a new flight, you can get both Finnair cancelled flight refund and compensation, both paid in cash or by bank transfer.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How long does it take?
On average this process takes between 2 to 3 months.
Until the moment you receive money in your bank account.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
It depends from the local laws of the country you are flying from.
For example, in Latvia it is only 6 months, but mostly you can claim EU flight cancellation compensation for flights that are 2 to 3 years old. So, yes, it is definitely worth claiming compensation for old flights as well. You have nothing to lose.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
It applies to all Finnair passengers flying to or from Europe.
No matter the nationality and age (for infants rules are the same). You don't have to be European to be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
- What about codeshare flights?
What if it is a codeshare flight?
Most airlines nowadays share some of their flights. What does it mean for you? What if your ticket says you are flying with Finnair, but you are flying with Qatar Airways? What if the flight gets cancelled and you miss your next flight?
Who is going to pay the flight compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it was Qatar Airways flight, then Qatar Airways will pay.
4.1 How much can you claim?
In most of situations you can claim up to 600 euro.
Because in the EU flight compensation amounts are fixed.
These amounts are the same for all passengers. No matter the age, nationality, airline, price of the ticket, airline class or your travel insurance. That includes also infants — your under 2 years old kid can receive full flight compensation even if you haven’t purchased a separate seat.
Here is how you can calculate it yourself:
- €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.
5. Finnair denied boarding compensation
Flight delays, flight cancellations and denied boardings.
In the EU you are protected against all 3 of them.
If you are denied boarding due to overbooking — it is your airline’s fault — you may be entitled to EU denied boarding compensation. Generally speaking, rules are almost the same like when your flight is delayed for 3+ hours or cancelled less than 2 weeks before the date of departure.
With Finnair it applies to all flights to and from Europe.
Compensation amounts are fixed — 250, 400 or 600 euro.
And you can get both — a new flight or full refund and a compensation.
Don’t forget that this applies only to overbooking.
If there is a problem with your passport or any of your travel documents, and that is the reason you are denied boarding the plane, you will not be entitled to compensation from Finnair. You also can’t get denied boarding compensation if you voluntarily give up your seat.
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
6. Connecting flights with Finnair
Finnair, as the name suggests, is an airline from Finland. It is the largest airline in the country, and together with its subsidiaries dominate in domestic and international air travel in Finland. According to Skytrax, Finnair is a 4-star airline. It is a full service traditional airline, and as a such it offers airline protected connecting flights.
For passengers that mean convenience and protection.
If you buy a connecting flight from Finnair, you are always protected.
If, for example, your flight is delayed or cancelled and because of that you miss another flight, Finnair will take care of that by most likely putting you on another flight completely for free. You will neither have to look for another flight, nor pay for it.
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 Finnair 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!