LOT: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim LOT compensation online?
LOT Polish Airlines, mostly called simply LOT, is the flag carrier of Poland. Established in 1928, it is one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation. Since the airline is operating in the EU, it has the same obligations as other airlines operating in the EU. What it means for you is that whenever your LOT flight is delayed, cancelled or you have been denied boarding due to overbooking, you might be entitled to EU flight compensation up to €600.
How to claim LOT Polish Airlines delay compensation?
How to claim LOT 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 LOT flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your LOT flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim LOT flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim LOT flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim LOT denied boarding compensation?
6. Connecting flights with LOT
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
What is the right thing to do if your flight is delayed?
What are your rights in these situations? Could you be entitled to LOT delay compensation? If yes, what should you do in order to get your LOT flight compensation?
1.1 If you are still at home
Stay where you are for a little bit, at home or at hotel.
Contact LOT or airport information desk to find out what is happening with check in. There are two most likely scenarios — it may be happening as planned or it may be postponed. Find it out so you know if to wait or proceed to the airport as planned.
Do the same if you have already checked in online.
If check in isn’t delayed, go to the airport as planned.
If check in is delayed, act accordingly, and keep checking your flight status online, to stay up to date with the latest information regarding your LOT flight delay.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it’s a connecting flight with LOT, you are protected.
LOT is a 3-star full service airline selling airline protected connecting flights. If your flight gets delayed or cancelled, and you miss a connecting flight because of that, it is LOT that takes care of the situation. Mostly that means that you are put on another flight completely for free. It may as well be a flight with another airline.
If flights are booked separately — you aren’t protected by airline.
If you miss a self transfer flight, it is your responsibility.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
Do the same thing — find out what is happening with check in.
Do it even if you have already checked in online.
If check in is delayed, don’t proceed through airport security. Instead just wait for a while. This way you will protect yourself against getting stuck at the airport in case it is a very long flight delay, or if LOT cancels the flight at some point.
If check in isn’t delayed, proceed as normally.
You'll submit a claim for LOT compensation later (3+ hour delays).
- 3 hour flight delay
LOT is a European airline.
That means you are protected by the European Union.
If your flight is to or from Europe (that includes connecting flights from other continents), and your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, it is your airline’s responsibility 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 you will be given a coupon you can exchange at the airport.
Get in touch with LOT if it isn’t provided.
All passengers are entitled to this type of care by LOT. It doesn’t matter what is the reason of the delay or if you have a travel insurance. All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
If the delay is long, you shall receive a free hotel stay.
If your flight is delayed for more than a few hours and otherwise you would have to stay at the airport, it is responsibility of LOT (EU261, Article 9) to provide all its passengers with free hotel accommodation. Again, it’s all possible thanks to regulation EC 261/2004.
It is responsibility of Finnair, as an airline operating in the EU.
All passengers have the right care.
1.3 If it's fault of LOT
Flight delays happen due to number of reasons.
What if it is due to something that's considered your airline's fault?
In this case you might be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
For example, technical problems mostly are considered airline’s fault.
Mostly it is true if a flight is delayed for at least 3 hours, but sometimes even a 2 hour flight delay (or less) can cause a long delay in your destination and may be a reason why you are entitled to flight compensation in the end. When in doubts, always double check if you qualify for 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?
What to do if your flight is cancelled?
What are your rights in these situations? Could you be entitled to LOT airlines cancelled flight compensation? What if you miss a connecting flight because of that?
2.1 If you are still at home
Stay where you are before you learn more.
Contact LOT if you haven’t heard from them yet.
Thanks to the EU regulations, mostly you are protected. If a flight is cancelled, LOT must offer you either a new flight to your destination 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. You still must be receiving either a new flight or full refund.
If it is fault of LOT you may also be entitled to compensation.
More on that further below.
2.2 If you are already at the airport
Are you already at the gate or on the way to security?
If you have gone through airport security — see if you can go back to the landside. It is possible only if you are travelling without checked luggage. If you have checked luggage you will have to collect it first, and only your airline can help you in this situation. If you can do it then do it, if you can’t — wait for more information from LOT.
Why should you do that? If a flight is cancelled, that’s it. This exact flight is not happening. Most likely there will be a new flight and you will have to check in for that new flight.
If you haven’t gone through airport security — wait where you are. Because you may not fly anywhere today. Wait for the announcement from LOT.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it is a connecting flight with LOT, you are fully protected.
If you will miss this flight, LOT will give you a new ticket for free.
However, if it is a self transfer flight, it is your responsibility.
- 3 hour flight delay
LOT is a European airline.
That means you are protected by the European Union.
Whenever your flight is cancelled or delayed, and because of that you have to wait at the airport more than planned, it is your airline’s responsibility to provide you with two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes and a free meal and drink.
Everyone flying with LOT have the right to all of this no matter the nationality, age, price of the ticket, travel insurance or 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 you aren’t flying anywhere today?
What if you have to wait a flight until tomorrow?
If it is an overnight delay, and otherwise you would need to stay at the airport, you shall receive a free hotel accommodation.
2.3 If it's fault of LOT
When were you informed of the cancellation?
If it wasn’t more than 2 weeks or 14 days before the date of departure, and if it is airline’s fault, now you are entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
The compensation amounts in the EU are up to 600 euro.
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 LOT flight delay compensation?
If it was a long delay you may now be entitled to compensation.
If you have arrived to your final destination 3 or more hours after planned time, and if it has been due to fault of LOT (that includes technical problems), according to the EU flight compensation regulation, now you are entitled to EU flight delay compensation up to €600.
How to claim LOT flight delay compensation?
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. Go to their website and look for LOT Airlines compensation claim form. If you can’t find it, use general contact form. Refer to the Regulation EC 261/2004 and ask for the compensation. Be prepared that LOT 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 claim online, and let us be your legal representatives. Let us lead all the negotiations regarding your LOT delayed flight claim. We will help you to get your LOT compensation much easier.
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.
You fill a single form, we do all the rest.
If we can’t get you compensation, you pay nothing.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
As our experience shows, on average it takes 2-3 months.
It takes longer if the airline has financial problems or simply isn’t cooperative. In some situations it is necessary for us to take the claim to court. Then as well it takes extra time. But, don’t worry, because we will keep you informed of the claim status.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
In most cases you can claim for flights that are up to 3 years old.
It depends from the local laws of the country a flight is departing from. For example, when it comes to flights from Latvia, you can only claim for flights that are up to 6 months old.
- 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 receive EU compensation.
Just don’t forget to file a compensation claim.
- What about codeshare flights?
What if it is a codeshare flight?
To put it simply, a codeshare flight is a flight shared between two or more airlines. You may buy a flight from LOT, but it may be operated by Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines. These things happen a lot — airlines share flights. What does it mean for you as a passenger? What happens if there is a problem with a flight? What if it is delayed or cancelled?
Who will be held responsible? Who will pay the compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it is a flight with Lufthansa, it is their responsibility.
3.1 How much can you claim?
In the EU you can receive up to 600 euro.
There are some exceptions, but mostly your LOT delayed flight compensation will be between 250 to 600 euro. The longer the flight, the bigger your LOT flight delay compensation. At the same time these amounts aren’t affected by the age of a passenger, 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 LOT flight cancellation compensation?
If a flight is cancelled you might be entitled to compensation.
If it was a last-minute LOT flight cancellation — you were informed of this problem not more than 14 days before the date of departure, and if it happened due to the airline’s fault, you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation up to €600.
Submit your LOT compensation claim as soon as possible.
This is most important thing, the first step.
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. Contact LOT via their website. Submit a compensation claim and all the documents the airline is asking. Wait for an answer.
2. You can also take the easiest path — register a claim with us, and let us be your legal representatives. We will help you to get your LOT Airlines 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.
One online form, and that’s all.
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 after all. If, however, the compensation claim is successful and you are getting your compensation, we charge a transparent fee of €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation.
Remember, if you aren’t taking a flight offered by the airline but a refund, you can get both LOT cancelled flight refund and flight compensation, both paid in cash or by bank transfer.
Learn more about EU flight cancellation compensation.
- How long does it take?
How soon will you receive money in your bank account?
In most situations it takes between 2 to 3 months.
- How far back can you claim flight cancellation compensation?
It depends from the local laws of the country your flight is from.
In most of the EU it's 2 - 3 years.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, this regulation and these rules apply to all LOT passengers.
It applies to everyone 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. Everyone travelling to or from Europe is protected. That is the main purpose of this regulation — to protect all air passengers.
- What about codeshare flights?
What if it is a codeshare flight?
Most of the airlines around the world share some of their flights. LOT isn’t an exception. That is one of the ways for airlines to offer flights to so many destinations. What does it mean for you? What are your rights when things go wrong with your flight? What if you booked it from LOT, but it was operated by Turkish Airlines?
Who will be held responsible in this case?
Who will pay the flight compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it was Turkish Airlines flight, then Turkish Airlines will pay.
4.1 How much can you claim?
How much can you receive from LOT?
It’s easy to find out, because in the EU flight compensation amounts are fixed. In most of situations all that matters is how long was your flight.
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. LOT denied boarding compensation
Flight delays, flight cancellations and denied boardings.
In the EU travellers are protected against all 3 of them.
If LOT has sold more seats that there are passengers (it's called overbooking) and now you are denied boarding because of that, because there are no more free seats, you are entitled to EU denied boarding compensation. Apart from that, LOT still has an obligation to take you to your destination.
With LOT it applies to all its flights to and from Europe.
Compensation amounts are the same for everyone — up to 600 euro.
And you can get both — a new flight or full refund and a compensation.
Remember that this applies only to overbooking.
It doesn’t apply to situations when there are some issues with your passport or any other travel documents. It also doesn’t apply to situations when you voluntarily give up your seat and agree to fly with another flight. In the EU if you voluntarily agree to this change, airline has no obligation to pay you compensation.
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
6. Connecting flights with LOT
LOT Polish Airlines, mostly called simply LOT, is the flag carrier of Poland. Established in 1928, it is one of the world's oldest airlines still in operation. According to Skytrax, LOT is certified as a 3-star airline. LOT Polish Airlines is a full service traditional airline that offers airline protected connecting flights.
For you that mean convenience and protection.
If you buy a connecting flight from LOT, you are protected.
If, for example, your flight is delayed or cancelled and you miss another flight on the same booking, you have nothing to worry about. Because LOT will take care of that by, most likely, putting you on another flight for free. This is how “proper connecting flights” work in most of the world. 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 flight with LOT 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!