SAS: Compensation for delayed flight, cancellation, denied boarding
How to claim SAS compensation online?
Scandinavian Airlines, widely known as SAS, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. What does it mean for you? What are your rights when your SAS flight is delayed or cancelled? What if you are denied boarding due to overbooking of the flight? In short — if any of this has happened in the last 3 years, you might be entitled to SAS flight compensation up to €600.
How to claim SAS flight delay compensation?
How to claim SAS 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 SAS flight is delayed?
2. What to do if your SAS flight is cancelled?
3. How to claim SAS flight delay compensation?
4. How to claim SAS flight cancellation compensation?
5. How to claim SAS denied boarding compensation?
6. Connecting flights with Scandinavian Airlines
1. What to do if your flight is DELAYED?
What if you have learned that your SAS flight is delayed?
What if you miss another flight? Could you be entitled to compensation?
1.1 If you are still at home
If you haven’t left home or hotel, stay there for a while.
First, check your flight status online, to find out, if possible, is it a long or short delay. Contact the airline or airport you are flying from to find out what is going to happen with check in — if it is happening as planned or later? Find it out even if you have checked in online. So you know if to wait or proceed to the airport as planned.
If check in is happening as planned, go to the airport as planned.
If it is delayed as well, don’t go to the airport yet.
Because it may as well be a very long flight delay.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it’s a connecting flight with SAS, you are protected.
SAS is a 3-star full service airline offering airline protected connecting flights. If you will miss a connecting flight the airline will take care of that. Most likely you will be given a new flight ticket completely for free. It is their responsibility.
In case of a self transfer flight — it is your responsibility.
If you miss a separately booked flight, you have to buy a new flight yourself.
1.2 If you are already at the airport
Find out if check in for your flight has started.
Find it out even if you have already checked in online.
If check in is delayed, wait. Sit down somewhere and keep following your SAS flight status. Do not proceed through airport security yet. Until you see that the check in for your flight has started and your flight isn’t cancelled.
If check in has started, go and check in, and proceed through airport security. Check your flight status once in a while to stay updated what is happening with your SAS flight. Information may change.
You'll file a claim for SAS compensation later.
Because if it's a 3+ hour flight delay, you may also be eligible for SAS flight delay compensation. More on that further below.
- 3 hour flight delay
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is a European airline.
And that means you are protected if your flight is late or cancelled.
If your flight is either from or to Europe, it is late and you have to wait at the airport 3 extra hours, the airline has to provide you with two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes and a free meal and drink.
It is SAS responsibility to provide all of this.
All passengers are entitled to this type of care.
It doesn’t matter what is the reason of the delay.
All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004.
If you haven’t received any of that, contact SAS.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
What if it is going to be an overnight delay?
What if you have to stay at the airport for a night?
Will you have to sleep at the airport if your flight is delayed until the next day? No, you will not. According to EC 261/2004, you shall get a free hotel stay.
And again, it is responsibility of SAS.
All passengers have the right to this type of care.
1.3 If it's fault of SAS
What if the delay is due to SAS mistake?
You might be entitled to EU flight delay compensation.
Yes, — if it is their fault you may as well receive compensation.
For example, technical problems mostly are considered airline’s fault.
All you have to do is file a claim — to ask for the compensation.
Sometimes even a 2 hour flight delay is enough for you to be entitled to compensation in the end, but mostly your flight must be 3 or more hours late for you to be entitled to SAS delayed flight compensation. Contact the airline or register the claim with us.
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 if you have learned that your SAS flight is cancelled?
What if you miss another flight? Could you be entitled to compensation? How to get a SAS flight cancellation refund if you don’t want to take another flight?
2.1 If you are still at home
If you are at home or hotel, most likely you have received an e-mail.
Since SAS is a European airline, there are very specific rules how the airline should handle a situation like this. If the flight is from or to Europe the rules are the same even if your flight is cancelled due to extraordinary circumstances. If a flight is cancelled, you should be offered a choice between a new flight and full SAS refund.
It can be a new flight with SAS or another airline.
If you will be taking a refund, remember that it must be paid in cash or by bank transfer. Don’t accept coupons, vouchers or discount codes. Refer to Regulation EC 261/2004 if the airline refuses to make the payment.
If you haven’t received an e-mail, contact SAS.
Be prepared to make a choice between a new flight and refund. If it is their fault, you may also be entitled to compensation. Later you'll have to file a claim for SAS 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 — see if it is possible to go back to the landside of the airport. If it is possible and you are travelling with hand luggage only, go back to the landside. You see, your flight is cancelled, but that means there will be a new flight, maybe today, maybe tomorrow. What is important — you will have to check in for that new flight.
If you can’t go back or you have luggage, wait for the announcement.
If you haven not — wait for now.
Because you may not fly anywhere today.
Do you have a connecting flight?
If it is a connecting flight with SAS, you are protected.
If you will miss your next flight, you will be given a new flight for free.
However, if it is a self transfer flight, it is your responsibility.
- 3 hour flight delay
Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) is a European airline.
That means you are protected if your flight is cancelled.
If you are flying to or from Europe, your flight is cancelled and you have to wait at the airport 3 or more hours extra, the airline is obliged to provide you with two free phone calls, e-mails or faxes and a free meal and drink.
It's the same for all SAS cancelled flights. The same rules apply to all passengers, all SAS flight cancellations. It doesn’t matter what is the reason of the cancellation.
All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004.
- Long delay (Overnight delay)
What if you have to wait more than that?
What if your new flight is leaving only tomorrow?
Will you have to stay at the airport overnight?
No, you will not. In these situations as well it is SAS responsibility to take care of you. After 3 hours they must provide you with free meal and drink, if the waiting time is going to be longer than that — with free hotel accommodation.
All passengers have the right to care.
You don’t even need travel insurance to be entitled to it.
All that matters is that you are flying with SAS, and your flight is either from or to Europe, or elsewhere where the Regulation EC 261/2004 is in effect. There is a common myth that you can’t get compensation if you agree to free hotel stay, but it is only a myth.
If it is airline’s fault, you can get both compensation and care.
2.3 If it's fault of SAS
What if it all is due to SAS error (their fault)?
You might be entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation.
The compensation amounts in the EU are 250-600 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 SAS flight delay compensation?
What if you think that you are entitled to compensation?
What are the next steps to claim SAS flight delay compensation?
If you have reached your destination 3+ hours later than scheduled, and if it was your airlines fault (that includes technical problems), according to the law, now you most likely are entitled to flight delay compensation up to €600.
Next thing you have to do now is to file a compensation claim.
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. In short, contact SAS, claim compensationa and wait. Go to the Scandinavian Airlines website. Find SAS delayed flight compensation form. Use a general contact form if you can’t find the specific one. Fill in this form and upload documents. Refer to Regulation EC 261/2004. Be prepared that SAS may try to avoid paying EU flight compensation.
Get in touch with us, if you will need legal advice.
2. You can also take the easiest path — register your claim online with us, and let us be your legal representatives. We will lead the negotiations regarding your SAS delay compensation claim. We will help you to get your SAS airlines compensation much easier.
When working with us, here is all you will have to do:
- Go to this page;
- Fill in the details about your Scandinavian Airlines flight;
- Upload your boarding pass and passport copy;
- Sign the claim online.
We will do the rest.
We will submit your compensation claim on your behalf.
There are no any upfront fees, and you will not pay a single cent if it turns out that we can’t get your compensation. Or if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to SAS compensation for delayed flight in this particular case. That means there is no risk for you. If, however, the claim is successful, our fee is fixed — €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation.
Learn more about EU flight delay compensation.
- How long does it take?
On average the process takes around 2-3 months.
If you do it on your own, it takes about the same as long. Only from our experience, chances of getting compensation with flight compensation company are significantly higher than if it is done by an individual. If the airline isn’t cooperative and the case has to be taken to competent National Enforcement Body or court, it takes longer.
For the best result register your claim as soon as possible.
- How far back can you claim flight delay compensation?
It depends from the local laws of the country your flight is from.
In most countries it is 2 or 3 years.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
No, it applies to everyone.
The rules are the same also for tourists from overseas.
You don't have to be European to receive EU flight delay compensation from SAS. All that matters is that your flight must be from or to a country where Regulation EC 261/2004 is in effect, and that you have requested the compensation.
- What about codeshare flights?
What if you were on a codeshare flight?
What if you bought a flight from SAS, but it was operated by Lufthansa or Turkish Airlines? These things happen a lot — airlines share flights. What does it mean for you? Which airline will be held responsible if there are problems with a flight?
Which airline is going to pay the compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it was Lufthansa flight, Lufthansa will be responsible.
3.1 How much can you claim?
In most situations you can claim 250, 400 or 600 euro.
In the EU flight compensation amounts are fixed. The longer the flight, the bigger will be your SAS flight delay compensation (up to 600 euro per passenger).
The amounts are the same for all airlines operating in the EU, and they are the same for all passengers. It is obligation of SAS (EU261, Article 7) to follow these rules. No matter the age, nationality, airline, price of the ticket or travel insurance. Even your under 2 years old kid can receive full flight compensation.
4. How to claim SAS flight cancellation compensation?
How to get your SAS flight cancellation compensation?
If the flight was cancelled less than two weeks or 14 days before the scheduled date of departure, and it happened due to SAS fault (including technical problems and staff shortage), according to the law, now you are entitled to flight cancellation compensation up to €600.
The most important thing now is to file a compensation claim.
Your two best options are:
1. You can do it all on your own. You have to contact SAS. Go to their website and find the compensation form. Fill in the form, upload documents they are asking and wait for the reply. Be prepared that airlines, both big and small, use different methods to avoid paying EU flight compensation.
Contact us, if at some point you will need legal advice.
2. You can also take the easiest path — register a claim online with us, and let us be your legal representatives. In this case we will do all the legal work. We will help you to get your SAS flight cancellation 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 it. We will do the rest.
Working with us there are no any upfront fees, and you will not pay a single cent if it turns out that we can’t get your compensation. Or if it turns out that you aren’t entitled to compensation. If, however, the claim is successful, we charge €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation.
Remember that if you chose a refund instead of a new flight, you can get both SAS 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 it 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 your flight is from.
Sometimes it is only 6 months, but in most cases — 2 to 3 years.
For the best result make your claim as soon as possible.
- Does it apply only to citizens of the European Union?
It applies to all SAS passengers on flights to and 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 you were on 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 SAS, but in reality it is Lufthansa? What if the flight gets delayed, and you miss another flight, or cancelled?
Which airline is going to pay the compensation?
The airline operating the flight is gonna be responsible.
If it was Lufthansa flight, then Lufthansa will pay compensation.
4.1 How much can you claim?
In most of situations you can claim 250, 400 or 600 euro.
Because in the EU flight compensation amounts are fixed.
The amounts are the same for all passengers. No matter the age, nationality, airline, price of the ticket, class or travel insurance. Even your under 2 years old kid can receive full flight compensation.
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. SAS denied boarding compensation
What if you are denied boarding due to overbooking?
What are SAS passenger rights in these situations?
Generally speaking, rules are almost the same.
According to Regulation EC 261/2004, you shall be receiving flight compensation not only if your flight is heavily delayed or cancelled, but also if you are denied boarding due to overbooking. To put it simply, if they don’t let you to board a plane because there are no more free seats.
With SAS it applies to all its 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 were problems with your passport or any of your travel documents, and that was the reason of boarding denial, then mostly you will not be entitled to EU denied boarding compensation. You also can’t get compensation if you voluntarily give up your seat. Take this into account if you will be offered such a choice.
Learn more about EU denied boarding compensation.
6. Connecting flights with Scandinavian Airlines
Scandinavian Airlines, commonly referred to as SAS, is the flag carrier of Denmark, Norway and Sweden. The company is a founding member of one of the major airline alliances, Star Alliance. According to Skytrax, SAS is a 3-star airline. It is a full service airline, and as a such it offers airline protected connecting flights.
For you, as a passenger, that means convenience and protection.
If you buy a connecting flight from SAS, you are protected.
If, for example, one of your flights is cancelled and because of that you miss the next flight, SAS will offer you a solution. In most situations you will be offered a new 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 SAS 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!