6 things you probably don’t know about flight compensations
Let’s face it, legal documents are difficult to understand.
They are difficult to understand for most of people.
Not surprisingly many still don’t know that they could be entitled to flight compensation whenever there is a flight delay or disruption due to the airline’s fault. And that's despite the fact that the EU Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004, made to protect passenger rights, has been around for more than 10 years already.
Let's look at some of the most important facts most don't know.
The facts that you should know.
6 facts about about flight compensations
And the first and one of the most misunderstood facts is…
1. You don’t have to be a citizen of the European Union
Exactly, you don’t have to be European to be entitled to EU flight compensation.
All that matters is that you are flying to or from Europe* and your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, cancelled or you’ve been denied boarding because there simply are no more free seats available (it’s a possibility nowadays even if you have bought a ticket). If you are flying from a country outside the European Union your flight must be with a European airline.
And flight delay or cancellation must be due to the airline’s fault.
That’s it.
If that’s the case you may be entitled to compensation up to €600.
Even if you are just a tourist traveling to or within Europe*.
What else - everyone in Europe has the right to care. Also tourists.
Check your compensation online!
2. You can get both - compensation & new flight
And in some situations you can get more than that.
Because airlines have to get you to your destination or give you a full refund. And if the delay or cancellation is their fault, in many cases they also have to pay compensation.
Example - your flight is cancelled due to technical glitches of the airplane. Airline is offering you a new flight in a couple of hours with another airline, another their flight in 24 hours or refund. If you choose the second flight, one that involves an overnight wait, the airline is also obligated to provide you with free hotel accommodation and transport to and from it, plus - food.
That is so called right to care.
And still afterwards you can file a claim for compensation.
That's if the final delay is 3 or more hours.
3. Don’t take vouchers/coupons unless you want them
Compensation has to be paid in cash or by bank transfer.
But the airline may offer you travel vouchers/coupons or air miles.
Especially if it's a complicated situation, like now in 2020, when the whole travel industry has been stopped globally because of the COVID-19 pandemic. It’s up to you to make a decision. And it’s okay to ask for a refund.
You can ask for cash. It's okay.
If you have already taken coupons, you can still submit your claim for flight compensation with us and we’ll help you to get your compensation. In an event of success most probably your coupons will be cancelled.
4. Technical problems mostly are considered airline’s fault
Mostly aircraft technical problems are considered airline’s fault.
Accordingly - you can get a compensation.
If your flight gets delayed or cancelled due to any of these kind of reasons, mostly you can still get a compensation from the airline. If your flight is 3+ hours late or it's cancelled.
All you have to do is file a claim.
Check your compensation online!
5. Not all airport strikes are the same
The same stands for airline staff strikes. They aren't all the same.
There are some kind of airport strikes, when you can get a compensation.
If it's a planned strike, the airline has been notified in advance, it's considered something that's out of the airline's control. If, however, it's an unplanned strike, or so called cat strike, it's considered something airline should be able to deal with. If it isn't, you should be able to receive compensation in case of a serious flight disruption (3+ hour delay or flight cancellation).
Check your compensation online!
6. The compensation amounts are fixed
And mostly it’s going to be one of these three: €250, €400 or €600.
Exception. In case when the distance of your flight is 3500 kilometres or more and you reach your destination with a delay between 3 - 4 hours, you are entitled to compensation of €300.
Has something like this happened to you recently or during the last years?
Submit your claim for airline compensation now.
*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.