Flight delay compensation
Flight delays happen every day.
Sometimes they happen because of technical problems.
Other times weather gets really bad and it’s just not safe to fly anymore.
What’s important, though, is that whenever that happens and it’s the airline’s fault, you may be entitled to flight delay compensation up to €600 per passenger.
This applies to most flights to and from Europe.
Let's go into details about FLIGHT DELAY compensation in European Union
What are the rules?
What are your rights in these situations?
The rules are very simple.
If you're flying to or from Europe, your flight is delayed for more than 3 hours, and it's the airline's fault - you are entitled to compensation up to €600 per passenger.
What else:
- If you are flying from a country outside the European Union your flight must be with a European airline. In other situations it applies also to flights with non-EU airlines.
- You don’t have to be a citizen of the European Union to be entitled to European flight delay compensation. Yes, these rules apply also to tourists travelling in Europe.
- This applies also to charter airlines.
Situations such as extreme weather conditions and airport staff strikes are exempt from compensation. You can't get flight delay compensation in these situations.
But you should remember, that not all airport strikes are the same.
In some situations you will be entitled to compensation.
And even in the worst cases you still have the right to care.
How long was the delay?
What matters is the time of arrival.
Not the time of departure, but the time of arrival to your destination. And more exactly when do the doors of the airplane are being opened. If they are opened 3 or more hours after the original arrival time, then you may be entitled to flight compensation.
When in doubts, fill in our claim form, and we'll take it from there.
Don’t worry, if we find out that you aren’t eligible for compensation, it will cost you nothing.
To learn more about the topic, you can read EU flight compensation regulation 261/2004 (EC 261). But be prepared that it’s gonna be a long read. And a tough one.
Am I entitled to compensation for a delayed flight?
Can I claim compensation for a delayed flight?
If your flight falls under the above mentioned description - yes.
Yes, you might be entitled to compensation.
But you still have to file a claim.
If you do nothing, in 99% of situations you will get nothing.
In this case Europe means all EU Member States, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, Mayotte, Saint Martin (French Antilles), the Azores, Madeira, the Canary Islands, Iceland, Norway, and Switzerland.
EU flight delay compensation: How much? How to claim it?
The exact amount of flight delay compensation varies.
It's based on the distance of your flight and occasionally some other factors.
However, it’s not affected by the price of the flight or airline you are flying with.
But that means that your Ryanair flight delay compensation is going to be the same as someone’s British Airways flight delay compensation. That's assuming that you’re flying on the same route, your flights are delayed for the same length of time and because of the same reason. All thanks to Europe's Flight Compensation Regulation 261/2004 (EC 261).
How much compensation am I entitled to for a delayed flight?
So how much exactly is your claim worth?
Mostly the answer will be one of these: €250, €400 or €600.
Here is how you can calculate it.
When your destination is within the European Union:
- €250 - if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres (usually 1-2 hour long flights);
- €400 - if the distance of your flight is more than 1500 kilometres.
When your destination is outside the European Union:
- €250 - if the distance of your flight is up to 1500 kilometres;
- €400 - if the distance of your flight is between 1500 - 3500 kilometres;
- €600 - if the distance of your flight is more than 3500 kilometres.
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, not €600.
How to claim compensation for a delayed flight?
One of the options is to contact the airline directly.
In a perfect world you would send an email to your airline and receive compensation soon afterwards. Unfourtunately mostly it's way more difficult. And you never know how long is it going to take. It may anything between a few weeks to six months or more.
Another option - to seek legal representation.
To put it simply, ask someone more experienced (e.g. Refundor) to do it on your behalf.
Sounds difficult and expensive? It isn't.
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 delay;
- Upload your boarding pass;
- Sign the claim online.
And that’s it. We’ll take it from there.
If we'll need anything else, we'll contact you via e-mail.
When we are done we’ll ask you to provide your bank account details, so we can send you your funds by bank transfer. As easy as that.
Why work with Refundor
Because it makes things just so much easier.
Here is how:
- It saves your time. In most of the situations all you have to do is to submit your information once and… wait for the money. That’s it.
- It saves your money. Would you sooner or later decide to search for legal advice or help to make a claim against the airline, you’ll have to cover all the related expanses yourself. How much that’s gonna cost you? It depends on a variety of things. But with us you pay only €25 + 25% of the amount of the compensation. No administration fees or tax expenses. No upfront fees.
- It's zero risk for you. It will cost you nothing, if we're unable to collect your compensation for some rea-son. No win, no fees.
Let’s work together! Click here, enter all the information asked, all of what you can find on your boarding pass and flight ticket. And we’ll get the ball rolling.
When we finish the job, you’ll just tell us your bank account details.
And we’ll make the money transfer.
Deal?
Claiming compensation for a delayed flight: Frequently asked questions
1. How long does it take?
It may take a while, in some cases even around 3 months.
But you can rest assured, because we do finish every case we start, and whenever there will be any news regarding your claim we will let you know. And if you'll have questions during the process, you can always contact our customer support team via e-mail.
Why does it take so long?
Because there are no strict regulations regarding that.
No one has told airlines how quickly they should respond to such a claim. There are only recommendations, that it should be done within 2 months.
So, yes, it may take a while.
Depending on what time of year it is, which airline you're claiming compensation from and, of course, the number of other people doing the same at the same time. If there are a lot of claims, it may take longer for the airline to get through all of them.
Speaking of the factors we can control, to achieve the best and fastest results at Refundor we use computer system that allows us to automate one big part of the process. Meaning that your claim can be sent to the airline much faster than if the whole process would be done by a human.
2. How much does it cost?
We pursue your compensation for a €25 + 25% fee.
No hidden administration fees or tax expenses. No upfront fees.
For example, if we will win a 400 EUR compensation for you, we will transfer you 275 EUR and keep 125 EUR for our services.
At the same time it will cost you nothing, if we're unable to collect your compensation for whatever reason. We take that risk on ourselves. No win, no fees. Sounds fair?
3. What if you can’t get my compensation?
It’s a possibility.
As already mentioned, it will cost you nothing. No matter the reason.
4. How far back can I claim flight compensation?
It varies.
There is no one answer to the question how far back can you claim for flight delays. It varies from country to country. In this case we are looking at the laws in the country the flight departed from.
Mostly it’s at least 2-3 years.
Step by step: What to do if your flight is delayed?
So you have arrived at the airport.
You’re looking at the flight information display and there it is.
Your flight is going to be delayed.
What should you do next?
- Don’t stress over it. Flight delays happen every day.
- Do you have a next flight that you can’t miss? If it’s a connecting flight (note that two or more separately booked flights doesn’t mean “connecting flight” here) and because of this flight delay you are going to miss the next flight, don’t worry, because the airline will take care of that and most probably will put you on another flight for free. If, however, you have a very strict schedule, look for an alternative flight or flights to your destination. And if you decide so book a new flight.
- Check-in for your flight. If the check-in has already started and you aren’t going to book another flight, proceed as usual. Head over to the check-in counter if you have to or go straight to your gate.
- Follow the information regarding your flight. Check the flight information display every 20 - 30 minutes or so, there’s no need to do it more frequently, and be ready that there might be an announcement. Alternatively you can check your flight status online.
- After 3 hours. If your flight has been delayed for more than 3 hours the airline must provide you with free meal and drink plus two free phone calls, two e-mails or faxes. In Europe that's called the right to care. All passengers have the right to care.
- An overnight delay. In case of an overnight delay the airline must provide you with free hotel accomodation and transport to and from it.
- You may be offered to take another flight at some point.
- Know your rights. If you have arrived to your final destination 3 or more hours after the original arrival time you may be eligible to compensation of up to €600 per person.
How to get a free meal and drink?
What about free hotel if it’s going to be an overnight delay?
Wait for the announcement from your airline or head over to their information booth at the airport and they will help you. They should help you.
Be ready, that your flight may also get cancelled.
Read more: What to do if your flight is delayed?
Submit your claim for flight delay compensation now.
Learn more about flight cancellation compensation & what to do if your flight is cancelled.
In short - in event of this as well you can get both a new flight (if necessary), which can be another flight operated by your airline, or you may be offered to fly with another airline at no extra cost to you, and you can also claim for compensation. That’s if in the end you reach your final destination 2 or more hours later than initially planned.
Has something like this happened to you recently or during the last years?