Traveling can be very exciting, but flight delays or cancellations can really ruin your travel experience. In most cases, these are inescapable territories of a flight journey. So, if you’re traveling to or from EU regions and are concerned about cancellations or delays, you must adhere to the EU Flight Delay Compensation policy in advance; it will aid you in making informative decisions. Be with this blog and understand your rights when the airline fails to serve you service on schedule time.
Do You Qualify To Claim EU Flight Delay Compensation?
Before claiming compensation for flight delays, it’s essential to understand who is eligible. Continue with the following points to understand more about the EU Delayed Flight Compensation policy:
- You will be eligible for flight delay compensation if
- The flight departed from a country within the EU
- The flight arrives in EU countries from anywhere in the world
- To qualify for compensation, your flight must have arrived at your final destination with a delay of 3 hours or more.
- You booked a ticket directly from the airline and completed the check-in procedure on time or at least 45 to 60 minutes before departure.
- To claim delay compensation, you will need to have a valid booking confirmation number and submit the claim form within 10 days after departure(for specific countries).
- You are eligible for European flight delay compensation even if the airline serves you free meals, beverages, accommodation, or travel vouchers.
The EU has made slight changes to its Flight Delay Compensation for UK flights. You must connect with the customer service team for more information on compensation criteria based on your source and arrival location.
What Compensation Will You Receive If Your EU Flight Is Delayed?
Depending on your scenario, you can claim EU flight delay compensation of up to €650 per passenger under European legislation EC 261. The amount you can claim depends on the length of the delay and the distance of your flight.
- Flights within 1500 km
- No compensation is provided if the delay is less than 3 hours.
- For flights delayed by more than 3 hours or in case of a canceled flight, the compensation amount is €250.
- Internal EU flights over 1500 km
- If your flight is delayed for less than 3 hours, you won’t qualify for compensation.
- The compensation amount is €400 for delays of more than 3 hours or if the flight cancellations made by the airline.
- Non-internal EU flights between 1500 km and 3500 km
- No compensation for delays under 3 hours.
- Up to €400 is offered as compensation for delays exceeding 3 hours or if the flight was canceled.
- Non-internal EU flights over 3500 km
- You will be eligible for compensation of €300, even if your flight is delayed for less than 3 hours.
- The airline will compensate you with €600 for flights delays by more than 3 hours.
Please Note
The airline will not compensate you if the delay is beyond its control. In such scenarios, to protect your booking, you will need to communicate with the airline directly and request available arrangements.
When Are You Not Entitled To Compensation Even If Your Flight Is Canceled Or Delayed?
According to the EU Compensation policy for Delayed Flights, you will not be eligible for compensation even if you get canceled or delayed by the airline if
- If you have booked your flight through a third-party source, such as a travel agency or an unauthorized booking website, you may not be eligible for compensation under the EU regulations. In this case, you will need to contact the third-party source independently.
- The airline does not entertain your compensation request if you don’t complete the check-in process within the allotted time set by your airline. You must follow the check-in deadlines provided by the airline to remain eligible for compensation.
- You will not be eligible for compensation if flight is not in operation due to bad weather, legal instability, air traffic control restrictions, security risks, or operational strikes, you may not claim compensation.
In some scenarios where the airline does its best but fails to provide proper service due to unforeseen circumstances, you may not be eligible for compensation. However, in such cases, you may still be entitle to request a full refund or alternative arrangements, such as accommodation or refreshments, to make your waiting period more comfortable. You can request it by contacting the customer service representative of your respective airline.
How To Claim Compensation Under EU Delayed Flight Regulations?
You can claim compensation only if the airline delays or cancels your flight. To qualify for compensation, you must meet the criteria mentioned above. Once you qualify for compensation, follow the steps outlined here to claim it easily.
- Reach the Customer Service Helpdesk.
- Ask the airline representative to get you the EU Flight Delay Compensation form.
- Fill out the form mentioning your booking credentials.
- Submit it with your flight tickets and boarding pass.
- Check with the designated agent for any alternative booking options.
- Review all terms and conditions before submitting your request.
- The airline will check your booking and get you compensation accordingly.
Please Note
You should request compensation as soon as possible because the airline may not accept claims after a specific period. Contact the customer service department for assistance with flight delay compensation.
Wrap Up
The compensation might not meet all your needs, but it can help you deal with situations where you don’t reach your final destination. The EU’s Flight Delay Compensation provision allows you to claim compensation for flight delays and cancellations. These refunds can provide peace of mind during difficult times and help partially cover your losses.
