To claim flight compensation, your flight must have left the airport from any EU country, or you should be landing in European countries, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, etc. If your flight has been delayed by a minimum of three hours or due to the fault of the airline, then you can claim compensation from the airlines.
You don't have to be European to receive EU flight compensation, as the rules are the same for all passengers. If your European flight gets delayed for a minimum of 3 hours than its planned time, then you have the right to receive flight delay compensation irrespective of your citizenship. However, you should be aware of the rules and regulations associated with it.
The circumstance under which you are eligible for compensation
To claim flight compensation, your flight must have left the airport from any EU country, or you should be landing in European countries, including Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, etc. If your flight has been delayed by a minimum of three hours and due to the fault of the airline, then you can claim compensation from the airlines.
Additionally, if your flight has been cancelled, then the airline must provide you with a full refund or book you an alternative flight. Moreover, if you are provided with an alternative flight that delays by more than two hours or the originally booked flight is cancelled with less than 14 days of notice, then also you can claim compensation.
How much can you claim for EU flight compensation?
The claim amount for EU flight compensation depends on different factors such as duration of delay, flight distance, and destinations.
- If your arrival at the final destination is delayed by over three hours or the travel distance stands at 1,500 km, then you can claim compensation for Euro 250. Additionally, in situations where your flights are delayed by over three hours and the distance travelled is more than 1,500 km within the borders of the EU, then you can claim compensation for Euro 400.
- In situations where your flight is delayed by three to four hours, and the distance travelled between the EU and non-EU airport is more than 3,500 km, then you can receive compensation of Euro 600. And if the flight is delayed by more than five hours, then you are within your rights to refuse to take the flight and obtain a full refund. And if you take the flight, then you can receive compensation up to Euro 600 based on the length, destination, and distance.
Getting compensation in case of a cancelled flight
If you take a substitute flight, in case your original flight gets canceled with a notice of fewer than two weeks; you are entitled to receive compensation. The amount of claim, in this case, depends on the time flight got canceled, the distance planned to travel, and the arrival and departure time of the flight. This regulation applies only in a circumstance when the flight has been canceled due to airline’s fault.
What are the loopholes in getting EU flight compensation?
There are certain loopholes in availing of the compensation that you should be aware of. Passengers can only get compensation for delay if it happened because of the airline's negligence or fault. For instance, a technical issue with an airplane or if the flight was overbooked are situations where you can claim EU flight compensation. Cancellation or delay of the flight that occurs due to extraordinary circumstances like crew strikes, extreme weather, then you cannot claim compensation.
The process of compensation claim
When it comes to claiming EU flight compensation, you need to gather as much evidence as possible. You must have a boarding pass, the receipt that proves that your expenses have increased due to the delay or cancellation of the flight. Instead of merely getting credit card slip, get receipts of all your purchases associated with the circumstance. Moreover, if the airline asked you to make certain arrangements, ensure that you note the staff's name and when and where this was asked. If you believe that you have a valid case, then directly contact that airline. A majority of airlines have a thorough claim procedure that starts with a standard claim form. If this is the case, then this proves that you offer all the relevant information that the company needed to process the claim. While directly calling the airline might sound like the simplest and most straightforward way to claim, often it's not. If you want to save time and nerves, contact a claim agency like Refundor. They will get it done on your behalf.
What happens if there is no standard procedure?
If there is no standard procedure provided by the airline with regards to compensation, then start by contacting through email. This will ensure that there is a clear communication record. Ensure that you maintain copies of the claim and response provided by the airline. If you speak to the airline staff, then ensure to write notes. The more evidence and records you have, the stronger your case will be.
The airline typically asks for all the information in order to process the claim. While it may take a while to get a response from the airline, you should get a response within a couple of weeks. If the airline determines your claim to be valid, then you are likely to receive a cheque with the response. If the airline refuses to pay compensation, then they should provide an explanation for the same.
Moreover, if you are not satisfied with the airline's decision, you can take the matter with the court. Then the investigation will be initiated.
In case your flight is delayed or cancelled due to "exceptional circumstances," then you may not be able to acquire compensation. However, even then, you are entitled to acquire a duty of care from the concerned airline, irrespective of the reason. Based on the duration of the delay, the airline must provide you with meals and refreshments and access to calls and emails. And if the delay occurs overnight, then they should provide accommodation as well.
Final thoughts
When it comes to claiming compensation for EU flight delay or cancellation, then first you have to check the eligibility. You must be well aware of the rules and regulations associated with EU flight compensation. And in case you feel the airline has refused your claim with no relevant reasons, then you can file a case against the airline. This is where contacting a claim agency like Refundor would prove to be highly efficient in getting the compensation that you deserve.
