Compensation for a delayed and cancelled flight: How much is it? How to apply for compensation?
Flight delayed or cancelled? You could be due compensation...
Flight delays and cancellations are unpleasant situations that can significantly disrupt travel plans. In such cases, airline passengers within the European Union are entitled to compensation, which is regulated by EC Regulation 261/2004.
Below you will find information on how much compensation you could receive for a delayed or cancelled flight and how to apply for it.
Passenger rights
Airline passengers within the European Union are protected by the regulations contained in EC Regulation 261/2004. This is a key piece of legislation that establishes common rules for compensation and assistance to passengers in situations where flights are delayed, cancelled or when passengers encounter problems related to denied boarding. With these regulations, passengers are able to assert their rights and receive compensation for the inconvenience of air travel.
The right to compensation
According to the regulation, passengers are entitled to compensation if:
- The flight is cancelled. If a flight is cancelled, passengers can claim compensation unless they were informed at least 14 days before the scheduled flight or the airline offered an alternative flight with a similar departure time.
- The flight is delayed. If the delay is at least 3 hours at the destination, passengers are entitled to flight compensation, unless the delay is due to extraordinary circumstances such as bad meteorological conditions or strikes.
- Denied boarding. Passengers are entitled to compensation if they are denied boarding due to overbooking, unless they voluntarily give up their seat in exchange for other benefits offered by the airline.
How much is compensation for the flight?
The amount of compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight depends on the length of the route and the length of the delay at the destination:
- 250 euros for flights up to 1,500 km if the delay is at least three hours,
- 400 euros for intra-EU flights over 1,500 km and for flights outside the EU between 1,500 km and 3,500 km if the delay is at least three hours,
- 600 euros for flights over 3,500 km if the delay is at least four hours.
If the airline offers an alternative flight that arrives at its destination with a delay of less than three hours (for shorter flights) or four hours (for longer flights), the amount of compensation may be reduced by 50%.
How to apply for compensation?
Before submitting your claim, make sure you have all the necessary documents, such as your airline tickets, boarding pass and any communications from the airline regarding flight delays or cancellations. It is also important to have receipts for any additional costs you had to incur as a result of the delay, such as food, transportation or lodging.
Contact the airline and make a formal request for compensation. It is best to do it in writing, citing EC Regulation 261/2004. Remember to include all the documents you have collected as proof. The airline has 30 days to respond to your request.
Get help from a specialised passenger rights company. If the airline refuses to pay compensation or does not respond to your request, it is worthwhile to seek help from AirCashBack, a company specialising in compensation recovery.
Filing a compensation claim for a delayed or cancelled flight through AirCashBack may be the best solution, as the experts at AirCashBack have been helping passengers recover air compensation for 13 years.
A claim for compensation can be filed on the AirCashBack website. The company has experience in negotiating with airlines and knows how to successfully pursue claims. As a result, there is a better chance of obtaining compensation, even in cases that might seem difficult to resolve. Most importantly, AirCashBack operates on a “no win, no fee” basis, meaning that it only takes a commission if compensation is successfully obtained. This means that the passenger incurs no upfront costs or financial risk should the process fail. This makes it an accessible option for people who are concerned about the costs associated with pursuing their rights on their own.
