When you’re traveling, there’s nothing purer than a flight cancellation or delay. This can bring an entire organization to its knees, from transport management to accommodation. But did you know that you have rights when the delay or cancellation is significant? There are even service companies to protect you!
Airlines are obliged to respect passengers’ rights in the event of flight cancellation or delay, in accordance with European regulations.
To be eligible for airline delay compensation, the passenger must hold a ticket issued by an airline member of the European Union, and the flight concerned must depart from or arrive at an airport within this area.
Similarly, if the passenger is notified later than 14 days before departure. He can then benefit from the compensation and/or reimbursement due.
Under European legislation applicable to intra-Community travel, various types of compensation are payable in the event of cancellation or long delay of a flight. Three distances are defined: up to 1500 km, between 1500 and 3500 km and over 3500 km.
Maximum amounts are set for each category and vary according to the length of the journey:
However, certain exceptional circumstances may exempt airlines from this compensation obligation. They are limited by European Regulation 261/2004.
These include..:
When travellers learn that their flight is going to be cancelled, the first thing to do is to contact the airline to find out what solutions it has to offer. Once these have been exhausted, he can initiate proceedings for compensation.
The claim must be made on paper or electronically; the claim form provided by the airline (if available) can be used but is not obligatory. Supporting documents must be attached: proof of payment, invoice or receipt, exact date and time of departure and arrival, noting the long delay.
Passengers should also bring with them information such as: the name and full address of the carrier with its contact details, the carrier’s IATA code and flight number, a description of the circumstances that led to the disruption, and any documents attesting to the situation.
Once the request has been sent, the traveler will have to wait for an official reply from the airline. This can take up to 3 months in the event of legal recourse.
If this response is unsatisfactory or does not comply with current European rules, the passenger can take legal action to win the case and obtain greater compensation.
In the event of flight cancellation, travelers can take advantage of the alternative solutions offered by their airline: reimbursement or re-routing. The first is to be reimbursed for the full cost of the ticket and any other expenses incurred in connection with the incident, in accordance with European regulation no. 261/2004.
The second is offered in the form of free transport to the initially planned destination or to another destination.
The passenger may request a full refund of the ticket and additional incident-related costs if the flight is delayed or cancelled without sufficient notice. In this case, he/she must contact the company to find out the terms and procedures for reimbursement.
If the passenger does not wish to take advantage of the solutions offered by the company, he or she can request a full refund directly from the company.
In some circumstances, passengers who have suffered delays or cancellations do not have their claims upheld. It is then possible to take legal action against the airline to obtain greater compensation than is usually offered.
In addition to recourse against the airline, passengers can also lodge a complaint with the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), which ensures that user rights and European standards are respected.
Of course, the law remains the law, and if you meet the above conditions, you should receive your compensation.
But you should also know that there are also service companies that guarantee rapid reimbursement, without having to go through interminable administrative procedures.
This is particularly true of Delayed, a service due to open soon. It will enable you to receive compensation of up to €600 per passenger, for any flight problems suffered in the last 3 years. No matter what the ticket price, you can rest assured that you’ll be reimbursed in the event of a problem!
Admittedly, this type of service comes at a price, but one that could well save your ass should you encounter any inconvenience. What’s more, this solution covers many more cases than those covered by European law.
This means you’re covered in the event of overbooking, flight delays or cancellations. Perfect for worry-free travel!
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