Delayed Flight Compensation Rights
As a frequent air traveller, you must have experienced a flight delay or flight cancellation at least once. It can be an incredibly frustrating experience, but did you know that you have flight compensation rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 and UK law? If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you could be entitled to up to £520 in compensation. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll walk you through everything you need to know about your flight compensation rights in the UK.
Flight Compensation Rights: When Can You Claim?
First things first, you need to know when you can claim for flight compensation rights. There are two critical conditions that you must satisfy to be eligible for compensation:
- Your flight was delayed for more than three hours from the scheduled arrival time.
- Your flight departed from an EU country or arrived in Europe on a flight operated by an EU airline.
If your flight meets these two conditions, you can claim compensation for your delayed or cancelled flight.
Extraordinary Circumstances
There are some situations where you may not be eligible for compensation, even if your flight was delayed or cancelled. These are known as “extraordinary circumstances,” and they include:
- Bad weather
- Airport or union strikes
- Bird strikes
- Restrictions set by air traffic controllers (e.g., runway closure)
- Political and civil unrest
- Security risks/threats at the airport
Technical issues with the aircraft are not considered extraordinary circumstances, and you have the right to claim compensation if your flight was delayed due to a mechanical issue. In 2018, the European Court of Justice ruled that internal “wildcat strikes” by airline staff, provoked by the airline’s restructuring, are the carrier’s responsibility to manage. If a flight is delayed for this reason, the airline will be required to pay compensation.
How Much Flight Compensation Can You Get?
The amount of compensation you can claim depends on the distance of your flight. You can use the table below to determine how much compensation you may be entitled is based on your flight itinerary.
Remember, you can claim up to £520 in compensation if your flight has been delayed for more than three hours or if your flight has been cancelled. However, the compensation amount may be reduced by 50% if the airline can prove that they offered you an alternative flight that arrived at your destination within two to four hours of your original flight’s scheduled arrival time.
How to Claim Flight Compensation Rights
If you believe that you are entitled to flight compensation rights, you can claim for your delayed or cancelled flight. Here’s what you need to do:
- Contact the airline – You need to contact the airline that operated your flight to claim compensation. You can usually find their contact information on their website or your ticket.
- Provide your flight details – You will need to provide your flight details, such as your flight number, date of travel, and booking reference number.
- Explain the situation – You need to explain the situation and why you believe you are entitled to compensation. Make sure to include all relevant details, such as the reason for your flight’s delay or cancellation.
- Keep records – Keep a record of all communication with the airline, including emails and phone calls. You may also want to keep receipts for any expenses you incurred as a result of the flight delay or cancellation.
- Wait for a response – The airline has up to eight weeks to respond to your claim. If they reject your claim, you can take your case to an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) scheme or to court.
Using a Flight Compensation Service
If you don’t have the time or energy to claim compensation yourself, you can use a flight compensation service. These services will handle your claim for you, but they will take a percentage of your compensation as their fee. Make sure to do your research before choosing a service to ensure that they are reputable and will handle your claim effectively.
Additional Information: Flight Delays Compensation
If your flight is delayed for a long time, you may be entitled to additional compensation. The airline is required to provide you with food and drink, access to phone calls and emails, and accommodation if you are delayed overnight. How long the delay depends on the distance of the flight and the countries it’s flying to.
The airline might give you vouchers to get these things at the airport. If they don’t, make sure to keep receipts for expenses and try to claim from the airline later. Please note that airlines only pay for “reasonable” expenses, and you are unlikely to get money back for alcohol, expensive meals, or luxury hotels.
Conclusion of Flight Compensation Rights
If your flight has been delayed or cancelled, you have flight compensation rights under UK law and EU Regulation 261/2004. You could be entitled to up to £520 in compensation, depending on the distance of your flight and the length of your delay. Make sure to contact the airline and provide all relevant details to claim your compensation. If you don’t have the time or energy to claim yourself, consider using a flight compensation service. Remember to keep records of all communication with the airline and any expenses you incur as a result of the flight delay or cancellation.