Flight Cancellations: How Much Compensation You’re Entitled To

Have you been in a situation where your flight got canceled without warning, leaving you feeling stranded and upset? Usually, the airline offers compensation, but it can be confusing to know what you are entitled to and how to claim it.

At ClaimFlights, we know that travelers need to be aware of their rights in case of flight cancellations. Therefore, we aim to assist you in learning about your entitlements and potential compensation.

In this article, we look at the details of different scenarios where your flight has been canceled or delayed and examine what kind of compensation airlines typically provide. We’ll explore some practical tips on how to maximize the amount of money you get in return. So strap yourself in and get ready for a big dose of consumer rights know-how!

Different Types of Compensation for Flights

If your flight gets cancelled, you’re entitled to certain types of compensation— depending on the country you are travelling from and the airline you are flying with. Generally, if the airline cancels a flight, they have to provide appropriate compensation for services not provided.

In compliance with European legislation, here is a breakdown of the different types of compensation for flight cancellations:

• Full Refund: You should get a full refund of your ticket costs, including any other expenses incurred from auxiliary services (extra baggage charges, meals).
• Rebooking or Transport to Your Destination: You may be offered another flight to your destination or another form of transport (bus or train).
• Compensation Payment: Depending on the circumstances, airlines may be required to pay you between €250 and €600. The exact amount depends on the distance of your flight and a few other factors.

In addition to these standard types of compensation, airlines may also offer passengers additional services such as free meals and accommodation while they wait for their rearranged flights. In any case, it’s important that you’re aware of what type of compensation is due to you when dealing with flight cancellations.

What is Cancelled Flight Compensation

Cancelled flight compensation is a set of laws set up to protect air passengers if their flight ends up being cancelled, either due to airline or airport issues. According to EU law, airlines must provide fair compensation depending on the circumstances that led to the flight’s cancellation.

If your flight has been cancelled or delayed more than three hours, here are the types of compensation you can claim:

• Reimbursement of a full refund for the ticket
• Flight rebooking at no extra cost
• Meal vouchers during long delays
• Hotel accommodation during long delays (if required)
• Compensation for other expenses arising from the disruption

It is important to remember that some airlines may give more generous compensation than others, so it’s a good idea to read through the airline’s policies before purchasing tickets. Knowing what type of compensation you’re entitled to can help you decide which airline is best for your flight needs.

The Eligibility Criteria for Flight Compensation

So, what kind of flights are eligible for compensation? If your flight was cancelled within 14 days prior to the scheduled departure time, you could be entitled to flight compensation. Generally, if you were on a flight disrupted in any way, you should know that the airline will provide you with information about your rights and the amount of compensation you are entitled to receive.

The amount of flight compensation will depend on where the flight was going, how long the delay or cancellation was, and what airline you were flying with. Let’s take a look at some of the criteria for eligibility:

Location

Whether you’re entitled to receive a refund or compensation will largely depend on where your cancelled flight is departing from or arriving at. In general, all flights over 3,500 km from an EU airport to a non-EU airport are typically eligible for this type of compensation. Other flights between EU countries may also be eligible depending on their location and distance travelled.

Delayed Flights

If your flight is delayed more than 3 hours for reasons within an Airline’s control (not due to air traffic control strikes/involuntary rerouting/etc), then depending on how long your delay was and how far you flew, you may be eligible for up to 600€ in compensation.

Cancelled Flights

If your flight is cancelled because it’s overbooked or due to technical issues and other reasons within the Airline’s control, then depending on how far your destination is (EU or non-EU) and your original arrival time, you could be entitled to up to 600€ in passenger rights under EU regulations.

The Rights of Passengers: Compensation, Refund or Re-routing

Did you know that, as an international traveller from a European country, you have rights when your flight is cancelled? Depending on the circumstances of your flight cancellation, you may be eligible for compensation, refund or even re-routing.

Compensation

If your flight was cancelled, and it was the airline’s fault (not due to safety reasons), then you might be eligible to receive compensation of up to €600 per person. This may not always come in the form of a cash payment, but also a voucher or other form of reimbursement.

Refunds

If you’ve been denied boarding due to overbooking or if your flight is cancelled with less than 14 days advance notice, then the airline must offer customers a full refund for the unused portion of their ticket. You have the right to choose between either a refund or re-routing to your original destination.

Re-routing

If you accept re-routing, then the airline must take responsibility for offering you alternative arrangements, such as a replacement flight that arrives within a reasonable time and at no extra cost. The airline should also offer you meals, refreshments, and accommodation if necessary (for example if the new arrival time is more than two hours later than originally planned).

How Much Compensation for a Cancelled Flight

So, how much compensation do you get if your flight is cancelled? Well, it depends on where you’re flying from and the circumstances of your flight. For example, if your flight is cancelled due to reasons within an airline’s control (e.g. mechanical faults), you may be entitled to up to €600 per passenger in compensation, depending on the distance of the flight.

For flights departing from European airports, the amount of compensation is set by the European Union’s 261/2004 Regulation, which states that for any cancelled or delayed flight (if not caused by extraordinary circumstances):

Distance Between Point of Origin and Destination:

• Flights under 1500 km: €250
• Flights between 1500 km and 3500 km: €400
• Flights over 3500 km: €600

Delay Length:

• 3 hours delay for flights under 1500km: €250
• 3–4 hours delay for flights between 1500km and 3500km: €400
• 4+ hours delay for flights over 3500km: €600

Once you figure out how much compensation you could be entitled to, ClaimFlights makes this process a lot easier—simply fill in a few details about your cancelled flight and let us do all the hard work! We take care of everything related to filing a claim with the airline so that all you have to do is wait for your refund.