Know Your Rights: Non-EU Flight Delay Compensation

It’s really frustrating when you’ve planned your next vacation for months, and it gets delayed or canceled due to airline issues.

But there is a silver lining to this otherwise frustrating situation – the EU Regulation 261/2004. This regulation offers non-EU passengers a right to compensation if their flight is delayed or canceled with an EU-regulated airline.

What if you’re flying with a non-EU-regulated airline? Are you still entitled to compensation? And how do you go about claiming it?
Here at ClaimFlights, we’ve done the research so that you don’t have to, and we’re here to tell you that the answer is a resounding yes!

You can still get compensated for your non-EU flight delay, and in this article, we’ll tell you all the things you need to know before filing a claim for compensation.

Flight Delay Compensation Regulation EC 261/2004

Have you ever experienced a flight delay or cancelation caused by an airline? If you did, you may be eligible for compensation.

The European Union (EU) has passed a regulation known as EC 261/2004 that entitles passengers to financial compensation if their flights were delayed by more than 3 hours or canceled without prior notice with EU and Non-EU regulated airlines.

EC 261 Regulation covers air passengers whose flights are departing from an EU airport, as well as those who have arrived in the EU with an EU-regulated airline, regardless of their nationality and place of residence.

To be eligible for compensation, the flight must be delayed for more than 3 hours at the final destination.

Additionally, the airline must have proved responsible for the delay or cancelation.

Under this regulation, passengers can receive compensation up to 600 euros for long-haul flights and 250 to 400 euros for short-haul and medium-haul flights. The amount depends on the flight distance and duration of the delay.

Therefore, it’s important to know your rights and check if you are eligible for flight delay compensation if your flight was delayed or canceled due to no fault of yours!

When Non-EU Passengers Can Claim Compensation

You may be able to get compensation if you’re a non-EU passenger traveling with an EU or non-EU airline, and your flight is delayed. The rules cover flights departing from an EU airport, or arriving at an EU airport on an EU airline.

The amount of compensation due to you depends on the distance of the flight and how long the delay is. Short-haul flights delayed under three hours should expect €250 in compensation, whereas long-haul flights delayed for more than four hours could be entitled to up to €600.

If your flight is canceled, and you weren’t informed at least 14 days before departure, then you should also be entitled to a refund of your ticket as well as reimbursement for additional expenses due to the cancelation.

In certain circumstances, such as if alternative transport were offered, you may not qualify for these payments.

How to Claim Non-EU Flight Delay Compensation

You may be wondering if there’s a way to claim non-EU flight delay compensation, and the answer is: yes. Airlines tend to be more lenient when it comes to delays on flights that originate from outside the EU, so it’s not always straightforward in terms of regulations.

However, depending on the airline and which country your flight originated from, you still may have rights for delayed flights that originate from outside the EU. Here’s how you can claim this compensation:

Check The Airline Policies

Every airline has its own policies regarding delayed flights that originate outside the EU. Some airlines might have guidelines that entitle travelers to a certain amount of compensation if their delay exceeded a certain number of hours or days. Others may not provide any type of compensation at all.

Seek Professional Help

If you’re having trouble making sense of your airline’s policies, seeking professional help might be the best course of action.

Companies like ClaimFlights specialize in helping air passengers enforce their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flight delays or cancelations with both EU and Non-EU airlines.

ClaimFlights will take care of all the paperwork and research, allowing you to get back to enjoying your travel without stress or confusion. That way, you can be sure you receive what’s rightfully yours for delayed flights originating outside the EU borders!

Common Reasons Airlines Reject Your EU Claims

Did you know that it’s not always easy to get compensation when you have a flight delay? Airlines often reject the claim or only compensate partially, leaving you feeling frustrated and out of pocket.

Common Reasons Why Airlines Reject EU Flight Delay Claims

There are a few reasons why airlines might reject an EU flight delay claim, including:

  1. The airline was able to provide an alternative flight on the same day, even if it arrived later than your original flight.
  2. The airline can prove that the delay was caused by ‘extraordinary circumstances such as bad weather or strikes, or acts of terrorism or sabotage, etc.
  3. The passenger did not check in on time – the check-in deadline will be displayed on your airline ticket and needs to be followed to be eligible for compensation
  4. The passenger missed their connecting flight after arriving late due to an earlier delay
  5. The passengers enjoyed their own form of “substitute transport”. For example, if you took a taxi instead of waiting for another delayed coach/train provided by the airline – this would invalidate your claim as they are not liable for costs incurred while waiting for replacement transport if you have made other arrangements yourself

These are all valid points that can stand up against an EU claim for compensation, but don’t let them simply get away with it – fight your corner and make sure you get exactly what you are entitled to!

How to Avoid With Flight Delay Claim Rejection

If you’re wondering how to ensure your flight delay claim doesn’t get rejected, the first step is to collect all the required documents from your airline.

Make sure you keep all boarding passes, flight tickets, and other documents that are related to your flight. All these details will be required when you make a claim for compensation.

Also, it’s important to remember the different time limits for filing a claim with an EU or Non-EU regulated airline. For EU-regulated carriers, you must lodge a claim within two years of the disrupted flight.

Whereas, for Non-EU airlines, the time limit is much shorter—just six months from the date on which the flight was scheduled to arrive at its final destination.

If you find yourself in any doubt about how to progress with your non-EU flight delay compensation claim or which documents need collecting, ClaimFlights can assist air passengers enforce their rights under EU Regulation 261/2004 for flight delays or cancelations.

They provide tailored support and expert advice so that you can receive the compensation that’s rightfully yours.

What to Do When Your Claim Is Denied

If, for some reason, your flight delay compensation claim is denied, don’t just think of it as the end of the road. You still have options; so don’t give up!

Submit An Appeal

You can submit an appeal to the airline or enforce your rights through a specialized agency like ClaimFlights which can help you challenge the decision. A denial doesn’t have to be the final word!

Don’t Miss The Deadline

Carefully review both the claims timeframe and appeals process for flight delay compensation. The airline might give you a short amount of time to submit your appeal, and missing this deadline could be devastating for your case. An appeals timeline typically begins when the response is received from the airline.

Don’t let any violation of your consumer rights go unresolved, and make sure that you get what you are due regarding flight delay compensation.

With a specialized agency like ClaimFlights, or by submitting an appeal yourself—you have options available that could help you get justice for delayed flights or cancelations.

Which is the best company to claim flight delay compensation?

ClaimFlights is the best flight delay claim company when it comes to the payout after their 25% service fee. Through ClaimFlights, you could get 75% of the receivable compensation.

The following table gives you a direct comparison of flight delay compensation claim companies.

Your payout* (as Flight Delay Compensation)

for less than 1500 km for 1501 to 3500 km for more than 3500 km
ClaimFlights 187.50 € 300 € 450 €
Flightright 125.75 € 201.20 € 301.80 €
AirHelp 125 € 200 € 300 €
ClaimCompass 125 € 200 € 300 €
SkyRefund 125 € 200 € 300 €

* Source: Price comparison of flight delay claim companies, as of 8th August 2023.

Conclusion

When it comes to non-EU flight delay compensation, it pays to know your rights. If you have experienced a delayed flight, canceled flight, or denied boarding due to overbooking, you may be entitled to financial compensation from the airline, by filing a flight delay claim.

Make sure to research the regulations that apply to your specific flight, and always consult professionals and experienced attorneys to ensure you are filing your claim correctly. With the right information and support, you can be sure to get the compensation you deserve.

Airplane mode is not an annoying afterthought – it’s an important security measure that everyone needs to consider when they board their next flight. Take the time to ensure your device is in airplane mode, so there are no unnecessary distractions or problems that could put your flight in jeopardy. It’s a simple step that can go a long way.

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Was your flight delayed? You may be eligible for compensation

Has your flight been delayed for more than 3 hours or even canceled? Don't worry, you may be eligible for compensation up to 600€ under the EU Regulation 261/2004.

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