Know Your Rights: What Airlines Owe You for Delays & Cancellations

Ever been stranded on the tarmac? Or stuck in an airport lounge with nowhere to go? A common problem for frequent flyers – delayed and canceled flights happen so often that it’s become almost commonplace.

The fact is, if your flight has been delayed or canceled, you are entitled to compensation under certain conditions. How do you know your rights? That’s where ClaimFlights comes in. We’re here to provide you with the information you need to understand exactly what airlines owe you when your flight gets delayed or canceled.

From what compensation airlines must pay out and how much they should pay, to know when your rights are infringed upon – we’ll help you make sure that you receive what’s rightfully yours! In this article, we provide an overview of everything you need to know about airline delays and cancelations and what rights they owe you. Let’s dive in!

Overview of Flight Cancelations and Delays

If you’ve ever been on a delayed or canceled flight, then you know the sense of frustration that comes with it. But did you know there are laws in place to protect airline passengers when things go wrong? That’s right—airlines owe you certain rights and obligations when flights are delayed or canceled, so it’s important to be aware of what they are.

When a flight is delayed or canceled, airlines may be required to offer compensation and/or reimbursements for any additional expenses incurred as a result. This may include meals, overnight accommodation, and transport costs associated with getting to the new destination. Airlines may also be required to provide other assistance such as refreshments and access to phone calls in certain cases.

The amount of compensation available depends on the length of delay or cancelation, where the flight is going, and when it was booked. Knowing your rights can help you get the reimbursement that you deserve; so if your flight has been delayed or canceled, make sure that you take the time to learn more about what your airline owes you!

What Airlines Should Compensate You For

You may be entitled to compensation from airlines when a flight is canceled or delayed, but the amount you can claim and the circumstances in which you can claim it vary.

First, it’s important to be aware of how many hours your flight is delayed or canceled. If the delay is two hours for short-haul flights, three hours for medium-haul flights, or four hours for long-haul flights*, you may be able to claim out-of-pocket expenses such as meals or accommodation related to the delay. You may even be able to secure a full refund on your ticket if your flight is canceled.

*Note: these thresholds vary by region, so make sure you confirm eligibility with your airline company beforehand.

Rights According to the EU 261 Rule

If your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked, the EU 261 rule outlines what you’re entitled to in terms of compensation. This regulation states that for any flight leaving from within EU airspace or any flight that is operated by an EU airline to a destination within the EU, passengers can receive monetary compensation from the airline.

Length of Delay

Under the EU 261 rule, if your flight is delayed by more than three hours (or canceled), you will be eligible for cash compensation ranging from €250 to €600 depending upon which country you are flying from and the length of the delay.

Overbooking & Denied Boarding

If your flight departure was overbooked and you were denied boarding, the airline has to offer you an alternate route or refund the full cost of your ticket including taxes. The airline must also offer meals and refreshments as well as hotel accommodation if necessary while waiting for a re-routed flight. Furthermore, airlines must provide communication via phone and emails between yourself and the airport staff so that they can be aware of any changes in your situation.

How to File a Claim for Compensation

Are you aware of your rights to compensation if your flight is canceled or delayed? If not, don’t worry! ClaimFlights can help—before you file a claim, it’s important to be informed of what you’re entitled to.

What Are You Entitled to?

Under the EU 261 regulation, when a flight is canceled or delayed, airlines may owe you up to €600 ($750 USD) in compensation. This applies to flights departing from the EU and arriving in the EU, no matter which airline is operating the flight. It’s important to note that there are certain exceptions for the airline not to pay compensation for a canceled or delayed flight. For example, if an airline can prove that extenuating circumstances (severe weather, political unrest, and more) caused the delay or cancelation of your flight.

How Do You File a Claim?

If you feel you’re eligible for compensation due to a delayed or canceled flight, then filing a claim with ClaimFlights is easy and straightforward. All you need to do is provide your personal information (full name and phone number), plus details about your flights like dates and times of departure/arrival, plus your flight numbers & carriers. ClaimFlights will evaluate if your situation meets the criteria set by EU261 regulations. If it does—you’ll be one step closer to getting compensated for the hassle!

Tips for When Your Flight Is Canceled or Delayed

When your flight is delayed or canceled, it’s quite a hassle, we know. But, did you know that EU regulations state that you may be entitled to compensation?

It can be difficult to know what your rights are when faced with these issues. But you should know that if:

  • Your flight was delayed by more than 3 hours;
  • Was overbooked;
  • Was canceled without notice; or
  • Your flight was diverted from its course and you arrived at the destination more than four hours later than planned,

you may be eligible for compensation from the airline.

The best thing to do is to be informed about your rights as an air passenger in advance and make sure to speak up. ClaimFlights can help in this process! By using their service, all you need to do is provide them with the details of your disrupted flight such as the flight number and date, and they will take care of everything else and submit a claim on your behalf — no fuss.

How ClaimFlights Can Help You With Compensation

Filing for compensation due to canceled or delayed flights can be a daunting task. Airlines may not always be willing to provide full compensation and often require you to jump through hoops in order to recoup your costs. This is where ClaimFlights is here to help.

ClaimFlights specializes in offering flight compensation services, helping stranded air passengers request compensation for delayed, canceled, and overbooked flights following the EU 261 rule. We can help you get the money you deserve fast – without compromising on the experience or the quality of the service.

We’ve streamlined a process that can take hours of research and paperwork into simple steps that are easy to understand, making it easy for you to start a claim without any hassles. Plus, we handle all of the legwork of tracking down airlines, filing complaints, and talking with customer service representatives – letting you focus on more important things.

Let us do all the work as our knowledgeable staff will guide you each step of the way so that you get your rightful compensation quickly and effortlessly.

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.

Check if You're Eligible

We offer "No Win - No Fee" Services, so claiming is Risk-Free!

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

Flight delays and cancelations can be a major hassle, but the good news is that you have rights – and the airlines owe you. Knowing your rights can make a huge difference if you experience a delayed or canceled flight.

It’s important to understand that airlines must provide you with assistance when delays and cancelations happen, and they are required to compensate you according to the EU 261 rule. And if you are ever in doubt of what your rights are or what compensation to expect, there are services such as ClaimFlights that can help you get the compensation you deserve.

Bottom line: when faced with the inconvenience of flight delays or flight cancelations, arm yourself with knowledge and know your rights. Don’t be shy to pursue flight compensation, and get back the money you’re owed.

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Don’t miss out on the opportunity to learn more about claiming compensation for flight delays or cancellations. Click any of the links below to discover expert advice, comprehensive guides, and useful tips on how to claim what you’re entitled to. Whether you’re a frequent traveler or just looking to expand your knowledge, our fascinating topics will leave you informed and engaged.

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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.

Check if You're Eligible

We offer "No Win - No Fee" Services, so claiming is Risk-Free!

We help in many languages – ClaimFlights International Websites