Tips to Claim Flight Delay or Cancellation Compensation Effectively
In the event of flight delays or cancellations, passengers in the UK and EU have certain rights under EU Regulation 261/2004. Here's a guide to help you navigate the compensation process.
Compensation for Delays
If your flight is delayed by three hours or more, you may be eligible for fixed cash compensation, depending on the flight distance:
- Flights under 1,500 km: €250
- Flights between 1,500 and 3,500 km: €400
- Flights over 3,500 km: €600
The delay is calculated based on the time you arrive at the gate with doors open, not the touchdown time.
Pitfalls to Avoid
- Claims must be for delays over the threshold (3 or 4 hours depending on distance); shorter delays don’t qualify.
- The flight must depart from an EU airport or arrive in the EU with an EU airline.
- Airlines can deny compensation if the delay was caused by "extraordinary circumstances" such as weather, strikes, or security issues.
- Official documentation (boarding passes, delay confirmations) is crucial when filing claims.
- If airlines reject your claim, don’t give up; you can escalate via national enforcement bodies or court action.
- Compensation is fixed by regulation and does not depend on ticket price; it compensates for inconvenience/time lost, not ticket cost.
- Verify the actual delay at arrival gate time, as airlines may try to argue shorter delays based on other criteria.
Cancellations
If your flight is cancelled, you can request a full refund or a replacement flight. If the replacement flight means you arrive at your destination at least two hours late or the flight was cancelled less than 14 days before the planned take off, you have the right to compensation.
Avoiding Scams
Be wary of scammers posing as airline customer service teams or the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) in an attempt to steal personal and financial information or charge fees for processing claims.
Current Challenges
Thousands of families are facing delays and cancellations this summer due to strike action, staff shortages, and technical faults at airports and traffic control.
Important Considerations
- Make sure to book all connecting flights in one go to ensure coverage for delays and cancellations on any legs of the journey.
- If a flight is cancelled due to reasons outside of an airline's control, travel insurance may reimburse the passenger.
- The delay stops when at least one of the plane's doors is opened at the destination. Passengers should make a careful note of the time cabin crew open the doors and present it to the airline.
- Airlines often use the excuse of bad weather to dismiss a customer's claim. However, an airline must prove that the weather was out of their control to avoid paying compensation.
- To mitigate risks during travel, it's advisable to have a comprehensive travel insurance that covers cancellations due to extraordinary circumstances.
- When contemplating a trip, take into account that a lifestyle choice that involves frequent travel may require additional insurance coverage to protect against flight delays and cancellations.
