Melo Villareal
The Lowdown On Flight Delay Compensation
If you are traveling and your flight is delayed, canceled, or overbooked, it’s important to know whether or not you are entitled to flight delay compensation. European Union flight compensation rules can be a bit complicated, so here’s what you need to know.
Compensation For Delayed Flights
Airlines that are based in the European Union are required to provide flight compensation for delayed flights if the flight is canceled or delayed for more than three hours. The average amount of flight delay compensation a person can expect to receive is between £110 and £520.
A History Of Flight Delay Compensation
People seeking Flight delay compensation first hit the headlines in October 2012m when the European Court of Justice, ruled that passengers had the right to claim compensation if their flight was canceled or delayed if the claim in question met certain rules. The ruling by the ECJ, was bought in part due to a challenge by a group of some of the EU’s biggest airlines, who were baulking at the fact of having to compensate people for delayed or canceled flights.
Delayed Flights
Once the plane takes off, some airlines will offer free extras, such as movies or free meals on flights that are delayed, but they are not obligated to do so.
Canceled Flights
These requirements are true regardless of the reason for the cancelation, so it doesn’t matter if the flight is canceled for bad weather, because of a mechanical issue, or just poor planning on the part of the airline.
Overbooked Flights
The only time you are eligible for flight compensation is if your flight is overbooked. If there are more passengers than seats, and you are involuntarily removed from the flight because they don’t have a seat for you, the airline needs to compensate you. The amount of compensation depends on how much longer it takes you to get to your destination. If it takes you less than two hours longer than the time you were originally scheduled to arrive, you will be compensated at the rate of twice the cost of your ticket. If the delay is longer than that, you will be compensated at the rate of four times the cost of your ticket. The gate agent should be able to tell you what you need to do to get your flight compensation.
Baggage Fees
If you pay a fee for extra checked bags and they do not arrive at your destination when you do, you may be entitled to a refund for the fees you paid.
The airline’s baggage office should be able to help you get a refund for baggage fees for lost luggage.
