Compensation for Flight Delays

Things don’t always go as planned when we fly. Unfortunately, flight delays happen frequently. Under European regulation known as EC 261, you may be able to get compensation of up to €600 if your flight was delayed.

Continue reading to understand your rights as an air passenger and how to file a claim for reimbursement for delayed flights.

When are you qualified to get compensation for a delayed flight?

• When EC 261 is met, you could be eligible to submit a claim for €600 in cash flight compensation for a delayed flight.
• You arrived over 3 hours late to your destination.
• The EU is where your flight originated (many flights into the EU also qualify)
• You arrived on time to check in for your flight.
• The delayed flight happened in the last 1 to 3 years and this vary from country to country.
• There was no unusual event that prompted the delay.

How much can you get in compensation for delayed flight?

Compensation for delayed flights is paid out in three different amounts: €250, €400, and €600. Your flight compensation is based on the flight distance.

• €250 for flights up to 1,500 kilometers.
• €400 for flights between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers.
• €600 for flights over 3,500 kilometers.

The flight delayed time calculation

Flight delay depends on when you arrive at your final destination.

But what precisely is the “arrival time” of a flight?

The arrival time at the final destination is when an aircraft reaches its destination, aircraft is parked, one of its doors is open and when passengers are allowed to disembark.

Which are extraordinary circumstances when flight delay compensation is not applicable?

In general, these are circumstances outside of the airline’s control. Events such as lightning strikes, inclement weather, medical crises, airport worker strikes, limits on air traffic control, political turmoil, terrorist attacks, ….

Do airline strikes qualify as extraordinary circumstances?

The strikes by flight attendants do not qualify as extraordinary circumstances. So, on those cases airlines are responsible to pay for flight delay compensation.

How to file a claim for compensation for delayed flight.

When you learned that your flight is delayed, don’t worry; instead, follow our instructions to make the most of the circumstance.

• Keep your boarding pass and your travel documents.
• Save the information from airline which is the reason for flight delay (email, SMS, notification, etc.)
• Mark the arrival time at your final destination.
• Ask from airline for vouchers for your meals and drinks, or when it is necessary to provide accommodation (a hotel room) and transportation to and from the airport to get to it.

• Save your receipts of your extra costs for delayed flight.
• In cases when flight delay lasts over 5 hours, you as an airline passenger with purchased ticket have a right under EC 261 not to fly and require full refund for your flight ticket from the airline. This doesn’t affect your right for compensation of delayed flight.
• Follow the claim steps at our webpage www.flycop.com and complete your claim for compensation for flight delay.

We are on your service partner to protect your rights as a flight passenger under EC 261 and work closely with airlines to fulfill your rights as flight passenger under the same regulation.