Flight canceled, delayed, connection lost, here's everything you need to know
A cancelled flight is not that uncommon, whether on short or long routes. To protect the passenger [...]
A flight cancelled is not all that uncommon, whether on short or long routes. However, the passenger is protected by the law, which provides clear rules and stipulates the refund to which one is entitled. So let's find out together what the European regulations say in the case of a canceled flight.
The regulations apply to all carriers that stop over in one of the European states, not just European carriers. This means that if you fly United to the United States, Emirates to Dubai or Air China to Beijing you are protected by the regulations, if you fly from New York to Los Angeles with Delta you are not.
Flight cancelled in Europe, who is entitled to compensation
In this article:
To obtain a refund, it is necessary:
- Be in possession of a valid ticket and booking confirmation
- Have checked in in the manner and time stipulated by the company
- That the flight subject to cancellation was departing from the European Union or that was operated by a European Union carrier, with a destination in the European Union
- That the flight is not more than 18 months old
- Not having received notice of cancellation by the 14th day before departure
Compensation for cancelled flight, as provided by the EU, also applies to Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Martinique, Reunion, French Antilles, Azores, Madeira, Canary Islands, Switzerland, United Kingdom, Faroe Islands, Isle of Man, Channel Islands.
This is referred to as a cancelled flight: when the booked flight does not take off; when after takeoff he is forced to return to the departure airport due to a problem or when--due to specific circumstances--he arrives at an airport other than the one listed as the destination on his ticket (or unless it is in the same city or region).
The amount of compensation and mandatory assistance
The regulation in question is No. 261/2004, and its objective is to establish common rules on compensation and assistance to passengers in the event of denied boarding, flight cancellation or long delay. Specifically, this regulation establishes the cases in which one is entitled to compensation (from 250 to 600 euros), the type of assistance that the airline is required to provide to passengers, and the cases in which it is possible to change or cancel the airline ticket.
The amount of compensation for cancelled flight depends on the length of the flight:
- 250 euros for routes up to 1,500 kilometers
- 400 euros for intra-EU routes greater than 1,500 kilometers or extra-EU routes between 1,500 and 3,500 kilometers
- 600 euros for non-EU routes over 3,500 kilometers
Not only that. In addition to financial compensation, the airline is also required to provide specific assistance:
- for routes up to 1,500 kilometers, drinks and snacks, e-mail access, fax and two phone calls
- for routes over 1,500 kilometers, drinks and meals, e-mail access, fax and two phone calls
- Transfer to and from hotel and overnight stay, if alternative flight leaves the next day
However, the airline is not required to offer compensation if the cancellation is due to exceptional circumstances:
- political instability
- adverse weather conditions
- Decisions aimed at the safe management of air traffic (closure of the airport or airspace)
- security risks
- birds in the engine
Technical problems with the aircraft are not counted among the exceptional circumstances.
The options for the passenger
In addition to monetary compensation of 250 to 600 euros (when due), a passenger whose flight has been canceled can claim:
- Get a full refund for the cost of the ticket boarding the first available flight to the departure airport (if connecting)
- board the first available flight to the final destination
- Board another flight of your choice at a later date and under comparable conditions
Refund of the ticket is the airline's duty if it could not offer an alternative flight. If it should instead impose a refund of the original flight, without offering an alternative flight, the passenger can ask for an additional refund for the difference in price from the new ticket that he or she had to buy himself or herself.
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