What to do in case of a delayed flight?
A delayed flight is one of the most common problems we face when traveling by plane. What rights do passengers have, and what is the airline's obligation to do if a delay occurs?
What assistance can a passenger expect from the airline?
The compensation that travelers are entitled to for a delayed flight depends on the waiting time and the length of the route. Passengers waiting for the delayed flight should receive meals and beverages (or vouchers for catering services) adequate to the time of delay. Those rules apply if the delay is:
- more than 2 hours (on routes up to 1500 km), or;
- more than 3 hours on routes within the EU, longer than 1500 km, or;
- more than 3 hours on routes outside the EU, between 1500-3500 km, or;
- more than 4 hours on any routes;
The passenger also has the right to contact the airline (two phone calls and e-mails) to present their situation and determine an action plan.
If the waiting time for the flight takes longer, the airline is obliged to guarantee hotel accommodation and transfer from and to the airport. If the passenger waits for the flight for more than 5 hours, he has the right to request a full refund of the ticket or an alternative connection.
If the carrier fails to provide the passengers with the services it is obliged to deliver under applicable regulations, the passenger may demand reimbursement of the above-incurred costs (accommodation, catering, etc.) based on the presented receipts or invoices.
Compensation for the delayed flight
A passenger who reached the destination port with a delay of at least 3 hours is entitled to compensation of EUR 250 to EUR 600. The amount depends on the length of the flight. For journeys up to 1500 km, the maximum amount of compensation will be EUR 250. For a delayed flight within the European Union of more than 1500 km and other flights between 1500 and 3500 km, the value of the compensation will be at most 400 EUR. In other cases, the compensation value may be up to 600 EUR.
Important! Passengers are not entitled to compensation if the flight is delayed due to extraordinary circumstances.
What exactly are extraordinary circumstances?
Extraordinary circumstances are when they occur independently of the carrier. It may include security threats, political instability, air traffic control restrictions, runway closure, hidden aircraft manufacturing defects, strikes of airport staff, and others. Frequent causes of delays cited by airlines and which will not be the basis for obtaining compensation are:
- Unfavorable weather conditions
- Natural disasters (fires, volcanic eruptions)
- Bird strikes (crash of an airplane with a bird)
The article is based on data from the European Consumer Centre.