The flight delay compensation is reserved for air passengers whose flights have been delayed for three or more hours. Delays are common for travellers, but you as the passenger shouldn’t have to pay for the airline’s incompetence. If you are curious about what this compensation is all about, this article is for you. 

Your Rights When Your Flight is Delayed

When your flight is delayed, you may be entitled to compensation under European law. While different airlines have different policies guiding them, the EU 261/2004 regulation protects the rights of air passengers flying from the UK or EU or landing in an EU member state with a European airline. If your flight falls under this category, you should learn more about the laws in place to protect you. 

Your rights under the EC 261 law include the following:

  • Monetary compensation is between €250 and €600 based on the flight distance. Short distance – €250; medium distance – €400; Long distance – €600. 
  • Free food and drinks for a delay longer than two hours. 
  • Access to internet services and telephone while you wait. 
  • Hotel accommodation for a delay that lasts through the night. 
  • The right to be informed of your rights by the airline and be notified of any possible flight disruption. 
  • Free flight rescheduling or ticket refund for a flight delay longer than 5 hours.
  • Free seat booking on another flight if the delay causes you to miss your connecting flight. 

Reasons for Flight Delays

Flight delays happen due to different reasons, and it’s important to know what causes them, as this can help you claim compensation. It could be due to adverse weather conditions, such as hurricanes or earthquakes, which is quite rare but also a valid reason to delay or cancel a flight. It could also be due to air traffic control restrictions, bird strikes, pilots unfit to fly, absence of aircrew, aircraft not ready, mechanical or security issues, etc. 

Most often than not, the reasons for the flight delays seem to be valid. However, whether or not you get compensated is dependent on if the cause was within the airline’s control. If your flight was delayed because the aircraft isn’t ready, then that’s something that could have been avoided and you should be compensated. On the other hand, flight delays due to extraordinary circumstances do not attract compensation, as the airline will not be held responsible for something out of its control. 

If you experience a flight delay, one of the first things you must do is find out the cause. Get the airline to put it into writing, so you can include it as a supporting document when filing a compensation claim.

Can You Avoid More Flight Delays?

There isn’t a Yes or No to this question, as flight delays happen due to several reasons that are not within your power as a passenger. However, you can take advantage of other things at your disposal, like getting adequately compensated for the inconvenience caused. The EC 261 law on flights is there for you in times like this and getting an attorney or a company like Flightright can help make the process seamless for you