First aid when your flight is delayed
Do you know how to handle a flight delay? Do you know your passenger rights? EUclaim presents you a summary of checks in case of a flight delay.
Check 1. Is your flight within the requirements of Regulation 261/2004?
It is always unpleasant when you experience a flight delay. Fortunately, the obligations of the airline and your rights as a passenger are captured in Regulation 261/2004. In the event of a flight delay it is important to check whether your flight falls within this. To have your passenger rights protected, your delayed flight must meet the following requirements:
- Flight departed from an EU
country - Or the flight departed from
outside the EU to a country within the EU with a European airline - And the flight arrived at the
end destination with a delay of three hours or more.
Check 2. Monitor the length of the flight delay
Unfortunately,
you have no rights if your flight is delayed less than two hours. Just sit
back, relax and try to be patient. But when do you have rights according to
Regulation 261/2004? We explain.
- Do you have a flight delay of
two hours or more? The airline has a duty of care to passengers. Meaning you
are entitled to food, drinks and if necessary accommodation and transport to
and from the accommodation. - When your arrive at your
destination with a delay of three hours or more, you may be entitled to
compensation for the loss of time. You can get up to €600 in compensation from
the airline!
Check 3. Make sure you know the reason of the flight delay
Always try to find out the reason of your delayed flight. The reason of the delay is important to see whether you are eligible for compensation for the time loss. In exceptional circumstances the airline can demonstrate that it is not responsible for the delayed flight. This is in the case of extraordinary circumstances. Examples of these circumstances are bad weather conditions, air traffic control strikes and fuel failures at the airport. Are you in doubt? You are more than welcome to check your rights with us!
Check 4. Did you unexpectedly incur additional costs due to the flight delay?
The airline has a duty of care to passengers in case of a delay of two hours or more. Meaning the airline must offer you food and drinks and if necessary a hotel and transport to and from the accommodation. If the airline does not offer you any of these services, you are allowed to arrange this yourself. Afterwards you are entitled to a refund of these additional costs, so hold on to the receipts!
Example: Monica and Pete are travelling to France for a roadtrip along the coast. After they have checked in at London Heathrow, British Airways announces that their flight has been delayed for 2,5 hours. In this situation British Airways has a duty of care to the passengers of this flight. Therefor the airline hands out coupons for food and drinks. If British Airways did not hand out coupons, Monica and Pete would have been allowed to buy something to eat and drink. They could reclaim these costs afterwards.
Check 5. Determine whether you want to claim the compensation yourself or outsource it
If you are entitled to compensation due to the flight delay, it is important to claim compensation for the loss of time. You can choose to do this yourself, but EUclaim is also happy to help! Our claim service is on a no cure, no pay basis.
