Flight Schedule Changes - Can I Get Compensation?

When planning our trips away, whether business or pleasure, we don’t account for delays, cancellations, and changes to the flight schedules. Unfortunately, they do happen with airlines…and there’s something you can do about it. Although it’s not widely advertised, some passengers will be eligible for flight delay compensation and we’ve made the claiming process easier than ever before.

In many cases, a delay (or even an advance) to the flight time will allow for compensation since you bought the ticket with the promise of a specific flight time. Today, we want to cover your rights with pre-arranged cancellations and changes rather than delays caused by strikes, weather, or engineering/technical problems.

If you don’t see your question answered here, please feel free to get in touch with us directly. Not only will you get the answers, we’ll tell you how we can help (no-obligation support, of course!).

Compensation Eligibility and Airline Notifications

Firstly, there will be restrictions depending on the extent to which your flight has been brought forward or delayed. However, in many cases, you’re eligible for compensation if the flight schedule was altered after buying the ticket thanks to European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

Why only ‘many cases’? Well, the airline is within their rights to make adjustments to the flight schedule as long as they make passengers aware more than two weeks before the flight. If you didn't get two weeks’ notice, get in touch with us today!

Why Do Schedule Changes Occur?

In truth, these sorts of changes actually happen because airlines sell their tickets before they even know if a runway is available for the flight. While we can all buy tickets a year before flying, runway slots can only be booked three months in advance. Only once the runway is booked can the airline confirm the actual schedule, get correct staff in, etc.

Moved to Another Flight Altogether

What if you get moved to another flight rather than a simple time change? In this scenario, you’ll be entitled to either a partial or full refund through flight delay compensation because they would have cancelled your original flight (it therefore counts as a cancellation!).

Importance of Delayed/Advanced Times and Potential Compensation

With most airlines, they’ll say that significant delays deserve compensation. The problem? Unfortunately, every airline has a different definition of ‘significant’ as you’ll see below;

•    Virgin - 12+ hours

•    Easyjet - 5+ hours

•    Thomson - 5+ hours

•    Ryanair - 3+ hours

•    British Airways - 2+ hours

With this in mind, each case is normally unique depending on the delay/advance and the specific airline. If you want to see how much compensation you could be entitled to, feel free to use our brilliant flight claim calculator.

For more information, you’re welcome to ask one of our brilliant team members directly!