Your Rights with Delayed Flights

Did you arrive at your destination more than three hours after the expected arrival time? If so, you could be protected under Regulation 261/2004. What does this mean? Among other things, it means you could be entitled to compensation.

Flight Delay Compensation - How Does it Work?

To receive compensation for your flight, it needs to fall within EU Regulation 261/2004 and this has three main considerations;

Cause of Delay - Firstly, the cause of the delay has to be something that could have been prevented by the airline (or something for which the airline has responsibility). While airport staff strikes, serious weather, and terrorist threats aren't covered, airline staff strikes and pilot/cabin crew issues are covered.

Flight Distance - This consideration can be split into two categories; inside the EU and outside the EU. For flights inside the EU, EUR 250 compensation can be claimed for flights up to 1,500km in length while EUR 400 could be available for flights more than 1,500km long.

For flights departing or arriving at a non-EU airport (e.g. London to New York), EUR 250 is still available for anything up to 1,500km. However, EUR 400 is now for flights between 1,500km and 3,500km and EUR 600 compensation is for any flights longer than 3,500km.

If your flight is longer than 3,500km, and the delay is between three and four hours, 50% of the compensation amount can be claimed.

Flight Departure/Destination - Under Regulation 216/2004, compensation can only be claimed if the flight left an EU country, arrived in an EU country, or was through an EU airline. Assuming the delay was at least three hours, you’ll be eligible.

How to Claim Flight Delay Compensation

We’ve covered all the permutations and whether your flight qualifies, but how do you actually get started? At EUclaim, we can offer free advice and we can even research the eligibility of your claim after you provide flight information. We’re able to access data for not only millions of flights, but also the associated news and weather information for the specific day and time. Using this information, we create a list of delayed flights; if you see yours, compensation could be possible.

Operating on a ‘no win, no fee’ basis, we’ll deal with every step of the claims process so you can forget all about the stress of your experience. For all flights delayed by two hours, the airline is actually obliged to provide all passengers with food, drink, and communication expenses too. For extensive delays, they should offer assistance for anybody with mobility issues and for accommodation.