Complete Guide to Your Rights with Respect to Flight Delays and Cancellations

Airlines these days for their own protection, provide information regarding flight delays on their website and in other documentation. Just because they do this, however, does not prevent a passenger who has experienced a delay from making a claim for compensation. We here at Flight Claims Online have a vast wealth of experience that has seen hundreds of passengers receive compensation and the same may be true for you if you have experienced a delay when travelling to/from a European airport over the past few years.

As you may have already discovered, there is very little information regarding flight delay compensation available…but we’re on a mission to change this!

Flight Delay Compensation

The main rule when dealing with a flight delay or cancellation is Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, and by using this rule anybody who has experienced a delay can submit a claim to receive the compensation they deserve. We here at Flight Claims Online pride ourselves on making the process incredibly easy because we know exactly how stressful and frustrating it can be dealing with airlines in these situations. Our aim is to guide you through the process effortlessly and with little fuss, making claims easy and, more importantly, getting you the compensation that you deserve.

The biggest question people ask when they experience a delay or cancellation is, “Will I receive compensation?” Well, the answer to the question depends on the cause of your delay, the length of the delay, flight distance, and the airports used on your journey. Over the next few pages we are going to look at each individually:

1. Cause of Delay

Firstly, you will only be eligible for compensation if the airline is directly accountable for the delay/cancellation. Common reasons where an airline will be accountable include:

•    Lack of communication between the airline and the airport

•    Technical or engineering issues

•    Airline staff strikes (NOT airport staff)

•    Issues arising from cabin crew and pilots

There are, however, situations where the airline will not be directly responsible, and as a result you won’t be eligible for compensation, such as:

•    Air traffic controller issues

•    Extreme weather conditions

•    Security alerts

•    Political unrest that impacts on the airport

•    Severe technical faults outside of routine checks

•    Strikes by airport staff (NOT airline staff which is covered)

2. Length of Delay

The second question we need to answer when assessing the validity of a claim is, how long was the flight and how long was the delay. ‘Delay time’ is defined as the difference between your expected can be used for guidance;

Destination	Distance	Delay	Compensation (EUR)
All	Under 1,500km	3+ hours	250
Inside EU	Over 1,500km	3+ hours	400
Between EU & Non-EU	1,500-3,500km	3+ Hours	400
Between EU & Non-EU	Over 3,500km	4+ Hours	600

If you do experience a delay or cancellation then depending on the airline, you may be given vouchers for refreshments, accommodation, transport to that accommodation and any expenses required for communication as a result of the delay/cancellation. Accommodation vouchers are only applicable if you experience an overnight delay to your flight. Those with reduced mobility should also receive extra help in line with their needs. If you don’t use the vouchers provided then receipts of any out of pocket expenses can be submitted to the airline to claim a subsequent refund, bearing in mind that any reimbursement will only be for ‘reasonable’ costs incurred.

In some cases, the type of ticket you purchased will prevent you making a claim regarding a delayed flight. For example, in the following situations you will not be eligible for compensation:

•    Those with a multi-mode ticket for travel on ferry, rail, or any other mode of transport.

•    Those who bought the ticket with a holiday package.

•    Those travelling with a free/special ticket, including staff discount tickets.

3. Departing and Destination Airports

The final criteria that determines your eligibility for flight delay compensation is the location of your departure airport and the destination of the flight. Only flights departing or arriving at European airports or made by a European airline are covered by European Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004.

At this moment in time, the regulation doesn’t cover departures from the Channel Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, or the Isle of Man.

Contact Us Today

We here at Flight Claims Online hope the information above has helped you understand more about flight delay compensation and, more importantly, if you are eligible to make a claim.

If you think you may be eligible for compensation and feel that your case qualifies after you have read the three considerations above, then feel free to send us a message or drop us a line for further information. Our friendly and helpful advisers are always willing to discuss the claims process in more detail and set you on taking the first step towards getting the compensation you deserve.

If you do choose us then not only will you benefit from our friendly and experienced staff but our fee of only 25% of the final compensation is lower than most other flight compensation companies. Furthermore, we offer a flight delay claim calculator so you can see upfront exactly how much compensation you are likely to receive.

So, what are you waiting for? Contact us today.

Start Your Flight Delay Compensation Claim with Flight Claims Online

Start Your Flight Delay Compensation Claim with Flight Claims Online

European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 is there to protect flight passengers if they have experienced a flight delay, cancellation, overbooking or any other issue that has prevented them boarding a flight they have paid for over the past 6 years, regardless of whether they have travel insurance or not.

As set out in the regulation, compensation validity and amount is determined by the three factors:

• The cause of the delay and whether that delay is subject to a compensation claim;

• The length of the flight delay;

• The distance between the two airports the flight was travelling between.

How do you know if the cause of delay entitles you to Flight Delay Compensation - 

The most common causes of flight delays that may be entitled to compensation are:

• Technical or engineering issues with the plane;

• Poor communication between the airline &the airport resulting in a delay;

• Delays caused by crew and cabin staff including the lack thereof;

• Industrial action by airline staff.

If the airline is found to be accountable for the delay, then under European Regulation (EC) No 261/2004 they will have a responsibility to pay compensation to all the passengers affected by the delay.

In some situations, you will not be eligible for flight delay compensation, such as:

• Severe weather conditions;

• Political unrest;

• Industrial action by airport staff;

• Terrorist threats or security scares;

• Delays caused by air traffic control;

• Faults with the aircraft that are outside of ‘routine’ maintenance.

Submitting your Flight Delay Compensation claim

If you have experienced a flight delay and you believe the delay entitles you to compensation, then visit www.flightclaimsonline.co.uk today and follow our step by step guides to see exactly how much compensation you may be entitled to. 

Starting your claim has never been quicker or easier and we will guide you at every step on your journey. To make the process as easy as possible please make sure that you have the following two documents at hand:

• The delayed flight details;

• Copies of your flight tickets.

Escalating Your Case 

Airlines, when approached directly by passengers, tend to dismiss claims out of hand and try to avoid paying the compensation you deserve. Flight Claims Online have years of experience and when it comes to retrieving flight delay compensation for passengers and our dedicated staff will ensure your claim is handled efficiently and with care.

If the airline refuses to pay compensation, but we think you have a strong case then we will escalate your claim to the small claims court and recover all the legal fees associated with this from the airline.

Filing a claim with us is quick and our specialist advisers will look after you from the start of your claim to its completion.

What are you waiting for?

Head over to our www.flightclaimsonline.co.uk and start your claim now!

Check if You’re Eligible for Flight Delay Compensation Today!

Has a flight you have been on been delayed recently? Are you looking for the best company to help you process a flight delay compensation claim? Then look no further than Flight Claims Online.

We are the fastest growing industry-leading specialists in the UK and have close working relationships with all of the major airlines across Europe in compliance with EU regulations.

How Does Flight Claims Online Work?

Here at Flight Claims Online we are completely transparent with all our fees, and we let all customers know up front exactly how much compensation they should expect to get if their claim is successful.

There are no hidden administration fees, unlike other claims handlers, and we only charge a modest 25% of the total flight delay compensation amount agreed with the airline.

If the claim is taken to small claims court, we do not charge any additional court costs or fees as all costs are recovered from the airline.

Here is our 4-step process to make a claim!

1.       Visit our website www.flightclaimsonline.co.uk and use our easy to use free flight           compensation calculator to see if you are eligible for a claim.

2.       Input the relevant details for your claim, including flight numbers, delay time, and, if you know it, the reason for the delay.

3.       Leave the hard work to us as Flight Claims Online contact the airline and retrieves the compensation owed to you.

4.       Receive your compensation minus our 25% fee.

If you do not know the cause of the delay don’t worry! Here at Flight Claims Online we have access to a vast library of flight data, like weather conditions, technical faults and other extraordinary circumstances, that will help us to identify the cause of the delay.

Will We Be Able to Help You with Your Claim?

Here at Flight Claims Online our success rate speaks volumes and we work with many clients who have turned to us after other solicitor firms have been unsuccessful.

By adhering with European Regulations most of our clients claim up to 600 Euros per person, for a delayed or cancelled flight. That’s around £530 (may vary due to fluctuating exchange rates). If you have been on a flight that has been delayed for more than three hours or even worse the flight was cancelled, then there is a good chance you will be entitled to compensation and we are here to help you get what you are entitled to.

Your claims eligibility is based on several factors, and the amount of compensation you will receive is determined by these factors. If you can answer ‘yes’ to all of the questions below, then it is likely that you will be owed compensation from the airline.

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.

Flight Delay Compensation: An Introduction

There’s no worse way to start your holiday or business trip than with a delayed flight. Just when you start to get into ‘relaxation’ mode, an announcement comes over the tannoy system to ruin this mood. While short delays are manageable, what happens if it exceeds three hours? Well, in this case, Regulation 261/2004 suggests you could receive up to EUR 600 in compensation.

Flight Delay Compensation: An Introduction

In terms of qualifying, the flight must have departed from an EU country, landed in an EU country, or been with a European airline. As long as the delay was more than three hours, you’ll be eligible for compensation…as long as the airline is responsible for the delay.

Sometimes, airlines can get just as frustrated as you when the airport staff are striking, when weather prevents them from flying, or when they’re not in control of the problem. Therefore, you won’t be eligible for compensation when the airline isn't responsible for the delay. However, you WILL be eligible when the airline is the direct cause; for example, airline staff strikes, poor communication from airline to airport, and pilot or cabin crew problems.

Under Regulation 261/2004, the amount of compensation you can receive is dependent on the details of the flight itself. If you’re flying from an EU country to another EU country, either EUR 250 or EUR 400 will be available depending on whether you flew under 1,500km or over 1,500km respectively. If your destination airport was outside the EU, the following applies;

•    Up to 1,500km - EUR 250

•    Between 1,500km and 3,500km - EUR 400

•    More than 1,500km - EUR 600

50% of the compensation amount will be available when your flight exceeds 3,500km and the delay is between three and four hours; the overall delay is based on your arrival time at the destination.

Getting Help

Did you know that there are some fantastic services out there who offer free advice and a ‘no win, no fee’ policy on all cases? This is true, and we pride ourselves on our customer service within the industry. All you need to do is provide the flight information and we’ll use our database of flight data, weather reports, and even news reports to assess the cause of the delay. If the airline was responsible, and the flight was delayed by more than three hours, we’ll get to work and aim for the compensation you deserve.

As well as help with compensation, we can also provide advice as to future airline practices. For example, for delays over two hours, all airlines have a responsibility to pay for food, drink, and communication expenses for passengers. For even longer delays and cancellations, they should even provide accommodation and transport to the accommodation.

Complete Guide to Your Rights with Flight Delays and Cancellations

For their own protection, you may find that airlines provide information regarding flight delays on their website, or in documentation which may explain that you not entitle to compensation. However, this isn't to say that flight delay compensation can’t be retrieved. In the past, we’ve seen hundreds of passengers receive flight delay compensation using Flight Claims Online, and the same may be true for you if you were travelling to/from a European airport.

As you’ve probably discovered yourself, there’s very little information available regarding this topic…but we’re on a mission to change this!

Flight Delay Compensation 

In conjunction with Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004, we help passengers claim the compensation they deserve after experiencing a cancellation (or even a delay). Not only is this possible, the process is incredibly easy with Flight Claims Online because we know you’re already stressed and frustrated with the airline. Rather than frustrating you even further, we aim to guide you through the process effortlessly.

Will you receive compensation? This all depends on the cause of your delay, the length of the delay and flight distance between the two airports.

1. Cause of Delay

Firstly, we should note that compensation will only be achievable when the airline is directly accountable for the delay, cancellation or overbooking. Common reasons include;

•    Lack of communication between airline and airport

•    Technical or engineering issues

•    Staff strikes (airline ONLY)

•    Issues with cabin crew or pilots

Since the airline isn't directly responsible, you won’t be eligible for compensation for;

•    Air traffic controller clearance (or lack of!)

•    Extreme weather

•    Security alerts (threats of terrorism)

•    Political unrest

•    Severe technical faults (aside of routine checks)

•    Strikes from airport staff

2. Length of Delay

Secondly, how long was your flight and how long were you kept waiting? In terms of ‘delay time’ this is the difference between your expected and actual arrival time. The following table should give you some guidance;

Destination	Distance	Delay	Compensation (EUR)
All	Under 1,500km	3+ hours	250
Inside EU	Over 1,500km	3+ hours	400
Between EU & Non-EU	1,500-3,500km	3+ Hours	400
Between EU & Non-EU	Over 3,500km	4+ Hours	600

Depending on the airline, you may be given vouchers for refreshments, accommodation, transport (to accommodation), and expenses for communication (phone calls or WiFi). Of course, the accommodation vouchers will only be applicable where overnight delays or cancellations apply. Also, we should note that help should be provided for those with reduced mobility. For those who don’t use vouchers, you’ll be asked to keep receipts and claim a refund later.

Furthermore, any reimbursed expenses will be for purchases considered ‘reasonable’ (i.e. you can’t have a five course meal and expect the airline to pay for it!). Before heading into the third consideration, not everybody will be entitled to compensation. The following customers will be ineligible;

•    Those with a multi-mode ticket (planning to travel on ferry, rail, or another mode of transport).

•    Those who bought the ticket with a holiday package.

•    Those travelling with a free/special ticket (this includes staff discount tickets).

3. Departing and Destination Airports

Finally, what airport did you leave and where were you heading? To be protected under the regulations, you either need to be departing/arriving in Europe or the flight needs to be with a European airline. Unfortunately, the regulation doesn’t currently cover departures from the Channel Islands, Faroe Islands, Gibraltar, or the Isle of Man.

Contact Us Today

With this, you should have everything you need to know regarding flight delay compensation. Using the table above and our three considerations, feel free to send a message if you feel that you’re owed compensation. With a quick phone call, we can discuss the process in more detail and take the first step towards the money you deserve.

Thanks to our advanced policies, you won’t pay a penny if you don’t win and our fees are much lower than others in the industry at 25%. Furthermore, we offer a flight delay claim calculator so you can see how much you’re likely to receive.

Why not try it today? We’ve made the process simple so your days of frustration can come to an end!