We have written this helpful guide on how to claim delayed or cancelled flight compensation because more and more passengers are affected by all kinds of disruptions. The last few years have been among the most complicated for airlines, which had to deal with the shutdown caused by the Coronavirus pandemic and then an uncontrolled return of normal passenger flows. The system has not held up and may need years to stabilize.
There are airlines that have been less capable of controlling this situation. Cancellations and delays of flights by Southwest, JetBlue, Delta, and American Airlines in the US are well known. It has not been any better in Europe, with waves of passengers stranded at major continental airports, especially during the summer holidays. Flight cancellations and delays occurred with Wizz Air, EasyJet, and Ryanair, to name a few.
This guide contains all the information you need, which is why it is rather lengthy. Please bear with it and read carefully to understand your rights as a passenger. You will also find that there are companies to help you receive compensation for your flights, and we have written about AirHelp, which in our opinion is one of the best choices.
How many hours before can a flight be cancelled?
Let’s start with the basics. A flight can be cancelled for several reasons, some of which cannot be calculated in advance. That is why some flights can be rescheduled even at the last minute. In many cases, a flight is first delayed and it can take hours before it is finally declared cancelled. So don’t be surprised if you don’t immediately see your destination marked in red on the airport screens.
This is not to say that airlines can use these practices without consequences. Passengers can take advantage of any failure to receive compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight.
US delayed or cancelled flight compensation
In the US, passengers are protected by the Montreal Convention, also known as MC99. This grants passengers the right to file claims for damages, and they can receive up to $7,000 for unexpected expenses related to issues with their flight.
Additionally, passengers have the option to file a claim for lost or damaged luggage, in which case they can receive up to $1,700. The Montreal Convention is a valuable resource if you can access legal assistance and provide evidence such as your airline ticket (including digital versions) and any invoices or receipts for your expenses. Therefore, in the case of expenses incurred due to cancellation or delay, remember to always retain any supporting documentation.
Many credit cards also offer coverage for issues related to your flight. It is a good idea to check if you are protected by both the Montreal Convention and your bank.
EU delayed or cancelled flight compensation
European passengers can benefit from EC Regulation 261/2004. This EU regulation provides even better protection for passengers seeking compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. Refunds of up to €600 per person can be obtained not only for flight ticket reimbursement but also for expenses incurred due to the delay. The rules are clear, making it more difficult for airlines to contest a refund. You are protected in the following cases:
- Any flight delayed by 2 hours or more for travel up to 1,500 km.
- Internal EU flights delayed by 3 hours or more for travel over 1,500 km
- Non-internal EU flights delayed by 3 hours or more for travel between 1,500 km and 3,500 km
- Non-internal EU flights delayed 3 hours or more for travel over 3,500 km
EU delayed or cancelled flight compensation can also be accessed through legal assistance and by filing a complaint directly with the airline company. You should also verify if your credit card or bank offers protection for issues related to travel disruption. In any case, you must retain proof of any expenses, whether they are receipts or invoices, and keep the ticket for the flight for which you want to file a claim.
How to claim a delayed or cancelled flight compensation
We now arrive at the most important point: how to claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights. As previously explained, you can seek the assistance of a lawyer, but this is often an expensive and impractical option. You can also file a claim directly with the airline, but they are free to reject it. This is happening more frequently due to the increase in the number of disrupted travels.
However, there are online companies that handle the entire process on behalf of the passenger. We have previously used the services of AirHelp, which is now one of the industry leaders for obtaining compensation for delayed flights. Here, we will explain how it works.
- On the AirHelp homepage, you can input your flight details and answer a few questions about the nature of the disruption.
- You will then be informed if you are eligible for a refund. If you are eligible, AirHelp will send a request to the airline, and the airline will have time to respond.
- If the airline refuses to provide compensation, the procedure will proceed through legal channels. AirHelp also manages the legal process free of charge and retains a percentage of the compensation only if you receive money from the airline.
You can try the service and discover your potential compensation at no cost or obligation.
For us, this is the quickest, simplest, and safest procedure if you want to obtain compensation for a delayed or cancelled flight. This is also because time is crucial, as we will see below.
How much time do I have to file a claim for a delayed or cancelled flight?
First, let’s begin with the understanding that the sooner you file the claim, the better your chances are of receiving compensation. Airlines often have to process hundreds of claims, so the earlier your claim is submitted, the sooner and more likely you are to get your compensation.
You have up to 2 years to file a claim for US delayed flight compensation. For the EU, it depends on the country of the airline and ranges from 1 year for countries like Poland and Latvia up to 10 years for Sweden and Luxembourg.
Are you eligible to claim delayed or cancelled flight compensation?
There are cases when you may not be eligible to claim compensation for delayed or cancelled flights:
- Strikes initiated by airport employees or air traffic control
- Political unrest
- Inclement weather
- Security risks
However, these reasons are evaluated on a case-by-case basis. We recommend that you still input all the data on AirHelp and see if you are eligible for a refund, as this is free of charge.
One last tip to help your claim
Airlines often offer airport vouchers, food, and overnight stays in hotels to passengers in the event of a flight delay or cancellation. These are obligations that airlines have and do not affect the compensation you can receive. So, you can accept what you are offered and answer these questions:
- Have you been offered food or an airport voucher?
- What is the value of the voucher you received?
- Have you been offered an overnight stay in a hotel?
- Were you provided with information or assistance at the airport and afterward?
- Were you offered an alternative flight?
- Have you faced additional expenses due to the delay or cancellation of your flight?
The answers to these questions will help you highlight any failings of the airline. This will strengthen your chances of obtaining compensation. Companies such as AirHelp have a dedicated section to post such additional information that can support your claim.
