Did your trip not go exactly as planned? Was your flight delayed or even canceled? Often, this comes with unexpected expenses that you suddenly have to cover. Nobody wants that, right? Fortunately, in addition to compensation for the time lost, you can also get reimbursed for your extra costs. EUclaim explains what you’re entitled to in case of flight problems and how to get your money back.
What are your rights in case of a delayed or canceled flight?
In Europe, passengers’ rights are well-protected by European Regulation 261/2004. If your flight is delayed by more than three hours, you have the right to compensation for the time lost. This compensation depends on the distance of the flight and can go up to $600 per person. Even if your flight is canceled, you have rights. You should be offered an alternative flight, and if you arrive at your destination with a delay of two hours or more, you are also entitled to compensation. Unfortunately, you won’t be eligible for compensation only if the flight delay or cancellation is due to extraordinary circumstances that the airline has no control over, such as bad weather or a medical emergency landing.
Right to reimbursement of extra expenses due to flight problems
It’s often the case that you incur additional expenses when dealing with flight problems. When you have to wait for an extended period at the airport, you might want to grab some food and drinks or even an overnight stay. Moreover, in the case of a long delay, you might miss the reservation for your rental car or the last train from the airport back home. EUclaim advises you to purchase the necessary items in such situations and keep the receipts. So, don’t sleep at the airport; take a taxi home. These extra costs are the responsibility of the airline. The European Regulation 261/2004 specifies that an airline has a duty of care towards its passengers, and thus, extra expenses must always be reimbursed, even if they have no control over the situation, as in the case of air traffic control strikes.
Example: You booked a ticket to Barcelona with Ryanair. Shortly before departure, your flight is canceled due to a staff strike. To still get to Barcelona, you purchase a new ticket with Vueling. Unfortunately, you arrive 3 hours later than planned. Ryanair must now refund you the amount of the original ticket. Additionally, you are entitled to compensation of $250 per person for the time lost.
EUclaim is the comprehensive solution for airline passengers
Unfortunately, it has been proven that airlines don’t make it easy for passengers to claim what they are entitled to. EUclaim is there for passengers and can help recover not only compensation for the time lost but also extra expenses incurred by passengers. Download the app before your trip, and you’ll always have your own online travel assistant at hand. Prefer to check what you’re entitled to afterward? That’s also possible! You can always request free advice on the EUclaim website.
