Flight cancelled or delayed? Find out if you are eligible for compensation (2024)

FAQs

Flight cancelled or delayed? Find out if you are eligible for compensation? ›

To receive compensation for delayed flights, call your airline through their customer service line or go to the customer service desk if you are at the airport to file a claim. However, you will only get compensated if the delay is within the airline's control and is not weather-related.

For example, to be entitled to flight delay compensation, your flight must be delayed for 3 hours or more. Then there are “extraordinary circ*mstances”, where an airline does not have to pay cash compensation if there is a flight issue, as the issue that caused the delay is deemed to be outside the airline's control.

Just key in your flight details on the simple claim checker on our website. The checker will reveal whether or not you qualify for compensation and how much you are eligible for, and it's absolutely free to use. It is easier to make a decision once you understand your right to claim.

Claiming Compensation for Flight Delays and Cancellations

Delayed flights: you may be able to claim compensation if your flight arrived 3 hours or more late. Canceled flights: you may be eligible for compensation if your flight was canceled less than 14 days before it was due to depart.

This depends on what caused the delay – if it wasn't the airline's fault, don't expect to receive any compensation. Disruptions caused by things like extreme weather, airport or air traffic control employee strikes or other 'extraordinary circ*mstances' are not eligible for compensation.

According to the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) airlines in the U.S. are not required to compensate passengers if a flight is delayed or canceled, it only requires compensation if you are moved or bumped from an overbooked flight.

If your flight is delayed for two hours or more, you are entitled to free meals and refreshments. If your flight is delayed for three hours or more, you may also be entitled to receive compensation. If your flight is delayed for five hours or more, you may choose to cancel the flight and ask for a refund.

If your flight is cancelled. You have the legal right to either: a full refund - including other flights from the airline that you won't use in the same booking such as onward or return flights. a replacement flight to get you to your destination.

In addition, every airline except Frontier is committed to complimentary hotel accommodations for any passenger affected by an overnight cancellation. Otherwise, here's what you can expect from different carriers for a "controllable cancellation," per the U.S. Department of Transportation website. Yes.

The EU 261/2004 regulation specifies conditions for which a passenger becomes entitled to an American Airlines delay compensation. The conditions as outlined in the regulation are: That an American Airlines flight arrives at its final destination, more than 3 hours after the ETA.

How long can a flight be delayed before the airline has to compensate you? ›

Airlines must provide compensation for the inconvenience of flight cancellations and flight delays of 3 hours or more and if the disruption is within their control and not related to safety, and if the airline notified you of the disruption 14 days or less in advance.

You'll need to contact those 𝓐𝓲rlines directly if they cancel your Flight. Follow the instructions you'll receive to confirm the new Flights.

Claims for Compensation on United Airlines Flights

1. Delays - You are entitled to compensation if your United Airlines flight is delayed for three hours or longer. 2. Cancellations - You can submit a compensation claim if United Airlines cancels your flight less than 14 days before the scheduled departure.

AirHelp is the leading flight compensation company in the world, helping passengers understand their rights and get compensation for delayed or canceled flights, and in instances of denied boarding. AirHelp is the best-rated flight compensation company in the world with a 9.5 score on Trustpilot.

If the ADR body or CAA cannot help with your claim, or you wish to pursue a different course of action, you could take your airline to court.

In short, as long as the weather isn't severe enough to prevent the airline from safely operating the plane, passengers may be eligible for compensation. But that's not all. Compensation hinges on the definition of an extraordinary circ*mstance.

If you believe you have the right to claim compensation or reimbursem*nt, you should contact your airline or airport directly. Compensation is not automatic, and you will need to contact your airline to make a claim. Many airlines and airports will have a claims procedure for you to follow.

It is recommended that passengers first make these claims with the airline in writing. There is a 2-year time limit for any court action to claim damages. If an airline delays or cancels a flight for reasons within its control, but required for safety, it does not have to compensate passengers.