We have grown accustomed to delayed flights to the point where we leave enough time between connections just to make up for it. The problem is that while a 20-minute delay might not bother us as much, the situation changes when we are stuck for hours at the airport. What's worse, air travelers don't know they can seek compensation, missing millions of dollars after these flight disruptions.
To make matters easier for your next flight, it is recommended to use a flight delay compensation checker. This way, you can get an average of how much you are owed, regardless of the delay type. This article will explain exactly how such a calculator can help.
01The EU Regulation that Protects Air Passenger Rights
As someone traveling by air, you have various air passenger rights protecting you against flight disruptions. Under EC 261/2004, you are protected against issues such as flight delays, cancellations, and more, giving you the right to compensation if the airline fails to deliver.
EC 261 covers all flights in and out of Europe, with UK 261 applying to passengers traveling to and from the United Kingdom. Should the flight be more than 3 hours late to the destination than it was supposed to, airlines under its jurisdiction are liable to offer you compensation, a flight ticket refund, and the right to care (if necessary).
The main issue is that EU Regulation EC 261/2004 has numerous nooks and crannies that might be difficult for passengers to understand. Flight delay calculators are there to help you overcome these challenges, determining just how much the airline owes you for the troubles.
02What Type of Flight Disruptions Can I Claim For?
You can check for a few main flight disruptions when calculating how much you are owed. This can include:
- Flight Delays: If the delay is at least 3 hours when you arrive at your final destination, you can claim between 250 EUR and 600 EUR in compensation.
- Flight Cancellation: If you have less than 14 days before your flight and the airline cancels without offering you a suitable alternative, the flight must compensate you.
- Denied Boarding: If you are denied boarding at the gate and the alternative flight gets you to your destination with a delay, you may get compensation (as long as you do not voluntarily give up your seat). This often happens as a result of overbooking.
Keep in mind that the airline is only liable to pay for flight disruptions for which they are responsible directly. If the incident was caused by an extreme circumstance, you may have issues making a claim.
You should still use a free flight delay compensation calculator to ascertain that the circumstance was indeed "extreme." Considering that under 5 percent of delayed flights are caused by extreme circumstances, there's a good chance the company might just want to try its luck.
03How Much Can You Claim from the Airline for Flight Disruptions?
Very often, how much you can claim depends on the flight distance you're supposed to travel. The longer the flight, the more compensation you can receive. You can claim up to £520 (or 600 EUR), regardless of how much you paid for the ticket.
According to the EU Regulation EC 261, this is how much the airline has to pay you:
| Flight Type | Distance | Compensation |
| All Flights | Less than 1,500 | 250 EUR |
| Internal EU Flights | More than 1,500 km | 400 EUR |
| External EU Flights | 1,500 - 3,500 km | 400 EUR |
| External EU Flights | More than 1,500 km | 600 EUR |
The final amounts may differ based on the circumstances surrounding the delay. This is why using a flight compensation calculator is a good idea, as it can better estimate what the airline owes you.
04Information Needed for a Flight Delay Compensation Checker
When you want to claim compensation for a flight that did not go as scheduled, you must offer as much information as possible. To check whether or not you are eligible for compensation under EC 261, below are some documents and key info that you ought to provide:
Booking Information
To begin with, you should provide your flight details. This includes the flight number, the airline's name that was supposed to take you, the departing and the arrival airport, and so on. This information can be found on your boarding pass, but you can also get the details from your confirmation email. Keep those close to you because you'll need the booking reference number if you want to file a claim.
Information on the Delay
Almost every flight delay compensation checker will need some information on the delay. First, you will have to offer the length of the delay for both the departing and arrival airport (depending on the circumstances). Next, you'll have to specify the reason for the delay to ensure it is not an extraordinary circumstance. If you arrived at the destination airport with more than a 3-hour delay, then you are likely entitled to compensation.
Trip Itinerary Information
Next, you may need to offer some info on the itinerary of your trip. Did you get a single ticket to your destination, or did you have a connecting flight? If you missed your second flight as a result of their delay and the airline cannot find an alternative for you, they may offer accommodation, a refund, and a free ticket on the flight back. This is separate from the compensation amount that you are already supposed to receive.
05Steps to Take If Your Flight Is Delayed or Cancelled
If you experience a delayed flight or a cancellation, there are several steps that you should take to secure your compensation, including:
- Hang onto your boarding pass, ticket, and other travel documents. You might need them later on when filing your compensation claim.
- Inquire about why your flight was disrupted and whether it was an extraordinary circumstance. Get a written report, if possible, or take pictures of the arrival or departure board.
- Ask for a refund or an alternative flight if the airline cancels your trip.
- Hang onto all your receipts, whether for meals at the airport or accommodation you missed because of the delay. You may get that money back through a compensation claim.
- Do not accept any travel vouchers or sign any waivers at the airport. This might take away your right to compensation.
The more thorough you are, the easier it should be for you to get compensation for your troubles. StopDelay can help you handle the rest!
06Check How Much Compensation You Can Get Today!
If your flight is late, checking your right to compensation should not be difficult. All you have to do is verify your compensation rights through a flight calculator. Let StopDelay help you!
Why Should I Use a Flight Compensation Calculator?
A flight delay compensation calculator can prove very useful, as it can check your flight in a matter of minutes. Since EC 261 has numerous complexities that the average air passenger might not understand, a free flight calculator can tell you whether or not you are in the right.
What Compensation Amount Can I Get for a Flight from the EU to the US?
The amount of compensation you can get often depends on the distance of the flight, along with how late you arrive at your final destination. You can get up to $250 for short-distance flights, whereas long-distance flights can get you as much as $600.
Can I Claim Compensation If the Delay Was Caused By a Strike?
This depends on the origin of the strike. If it was caused by airport personnel or air traffic control, then the situation is out of the airline's hands. On the other hand, airline staff are on their payroll, and the company should have managed the problem well enough to avoid such a situation in the first place. Should the latter happen, you may be entitled to compensation.
What If the Airline Is Uncooperative in Heeding My Compensation Claim?
Airlines have a way of finding loopholes in a case to keep themselves from having to pay compensation, even if you are technically in the right. You shouldn't be afraid to pursue matters legally if they refuse to give you your compensation. It's also a good idea to go through StopDelay before it gets to that stage, as they can get you through the legal hiccups from the moment you submit your claim.
When Should I File the Claim for Compensation for a Delayed Flight?
You can file your claim as soon as you get to your destination. From the moment you arrive late at the airport, you can submit your documents and get the compensation you're owed. Just make sure that you read the statute of limitations of the country you are filing from because they all have different deadlines.