Flight cancelled?

01Obtaining Flight Cancellation Compensation in the EU and USA

As an air traveler, you might encounter some issues now and then. A bit of turbulence here and there or perhaps a delay can increase your stress levels, making you count the minutes until you get home. However, the most annoying thing that can happen is a cancellation. In this case, you know for sure that the doors were closed on your chosen way home.

Luckily, passengers don’t have to accept the situation as it is and hope it never happens again. You are entitled to cancelled flight compensation if this happens. Passengers can receive up to 600 EUR in compensation according to EU regulations. If you are unaware of how flight cancellation compensation works, this guide will help you get your information.

02Compensation for Cancelled Flights Rules: What You Should Know

Air passengers are protected by a series of rights outlined under EC 261 when flying to and from Europe. Should misfortune hit you and you are left stranded at the airport with no plane to take you to your destination, you are entitled to EU flight cancellation compensation. Depending on various circumstances, such as the distance that you had to cover, you can get up to 600 EUR in compensation.

With that in mind, not every cancellation is covered by EC 261. Certain things are considered, such as the airline you fly with, the departure point, the destination, and many more. Overall, here is a list of factors to be considered when determining canceled flight compensation.

• The aircraft was meant to depart from the EU (some flights from outside could also apply).
• You took their offer for a replacement flight but arrived at a time different than your original flight specified.
• You were told of the cancellation less than 2 weeks before your departure was due.
• The cancellation happened in the last two years (or within the statute of limitations for the country you are filing from).
• The reason for the cancellation was within the airline’s control (e.g., technical issues that could have otherwise been avoided through regular maintenance).
• You already confirmed your reservation, which you can prove with the information you received in your email.

The compensation rules may differ from one case to the other. For this reason, we recommend that you check your rights to compensation by using our tools.

03What Exactly Is Canceled Flight Compensation?

To understand this type of compensation, you must first know what a flight cancellation is. Flights are considered “canceled” when a plane meant to depart never takes off. EC 261 describes it as the “operational failure of a previously planned flight, one which had at least one reserved seat.”

An airline might decide to cancel a flight for a variety of reasons. For instance, bad weather might make takeoff unsafe, prompting them to cancel. This way, they can potentially prevent a cascading effect.

The good news is that if airlines do this, they can offer you flight cancellation compensation for the trouble they put you through. Bear in mind that they likely won’t take the initiative to pay you back, though; it’s not in their interest. This is why you’ll have to make the claim yourself.

EC 261 says that you can get compensation from airlines for cancelled flights. The amount you receive could go as high as 600 EUR, depending on where you took off from or landed and whether or not the cancellation led to a delay. Circumstances are different for each flight, so companies like ours can help you determine how much flight cancellation compensation you are eligible for.

You need to keep in mind that cancellation and delays are two completely different matters, but they do meet at some points. For instance, your flight might be canceled, and the provided alternative reaches your destination with a three-hour delay. In that case, you might be eligible for flight delay compensation.

04What Can You Get as Canceled Flight Compensation?

We are here to assist you if you want information on getting flight cancellation compensation. The good news is that if the airline cancels your flight, the airline needs to help you find a solution. As a result, they can either give you the option for an alternative flight, or they can refund your ticket. This is the case when the airline cancels more than 14 days before your takeoff is scheduled.

If they cancel within those 14 days, then the story changes. In this case, you are entitled to extra money: compensation for the canceled flight. We are here to offer some details on how these matters work:

• Options for Flight Canceled: Compensation, Re-routing, or Refund
• How Much Can You Get in EU Flight Compensation?
• Other Rights for Flight Cancellation Compensation

Options for Flight Canceled: Compensation, Re-routing, or Refund

Should your flight get canceled, the airline is responsible for offering you three choices:

• A refund of your ticket, full or partial. Depending on the case, they might also give you a new ticket to take you back to your departure point.
• An alternative flight that can take you to your alternative with as little delay as possible.
• A new ticket to your destination at a later point, based on availability and your preferences.

To understand your options better, we are going to break them down for you:

1. Refund Option

If you no longer want to take the flight, one option you can get is a refund. This refund can be either full or partial. For instance, if you are already in your hometown in Europe and no longer wish to fly, they can give you a full refund of the ticket. That said, if you are at a connecting airport, they will only offer a refund for the flight that was not boarded.

Regardless, even if that’s the case, you should be able to get a free return flight along with your partial ticket refund. The money should reach your account within 7 days, according to EC 261.

1. Earliest Alternative Flight

If you still want to reach your destination, the airline must find the earliest possible alternative. The timelines need to be similar, and if you reach the destination with a delay longer than 3 hours, you can get compensated for it.

One thing to keep in mind is that the alternative flight might not always be at the airport you are currently at. In that case, the airline needs to cover the method of transportation. They can either arrange for a transfer or offer the payment through compensation based on your receipt.

1. Alternative Flight

If you are not picky about the date, then they can arrange for you to take a different flight at another time. The conditions need to be similar to your original flight, according to EC 261.

How Much Can You Get in EU Flight Compensation?

If the airline does not notify you of the cancellation with at least a 14-day head-start, you should know you are eligible for flight cancellation compensation. EC 261 makes that very clear. If the flight cancels on you, then you can get up to 600 EUR or the equivalent for other currencies) per passenger.

Having said that, more things come into play when deciding how much you are owed. This includes the following:

• Location: Whether or not your flight is connected to the EU
• Distance: How long the distance is
• Delay Length: How long the alternative flight took to reach your destination

These variables can make it difficult to understand how much you are owed. Having said that, there are still some standard rules that can give you a better understanding. Our professionals at StopDelay can help you comprehend how much compensation for flight delays you can get:

As you can see, airlines can often cut the compensation amounts in half. This can depend on how late you arrive at your destination compared to your original timeline. According to EC 261, every airline is required to give you compensation if they notify you less than 14 days before your departure. They can also offer to re-route you to avoid giving away cancellation compensation, but it only applies if they meet certain conditions:

It’s best to always keep records of airline documentation so you can prove your case.

Other Rights for Flight Cancellation Compensation

Flight cancellation compensation is not the only thing that you are entitled to. Here is what you can potentially receive from the airline if they cancel your flight:

• Right to Care

Imagine you are stuck for hours at an airport with no way to get you back on track. Should this happen, then you have the right to care. This can include meals, nourishment, accommodations, and even transportation fees to the hotel if necessary. Make sure to hang onto your receipts if you end up paying for them yourself.

• Right to Information

As a passenger experiencing flight disruptions, you can receive information about your rights. This should be available at the airline’s check-in counter.

• Right to Further Compensation

No two passengers have the same kind of flight. For instance, you may have checked in luggage that had a different fate in your journey than you did, or perhaps you booked a special-benefit seat. In this case, you might have the right to further compensation.

Keep in mind that this only applies to those who do not voluntarily give up their seat. A good tip is to learn as much about your rights as you possibly can. You can also read more on EC 261 if you missed something at the airline info point.

05Should You Get Compensation for a Cancelled Flight?

• Application of EC 261
• What About Extraordinary Circumstances?
• Missed Flights and Cancellation Compensation for Connecting Routes

Application of EC 261

EC 261 aims to protect air passengers’ rights, keeping the airlines from taking advantage of them, regardless of their origin. This means that even US citizens can have their rights protected. The law entitles you to flight cancellation compensation if you experience any kind of flight disruption, such as a cancellation.

For the most part, all flights with at least one stop in the European Union fall under the jurisdiction of this regulation. With that in mind, this law is not limited to just central EU countries but also the outermost regions. This means that areas like the Canary Islands, Mayotte, Guadeloupe, and La Reunion can benefit from it. It also covers other nations that are part of the EEA (European Economic Area), such as Norway, Iceland, and Switzerland.

Flights from areas outside the EU (e.g., the US) can also be protected by the regulation. As long as you are flying with a European carrier and your plane lands in Europe, then you are covered.

Below is a table that can help you understand whether or not you are eligible for flight cancellation compensation:

What About Extraordinary Circumstances?

Airlines can avoid giving you flight cancellation compensation if they can prove the cancellation was out of their control. This sort of situation is what they would normally call an “extraordinary circumstance.” They can say that the cancellation could not be avoided despite all the precautionary steps they could have taken to prevent it.

For example, things such as lightning strikes, severe weather conditions, medical emergencies, terrorist acts, or sabotage can fall under this category. These situations are entirely outside the airline’s control and could not have been prepared for, the cancellation being made for the passengers’ safety.

Having said that, some seemingly “extraordinary” circumstances may not be as unexpected as they make it look. Airlines can try to pass issues like operational circumstances or technical difficulties as “extraordinary.” That said, with the proper maintenance, these could easily be avoided. The European Court of Justice (ECJ) also deemed that airline staff strikes are not considered extraordinary. In this case, passengers are eligible to receive compensation for flight cancellations.

Missed Flights and Cancellation Compensation for Connecting Routes

Sometimes, a cancellation can cause you to miss a connecting flight, compromising your entire journey. This doesn’t have a “one size fits all” type of response. It depends on where you took off from or landed, who you are flying with, whether or not your tickets were booked during the same reservation, and so on.

For the most part, if you booked your journey under one reservation and had at least one EU connection, EC 261 will likely kick in. However, it’s difficult to say how much flight cancellation compensation you get, as they can look at either one part or the full journey.

These regulations can differ across multiple EU courts, so you should research when calculating how much you are owed. Our professionals at StopDelay have a calculator that you may use to determine how much you are owed in compensation. We also have information on missed connection compensation that we invite you to check out on our website.

06How Can You File for Flight Cancellation Compensation?

• What to Do in Case of Cancellations
• How StopDelay Can Help

What to Do in Case of Cancellations?

The first thing that you should do is keep calm and plan your move. If you are going to or from the EU, you can get compensated if your flight is taken off the board. Follow the following steps to ensure a smooth process:

• Get proof that you were supposed to be on the canceled flight (e.g., your boarding pass, ticket confirmation, and other travel documents)
• Get written confirmation from the airline (e.g., a screenshot of the notifying email), including the reasons for it
• Ask for an alternative flight to get to your destination or perhaps a refund if you no longer wish to proceed
• Note the time that you arrived at your destination and see if there were any delays
• Ask the airline to offer meals and refreshments if you are stuck for more than 2 hours
• Don’t accept travel vouchers, as they can potentially cancel your rights to compensation
• If needed, have the airline provide you with a hotel room
• Hang on to any receipts you may have if the cancellation ends up costing you unnecessary expenses

The more proof you have of the cancellation and your inconveniences, the stronger your case can become.

How StopDelay Can Help

Airlines are supposed to give you compensation under the regulations of EC 261, but that doesn’t mean they’re not going to push back. They’ll try clinging to every loophole possible because paying you means less money for them.

The law may be on your side, but this doesn’t spare you the headaches. This is where StopDelay can help, as they can tackle the negotiations on your behalf. Here’s what you should know:

• StopDelay is the world’s leading flight compensation company, which helped numerous passengers understand their rights. We assisted them in receiving their compensation for delayed or canceled flights and cases of denied boarding.
• We successfully completed more than 250,000 compensation cases, bringing justice to individuals who suffered through flight disruptions.
• We are the best-rated flight compensation company in the world, with more than 80 seasoned professionals available to help you out.
• StopDelay can help you avoid the hassle of navigating the legal system, saving you time and nerves.
• While airlines may try to deny your claim, we know exactly what makes them tick. We can handle bureaucratic and legal action, so you can rest assured.

StopDelay is a “no win, no fee” type of company, so we won’t charge you any money until you get your compensation. We charge a fixed fee if you win, which is 30% of the compensation. It’s the lowest you will usually find in similar companies.

Even if you prefer to get your hands on the flight cancellation compensation on your own, we advise that you use our tools. They are free to access, and you can check whether or not you are eligible before getting started with the process.

07Get Your Compensation Today!

A cancelled flight should not be your concern as you are trying to travel peacefully. If you are denied boarding due to cancellation, make sure to use StopDelay to claim your compensation!