Flight delayed?

Flight delays are something almost every air passenger comes across at some point in life. Air traffic control strikes increased four times in 2023, causing disruptions to plenty of flights. Luckily for passengers, this is not something you should put up with – according to EC 261, you are eligible for airline delay compensation.

01When Can You Get Compensation for a Delayed Flight?

EC 261 protects air passengers from having to accept being disrespected by the airlines, making them eligible for up to 600 EUR in flight delay compensation. That said, certain conditions will have to be met for this type of plane compensation to kick in. For the most part, you should be able to get flight delay compensation should the following circumstances occur:

• You arrived at the final destination with a delay greater than 3 hours
• You checked in no later than 45 minutes before your departure
• You departed from an airport in the EU or arrived in the EU
• The airline was the one responsible for the delay
• The delay occurred no more than 3 years ago (check the statute of limitations for each country)

One thing to remember is that it does not matter whether or not the airline has provided you with travel vouchers, food, or refreshments. They are supposed to do that once a delay greater than 3 hours occurs. Your right to compensation for delayed flights is a completely different matter, as you still wasted precious time waiting for them. You should be aware of your rights to receive what is rightfully yours.

02What Should You Receive as Flight Delay Compensation?

• Compensation Amount You Are Eligible For
• What If You Are a Public Official or Business Traveler?
• Passenger’s Right to Care: An Extra to EU Flight Delay Compensation
• Knowing EC 261: Other Airline Compensation Rights
• Vouchers vs. Flight Compensation in Cash

Compensation Amount You Are Eligible For

As an air traveler flying through the European Union, you have the right to receive good services. Just as government laws protect your rights when receiving a malfunctioning product, so does EC 261 with your rights as an air passenger. If the flight had a delay that caused a great deal of inconvenience (e.g. waiting for hours at the airport or missing a connecting flight), then you are entitled to flight delay compensation.

The exact amount you can receive will depend on the flight duration or the distance you have to go over. For instance, international delays entitle you to higher amounts than domestic flights. The table below should show you how much you can receive in late flight compensation.

Air passengers may use StopDelay to calculate how much they are owed for free!

What If You Are a Public Official or Business Traveler?

Many air passengers travel via aircraft for business meetings, so they may wonder who gets the flight delay compensation. Despite what some may think, it is not the employer who is entitled to the compensation but the person who did the waiting in the first place.

This applies even if the employer is the one paying for the ticket. While the refund may go to the ticket payer, the flight delay compensation goes to the one who spent long hours at the airport. The amount of compensation is the same, no matter if you work as a public official or fly for private reasons.

Passenger’s Right to Care: An Extra to EU Flight Delay Compensation

Being stranded at the airport for more than 3 hours can bring several inconveniences. For instance, you may have to book accommodation that you were not supposed to or pay for meals that otherwise would not have been needed. Should this happen, EC 261 specifies that the airline needs to cover essentials such as:

• Meals
• Beverages
• Two telephone calls
• Fax, telex, or email

If the delay ends with the passenger staying overnight, the airline must cover the accommodation costs. Should the hotel be at a distance from the airport, the airline must also cover the transportation fees.

Knowing EC 261: Other Airline Compensation Rights

Aside from the standard compensation you can receive for a flight delay, air passengers also have other financial rights. This can include the following:

• Downgrading or Upgrading: Upgraded tickets should come at no extra fee if the cause was overbooking. Similarly, if you are downgraded, you can get a 30-70% refund of the original price.
• Reimbursement or Rerouting: If the flight is later than 5 hours, you have the right to full or partial reimbursement or a return flight free of charge, should you decide not to complete your journey.
• Extra Compensation: Different features of your flight could make you eligible for additional compensation. Call StopDelay to make sure you get your money’s worth!

One thing to remember is that the above-mentioned compensation options do not apply if you voluntarily give up your ticket. You may only receive it if it is imposed on you. Airlines are required to inform you of your rights as per EC 261, but if they decide not to, you can file for compensation through StopDelay.

Vouchers vs. Flight Compensation in Cash

Airlines often offer incentives to appease flyers and keep their reputation at top standards. That said, air passengers should be wary about the kind of voucher they receive and the amount they get. If the sum is close to what you were supposed to obtain, and you accept the travel voucher as compensation, your right may be denied.

That said, not all types of vouchers fall into the category of flight delay compensation. For instance, airlines are legally required to offer nourishment and accommodation, and most of the payments come in the form of vouchers. Other types of airline compensation might give airlines the grounds to deny your claim.

Ultimately, it’s up to you whether or not you accept their travel vouchers. In some cases, compensation for cancelled flights given by the airline can be more attractive than what you would normally receive through EC 261. For this reason, it’s important to do your research first and calculate how much you are owed before you accept their offer.

As surprising as it may seem, not everyone knows their air passenger rights. This applies even more when it comes to international flight compensation. To ensure you get what you are owed, familiarize yourself with your rights or have StopDelay help you.

03What Types of Flights Does Flight Delay Compensation Cover?

• Does EC 261 Cover Every Delayed Flight?
• How Airlines Calculate EU Flight Delay Compensation
• Airline Compensation and Extraordinary Circumstances
• Getting Airline Compensation for Missed Connecting Flight

Does EC 261 Cover Every Delayed Flight?

Almost every airline coming and going from the European Union is under the regulation of EC 261 and is required to cover airline delay compensation. This includes the outermost regions, such as Switzerland, Norway, and Iceland.

Most air passengers believe that only flights within Europe are covered by EC 261, but that’s not true. You are entitled to flight delay compensation as long as the aircraft touches EU soil and is operated by an EU airline. It doesn’t matter if you are going to or from the US – if it’s under the jurisdiction of EC 261, you are eligible for compensation.

How Airlines Calculate EU Flight Delay Compensation

Airlines calculate how much you get in flight delay compensation based on various factors. The most important aspect is your “arrival time.” EC 261 defines “arrival time” as when you reach your final destination airport. The clock starts when the doors are opened, and passengers are left off the plane.

One thing to remember is that the plane’s physical landing and arrival time can be different. For instance, the plane may take extra time on the tarmac, prolonging your flight delay. The landing may have occurred with a 2-hour and 50-minute delay, and the doors could have opened with a 3-hour delay. This is why you should be very attentive to the details when filing for flight delay compensation.

Airlines also consider the distance they travel over when calculating the airline compensation. For example, if you fly domestically and cover a distance smaller than 1,500 km, you may get up to 250 EUR in compensation. However, international flights spanning over 3,500 km can make you eligible for up to 600 EUR in compensation.

Airline Compensation and Extraordinary Circumstances

According to EC 261, airlines are subjected to pay compensation if the delay was caused by their internal issues. That said, they can be exempt from paying compensation if the circumstance is deemed “extraordinary.”

Extraordinary circumstances are situations outside the airline’s control that cannot be predicted or prevented. This could include medical emergencies, severe weather conditions, air traffic control strikes, or acts of terrorism. In other words, airlines are not held liable if an emergency occurs that the airline could not have otherwise predicted.

Gray Areas as Extreme Circumstances

There may be circumstances in which a slightly “extraordinary” circumstance might not be deemed as such under EC 261. For example, snow is not always considered an extraordinary circumstance, as airlines need to have a good supply of icebreakers before winter starts. That said, it might fall under extraordinary circumstances if the snow came on too suddenly and heavily, not giving the time and opportunity to clear it.

Similarly, while airport strikes (i.e., from air traffic control personnel) might be considered extraordinary, the same does not apply to airline strikes. If the issue is internal, good management could have prevented the strike, making the airline liable.

Getting Airline Compensation for Missed Connecting Flight

Air passengers are becoming more daring than ever when choosing their travel destinations, going over distances past 3,500 km. Because of this, it’s normal for a trip to have one or more connections along the way. The problem is that if your first flight has a delay, there’s a good chance that you’ll miss your connecting flight.

Should your ticket hold multiple flights and you miss one, the airline is responsible for finding a replacement. If the missed connecting flight leads to a delay that is longer than 3 hours at your final destination, you can receive up to 600 EUR in compensation.

Remember that for this to apply, the flights must be booked together. If you book them separately (especially with different airlines), EC 261 might not cover this.

04Steps to Receive a Flight Delay Compensation Claim

• How to Get Airline Compensation
• How to Get Flight Delay Compensation with StopDelay
• Documents Needed for Flight Delay Compensation
• Tools to Help with Flight Delay Compensation

How to Get Airline Compensation

When you find out that your flight has been delayed, the first thing that you should not do is not panic. In most cases, EC 261/2004 covers your flight disruptions as long as you follow a series of steps. This includes the following:

• Don’t throw away your ticket and boarding pass. The more travel documents you have, the better you should be able to state your case.
• Hang on to your receipts if the delay causes you to spend unnecessary money.
• Ask the airline to tell you why the flight has been delayed and make sure that you keep a record of it.
• Get some proof of the delay. This could be a written message from the airline informing you of the delay or pictures taken from the departure/arrival board.
• Ask for refreshments or meals if the delay is longer than two hours.
• Don’t accept offers (i.e., travel vouchers) or sign anything that could potentially waive your rights.

If the delay ends up being longer than 5 hours, putting your next flight on the following day, you are eligible for receiving accommodation. Get the airline to put you in a hotel room rather than sleeping at the airport.

How to Get Flight Delay Compensation with StopDelay

As an air passenger, time is likely of the essence for you. If you are traveling for leisure, the last thing you probably want is to fight with the airline for compensation. To make things easier for you, StopDelay can handle the following aspects:

• Communicating with the airline
• Calculate your eligibility for compensation
• Handling the potential legal steps

We can help you claim compensation from most airlines at no risk. We will only charge you a fee once we successfully get your compensation.

Documents Needed for Flight Delay Compensation

Each airline can require different documents when determining your right to compensation. The best thing you can do is hold on to every piece of paperwork, including the receipts, if your flight is delayed.

Keep in mind that even if EC 261 says that you are in the right, airlines won’t be too eager to give you money. However, they will have no option if the proof of delay you offer is irrefutable.

Tools to Help with Flight Delay Compensation

In this digital world, it is now easier than ever to get access to various tools. Our online eligibility checker can help you determine whether or not you are eligible for compensation. If it turns out that you qualify, then you may proceed with filing the compensation for a delayed flight claim.

05Air Passenger Rights: What Are the Laws Regarding Airline Compensation?

• Understanding Flight Delay Compensation US
• The Montreal Convention on Global Delayed Flights

Understanding Flight Delay Compensation US

Passengers from the US may wonder whether they can file for compensation. Luckily for them, EC 261 covers international flights as long as there is a connection with a European airline. The table below should give you some insight into what is covered and what is not:

There is no specific flight delayed compensation in the US system except when you are stuck on the tarmac. However, if you are connected with an EU flight, you should be able to get your money.

The Montreal Convention on Global Delayed Flights

Aside from EC 261, air passengers are also covered under the Montreal Convention of 2003. While the former addresses issues with delays and cancellations, the latter handles damaged or lost luggage.

Other types of damage are also covered on global delayed flights. For example, if you had to pay for an extra night at the hotel, this law can help you obtain airline compensation.

06How StopDelay Can Help

• How StopDelay Protects Your Rights
• Impact of StopDelay on Flight Delay Compensation

How StopDelay Protects Your Rights

At StopDelay, we help protect your rights as an air passenger using our extensive knowledge. We are a leading flight compensation company that helped thousands of people get compensation for delayed or canceled flights and denied boarding.

For the most part, working with StopDelay brings you the following advantages:

• Higher chances of success, as our team knows how to bypass bureaucratic hurdles
• Helped thousands of passengers get the most out of their compensation
• “No win, no fee” system that reduces the risk of money loss, regardless of the circumstances
• Time and stress-saving, as our team will handle the process in your stead

Our team at StopDelay not only protects your rights but also helps you understand them. We can help you get past the complex legal aspects that could accidentally get your case rejected, and we can also help you get the most out of your money.

We do so at only one fraction of a fee from your compensation, an amount which is lower than most companies. Unlike other services that take more than 35% (up to 50%) of your compensation amount as a fee, we only take 30%. This places us as the best-rated flight compensation company, helping you get your due payment when the airlines are denying you.

Impact of StopDelay on Flight Delay Compensation

When EC 261/2004 came out, it was deemed that passengers who experienced flight disruptions were entitled to compensation for their troubles. This compensation for long delays would be given if specific requirements were met.

Initially, passengers did not know they had this right to receive compensation. Airlines would also constantly find loopholes to exempt them from making said payment. StopDelay’s team came to aid disgruntled passengers in filing for flight delay compensation, reducing the stress of a claim.

Over time, we won over 250,000 airline compensation cases, and our seasoned professionals know precisely how to work around airline loopholes. This reduces the stress of filing for compensation, as our team can handle the legal matters.