Question 1

Does EC 261/2004 Protect Me If I Miss my Connecting Flight Due to a Delay?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the circumstances of your booking. If the connecting flights have the same reference number (i.e., you bought the ticket in one reservation), then you are protected by the regulation for the whole flight. In this case, you are eligible for compensation if you reach the final destination more than three hours late. If the flights were booked separately from different airlines, you are still protected, but they will be treated independently.

Question 2

Am I Still Protected by EC 261/2004 If I Am Not an EU Resident?

Accepted Answer

Yes, it doesn’t matter if you hold residency or citizenship in a European country. You have grounds for compensation as long as your flight left from an EU airport or arrived in the EU with a European airline.

Question 3

Do I Get Compensation If the Delay Happens Because of a Strike?

Accepted Answer

The answer to that depends on the origins of the strike. If it was external (i.e., air control or crucial sections of the airport), affecting the air carrier operation, then this was beyond the airline’s control. On the other hand, if it was internal, then the airline may be held fully responsible for the incident.

Question 4

How Much Compensation Can I Get for a Flight Delay?

Accepted Answer

The amount of compensation that you get will often depend on factors such as the distance you are traveling. Compensation for short-haul flights of less than 1,500 km is around 250 EUR, whereas long-haul flights that go past 3,500 km could entitle you to up to 600 EUR.

Question 5

Can I Get Compensation If Bad Weather Delayed or Cancelled My Flight?

Accepted Answer

EC 261/2004 exempts the airline from having to pay you if the delay or cancellation occurs due to extraordinary circumstances. Rare meteorological events include hurricanes, extreme wind, volcano eruptions, or snowstorms. The average bad weather usually does not affect flight operations and should not be grounds for exemptions.
It is always recommended to check with an aviation law expert who will review the circumstances of the disruption

Question 6

Can I Receive Compensation If I Travel with My Child?

Accepted Answer

This depends on whether or not you have a paid ticket for your child. EC 261/2004 does not mention that a passenger needs to be a certain age to receive compensation. It does, however, specify that the one receiving compensation needs to have a ticket. If they are minors and you bought a ticket for them, then you can opt for compensation. On the other hand, if you are traveling with an infant and did not get an extra seat, then you likely won’t get any refund or compensation for them.

Question 7

Can I Receive Compensation If I Spend Unnecessary Money Due to the Delay?

Accepted Answer

If the delay caused you to additional expenses for food, accommodation, or communication, the airline may reimburse you for those costs. Just make sure that you keep the receipts for that and upload them to the system on the appropriate page. This does not usually include things such as missed activities or hotel bookings, as this is often covered by travel insurance.

Question 8

When Can I Expect to Receive My Compensation?

Accepted Answer

The processing time for the claim can depend on various factors, such as how straightforward your case is or whether or not you have all the documents. It can take as little as two weeks and as long as a few months. If you have a more complex case and legal action is required, it can take longer to resolve the case.

Question 9

Am I Still Eligible for Compensation If I Receive Food, Drinks, or Accommodation from the Airline?

Accepted Answer

Airlines are legally bound to provide for you if there is a long delay. For the most part, they must offer food vouchers with delays longer than 2-3 hours and accommodation if a cancellation forces you to stay overnight. These differ from the compensation, and if you accepted their vouchers, it doesn’t mean you are not eligible for compensation. It’s your right to file.

Question 10

Does the Air Passenger Law protect me If I Fly with a Non-EU Carrier?

Accepted Answer

This depends on where you departed from. If you are flying from an EU airport to a non-EU destination, you are eligible for compensation. On the other hand, if you are flying with a non-EU carrier and departing from a non-EU airport, this usually does not fall in the jurisdiction of EC 261/2004.

Question 11

Can the Airline Deny My Boarding Due to Overbooking?

Accepted Answer

Airline carriers are allowed by law to overbook a plane, as it is expected that passengers might not show up or cancel their reservation with little notice. That said, they are also subjected to EC 261/2004 if the overbooking causes passengers to involuntarily not be allowed on the plane. In this case, the airline is expected to offer you a refund or find a similar flight and account for meals and accommodations. Compensation can also be provided if you do not voluntarily give up your seat, leading to a delay longer than 3 hours.

Question 12

My Flight Had a Delay of Less than 3 Hours, But It Caused Me to Miss My Connection. Can I Still File a Claim?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, you should be able to file for compensation if your arrival at the final destination was at least 3 hours late. If the delay at your previous connection lasted more than 3 hours but the lost time was recovered, you may not be able to file for compensation.

Question 13

How Long Can I Wait Before Submitting a Claim?

Accepted Answer

Ideally, you should submit the claim as early as possible to prevent accidentally losing the data. That said, each country has its statute of limitations on the matter. Belgium, for instance, has a 1-year limit for submitting a claim, whereas Luxembourg allows for up to 10 years. Ideally, you should check for guidance from legal professionals and file as early as possible to ensure you don’t pass the deadline.

Question 14

Is Compensation the Same Thing as a Refund?

Accepted Answer

Refunds and compensations are two entirely different things. Refunds can be given before the flight is canceled, and you do not want a rebooking. This is simply a return for a service that did not occur. On the other hand, compensation is given to make up for the discomfort that you went through because of that change. For this reason, some air passengers can receive compensation along with their refund.

Question 15

What Circumstances Make Me Eligible for a Flight Compensation Claim?

Accepted Answer

Flight compensation claims usually apply for airline incidents that occur on short notice, but not always. For instance, if your flight has a delay of three hours or more, a flight was canceled and the airline did not inform you about the cancellation at least 14 days in advance, or you were denied boarding the plane despite holding a valid ticket, then you are eligible for compensation.

Question 16

Will I Be Charged a Fee If the Compensation Is Not Approved?

Accepted Answer

Stop Delay has a “No Win, No Fee” policy, where we only charge our services once we win. A commission will be deducted from the compensation amount if we succeed in securing your claim. If we don’t win the case, you do not owe us anything.

Question 17

What Is a Flight Compensation Claim?

Accepted Answer

Flight compensation claims are financial rewards that can be given to you if you experience disruptions in your flight. This could include delays, cancellations, missed connections, lost luggage, denied boarding, and many more.

Question 18

How Long Is the Link for the Affiliate Program Valid For?

Accepted Answer

The referral link for the StopDelay affiliate program has no expiration date.

Question 19

Who Can Join the Affiliate Program? Do They Have to Be Previous Clients?

Accepted Answer

Anyone can join our affiliate program, whether or not they used our services for flight claims. The only condition is that those joining need to be at least 18 years old. Other than that, you are free to join if you wish to earn commissions by referring other people to our services.

Question 20

Is My Personal Information Safe If I Share It with You?

Accepted Answer

Yes, we are very serious about data confidentiality and adhere to strict standards. We use secured storage systems and encrypted communication channels, so your information does not fall into the wrong hands.

Question 21

Where Can I Find My Flight Reservation Number?

Accepted Answer

Your flight reservation number is a series of 6 characters (letters and numbers) confirming your flight, usually found on your flight ticket (physical or digital). In case you lose your ticket, you should check your inbox for messages or payment confirmation from the airline. There is a good chance that your flight reservation number will be there, too.

Question 22

Can I Still File for Flight Compensation If I Lose My Boarding Pass?

Accepted Answer

While losing your boarding pass complicates things, it doesn’t necessarily mean you can no longer file for compensation. You can still proceed if you have your booking confirmation, electronic records you checked in, receipts from the airport, and witness statements. If you corresponded with the airline about the disruption, this could also serve as evidence.

Question 23

When Do I Become Eligible for Receiving Compensation?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, you are eligible to receive compensation if the flight disruption caused a delay of at least 3 hours.  It mainly depends on the airline, distance, and reasons that led to the delay.

Question 24

What Documents Will I Need to Support My Claim?

Accepted Answer

Every document you have or gather concerning your flight can help strengthen your case. This includes the confirmation of your booking, the boarding pass, email and chat exchanges with the airline, along with the expenses that have potentially occurred due to the disruption.

Question 25

Is There a Limit to How Many People I Can Refer Your Service To?

Accepted Answer

No, there isn’t any limit to how many people you can refer through our affiliate program. You can recommend us to however many people you want, and you will earn a commission each time that referral succeeds. The potential for earnings is unlimited.

Question 26

I Traveled with More than One Person. Can I Submit a Claim for Them as Well?

Accepted Answer

Yes, for the most part, you could submit claims for other passengers you flew with if you traveled in a group. The only condition is that the tickets you seek compensation for must be part of the same booking. If your companions booked their tickets separately, then they should be the ones submitting their claims.

Question 27

Can I Still Make a Compensation Claim If I Use Air Miles to Get My Ticket?

Accepted Answer

Your air miles are rewards for flying frequently with an airline – therefore, they are considered currency. Even if you used the miles to pay for your ticket, you should still be able to obtain compensation.

Question 28

Do I Also Need to Provide My ID or Passport when Submitting a Claim?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, offering relevant travel documents, such as your boarding pass or booking confirmation, will be sufficient. That said, you also need to provide proof of identity, which makes it necessary to upload your passport. You can rest assured that your data is always safe with us, and your privacy will be protected.

Question 29

Can I Get a Refund for Airport Taxes and Fees If I Don’t Use My Ticket?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, if the cancellation was caused by the airline, you should be able to receive a full refund, including the fees and taxes. However, the ticket is likely non-refundable if you did not show up for your flight and the missed boarding was your fault. You can, however, request a refund of the taxes and fees, as you did not use the airport services. Bear in mind that this might depend on the airline or the ticket type, so you can contact us to find out more.

Question 30

Do You Also Handle Luggage Claims?

Accepted Answer

Lost or damaged luggage can also cause disruptions in a journey, most often occurring when you have multiple connections to go through. EC 261/2004 protects you against this issue, and we offer support. Should your luggage be mishandled, damaged or lost, we can file the claim on your behalf.

Question 31

Can Stop Delay Help Me Obtain Compensation If the Airline Has Already Rejected My Claim?

Accepted Answer

Most clients try to reduce the hassle by filing an air compensation claim directly at the airline. Very often, the lack of appropriate tools or incomplete files, along with resistance from the airline, can lead to the claim being rejected. We understand that, so we will research using our tools to determine your eligibility. The fact that it was dismissed initially will not affect how we analyze your case, but it will only provide more insight into the issue.

Question 32

Can I Still Get Compensation If the Airline Gives Me a Refund?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the circumstances in which you received the refund and whether or not you agreed to it. For instance, if the airline contacted you hours or days ahead about the cancellation and you agreed to a rebooking, you are likely not entitled to compensation. On the other hand, if the airline denied your boarding or you didn’t agree to the rebooking, then you can get both a refund and compensation. The first covers the service you did not receive and the second is for the trouble they caused you.

Question 33

What Is an Extraordinary Circumstance?

Accepted Answer

An “extraordinary circumstance” is an event that caused a delay or cancellation but was not under the airline’s control. This could be an unforeseen technical issue with the aircraft, security risk at the airport, or extremely bad weather that prevented the plane from departing or landing when it should. That said, not every technicality or weather issue is considered an “extreme circumstance,” so it is still recommended to talk with the experts. At StopDelay, we will verify whether or not those circumstances were actually “extreme.”

Question 34

Can I Also Claim Compensation for Additional Expenses Caused By the Cancellation?

Accepted Answer

Yes, aside from the compensation you received from the airline for your troubles, you could also obtain it for other reasonable expenses. For instance, if you had to pay for meals, transportation, and accommodation that would have otherwise not been necessary, then you are entitled to receive payback for that as well.

Question 35

Can I Still Receive Compensation If the Delay Is Caused by An Operational Issue?

Accepted Answer

Yes, most of the time, an operational issue can entitle you to receive flight cancellation compensation. The condition is that it has to be under the airline’s control. Some situations, such as a large bird being ingested in the motor, could be passed off as “extreme.” However, if the issue that appeared could have been easily prevented through maintenance, then you are likely eligible.

Question 36

How Will I Be Given My Compensation If I Win?

Accepted Answer

If you win your compensation claim, the compensation will go directly into your bank account through a wire transfer.

Question 37

What Laws Am I Protected by If a Delay or Cancellation Occurs?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the country you are in, but for the most part, you can expect to be protected by Regulation (EC) No. 261/2004. This law-binding document applies to all departures and arrivals from/at EU airports, especially if they are European carriers. Should a delay or cancellation occur, EC 261/2004 outlines your rights for compensation.
There are other laws and regulations that cover the areas that Regulation EC 261/2004 does not cover, including:
The Israeli Aviation Services Law, UK 261, USA Laws, Canada APPR, Turkey SHY Passenger, Brazil ANAC 400, China Management of Flight Regularity, The Montreal Convention 1999.

Question 38

Do I Have a Time Limit for Getting My Compensation?

Accepted Answer

The statute of limitation varies from country to country, most of them allowing around 3-4 years for you to file a claim (sometimes more). That said, to avoid any issues and get your money faster, you should file as early as possible.

Question 39

Can I Get Compensated If the Delay Lasts Just One Hour?

Accepted Answer

This depends on different circumstances, such as whether or not you arrived at the final destination on time or how many airlines you flew with. If you flew over one route with an airline and were 1 hour late at the destination, then the airline is still within the norms of EC 261. That said, if the first delay caused you to miss a connecting flight with the same airline,leading to a longer 3 hour flight delay then you are eligible for compensation.

Question 40

How Much Can I Receive in Compensation If My Flight is Overbooked?

Accepted Answer

If your flight with Edelweiss is overbooked and you are denied boarding, you are entitled to up to 600 EUR in compensation. The final amount depends on the distance you flew, with international flights entitling you to more compensation.

Question 41

How Much Can I Get in Compensation?

Accepted Answer

The amount you can get often depends on the distance you flew over and the length of the delay. Your right kicks in after 3 hours under EC 261 – from that point, you can get between 250 and 600 EUR. The longer the distance, the more you can receive.

Question 42

When Should I File the Claim for Compensation for a Delayed Flight?

Accepted Answer

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.

Question 43

How Long Will It Take for the Claim to Process?

Accepted Answer

For the most part, it takes around 2-4 weeks for Emirates to process your claim. It all depends on the demand for that specific month or the complexity of your case. In a particularly complicated situation, it could take more than one month to get it resolved.

Question 44

Will You Handle Legal Matters If It Goes to Court?

Accepted Answer

There may be circumstances where a complex case may be rejected at first or brought to court. Should this happen, In some cases we will also handle the legal process, so you do not have to experience the hassle yourself.

Question 45

How Do I Submit Compensation Claims?

Accepted Answer

Filing for compensation can be done in two ways. First, you can file through the airline’s, taking matters into your own hands. You can do it on the phone once you get home or discuss the issue with them directly at the airport. Secondly, you can get an intermediary such as Stop Delay, which will handle these matters for you instead. The latter option is more straightforward, risk-free, and efficient, as we have all the tools to streamline the process. Doing it alone could prove challenging and complex, risking a lengthy, drawn-out case.

Question 46

What Is StopDelay and What Can You Do for Me?

Accepted Answer

Stop Delay is a flight claim company that offers professional services for air passengers who experience flight disruptions. We act on behalf of our customers to obtain compensation for delayed or canceled flights, missed connections, denied boarding, and other similar issues. We will act as the intermediary between our clients and the airline so that they can make the most of their compensation.

Question 47

How Does StopDelay’s Affiliate Program Work?

Accepted Answer

The affiliate program for StopDelay allows air passengers to share the service with their friends and family. If they use our services and successfully receive compensation for a canceled or delayed flight, then you will receive a commission for referring them to us.

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Air Passenger Law 5 answers

Receiving the compensation 11 answers

Submitting a Claim 4 answers

Documents and Privacy 5 answers

Fees and Payout Methods 4 answers

Affiliate Program 4 answers

General information 9 answers

About StopDelay 5 answers

How can we help?

Browse by topic

Answers

01Air Passenger Law 5 answers

02Receiving the compensation 11 answers

03Submitting a Claim 4 answers

04Documents and Privacy 5 answers

05Fees and Payout Methods 4 answers

06Affiliate Program 4 answers

07General information 9 answers

08About StopDelay 5 answers